Hi end again ?

[PhilAllaway]

Thought I'd post this here as well as a reply to a post in Denon owners forum.

High end Denon - a cautionary tale

Here's my experience.

About 2000 - 2001 bought a TAG av32r single processor as my first step into the AV arena, cost 2K. About 2002 ish bought a Tag DVD32R for 4K. 2003 upgraded AV32R to a 192 dual processor and PSM upgrade to the DVD32R. costing if I can recall 2K ish. Also bought a Copland 5 channel amp for 2.4K a new plasma for 5.5K plus new in wall B&W speakers * 3 at 1.5k each. So in all within those 3 years I spent about 20K.

If I was purely into it for the AV and not the audio then no way would have I spent that much... and yes when you're an av addict u do end spending silly amounts for that little bit extra ...

I/ knew at the time that this was a one off purchase and probably would never happen again, to this extent of expenditure.

After kids and settling down to a permanent job there is no way in hell that I would ever spend that money again. Has to go on a conservatory, car replacements and family holiday's etc .. you know the score

Problem is that the kit is slowly falling apart.... never thought about life expectancy .

Pre-amp fails now and again DVD player fails after prolonged play.
Need to spend about 250 quid on amp and 500 - 600 quid on DVD player at a guess.

Thought I would take a peek into the DENON owners area to see if there are any mid priced players and pre-amps. Problem is do I spend this money on repair or buy a cheaper unit.

Picture wise I'm sure that even a player cost between 200 -300 quid would out perform the TAG , but audio wise I doubt it very much.

The pre-amp is a peach where as the DVD I have mixed feelings about.
If I do repair the amp .... how long will it last.??

So 6 - 8 years use for 8.5k of TAG gear worth it ?
Hell yes , but no way would I spend that much again.

I think hi-end hifi has had its day. The difference in sound quality these days is in-significant. Specifically dvd players pre-amps and digital power amps. You still can't beat a full sized well designed set of speakers, which still cost a packet.
Can't listen to music at a decent volume anyhow with 2 young nippers running around.

As for these new BD and HD formats ( flame jacket buttoned ) audio wise I think a decent SD player can outperform. As for video well definately not. In fact is there anyone these days bothered about decent audio any more.....????


Over the next year I'm going to introduce a NAS drive to store all my music digitally and invest in a sonos system with an Ipod touch to control it all. Buy a mid priced DVD player ( mid ? ) 200 - 300 quid.

Never going hi-end again...!

[PhilAllaway]

"The pre-amp is a peach where as the DVD I have mixed feelings about."

Thought I'd qualify what I meant here regarding the DVD32R.
I suppose u can compare it to owning an old ferrari... (so i've heard) in that when it's working u feel proud to own it . But unfortunately its had a few issues over the years sticky door , PSM unit failing and now its just freezing.
If it was just for playing films then I'd definately feel short changed big time. But its so much more than a video player and i've had the pleasure in owning a work of art for the past 5 /6 yrs

[Ettepet]

When I buy stuff I always look at its merits and not so much so at its brand.

I don't own any Denon or TAG equipment, apart from the av32dp.

The reason I bought this particular item was that the av32dp has exceptional s/pdif performance for stereo and (pre-hdmi) surround, at an insane price-level to boot. It still does and I have not a single regret.

It will take an exceptional "modern" pre/pro to replace the av32dp, although I haven't felt a great need sofar to do so. My current focus has been on gathering good quality movies, documentaries and concerts, and my 2 SubMersive subwoofers - finally coming early December. After I (also) finally get my RSL II's I might save up for a Denon AVP-HD1 (or better) or first spent money to upgrade my JVC HD1 projector.

I see little benefit in owning a Denon (or other brand $$$) BD-player unless it really does something special. To me a cd/dvd/bd-player is little more than a transport. So as long as it has got low jitter and does its thing (well) I have little complaint.

[Bizoh]

Hi Phil

Pretty much identical story - except I keep biting the bullet on getting the AV192R repaired (cost GBP300 just to send it back for a lookover too). Its an annual event where its away for close on four months and we revert to the AV32R and S-video in the lounge.... (for the kids that's fine on their Tom & Jerry cartoons which are even older than I).

Wanted to say start, with the NAS and work backwards. Been on a QNAP/TViX combo for three years-plus such that when the DVD32R finally failed this summer I knew I hadn't used it in months. While it pained me to think it had played fewer than a thousand CD/DVDs and so never represented anything even like high-end value for money, its replacement of TViX and Logitech Duet boxes was far superior for convenience.

I am convinced as the Betamax/VHS war, and iPod-MP3 combo showed that quality always loses to convenience.

While the Sonos gets great reviews, my very experience with TAG ie bleeding-edge high-end does not deliver consistently has bitten me so hard (ie my AV192R cost more than the wife's car downstairs...) that I'd rather go with a succession of cheap boxes upgrading every 18months or so as storage, codecs, video technology and software wrapping improve. Its bleeding edge for a fraction of the price and infinitely more useful.

Highly-recommended.

Bizoh