Moment of Truth: Denon vs. Mcintosh

Between those 2, definitely the Denon set-up.

You should also consider the upcoming Anthem D2v2 in the same price range with the Denon.

um, not to be flip, but you're considering $15K worth of Denon separates and you still have a laser disc player?? time to let that one die, receivers don't have the RF AC3 input anymore.

I was just poking fun.... but, to be "future proof", you should probably just find a solid old external AC3 sound processor, I'm sure there are inexpensive but excellent used models floating around out there.

Of course you were poking fun.... But, also LD still plays very well in the multi-source environment with HD thrown in as well.

Speaking as one that still cheerishes his LD collection. I also of course have HDTV, HD-DVD, and Blu-ray. My little stand alone AC3 demodulator works great still even with a decades use on it by the way.

No audio over HDMI!


Wrong.

I like Mcintosh well enough, I can't afford it though.

I've heard that there are still some titles that can only be found on laser disc, which would be another reason to keep the player around.

Hello,

I've had a chance to listen to and play with both units. I wouldn't go as far as saying comparing them is like Rolls Royce vs Fiat. The Denon amp is awesome, has loads of power ... but it's not a McIntosh The McIntosh holds its value the best, sounds fuller/warmer (though it depends on what your speakers have), and does not clip. Very low noise considering its quad-balancing feature. The MX136 does pass audio over HDMI, just not lossless. You can get a player to decode the formats and pass them over analog audio cable like DVD-A, I'd recommend checking out the Denon DVD3800BDCI. The MVP871 uses the Denon transport and display as the DVD2930CI. But that's where the comparision ends. The DVD3800BDCI will be you blu-ray, better DVD upscaling, and an analog section that's a little better than what was used on the DVD5930CI.

The Denon processor is a beast though and kills the McIntosh on features. Audyssey, Networking features, lossless audio ... McIntosh needs to step it up big time on their next processor!!! While I prefer the McIntosh sound and look overall, I think the Denon is a better deal. Way more features and it still sounds great, check out the review on it at audioholics.com. How about getting the Denon processor and McIntosh amps, best of both worlds?

I know the Ada Cinema Reference has the built in rf demodulator, good luck finding it. I am selling my rhapsody but I don't know if it has the RF in it. I will look it up.

The rhapsody does not have a demodulator.

Laserdisc is crap no matter how high-end your equipment is. It is composite format. Low resolution and not even the best comb filters can completely take the rainbowing and dot crawl out.

again - you are considering dropping $10K+ on top-of-the-line HT gear and you are spending a second fretting the lack of support for the archaic audio capabilities of a format that died almost 10 years ago? just go find a used external demodulator and be done with it, and then go buy the gear you want.

AVP, FTW!

At least that CRAP had Full Bandwidth DTS!

I used to own the McIntosh MX-132 and also the Cinema Reference. The Reference was better to me but the Mac was better looking. Another niece piece is the Meridian 861 but I don't know if it had RF. They still sell the reference but I don't know if the Mach 3 has the RF demodulator. They also sell a separate rf stand alone unit.

Just buy a demodulator.

They have gotten icnreasingly more difficult to find, but I am sure they show up on the bay from time to time decently regularly.

Pioneer Elite Receiver:

This is actually the direction I'm looking at going in.

Mc's don't have lossless audio which is a bummer for BD watching. I do, however, love the Mc's amplifiers. So, I'm looking at using a denon pre and a mc amp.
Would also cut the cost down a bit.

That's what I did. I have the AVP and a pair of MC-501 amps. I found the AVP to have amazing control, but the sound quality was too thin / harsh for me. After adding the Macs, the sound just exploded, totally complimentary. I personally have never heard better sounding amps than the Macs, norhave I ever seen more contorl capabilities than the Denon.

I have been told by some people that they like the WYRED4SOUND amp better than the MC-501 amps.

Wrong, it is video only and no audio.

http://www.avrev.com/home-theater-pr...amplifier.html


Then what would be the point of the mcintosh, it would be nothing but a high priced volume control.


No that is what they want you to think, plus you would be using a digital connection so what would be the point of a 871?

I have a Pioneer SC-07 that is my pre with the new McIntosh MC303 for my amp. I will have everything set up with photos next week when my new entertainment center is finished. (the setup is running with B&W 803D speakers).