Denon Reciever question/suggestion needed

[wolfgangpg]

My dad's Denon AVR-3801 broke. It was hit by lighting.

Anyway, I found a used one that works for around $400. I was curious what you guys think about getting a used AVR-3801 (http://www.avguide.com/product/Receivers,_Tuners,_and_Integrated_Amps/Audio_Video_Receivers/Denon/AVR-3801/84.jsp).

OR

Getting the Denon AVR-2105 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-jlJYYli85Tt/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=131000&I=033AV2105B) or AVR-1905 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-jlJYYli85Tt/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=131000&I=033AV1905B).

We have 6.1 setup right now at the house. Our speakers are all NHT and still work fine with an older reciever we have, but the old reciever does not process DTS or Dolby Digital.

[eqm]

My dad's Denon AVR-3801 broke. It was hit by lighting.

Anyway, I found a used one that works for around $400. I was curious what you guys think about getting a used AVR-3801 (http://www.avguide.com/product/Receivers,_Tuners,_and_Integrated_Amps/Audio_Video_Receivers/Denon/AVR-3801/84.jsp).

OR

Getting the Denon AVR-2105 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-jlJYYli85Tt/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=131000&I=033AV2105B) or AVR-1905 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-jlJYYli85Tt/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=131000&I=033AV1905B).

We have 6.1 setup right now at the house. Our speakers are all NTH and still work fine with an older reciever we have, but the old reciever does not process DTS or Dolby Digital.

Hello,

I've owned the 3802 and now own the 3805 from Denon. My personal feelings aside, apart from the better processing on the 3805, I like the warmth of the sound on the 3802 better. While you're moving up as far as processing goes (and yes DTS is definitely worth it) by going to the 21 series, you will be stepping down as far as amplifer and power supply goes (possibly on DACs as well) so there will be a definite trade off. If you can invest in a used 3802, 3803 or a 2803, you'll probably be closer to the performance you experienced in the 3801.

[topspeed]

I'd get the 2105. At the rate that receiver's upgrade, which seems to be hourly, you're better off getting all of the latest tech the 2105 offers. Most importantly, the 2105 offers auto room calibration which will have a significant impact on your rig's sound quality. EQM is right about the lesser DAC's (the 3100's use Burr-Brown) but whether or not you could hear the difference is debateable. I'm unsure if they change the power supply, although that wouldn't be very cost effective from Denon's viewpoint.

Too bad you didn't know about the lightening strike beforehand. You could have fed it into your flux capacitor.

[mjon99]

HA HA!
Nice one speed!

[wolfgangpg]

We have 6 NHT (2 of each (Model VT-2, 2.9, VS-2) ) speakers plus 1 subwoofer. Would the AVR-2105 provide enough power to output quality sound to these speakers?

The wattage output is a primary concern of mine. I just want to make sure that all the speakers will continue to work. I believe (I am not certain as I do not live at my parents home) he has an amplifier, but I am not sure if it too was broken in the storm. Lets just assume it was for arguements sake.

http://www.slfhemmabio.nu/htm/nht-history.htm -- NHT parts history.

[topspeed]

Don't worry about wattage. That's primarily for marketing a bragging rights. Remember, it takes twice the wattage to increase spl's by 3dB, which isn't much at all. Therefore, the difference between a 90wpc reciever and a 120wpc reciever would be pretty much inaudible.

Hope this helps.

[wolfgangpg]

thanks guys. I really appericate the help.

[brulaha]

I disagree about the wattage. True, you will probably not get more volume, but NHT's are a picky speaker that require some ummph from an amp. I think they may sound a bit thin using the 2105 compared to the 3801 you were using. Just one man's opinion.