Should I buy a Denon AVP-A1HDCI now?

I think if your happy with what you have now stick with it. But if you have 5k to spend maybe spend it on room treatments. Treatments alone will help in the audio department.
Edited by Franin - 10/2/12 at 7:26pm

As much as I love my AVP, if it were me and I was being honest with myself, I think I'd want to upgrade to a larger display and come up with a way to get the center speaker mounted lower. So that's where I would probably focus my upgrade dollars. I don't know how attached you are to your current entertainment center, but in the pictures it doesn't look like a great match for those wonderful speakers.

Franks suggestion of room treatments, if there aren't issues getting them past management, is also a good one.

That said, I still believe my AVP is one of the best A/V purchases I've ever made. Mine was an open box from Vann's for $3750 and replaced a Lexicon MC-12B that I sold for $2500 (IIRC), so it didn't cost me much at all to upgrade.

SoM,
I've been tempted to go down the road you are considering...
I've seen refurbs on Acc4less in the past for both the AVP and the AVR-5308.
Thought about snagging one and getting the update, just like you...
Sadly now it looks like they have no more @ Acc4Less
I have read/heard mixed things about Dakmart, I see a AD safeandsound tonight
that lists having the AVP, have you called them?
Anyway, good luck with your decision/temptation...
The SQ from our AVR-A100/4311s & DBP-A100s is pretty outstanding.
But with the quality of your speakers and the fact you are already
running in pre-amp mode with EXT amps, I can see why you'd be tempted to do the AVP thing...
My only advice would be to call as many ADs as you can, perhaps you could get lucky and find
an open box or demo unit...I'm personally leery of Dakmart, but maybe others can chime in...
Edited by davidbarrickman - 10/3/12 at 6:41am

SoM

I also spent months looking at the same path, but coming from the $7K Pioneer SC-09 former flagship AVR.

A refurb, the upgrade, get a multichannel amp (ATI, Outlaw, Wyred4Sound). In the end, I decided against it. There were 3 main reasons that were important to me that went into making this decision -

1. get the upgrade, lose the option for a separate B set of side surrounds. I've used that feature since the Pioneer VSX49TXi days, 2003, and have dedicated speakers for movie surrounds & music surrounds. I was hoping that what Denon told owner Digione was going to work out, but he regretably discovered that in order to still have the B's, he had to load up a custom Pro Audyssey cal every time he wanted to use them. The SC-09 is the last remaining AVR/prepro with the option for B surrounds.

2. Denon's obsoleting the existing DenonLink 4 for the new dig connection. That really PO'd me. Since I have Pioneer players with their jitterless PQLS system, I'd want to go with a Denon player for DL. Looked at either a used 3930CI for music or bite the bullet for a $2K BD player, selling off mine at a loss. That still didn't deter me, but when Denon obsoletes the connection, they also obsoleted all their existing players, so going forward, you're stuck with an old player that can never be replaced if you want DL. A very stupid marketing move by Denon, IMO.

3. I already have Audyssey Multi32 where it counts the most - the bass - with the SVS AS-EQ1 sub equalizer. I bought Austin Jerry's last Dec.

4. Cost, I'd have to lose a lot of $$ selling my SC-09 and still end up spending $10K to make the change to the Denon setup.

5. Refurb, warranty, A4L or Dakmart's reputation for standing behind the product. And what if it breaks down after 1 yr? For this much money, having more than a 1 yr warranty would be preferable. I could live with it, and also buy additional warranty, but...I have read posts where their refurbs developed problems after weeks or a few months, then there's the hassle of dealing with A4L/Dakmart and taking to a shop, waiting for repair, who knows how long. In the past, I've had gear in shops for months - to be without a HT setup for 2 months, possibly longer is not my idea of a good time.

When I weighed all the factors, it didn't make sense for my situation. I decided to get the new Pio SC-68 for the new features, use it as a prepro into the SC-09's multich inputs so I can its powerful amps, and have the best of both worlds And not spend anywhere close to what I'd have to spend to swap over to the AVP.

If you have the money & really want the AVP, now's the time But, as much as it's nice to own a flagship product with great build quality, it might be worth your consideration to get the 4520, get a robust amp to go with it, and spend your money on better speakers, upgrading the room, get a projector (if you don't own one yet), or just keep it in the bank

I really hope you keep us informed of your decision - the AVP is a great piece but does it makes sense to go with it now? All depends on your situation, doesn't it?

Hi SoM,

Here my take on you upgraditis fever...LOL

Ever thought of a projector & a jumbo screen? I do agree that a 40" screen is not the most enjoyable size today, but since your furniture does not allow anything bigger came the idea of a PJ. You can surely find so-called acoustically transparent screens + motorized versions hung from the ceiling, while you could easily make use of the double HDMI outs on your current Denon AVR (one for TV, one for PJ).



P.S: Love those Dalis all around. I see you kept the suggestion of the maker not to toe-in the front L/Rs. They should sound excellent!
Edited by mogorf - 10/3/12 at 5:28am

as long as we're giving you free advice that's where I'd put my money on next instead of the AVP

That cabinet is nice, but it is holding you back on what would make a big improvement in experience. Speakers - check. Sub - check. Nice electronics for sound quality - check. 40" screen - uhh, with your size room, 60-70" easily would make it more immersive. As far as being forward in the room, I have a 60" kuro on a BDI stand, about 3 ft from the wall. WAF is not as good as yours, but it accomplishes the same thing....and I'm still looking for bigger screen I went from a 53" rptv to the 60" and even that was a nice improvement to the experience.

