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Denon 3801 Pre/Pro quality vs. Hi End?  

post #1 of 6
3/22/01 at 11:31am
Thread Starter 
Yes, I'm beating this Denon 3801 thing to death, but I'd like to know how it truly compares. I know the amp section is not great, but I'm just interested in the pre/pro since it uses the SHARC DSP technology. Taking this into account how does it compare with the big boys,

Lexicon
Tag
EAD
Proceed
B&K

How does this pre/pro stack up? Is the difference night and day, or does the pre/pro performance approach these units. I've seen great values in amplification such as:

Sunfire
Bryston
Aragon

so where is the equivalent in the pre/pro arena?

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post #2 of 6
3/22/01 at 12:33pm
I had a 3801 on loan for about 4 weeks before my B&K Ref 30 came in. In DD or DTS mode there was not a big difference, unless your speakers are very power hungry. But in two channel mode, I noticed a big difference. Especially handling analog signals. I have a SACD player it sounds much much better with the Ref 30 than it did with the 3801.

Both were used as just a pre-amp. I have B&K AMPS for my amplification. So I really cannot comment on the amp section of the 3801.
post #3 of 6
3/22/01 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 
That's exactly the type of information I'm looking for in a reply. Thanks!
post #4 of 6
3/22/01 at 2:17pm
Yes the stereo is the only weakness this thing has. For me, it doesnt matter much because i have gotten to the point that i only listen to it in 5-channel stereo, which is incredible on this unit. In dts or dd i'd challenge anyone to find much of a weakness.
Brian

------------------
Zed's dead baby, Zed's dead.

[This message has been edited by usabrian (edited 03-22-2001).]
post #5 of 6
3/22/01 at 4:27pm
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by fitsman:
In DD or DTS mode there was not a big difference, unless your speakers are very power hungry.</font>
This may be a dumb question but since you are using the 3801 as a pre-amp only and using external main amps how do power hungry speakers make a difference. Thanks.

Jay
post #6 of 6
3/23/01 at 10:30am
I did not try to use the 3801 internal amps, but its rated at only 100 watts. That part of it was just an opinion, not tested.
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AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Receivers, Amps, and Processors › Denon 3801 Pre/Pro quality vs. Hi End?