Upgraded Denon 5800 vs. 5803 (1 Viewer)

[Jim Noble]

I'm moving to my new house next month, and my search for a new receiver/amp/pre-pro needs to be over soon.

I like the idea of buying a Denon 5800 ($1800, +/-) and having it upgraded ($800), for a total of $2600 vs. $4300 for the 5803. If I was going to spend $4800, I'd go to Canada and buy the Anthem AVM-20 and a Rotel amp.

How much am I giving up with the upgraded Denon 5800?

 

[Chip E]

If your going to use list price for the 5803 then why not for the 5800? The 5800 list is $3800.00 the 5803 list is $4300.00. Who pays list? Not me, got my 5803 for rougly $3100.00 (authorized dealer). Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[Jim Noble]

Well, OK then, $2600 vs. $3100.

Most retailers list the 5800 for $1800 +/- $100, authorized by Denon, with Denon's warranty, etc, etc.

If you got a Denon-approved deal for $3100, that's great and congratulations.

Do you have an opinion about the question I posted?

 

[Jeremy Hegna]

"How much am I giving up with the upgraded Denon 5800?"

In comparison to what?

Your question is pretty vague. Are you looking at the Denons or a seperates system? What do you want from your set-up? Music/HT? Room size? Speakers?


Jeremy

 

[Dmitry]

If I understand correctly, Jim's question was "How does upgraded 5800 stack up against 5803 and what will I miss?" Jim, I remember there were a few threads detailing the differences between the upgraded 5800 and 5803 a couple of months ago -- try searching, maybe you'll be able to dig them up. I don't remember exactly, I think the video conversion (5803 is able to convert composite, S-Video to component, maybe even the other way around) was the biggest difference.

 

[David Judah]

Differences
1. New pre-amp design with volume control increments of .5db and a range of -80 to 15db
2. Video conversion
3.100 MHz Component Video bandwidth(50 MHz for 5800)
4.12 Volt Remote turn-on output
DJ

 

[Chip E]

Jim,

David listed the differences... and yes, my dealer is Denon approved . Tweeter. If i were you, i'd just go for the 5803. If you already owned the 5800, it would be smart to opt for the upgrade, IMO.

 

[Chip E]

Jeremy,

I have a question for ya... If i want to buy a mutichannel amp for my 5803, how does it work? Do you go into the system setup and turn off all the internal amps? or, do you just connect the cables and it automatically shuts off the internal amps? How's it work? Thanks pal.

 

[Jeremy Hegna]

"I have a question for ya... If i want to buy a mutichannel amp for my 5803, how does it work? Do you go into the system setup and turn off all the internal amps?"

On my 5800, there is no "turn off" place in the setup menu. The 5803 may have this option, I'm not sure.

"or, do you just connect the cables and it automatically shuts off the internal amps?"

Yep. Just plug your interconnects into the pre-outs for specific channels to your amps inputs. I think the amps in the receiver are still "live" though. However, the less stress on those internals will provide more sound to the speakers you are still running off the receiver.

"How's it work?"

Works great for me. I would suggest a 2 channel amplifier for your mains though, not a multi-channel for all. Even a 3 channel amp for mains/center will outperform the 5/7 channel amplifiers, IMO.

"Thanks pal."

No problem.


Jeremy

 

[Chip E]

Jeremy,

Can you recommend a good, nuetral to warm sounding 3 channel amp @ 200 to 250WPC ? I wanna go right across the front stage with an amp and let the 5803 handle the surround's. Thanks!

 

[Jeremy Hegna]

What kind of speakers are you using? I can't remember.

Krell makes a great integrated 3 channel, I think they go used for around $2-3k.

Classe, Balanced Audio Technology, and McIntosh are also great choices as well as Bryston.

On the mid-fi level, Rotel and Parasound are a couple of my favorites. Rotel doesn't make a 3 channel, but they do have some capable 2 channel amps, the 1080 and 1090 are very nice and have a ton of power. You could add a Rotel Monoblock for the center if you went this route.

I think Trevor Schell uses the Big Boy Parasound 2 channel for his mains and the 2205 for center and surrounds.

I will be upgrading my Rotel 1090 this winter to either a Krell or a Mac 2 channel for the mains.

Jeremy

 

[Chip E]

Jeremy,
I'm running PSB Stratus Silveri 's, Stratus C6i , Image 10S surround's & SVS 20-39PC sub. I'll be adding a pair of Stratus Mini's at some point to give me a full 7.1 rig.
I think i may go the Rotel or Parasound route.. the others are a hair rich for my blood at the moment. I need a little time too breathe..lol. Thanks.
ps. I'll take that 1090 off your hands if ya want!

 

[Jeremy Hegna]

I'll keep that in mind.
If you're waiting til later this Fall...September/October, that won't be a problem. But I'll bet shipping will
100lbs. from Alaska to South Jersey's gonna cost us a pretty penny.
If you decide to wait a bit, let me know. We can work something out.
Peace,
Jeremy

 

[Jason Caudill]

Rotel doesn't make a 3 channel, but they do have some capable 2 channel amps

While it is a little under your power specs, the RMB-1066 can be run in 3 channel mode for 150x3 @ 8 ohms.