Denon 2802, 3802, 4802 Question (1 Viewer)

[Joe]

I demoed a Denon 2802 awhile back and found the stereo audio portion of it very flat. Does the 3802 and 4802 have the same sound as the 2802?

Thanks.

 

[John Garcia]

Demoed with what other gear in what mode? That can make a big difference. When I audition, I request the speakers set to large, no sub, stereo via both digital and analog if possible to compare the receiver's DACs to the source's.

I haven't heard a 4802, but I found the 3802 flat and not very engaging for music.

Give a listen to Marantz and Harman Kardon.

 

[Haru]

my 3802 sounds as good as I have any other receiver that I have heard.

 

[John Garcia]

The question was not if you like how your 3802 sounds, but if the 3802 and 4802 have the same characteristic sound.

When I was looking for a receiver, I auditioned the 3802, H/K 510 and Marantz SR6200. Both the H/K and Marantz easily sounded better with 2ch music, and I ended up going with the 6200.

A friend of mine has a 4801 and it does sound good with 2ch music, but he also has a very nice source (I don't remember the model, but it was around $1K), and some nice KEF Q series speakers.