i just got back from auditionning some receivers, and all i have to say is wow.

the setup was pretty sophisticated, he was able to use the same source dvd player, and the same speakers, using a fancy panel on the wall to swich receivers.

i was originally going in there to look at the yamaha rx-v1800, seemed like a good bang for the buck receiver. he didnt have any on display, but he did have the rx-v3800 set up in a room with a denon 2808, a denon 3808 and an arcam (forget the model, was way too much $$$).

as soon as i said i wanted yamaha, the salesman (someone i regularly deal with) said i had to listen to the new denons because i'd be blown away. like most good salesmen, he left the room to let me listen. first things first, make sure all the processing is off, apples to apples stereo is what i wanted. did some more listening with my buddy switching the receivers.

well he was right, the rxv-3800 and 2808 sounded nice, real nice. then we threw on the 3808, all i can wow. the step up was very noticable. the 3808's soundstage was so much larger, more airy, more effortless, it was just that much better.

i'm pretty amazed, i went in there with a budget, looking for the rx-v1800, i left wanting that 3808, but the extra $350 is going to be tough to swallow.