difference between Denon AVR 988 and 2808CI

[Alex Tang]

Is there any difference between the AVR 988 and 2808 CI? From the spec, they are pretty much the same. Both are 110Wx7 with Dobly true HD. I can't find AVR 988 on Denon web site, I am wonder if they called it a different model only.

[Hdale85]

Probably some differences in processing equipment. DACs, DSDs, probably even video processors.

[Chris D]

Huh... I own a 2808. Never heard of a 988.

[Hdale85]

http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3598.asp

AVR-988

[hifiguymi]

They are basically the same receiver. The only differences are the the remotes (and the AVR-2808CI also comes with a second remote for Zone 2 and Zone 3), the face plates, and distribution. The AVR-998 is sold at stores like Circuit City and the AVR-2808CI is sold at more specialty retailer / custom install stores.

Eric

[Chris D]

Huh... I got my 2808 at Best Buy.

[hifiguymi]

Huh... I got my 2808 at Best Buy.

Did you buy it at a Best Buy with a Magnolia Hi Fi in it? Magnolia is considered a separate store in Best Buy stores.

[Chris D]

Yeah, I suppose I did. Our store in Alaska does have a Magnolia. (yes, just one BB store in all of Alaska, a state the size of the eastern third of the United States)

[Hdale85]

I think its funny its a Magnolia.....surprises me actually.

[impala454]

I remember looking this up when I got my 2307CI, about its "sister" receiver. For these, the Denon site shows:

988 weighs 0.8lbs more (prob just rounded off in one spec)

2808CI has analog video to HDMI conversion, 988 does not (was the deal breaker for me when I bought my 2307CI instead of its sister)

2808CI has one extra multi-zone audio source

988 has a pre-amp output for multi-zone, 2808CI does not

2808CI has a backlit remote, 988 has glow-key remote

[hifiguymi]

2808CI has analog video to HDMI conversion, 988 does not (was the deal breaker for me when I bought my 2307CI instead of its sister)

The AVR-988 does analog to digital conversion for video just like the AVR-2808CI does. The scaler is the same as well (it will scale up to 1080P).

2808CI has one extra multi-zone audio source

988 has a pre-amp output for multi-zone, 2808CI does not

Good catch. The AVR-2808CI does have two extra zone outputs instead of one extra on the AVR-988. The AVR-2808CI does have preamp outputs for both zone 2 and zone 3 however.

2808CI has a backlit remote, 988 has glow-key remote

That is what I was referring to in my earlier post when I said the remotes were different.

Eric

[impala454]

The AVR-988 does analog to digital conversion for video just like the AVR-2808CI does. The scaler is the same as well (it will scale up to 1080P).

Don't shoot the messenger, but I was looking at specs directly from Denon's website.

[impala454]

[hifiguymi]

That's wrong. Look at the info sheet it's listed on there. With all of the info that Denon sent us (I'm a dealer) when this current line was launched states it does have the A/D conversion and scaling.

Eric

[impala454]

It doesn't say anything about conversion or scaling in general. It says it does not do analog -> HDMI conversion. I don't care to argue the point, I simply noticed the differences in the spec sheets from Denon and thought they were worthy to note given the OPs question.

[Alex Tang]

Thank you for all of your information. And I feel sorry if I get you guys into argument, but all of your information are very helpful.

Finally, since they are very similar, do you know if there is any difference in the build quality? Very similar to Pioneer, there is a Elite VSX-91TXH and a non-Elite VSX-9120TXH-K. The spec are almost the same, but some people think the Elite model has better build quality.

I think I can get them with almost the same price, which would you recommend?

And probably I should open another thread. I can see a Pioneer VSX-9120TXH-K at FS selling at the same price as Onkyo SR805S in Circuit City. And from the spec provided on their web site, they are about the same. Which one do you think is better?