Multiple Denons
April 30, 2004
I am looking to replace my receiver and have started to do
some online research with reviews and looking in the forums. I've liked what I've read
about Denon products. I don't understand what Denon is doing with their 1083 model and
their 3803/3805 models. If you look at the specs, there really isn't that much difference
-- well, certainly not $300 difference. In checking with local audio shops, it seems that
the 1083 is geared to sell at the large chains and the 3800 series at the smaller
"specialized" shops. I can find no reviews of the 1083, but lots on the 3800
series. I even noticed that Denon has one manual for both receivers. Is there really a
difference or is this just Denon trying for a larger market share by offering a receiver
for the masses?
Todd
I'm not familiar with the specific Denon models you
mention, but I would predict that you may be correct in your theory. Many widely
distributed companies rebadge their products so that their specialist dealers don't have
to directly compete with the big-box stores. This scenario would create a price war that
the smaller dealer would surely lose. The specialist dealers likely offer services that
the big-box stores do not, however, so they certainly have their place in the equation,
even at a higher price. Having said that, there may be differences between the components
you're considering -- $300 does seem a large discrepancy. Your best bet is to go look at
and examine both. That way you'll know for sure.
Bad recordings should sound bad
April 29, 2004
Don't you think a bad (harsh, bright, grainy) recording
should sound bad over a good stereo? I recently had a debate with a friend of mine who
said that a really good stereo should make everything sound good. That just doesn't seem
right to me. What is your opinion on the matter?
Theresa
I'd have to side with you. A stereo system should
reproduce what is on the recording -- good or bad -- and that's it. If the stereo colored
the bad recordings to make them sound good it would also be coloring the good recordings
in an equal fashion. And you don't want that. The problem is that some systems make bad
recordings sound really bad. And that can make some CDs unlistenable. That is why
audiophiles search out good recordings of their favorite music, and also why
high-resolution SACDs and DVD-As are touted for their better sound. Because it matters,
especially on a good system!
Positioning of wall-mount speakers
April 23, 2004
I have young children in my home, and I don't want them
touching my speakers. But I don't want to restrict access to the room they are in, either.
So I'm going to have to mount my speakers on the wall.
Everything I read says that the front speakers need to be
placed at ear level. But, how much worse is it to have them high on the wall but
positioned toward the listening area?
John
It all depends on the specific speakers you purchase and
how they were designed to be placed. In your situation you need to look at speakers like
the Mirage Omnisat, or if your budget is higher, Thiel's PowerPoints or PowerPlanes. These
speakers will give you the option of mounting them way up high, all the way up to the
ceiling in fact. Since they were designed with this specific purpose/placement in mind,
you'll experience their sound the way it was intended. If you buy a speaker designed for
ear-height placement and put it up high, it will not meet your expectations, as you've
surmised.
Cables in review system
April 21, 2004
In his review of the Rotel RA-02 integrated amp, Eric D.
Hetherington neglected to mention what speaker cables, interconnects, and power cords he
was using in his system. Could you please provide that information?
Todd
Sorry about the omission! It was Kimber Silver Streak
interconnects, Kimber 4PR speaker cables, and the supplied power cord.
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