Non-Naim reciever...

Andy
Some questions

Are you into the new digital interfaces. Denon is certainly making their kit with all the latest standards available, but it is only usefull if you have the other bits that use these interfaces?

Are you settling into 5.1 or are you planning to implement 7.1 eventually?

Are you going to need plenty of oomph in the amp dept.?

Do you fancy experimenting with a digtal amp or staying analog?

Do you want automatic room setup via a mike and on-board measurements?

The answers to these question would help you decide what to buy. The other thing is the way the money is portioned out in a piece of kit depends on how many bells and whistles it has. If you can do without them you will get more for your money with higher spec performance and less extras.

It's a minefield out there. FWIW I have a Sony but it's about 3 years old. One thing Sony is good at is "soundfields" based on their worldwide mastering studios where they do their film soundtracks which mean excellent sound steering on movies.

Good luck
regards
GEOFF

"Just trying to make a NAIM for myself"

Hi Geoff, long time no speak! Hows that 252? The funds for the supercap2 are a mounting ready LOL.

anyway, your questions:

Most recievers seem to chuck quite alot of power out, and at the price I'm looking at the market is very competitive. My Naim dealer (Cymbiosis) is also a Denon dealer, so when I am not wasting his time I will seek to borrow a couple to see what the differances are.

We are looking at a new 32" LCD, and the Philips one my wife and I like is DVI equipped, so it would be good to get a reciever that can upload this format.

I do like the look of the mike that Denon include for room setup etc. Some would say manual setup is preferable...

for the time being am quite happy to stay 5.1.

regards,

andy c!

quote:

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Hi Geoff, long time no speak! Hows that 252? The funds for the supercap2 are a mounting ready LOL.

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Hi Andy

The 252 is singing. The arrival of the SC2 will complete the system so to speak and you will find there is something extra that comes from the complete set of parts I think.

I can see you have pretty much made the decision for Denon and that makes sense with the interface and demo etc. I had a 3802 myself a couple of generations back and it was pretty good even then.

regards
GEOFF

"Just trying to make a NAIM for myself"

Hi Geoff,
The Denon range does look pretty strong at the moment, but no doubt others on the forum may have gone a differant route, hence the question.

No doubt the supercap2 will gee up my 282, and then the 252 beckons LOL

andy c!

Hi Andy

I wouldn't diss the Sony range too quickly.

As Geoff P intimates, their proprietary Digital Cinema Sound processing is pretty much only equaled by Yamaha as far as mainstream manufacturers are concerned, and then it's a very big leg up to the likes of Lexicon, or perhaps Meridian.

Don't forget that HT is NOT 2 channel stereo/music. The experience is pretty much lead by the picture, not the other way around.

As such, clarity, detail, an ability to play loud and hard with outstanding dynamic and transient attack, and to provide an seamless and immersive soundfield are the prime prerequisites for HT sound IMHO.

PRaT matters too, but not to anywhere near the same degree as with music. Conversely the large immersive soundfield is pivotal to the experience, PRaT or no PRaT, and here Sony & Yamaha do it better than anyone else re the mainstream IMHO.

Have a listen with an open mind.

Cheers

John...

This is my last upgrade.... after this my system will be finished...:-)

quote:

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Originally posted by andy c:
Hi,
due to impending changes to my 2 channel set up, I don't wish to spend the several k required on an AV2.

I do, however, want to change the dated Yamaha DSPE492 processor I currently use for something with a little more oooph, and with better processing on board than my Pioneer DV646a DVD player (which currently does the dolby digital and dts decoding).

Budget for said reciever is upto £1000.00. Its a given that the N-centre and a pair of N-sats for rear left/right will be obtained eventually to go with the SL2's I already have.

So, anyone out there purchased such a reciever recently? What did you buy, and what influenced you to buy the particular item that you did go for?

I have my eye on a Denon 2805 or 3805...

cheers for any help/advice ...

andy c!

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Why don't you buy a NAP V175 and still use your DSP instead of changing it ?

Andy c!my av vote goes to harman kardon.
harmankardon sound is not as good(rhytmical) as naim,but
there amps are based on the know how of matti
ottala and nelson pass(the best named us amp gurus) and that means to my ears a definite more stable sound than every denons or yamahas or pioneer.(maybe the others are more
innovative concerning the dsp processor,but as far as i look back at my listening experiences
specially for the high dynamic of dolby digital,dts or thx sound the stability of the amp is the most essential point).
O.J.

