Denon AVR-4311 + 2 ATOLL AM200 (mono) for B&W 803S Front

[BBibber]

Hi,

The time has come to upgrade my current AV Receiver (Denon AVR3802). My Budget is around 2500 €.

My Actual combination is Denon AVR3802 + 2xATOLL AM-200 (mono) to feed my B&W 803S. The internal amp section of the Denon AVR3802 is feeding the B&W matrix HTM as center & B&W 805 rear channels

I use my system 80% for stereo and 20% for HT.

I thought of going to the Denon AVR4311 because of the pre-amp mode and the possibility of streaming music over my network (iTunes airport possibility or DLNA) because my entire music collection is digitalized within iTunes Lossless format.

I already auditioned the Denon 3311 with 2xATOLL AM200 + B&W 803 Diamond using the original CD (played on ATOLL CD200 in analogue & digital connection) and the EAC rip in FLAC.

The reproduction with the Atoll CD-200 in analogue mode was very revealing but I was completely impressed with the openess and dynamics that the digital copy (on USB stick) had over the original CD with the 'audiophile' CD player.

Has anybody other suggestions (for a 2500 € budget) ?


For me is the network (airplay) possibility or DLNA streaming and the pre-out section important as well as (close to) audiophile stereo reproduction.

Thanks in advance for any hints or tips.

[emig5m]

I like Denon for it's features and GUI, but I think Yamaha is a better choice for straight up 2-channel fidelity and clarity. Yamaha has plenty of AVR's with pre-amp outputs (I think even moreso than Denon and even at lower price points).

I already auditioned the Denon 3311 with 2xATOLL AM200 + B&W 803 Diamond using the original CD (played on ATOLL CD200 in analogue & digital connection) and the EAC rip in FLAC.

I currently have the 3311 and my cheaper Yamaha definitely had more subtle detail and clarity for stereo playback where the Denon no matter the settings sounds a little veiled over. Good thing I'm more of a movie buff now because that's where I think the Denon excels over the Yamaha (but not really a fair match since the Denon is at a higher price point and one or two generations newer - but that also says a lot for Yamaha's fidelity and clarity!) And don't spend more money thinking you're going to get better sound quality. I demoed my cheaper Yamaha against a flagship model and the sound was identical so I took the more expensive one back. I was fully willing to pay more for better sound quality but it just wasn't there.... Pay for only the features you need, especially when using as a preamp.

[emig5m]

Ya know, I find it quite the coincidence that I stopped my critical 2-channel listening right around the time I jumped ship over to Denon where when I had the Yamaha, all you would hear is praise from me about the sound quality of my system for 2-channel playback. From the 600 series, to the 800 series. Same thing happened years ago when I had a nice two channel Carver system and dropped down to a Sony AVR just to get surround sound I also coincidentally stopped listening to 2-channel (Ok, the Sony was really bad compared to the Carver separates, lol). Forget Denon IMO if you really care about straight up 2-channel fidelity and put Yamaha at the top of your list for the mass-market AVR brands. I only got the Denon because it was nearly a free upgrade with the discount and price I was able to sell off my old AVR. Don't get me wrong, I love the Denon's features, GUI, and movie playback over the Yamaha (but just barely, only because if Audyssey's better sub integration), but for simple 2-channel fidelity, Yamaha wins...

[BBibber]

My dealer is selling his demo 4311 (2 months old) with 2 years warranty for the same price as the previous 3311 (he is 'offering me the pleasure') so I think I will go that way.

[emig5m]

My dealer is selling his demo 4311 (2 months old) with 2 years warranty for the same price as the previous 3311 (he is 'offering me the pleasure') so I think I will go that way.

It was hard for me to turn down the 3311 because of price too (around half price).

[BBibber]

Hi,

Thanks for all your advice. In the meantime I have bought the Denon AVR-4311.

The sound is really fantastic.

The only negative point is that the Airplay upgrade did not go as planned (the upgrade did not function, I can see it in iTunes but not connect to it) and I returned the unit back to the dealer who is going to look for a solution (he tried it too but it did also not function).

[Antus]

after playing with some so called airplay receiver, i found the best way to use airplay is to buy a Apple TV which works much better.

if you are useing a receiver as pre/pro, why not just buy a real pre/pro. Marantz av7005 or Onkyo has really nice pre/pro for similier price as a higher end receiver.

[BBibber]

after playing with some so called airplay receiver, i found the best way to use airplay is to buy a Apple TV which works much better.

According to my information the Airport Express and Apple TV are limited to 16kbit/44kHz. iTunes is able to stream at 24bit/96kHz and I understood that the Airplay functionality in Denon & Marantz support this.

I compaired 16/44 with 24/96 and this is night and day (FLAC HD source which was downsampled to 16/44)

if you are useing a receiver as pre/pro, why not just buy a real pre/pro. Marantz av7005 or Onkyo has really nice pre/pro for similier price as a higher end receiver.

I compaired the Marantz AV7005 with the Denon AVR-4311 and I had the impression that I had more detail with the Denon. Especially with 16/44 sources I had another level of detail. Maybe here is where the Denon AL24 processing makes the difference...