Originally posted by: ICXRa
haha
That's always an option but hopefully it will do fine at HT once the sub is hooked up. I can always add an external amp to it. I must admit that I was unaware the main goes up to +18 which I just discovered on a HT forum. Still much to learn so I should have not been so quick to post my previous feelings. I'm just thankful for the Hot Deals forum to save me from paying retail for this!
You spend a week with the unit and you don't know the maximum volume level. You then proceed to comment on the "loudness" of the unit without this information. Also, have you calibrated it? I believe that your maximum number will change once you calibrate it. The maximum number that your receiver will go up to is based on your main speakers calibration (if I remember correctly), because mine only goes to +11. If this is correct, that could be a difference of 6-7 decibles or a perceived 4 times the power needed to achieve the same loudness at the same number.
I'm sorry you felt dissapointed when you got it, but it is fairly accurately represented in it's amplification claims. H/K tends to be a bit understated. I noticed the volume numbers were handled a bit differently than either my Yamaha or Onkyo in the sense that I couldn't turn either of those up past half way. With the Denon, I can go almost the entire way. This isn't a flaw, it is a design. I happen to prefer it. I don't have to worry about the mrs. turning up the volume too loud and ruining my $5k speakers, just because she was using the wrong input and swtiches to the correct input with the volume maxed. With either the Yammy or Onkyo, there would be severe clipping after half way, so the last half of the volume is only there for your ego to fool the uninformed. It was never used and only served as a frightening ability to blow speakers.
I still remember my cousin showing off his dad's receiver when we were young children. He wouldn't dare turn it past "11 O'clock" for fear of damaging the speakers, but he claimed there was more than half the power of the receiver left. That was BS then, and it's still BS. Along with John, I have no difficulty reaching reference levels. My room is about 17.5 x 21.5. I typically will listen at -25 to -20 for average TV. For "movie theater" levels -15 to -10 suffices. I typically won't have it at "movie theater" levels with guests unless they want the full effect. For two channel music I have it around 0.
I posted earlier about the amps' stereo ability driving Paradigm Studio 100s. The Amp section in the 3803 isn't intended to be top notch for stereo (IMO), and I stated earlier that I would love to add an external amp to remove those duties from this receiver. In fact, I think an external amp would be benefical for all amplification duties if you have a nice speaker system (like your rockets) taht could benefit from one. Your Rockets will be easier to drive than my Studio setup, and I can't imagine 99% of the population NOT being blown away from what this receiver and a 5.1 setup of Rockets can do.
With that said, you are the one that needs to be satisfied. This AVR's claim to fame is its total ability for home theater and switching/upconverting signals. It also does a great job of handling all kinds of inputs and remembering the settings for each. This AVR isn't the best available in terms of two-channel performace. If you want that, I would suggest looking into the H/K or (even better) a more dedicated two-channel setup. H/K tends to be a bit warmer, and that lends itself to a smoother 2 channel experience. I would say the 3803 is better than any other receiver I have had (yamaha, onkyo, marantz) in processing 2 channel music. But, it is bright and detailed (especially with Paradigm Studios). That turns some off and some on. I happen to like it, but I would like more amplification. In 5.1 formats, it knocks the socks off anything I've ever had, and I can't imagine anything being significantly better without going to seperates.