I'm very happy with my NAD receiver. I have the T-752 which is mid range. It's a 7.1 decoder with 5 internal amplifiers and has flexible connections that allow an external amp to be used for the main channels and the internal 5 to make up the rest in a 7.1 system. I use an external amp for the mains and 4 of the 5 internal amps for a 6 speaker system.

They don't have some of the features of the Sonys or Yamahas but represent excellent value for money is sound quality is the primary concern. Definitely worth considering.

Take a listen to the new NAD receivers - really
much better sound than a Denon 3805. Less features
but much more dynamic and natural sounding.
The T743 is a 5 channel only receiver that will
surprise you with the performance. If you insist
on more channels you need to go higher in the line
to a 753, 763 or 773 - these are all 7.1 capable units.
I do find that if you want to try multi-channel music
replay and want better performance than a NAD receiver
but are still on a limited budget try the Audio Refinement
Pre5 and some of their matching amps. One needs to do
all Surround Processing in the DVD player as this pre amp
is totally analogue.

posted by a dealer for all the above mentioned brands.

Bryan
The Gramophone

quote:

---

Originally posted by Audio Visionary:
Take a listen to the new NAD receivers - really
much better sound than a Denon 3805. Less features
but much more dynamic and natural sounding.
The T743 is a 5 channel only receiver that will
surprise you with the performance. If you insist
on more channels you need to go higher in the line
to a 753, 763 or 773 - these are all 7.1 capable units.
I do find that if you want to try multi-channel music
replay and want better performance than a NAD receiver
but are still on a limited budget try the Audio Refinement
Pre5 and some of their matching amps. One needs to do
all Surround Processing in the DVD player as this pre amp
is totally analogue.

posted by a dealer for all the above mentioned brands.

Bryan
The Gramophone

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Bryan!
I am not surprised about your post.
Maybe alittle bit "round earthed" in thtis forum but:in the past there was never any denonstereoamp that came soundwise close to
nad 3020 or 302 and so on.
also icannot remember any yba or audiorefinmentstereoamp that sounded worse than a denon.so my conclusion:first step must be to build "Good stereoamps"than the second step of "good"av processors can(maybe) follow,
but n o t wihout the basement of first step.
O.J.(looks as if naim is on the right way

Andy,

I've been using a Rotel RSX-1055 for 2 years now that I'm very happy with. It's been replaced with a new model that might do a bit more than mine, but soundwise would probably be similar.

For the last two years, I've been using it in a dedicated AV system with a 5.0 speaker setup. I just recently upgraded my front L/R/Center speakers to ATC Concept One speakers and added the matching sub. I was curious to see how the Rotel would perform with the ATC's which aren't the most efficient speakers, but I'm delighted to say that the Rotel handles them just fine.

Rotel has a pretty strong presence in North America and has a very good reputation for customer service. I'm not sure how they are represented in the UK as I don't see them mentioned much on the UK based forums. IMHO, Rotel really rates with the better flat earth brands I have heard.

Regards,
John

I wasn't aware you could use a "standard" reciever such as the Denon's mentioned in the same way and use the Naim amp as a front end...

I have been hankering after Pro Logic 2 but i use a DSP-E800 processor.

I love the E800 to bits though, took a while ot set up, but its up and running now and works great - i believe it is the updated version of your product anyway.

If you can use the system with your Naim for fronts, then my personal preference is Yamah, not sure what it is but they seem livelier - having your local Naim dealer also being a Denon dealer way swing the bat that way though!

Hi Scott,
You can use the pre-outs on the reciever into the unity gain (4) input on a suitably equipped Naim pre amp, as I have done on my 282. I had an earth problem with the cable I was using, but Had a Chord crysalis cable made up and now no buzzing, and I can bypass the volume pot on the 282.

It basically meant that I could really wind up the volume...

Not sure re the reciever, yet. I may well borrow some options 1st, but you are right re my dealer and Denon. I have read mixed reports re the set up/use of the 2805 on other forums, but would try a home demo anyway. Eons ago i owned a denon reciever and it was bomb proof and worked fine.

My plan is to listen to it with the N-centre... and then change the rears in the future some time.

Thats been put on hold by the purchase of a new TV...

andy c!