Yamaha rxv2400 v Denon 3803?

[jrpavel]

Before my 14-day Sevenoaks return or upgrade period expires, I would like to check whether I should keep my Denon 3803 (with 6 Kef egg speakers).

The sound on the Denon is pretty good, although I would say that ideally ordinary dialogue could wound less dry and the rear/surround speaker sound could be better blended with the front speakers (but the limitations there may be down to my room).

The Yamaha 2400 seems attractive because it has similar features to the Denon (notably component signal switching, although perhaps not as high quality as the Denon?) but goes beyond them (eg, possibly unreliable auto-setup (which might nevertheless help me get the best out of my room), PLIIx, THX, 3 zones).

However, the impression given by the reviews is that the Yamaha sound is rather harsher/more transparent (depending on your point of view) on cinema, but not vg on music.

Is it worth auditioning the Yamaha, or should I stick with the Denon?

 

[chris l.]

I would always say if there is the option to try, the try and then your mind will be at rest.

I had the RXV1400 for 24 hours and thought it was very bright / tinny sounding compared to the Denon 3802 in movie mode and the 1400 was very poor in music mode so I went with the 3803 (only wanted amp with audio delay having gone the projector route).

If you do go for the RXV's get one from Germany (Pan European warranty and hundreds cheaper, I bet you could fly out for the day to pay and collect and still save hundreds).

Regards,

Chris L.

 

[jrpavel]

If you do go for the RXV's get one from Germany

I already have a 3803 from 7Oaks, so it's just a question of whether I want to take advantage of their 14-day return+upgrade offer.

I suppose the other dimension to this conundrum is checking whether a different central speaker from the Kef Egg would give more natural-sounding voice repro.

 

[Andywilliams]

Hi JR
Did you demo the new monitor audio radius package as the package sounds great including the centre, you didnt ought to be thinking about changing stuff that youve only just brought if your not happy with the centre i would try somthing else which you can do has your not yet comitted to the purchase.Ive noticed quite a few egg people that arnt happy with the egg centre.
Also the denon to me is a lot easier on the ears warmer sounding than the yams and pioneers.
Cheers Gonzo.

 

[jrpavel]

Originally posted by gonzo
Hi JR
Did you demo the new monitor audio radius package ...
Also the denon to me is a lot easier on the ears warmer sounding than the yams and pioneers.
Cheers Gonzo.

I tried a Kef Q6c with the 2005.2 and it is definitely an improvement, but there is still a good deal if sibilence on speech, which is annoying.

I'll give the MA radius a go.

The Yamaha 2400 doesn't sound too bad to me and has auto setup and PL IIx, so I am minded to keep it as it is not noticably worse than the Denon 3803.

 

[jrpavel]

Originally posted by gonzo
Hi JR
Did you demo the new monitor audio radius package as the package sounds great including the centre,

I've now tried the Monitor Audio Radius speakers and found them similar to the Kef KHT2005.2; perhaps a little more meliflouous, but not chalk v cheese. Still a lot of sibilence on PL IIx Freeview and a certain boxiness. The Q6c still makes the biggest difference, so I think that I'll stick with that + the Eggs.