Denon 4802 vs 3803 (1 Viewer)

[Eric Lo]

Does anyone know how the 4802 compares to the newer 3803? Particularly, their 2-channel music performance where the 4802 uses Analog Devices DACs and the 3803 uses Burr Brown's newer DACs operating in differential mode in 2-channel mode.

Anyone?

-- Eric

 

[CurtisC]

The non tech reply is,I prefer the 3803 and a good amp, for 2k vs.4802 alone.

 

[Robert_Dufresne]

Eric

The internal architecture of the 4802 is completely
different then the 3803. While the 3803 and lower models
are built more or less like any other receivers the
4802 is, like it's big brother the 5803, built to much
higher standards. One look at the massive thoroidal transformer and caps should be enough to convince you
that this is not your run of the mill receiver. It is more
expensive than the 3803 but it is a very different machine.

As Micheal James of 'Secrets of hometheater and high fidelity' reports the 4802 has a preamp section that
rivals the best separates and an amp section that looses
out only to high end amps.

You would have to pay a lot more than 2k to get the same
quality pre/pro combination.

Robert

 

[Mike Up]

Haven't heard the AVR-4802 but have heard the AVR-4800(which is said to be similar). I found that the AVR-4800 offered no higher performance than the Yamaha RX-V2095 in stereo. Since the Yamaha was a better value, I went for the equal performance and lower price.

Now I own both the Yamaha RX-V2095 and the Denon AVR-3803. I have the Denon AVR-3803 for upgraded HT formats, and the greater flexibility. I found that the AVR-3803 has a significant performance advantage over my 2095. Since I found no difference in my audition between the AVR-4800 and the RX-V2095, I have to conclude that the new AVR-3803 is a higher performer than the AVR-4800. That's at least what "I" found. Newer receivers are making huge strides in performance. The AVR-4800 undoubtedly was one of the most powerful receivers ever made, even beating out the AVR-5700 and AVR-5800/5803 with 5 channels driven according to S&V. However, I'm strictly talking about how the units sounded, not how powerful they were. Of course this isn't the AVR-4802. I would definitely make sure I did a direct comparison between the two, either at home or at a shop, before making a decision. That's a lot of money spent not to be sure what's best for you.

Good luck.

 

[NickSP]

IMHO, the real good receiver that Denon made was the 5700. That really came very close to sounding as good as seperates. 2 channel music was simply awesome and HT was a beast. I owned the 3802 and the 4802 and while the 4802 did a good job in 2 channel music, I was not very impressed with it's HT performance. The center channel sounded muffled and the surround soundstage was simply lacking when compared to the 5700. I felt that the 3802 sounded better for HT than the 4802.
I see no reason why the 4802 should offer better processing than the 3803. The Torroidal power supply on the 4802 is a big plus as far as the amplification goes but if you use the 3803 as a prepro with a decent amp, it will sound better than the 4802, again IMHO.

 

[Yogi]

3803 + outboard amplification is how I would go. On paper the 3803's preamp looks impressive and the only area it would lose out to the 4802 would be the amp section. Hooking it to an outboard amp will overcome that limitation and infact surpass the 4802's amp section.

My 2 cents.