Acoustically transparent motorized screen + a nice PJ would give you best of both worlds but if you don't want the hassle (esp if not a permanent room), and have the coin it would take to do the AVP, the top-notch 70" Elite or larger TV's would make a huge difference In your case, going from 40" to 60" would be a 225% increase in area! Now, that's an upgrade

And make far more improvement than swapping to the AVP from an A100.

I don't want to depress you but if you just consider a 4x3 image aspect ratio, that 40" is actually couple of inches smaller than an old CRT 35"...
Edited by ss9001 - 10/3/12 at 6:01am

personally, i would not spend $5k to "upgrade" from the a100 to the avp, regardless...

however, if i did have that $5k burning a hole in my pocket, i would be ditching the entertainmdnet center and getting me a much bigger display this very afternoon...

compared to everything else you have (plus all the work you have put into optimizing it)... your display is SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY outclassed.... it's essentially the same as having several thousand dollars worth of electronics driving 500 dollars worth of speakers... you have a great audio set up, now get yourself a great video setup to go along with it...

swapping out your current display for a 70" display would be the biggest change (by far) you've ever made in a/v...

consider this... like me, i know how much you like audyssey and how much it has improved your listening experience... the improvement that audyssey gives you for audio PALES in comparison to the improvement you would get in your video by significantly increasing your screen real estate...

If you have your audio spot on, why would you upgrade down the track regardless what you have, Unless Dolby Atmos is introduced ( who knows when ) and you willing to add more speakers then yes. But I find updating your display( projectors and TV are always improving especially now 3D is involved ) as others have mentioned, room treatment ( that will show more improvement to your audio) is better money spent.

like nearly all the time, you & I are in perfect agreement you said it better than I as usual more direct!

SoM

Seriously, if I were in your shoes & really had the $$ to spend on the AVP & upgrade, there is NO question what I'd be doing. Like chris said, it's time to move on and get a TV size worthy of your investment in sound quality.

You won't regret it, trust us.

I suggested 70" Elite because it's one of the best large tv's out there, equaling the acclaimed Pioneer Kuro in black levels. I'm a plasma fan myself and since Pio Kuros are no more, I'd also add a top of the line 60" Panny to the shopping list.
Edited by ss9001 - 10/3/12 at 7:44am

SoM,

I would have to agree with those that have already suggested to go with a bigger display if possible. I currently have a Panasonic 50" 720p plasma and plan on upgrading to a Panasonic GT60. I have no experience with the AVP-A1HDCI but I can't see that it would be a significant SQ upgrade over the A100. You could hold off till the 4520 or the 8801 are readily available and prices start to drop. The same for the new series of Denon or Marantz BR players with the new DL. At that time you could buy say the 4520 and Denon's flagship BR player for the cost (or less) of the AVP-A1HDCI (plus upgrade costs). I had a large entertainment center as you do and had to move to a smaller stand when I bought my first 42" plasma. I'm glad I did as I have much more space in my room. With the addition of the stand the center speaker is at a much better height as well.

*Edit: reason - stupidity* Why would I ever think a Marantz BR player would have Denon-Link is beyond me .

Bill
Edited by Bill Mac - 10/3/12 at 12:49pm

Don't have the time to go into it, but I'm 150% against spending $5,000 on a PREPRO that will offer absolutely no improvement in sound quality that could be discerned from a $1200 4311- that you already own, by the way.

I swear to god, sometimes it seems that at least 90% of this glorious hobby is placebo.

flame away, gotta go.

James

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a 1,000 words, so here Ya go SoM:

SoM,

I'm glad you are going this route as it appears to me that you have your system sounding excellent . Of course now you will have to buy all types of video calibration gear to get the best out of your new display . Will it ever end .

Bill

For a total bang for buck and a very nicely balanced A/V feature set I would
recommend the newly available in the US Onkyo PR-SC5509 or the relatively
uglier but longer warrantied twin Integra DHC-80.3 comparably priced after
telephone intimidation:)

Being a DHC-80.3 owner my only true upgrade for SQ would be a Classe
SSP-800, but then i would lose on VP, where the Onkyo/Integra are avantgarde.

Fortunately, my refurb DVD-A1UDCI has 32 bit AK4399 DAC’s
from AKM (like Esoterics and others) allowing me to do the 2 channel processing
in the player and enjoy great sound.

If you want Ritz-Carlton treatment with any refurb you go ac4less bro, they treat
customers like kings, Dave i think is the owner/employee's name, and he is just
like the AVS guys, not driven by greed.

Projector

Funny thing is several of the people advice against getting the avp in this thread are owners of the avp and have been for years. Come to our thread and you will find that we are doing that a lot. On avg we are a bunch of owners who consider value without going gaga. We have advised the 4311 over the avp many times but that doesn't make it the same there are reasons (esp years ago) to consider the avp and there are many quality differences they just don't add up (in value) for most people. Thats why most are telling the poster to aim his money somewhere else.

Daniel.

Congratulations!

So now its time for a new pre-pro, since its clearly the weakest part in your setup. What about a denon avp ?

Daniel.