2. home-theater
  3. 1207179990

Old top-of-the-line A/V Receiver vs. new mid-level

Howdy all. First time posting here, thanks for any help anyone can offer.

Basically I have been looking at a lot of the older, top-rated Denon A/V receivers as a replacement for my current Rotel RSX-1065. Understand that it performs great, but I am stepping up from the 600 series B&Ws to the 800 series (804S to start in the front, will upgrade to one of the HTMs for center and probably 805S's in the rear). Since I do not have internal decoding on the Rotel for the newer HD audio codecs anyway, I am going from Blu-ray and HD-DVD into a Zektor switcher then into the sole set of analog inputs on the Rotel.

My question is, since I am going analog anyway right now, would getting into an older A/V receiver, like a Denon AVR-5xxx series be a step up for me to feed some better sound into the 800's? In particular, the Denon AVR-5800/5803s have not one but two sets of 7.1 external analog inputs, so I could immediately also get rid of my switcher, as well as what I would think would be a step up in my amplification.

Would love to get something like a Rotel RMB-1096 with RSP-1098/68/69, but I just can't afford that right now. Also, a great condition AVR-5800 can be had for as little as $500-600 on eBay.

Thanks for any opinions!
hasaanchop

Showing 3 responses by mumbles

mumbles
83 posts
 
I am using a denon 5803 for both 2 channel and ht and am very happy with it. I replaced my paradigm speakers with Dalis 800s, 400s for rears and 200center along with servo 15 sub and found that the speaker upgrade made a huge difference, and the 5803 still has plenty of power for them. I am also running 16 8"nht ceiling speakers from it's multizone out and there I have to admit it is running a bit thin.Going to add a multizone amp using the 5803 pre outs for the other zones. Also added a CJ MET1 multi channel tube preamp and love it with the 5803. They compliment each other well. I have been wondering how much improvement I would get from a different amp, such as a class or cary cinema11, but am happy enough for now.
I bought the 5803 new and have to live with it for awhile, but I think they are a steal used, fine piece of equipment.
mumbles
83 posts
 
Jamesw20, Curious, what would you consider as a good multichannel amp to invest in? I have considered the matching cj 5-channel amp, but thought a solid state would better compliment tne cj preamp. There is a 5 channel pass at Echo a local used store.
mumbles
83 posts
 
Hasaanchop,
A couple of days ago I would have said go with the Denon 5803, even tho it is a avr integrated, it is no slouch for power with its 7x170 watts, and for used price its a good deal. But Jamesw's responce has got me to rethink that a dedicated amp would be better.( and more expensive)
I have noticed with my denon 5900 universal that sacd's sound way better than cd's. In fact cd's sound like crap. I thought this was due to the player, but now wonder if it is an avr shortcoming.
More to discover