denon 3803 or 4802 for 500 more (1 Viewer)

[richard as]

Hello, I have chance to get 3803 for $900 or 4802 for $1400. I listen to ht 99% of time w nht 5pc. theater set with hsu sub(Also spare set of super zero's for 6.1,7.1).Can't really afford xtra 500 but if you guys think It's a really good deal I'll gladly do it!
Thanks for your thoughts, richard as

 

[Tom Grooms]

Sounds to me like a no brainer. If you can afford the extra $500 clams, get the 4802. It is a much better piece.

$0.02

 

[Jaimin]

I think he said he couldn't afford the extra $500. In that case I would say save the money as you will most likely be happy with the 3803. Go listen to them both and see if there is a huge difference or not.

 

[Yogi]

The 3803 will be as good as the 4802 just going by the specs alone. I dont think there will be much of a difference between the two and you'd be hard pressed to hear any. I'd say save the $500 and use it for an amp upgrade in the future. That would be a much better route, IMHO.

 

[richard as]

Thanks for help. 4802 seems worth the extra $$$.

 

[JackS]

Add a $500 two channel amp to the 3803. A year from now you will really be glad you took this route over the 4802. Best of luck, Jack

 

[ReggieW]

I agree with Yogi and Jack,

You will have all of the formats with the 3803 plus DTS 24/96 which the 4802 doesn't have. The 4802 Has THX certification and the 3803 HAS A cinema-eq feature which is supposed to be similar to the THX spec. You could add a nice parasound amp to the 900.00 or so you would pay for the 3803 and have a system that easily outperforms the 4802 for less money. An external amp will also make your system more future proof by giving you greater flexibility. I too will be picking up a 3803 next month and selling my 1802. I am eyeing a 140wpc five-channel THX-cert Parasound amp down the road for my 3803. It is interesting that I have not heard mention anywhere of a forthcoming 4803 from Denon. I think they may skip a year and go staright to a 4804 several
months down the road.


Reg

 

[Bolivar G]

You will have all of the formats with the 3803 plus DTS 24/96 which the 4802 doesn't have

Thats not true, im looking at my manuel right now for my 4802 and does have DTS 96/24 , in big black bold letters.

 

[ReggieW]

Thanks Bolivar,

I stand corrected.

R

 

[Yogi]

Prepro wise you will be hardpressed to notice any difference between the two. You might have to take a shot of novocaine before you audition the prepros in both to notice a difference. Add an external 3 channel amp to the 3803 and you will be able to notice a remarkable improvement in the front soundstage and dynamics compared to the 4802 by itself. Plus when you upgrade in the future you will be able to reuse the amp while the 4802 will have to be sold (for a depreciated value) or be relegated to a secondary system. So in the long run the 3803+ amp route would be cost effective. And in the short run it would be more fun to listen to. This is assuming that one goes purely by sound. I know feature wise the 4802 has all the cool THX processing so if you are into features then the 4802 might suit your needs better.
MHO.

 

[Mike Sloan]

The 4802 recently received STEREOPHILES Receiver of the year:

Also new is the AVR-4802 A/V receiver. The THX Ultra-certified surround amplifier is the first to incorporate the recently announced DTS 96/24 5.1 format for DVD Video. It is also the first component to utilize THX 6.1 post-processing for DTS ES Discrete 6.1 encoded material, and THX post-processing for Dolby Pro Logic II. The AVR-4802 includes seven amplified channels with 125 watts of power in each, true 24-bit/96kHz digital input capability, 50MHz bandwidth component video switching of three sources and more.

 

[TomH]

The 4802 and 58xx's have always been a significant step up from the 38xx series in both quality and performance. If you plan to stay with a receiver only, go with the 4802. If you plan to add amplification I would avoid a receiver altogether and consider separates.

 

[Wayne Ernst]

I think they may skip a year and go staright to a 4804 severalmonths down the road.

Either that, or one heck of a 3804 - we can only hope.