Denon 3802 or Onkyo 898 w/QSC USA900 for 2 channel


Someone on this site gave me the idea to use a decent Home Theater Receiver and pre-out to a decent amp for 2-channel stereo. Is this wise? Is there a discernable difference between Onkyo and Denon? I want the latest technologies, Pro Logic II, DD EX (only matrix in Denon), DTS ES etc. Will these operate well enough as pre-amps? Also, is my 4 yr. old QSC USA900 pro amp a decent home audio amp? It's rated @ 240 watts/channel @ 8 ohms.
sketcha

Showing 1 response by mark_skjerve

The latest technologies don't do you a whole lot of good if you are running two channel. Both the Denon and Onkyo are decent recivers, but in the same price range, I'd go for a Rotel RSX-972, maybe the Outlaw reciever or a Carver C-1000. I personally think both the Denon and Onkyo units you are looking at are a tad overrated, but I may be wrong. The build quality of the Rotel and Outlaw units are far better than the Denon or Onkyo, the Carver I don't have any personal knowledge of, but I've heard good things about it.

The QSC USA900 is not really a (for lack of a better term) "home audio nut" amp, it's ment more for DJ, stadium or club use, and as such, it does a good job. For serious home audio or HT use, it has way to much distortion. Here are the specs on the QSC USA-900 amp (your info of 240 was a tad off)..

Output Power (per channel):
Continuous Average Output Power Both Channels Driven:
8 ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD (typical): 125 watts
4 ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD (typical): 200 watts
2 ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD (typical): 250 watts

My thoughts anyway, I've been known to be wrong!
Mark