I believe DenonJeff over at AVS said it's supposed to be essentially a 2805 w/out room-eq. It still has auto speaker level, size, and distance, but not room-eq. It has a lower rated power but i'm not sure how much that really matters.
"I believe DenonJeff over at AVS said it's (2105) supposed to be essentially a 2805 w/out room-eq. It still has auto speaker level, size, and distance, but not room-eq. It has a lower rated power but i'm not sure how much that really matters."
I am considering the 2105 vs 2805. My only concern is the lower 90W rating on the 2105 vs 100w on the 2805. I currently have a pro logic Denon AVR 2600 with 100w on the 3 front channels, only 25w on the rear. I typically don't have the volume above 25% - so I am thinking I could go with the 90W? I have a mix mash of speakers: Fronts are Paradigm stuido 60s, center Energy EC 200, sub Klipsch SW8II, rears Klipsch KSB 1.1. I use the receiver: 20% DVDs dolby digital (via external decoder to be replaced with new Denon 2105 or 2805), 70% TV in stereo, 10% CDs.
Before the AVR 2600 I had a stereo Denon with 85W (and differenct speakers). I don't recall any issues with the 85W in terms of volume and audio quality.
I guess the bottom line, is it worth the price for simply an extra 10W? I am not concerned about any of the others bells/whistles the AVR-2805 may offer -> simply the convern about the power difference.
I listened to both at a local Ultimate Electronics. I thought the 2105 acquitted itself quite well for the price point. It's basically the same unit, at a lower power rating and minus the room-eq.
But, the performance is quite good in comparison to it's peers at similar price point.
With good main speakers like the Studio 60s you're probably going to want something with more ACTUAL power. While the 2805 and 2105 have great processing and 100/90wpc rated power, I doubt either are putting out much more than 1/3 of that w/ all channels driven. Last years 2803 was only able to produce around 35 watts per channel with all channels driven. In the price range I think you would do much better with something like the Pioneer 1014TX. It is a de-badged Pioneer Elite model (same as Pioneer Elite 52TX). It has all the features of the 2805 (PLIIx, room-eq, component upconversion, etc) and the Elites (which this unit essentially is) are known for being within 90% and sometimes over their rated power. The 1014TX is available online as low as $400 shipped, I got mine for $445 w/ tax locally.
I looked at the Denon 2105 recently and I think it's really an 1804 with more bells and whistles. More new features but the amp section is pretty much the same.
Also check out the picture of the 2105 on Denon's website. If you look closely at the picture, it'ss really an 1804.
The 1804 only has 6 channels of amplification, the 2105 has 7. The lower model 1905 also has 7 channels of amplification. The new model comparable to the 1804 is the 1705, a 6 channel receiver w/ PLIIx, 75 watts per channel, and component upconversion.