Denon AVR 3803 Questions

[Vinod.R]

Hi all,

All opinions would be most welcome.

My problem is this:

My Denon AVR 3803 has served me well for the past years. Condition is mint and even music sounds great on it. (Yes I know it cant beat a stand alone amp or a more discrete setup but serves me quite decently).

Problem is that it cant decode these new HD audio formats. But it has got analogue 7.1 ins.

Should I upgrade to a newer amp or may be invest in a blu ray player with build in decoders. Will the HD decoded sound be the same with analogue ins or HDMI would be better?

Any recommends? Change the AVR? Or which player to match it with? Anyone got the same AVR?

I have been thinking about it for the past one year with no answers.

I AM SURE PEOPLE WITH OLDER AVRS HAVE THIS NAGGING QUESTION

Suggestions guys

Regards

Vinod

 

[abhi]

If you are happy with the your receiver then there is no need for you to junk this and buy a new one. Since it has 7.1 external inputs, you can buy a blu ray player that can output analogue 7.1(like oppo) and connect it to your receiver's external inputs. Your receivers volume control manages volume of all 7.1 channels.
Get a used power amp or a norge amp and use that for your additional surround channels. You should be set.

This is what I plan to do with my receiver.

 

[spirovious]

+1 to that,even Panasonic has same(BD85)& is cheaper than oppo.I have HTPC which does the same for me.

 

[Vinod.R]

Hi to abhi and spirovious,

Thanks for the really prompt and useful replies.

I will do as you guys say, that is Oppo 83 or Panasonic BPD85 it will be. Will there be any reduction in the quality of sound? Any cheaper price options for players? Any other players?

Thanks once again.

Vinod

 

[spirovious]

a link of BD85 wich can be made perhaps reg free later-
http://amazonin.tarazz.com/Panasoni...ref=sr_1_6?s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1292905896&sr=1-6

 

[venkatcr]

Though keeping the 3803 since you like it makes immense sense, there is a dilemma.

If you buy a Opp0 BD-95, for example, it will certainly decode Blu-Ray, DVD, and audio as well are even better than the 3803. With 7.1 Analogue connections, you will be all set.

Unfortunately, BD-95 does not play all media formats. Ideally if one can get a media player with the capabilities of the Oppo, that will be excellent. But media players do not have the decoding, scaling, and DAC capabilities of the Oppo.

You can also look at a combination of Oppo BDP-95 and a simple media player that you can connect through Optical Digital and Component video for playing media files. You will be happy upto 720P with a connection like that.

HTPC is also an option, but connectivity is restricted mostly to HDMI. You do get sound cards that support optical and coaxial digital but the restriction is to 5.1.

Cheers

 

[spirovious]

HTPC is also an option, but connectivity is restricted mostly to HDMI. You do get sound cards that support optical and coaxial digital but the restriction is to 5.1.

Cheers

New range of soundcards supports audio upto 196/24bi(even my D2X),but problem is protection of HD-audio which forces video player(say PDVD)to downscale HD audio.I can get 7.1 out from HTPC,but currently downscaled one.:indifferent14:

 

[Vinod.R]

Hi to abhi and spirovious and Venkatcr,

Thanks for the suggestions, has helped me decide the way forward.

Now then it would be either a media player or a standalone player like the panasonic or the Oppo, right?

Based on what Venkatcr told me, it has to be a compromise one way or the other. But just for your information this unit has up scaling up to component video (1080i) and was a top of the line unit for its time.

It has got 14 transistors and a decent EL core transformer inside and can amplify all seven channels if required.

Now friends any other changes based on this extra info, I mean the media player route or BDP? By the by, I have a unlimited broadband connection BSNL.

thanks

Vinod

 

[Vinod.R]

Hello Guys,
New problem with my very old receiver AVR-3803.
I cannot change modes from Stereo to All Channel Stereo etc. If I do, then the display changes but the sound goes blank. I have to now turn off and turn on the receiver to get the sound back. Only Stereo seems to work. However Analogue 7.1 works perfectly. I would like to solve it. What could be the problem?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Dhruv.Arora]

Hello Guys,
New problem with my very old receiver AVR-3803.
I cannot change modes from Stereo to All Channel Stereo etc. If I do, then the display changes but the sound goes blank. I have to now turn off and turn on the receiver to get the sound back. Only Stereo seems to work. However Analogue 7.1 works perfectly. I would like to solve it. What could be the problem?
Thanks in advance.

Sir I think it’s time to retire the AVR

 

[Vinod.R]

Sir I think it’s time to retire the AVR

But I love it too much.

 

[Dhruv.Arora]

But I love it too much.

We all have emotional connect with gear that has served us well

 

[hifimaddy]

3803 relased in 2004-2005 I am not sure about it. fully made in Japan. If its working in 2024, this is amazing. In those days, denon-made amps were built to last, but 2024 amps are not great quality like in the olden days, so keep this as it serves your needs, but technically you are missing a lot of specs from modern AVRS.

 

[Vinod.R]

Lots of maintenance from my end. Regular internal cleaning and dusting. Checking for cockroach or other kinds of infestation. Running it for 5-6 hours tops and then minimum 1 hour rest etc. Runs through a CVT. Volume never increased beyond -45 etc.

 

[Vinod.R]

One more thing, open up the entire AVR once in a blue moon when I have ample time and clean individual boards. He he he.