Simon Young
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2002
- Messages
- 236
I need to make a decision as to which of these two amlifiers to buy. My local A/V store has agreed to do either for £700 (that's £200 off the Denon, or £100 off the H/K, making the former a better deal). I've thoroughly tested them both with music and aggressive 5.1 soundtracks, and the results are impressive. The Denon sounded brighter to my ear, while the H/K came off sounding slightly warmer - possibly more pleasing to the ear. However, there was very little in it, and once I get whichever amp home and calibrated, I'm sure they'll both sound smashing.
So the decision boils down to features and aesthetics. IMHO the Harman looks more stylish, despite the over-sized plastic silver buttons on the front. The Denon doesn't look bad, just a bit ordinary. Similarly the Harman's remote is funkier, being entirely backlit and more comfortable to hold, while featuring the EzySet auto-calibration microphone. To its credit, the Harman also features Logic7 decoding, as an alternative to DPL-II and DTS-Neo6. I just can't see that the Denon has anything in terms of features that can top the H/K.
If it sounds like I'm leaning towards the H/K, that's because I am. I just wish I could shake the sensation that the Denon should sound better, with its extra power and higher RRP. The H/K has the definite edge with music, and the Denon with steering in surround-sound modes.
Can anyone point out a good reason to get the Denon that I may have overlooked? Or have I made up my mind already?!
So the decision boils down to features and aesthetics. IMHO the Harman looks more stylish, despite the over-sized plastic silver buttons on the front. The Denon doesn't look bad, just a bit ordinary. Similarly the Harman's remote is funkier, being entirely backlit and more comfortable to hold, while featuring the EzySet auto-calibration microphone. To its credit, the Harman also features Logic7 decoding, as an alternative to DPL-II and DTS-Neo6. I just can't see that the Denon has anything in terms of features that can top the H/K.
If it sounds like I'm leaning towards the H/K, that's because I am. I just wish I could shake the sensation that the Denon should sound better, with its extra power and higher RRP. The H/K has the definite edge with music, and the Denon with steering in surround-sound modes.
Can anyone point out a good reason to get the Denon that I may have overlooked? Or have I made up my mind already?!