I wouldn’t spend a penny on gear until you acoustically treat your listening room and get the target listening curve you like. As for separates I would get a good pre/dac combo that bundles room correction software first, new cables second, and a new amp last. You may like the improvement from a treated room with a new pre/dac and cables you don’t need a new amp.
Improvement over 2002 Denon AVR-3802 for 2 Channel Music System
I currently have a 2002 Denon AVR-3802 that I am using for a dedicated 2 channel audio system. My room is a converted garage bay, about 15'x24' (with a bunch of guitars and amps and such in it - multi purpose room...) I have Revel Performa3 M106 stand mounted speakers, and an SVS 3000 Micro sub. I am streaming using Roon (Qobuz and Tidal as well as DSD "rips" of my SACD collection) into a Ropieee loaded Raspberry Pi 4 into a Geshelli Labs JNOG2 (with AK4493). I have a Sony BDPS-5100 for playing CDs via coaxial out into the Geshelli (also used for ripping SACDs). For vinyl. I am using a late '70s JVC QL-A7 with an AT VM540ML cartridge into a Schiit Mani2 pre.
Anyway, overall the sound is really good. However, I am being tempted by the idea of separates, and what I can do to best improve my experience. I am thinking middle-of-the-road for now. No Mark Levinson or Mac (yet). Candidates include the Parasound P6 pre with either the A21+ or the A23+ power amp, or maybe the Anthem MCA 255 Gen 2 (not going to go all the way to the Anthem STR). Another extremely interesting idea is the Benchmark AHB2. For budgetary purposes, I would likely buy an amp first, and continue to use the Denon as a pre for the time being. I use it in Direct mode, WITH bass management (speakers set to small - sub set to on). Eventually, I would want a pre with Bass Management as well. Not super interested in a pre with a built-in DAC, but most seem to have this (Including the P6). After that, a better phono stage...
My quandary is, what will I really gain here with a new amp? The amp section of the Denon is solid- does not seem to be lacking much other than lower volume push / punch / control and (of course) definition at more extreme SPLs. I feel like the A21+ would be a significant improvement, but not sure I want to drop $3k on an amp when the current situation is pretty good.
I guess I am wondering if a lower wattage (closer to that of the Denon's 105 WPC), lower $ amp (like the A23+ for example) will get me any significant (audible) benefits over what I have, or do I need to bite the bullet and go with the A21+ or Anthem. I know that eventually the Denon will give up the ghost, but I bought it brand new in 2002 and it has never failed me yet. I just want to get ahead of its inevitable demise. I know it seems like I am answering my own questions here, but I think I need some affirmation from like-minded folks.
I'd hate to drop a few grand and be nonplussed with the results. Not a unique situation, I know.
Talk me into it.
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Thanks. Some great advice - totally get that! This room is, however - if not "untreatable" it is at the very least "difficult to treat" in its current form. For me. I have done what I can , but there are so many things getting in the way of that. Below is a pic of when I was taking measurements with an old Spectrum analyzer. It is from directly behind where I put my chair to listen, when the room is in that "mode": It is a combination practice room, YouTube Studio, and listening room. I am only afforded this one space for all these endeavors. It is really tight, and houses a bunch of stuff. Even more junk is behind the camera... You can see the Revels to the left and right of the guitar amps. The PA speakers are going to be taken out, so there is probably opportunity for corner bass traps or some other treatment there, but that is the backdrop for my YouTube channel, so not sure what to do, exactly. Believe it or not, the sound is pretty good in the listening position, and I have EQ'd the sub to the extent I can using the analyzer and the SVS app. I know it will never be acoustically perfect |
even in an untreated room the difference will be audibile a mass produced avr like your dennoni s built as cheaply as possible so rhr preamp stage and amp are not great
so upgrading to a better integrated will give you a far better sound we have a perfect amp for you unison research due a tube solidstate hybdidintegratedamp with a great built in dac list is 4k Dave and Troy Audio intellect nj unison research dealer
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- 11 posts total