Denon 4308 - better alternatives...?

[admin_exported]

Hi there,

 

I have a Denon 4308 but not totally impressed with it. Am considering buying a Plinius 9200 to play stereo through and maybe changing the AV receiver.

 

Any ideas on other AV receivers? What Hifi recommend the Yamaha 863 or Pioneer  SC-LX81. 

 

Any thoughts welcome.

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

[Clare Newsome]

Well as someone who's right-this-minute listening to the luscious sound of a Plinius 9200, I can highly recommend auditioning it as a stereo amp (it'll destroy the Denon for music performance) - and as it has an AV throughput, it's really easy to work in tandem with an AV receiver.

However, both that decision and your AV receiver one really depend on the rest of your system. What stereo and AV sources do you have? And your speakers? Room size? Budget?

A few answers to those and i'm sure we can come up with some shortlists of kit to audition.

 

[Anonymous]

Clare,

You're a star.

Stereo source: CDXTSE/DACX

AV sources: Panasonic BD30 (which I am likely to change also), I do also feed PS3, cable tv etc through the amp.

Speakers: B&W CM series (CM7 fronts, CM Centre, CM1 rear) plus Velodyne sub SPL-R 1200 (which I have also considering trying PV1 instead of).

Room size: open plan lounge dining so for stereo area approx 350sqft whereas surround sound area for movies is smaller

Budget: Having spent a good amount of money on cd player, speakers etc I would like to complete the system without wanting to upgrade for a long time.

Thanks in advance and happy new year.

Cheers.

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting one I'm keen to see where you go with - I discounted the 4308 early as an upgrade from my 4306 due mainly to price gouging in Australia and also I'm looking for better stereo performance - since you're not happy with yours, it looks like my intuition's been right. I'm waiting to listen to a Pioneer SC-LX90 which I have on offer at a very good price.

Let us know how you go.

 

[Clare Newsome]

simonbygrave:
Clare,

You're a star.

Stereo source: CDXTSE/DACX

AV sources: Panasonic BD30 (which I am likely to change also), I do also feed PS3, cable tv etc through the amp.

Speakers: B&W CM series (CM7 fronts, CM Centre, CM1 rear) plus Velodyne sub SPL-R 1200 (which I have also considering trying PV1 instead of).

Room size: open plan lounge dining so for stereo area approx 350sqft whereas surround sound area for movies is smaller

Budget: Having spent a good amount of money on cd player, speakers etc I would like to complete the system without wanting to upgrade for a long time.

Thanks in advance and happy new year.

Cheers.

Well i've been using the Plinius 9200 amp in tandem with the Cyrus XtSE/DAC-X over the Xmas/New Year period and it's a great combination - the Plinius adds some heft and really delivers all that delicious detail in style. Enjoy the audition !

Onto the AV amp - well, you're not going to want to have a lesser surround experience than you're used to with your Denon, so i'd suggest hearing the Pioneer LX90, plus the Yamaha 3900. A higher-end Blu-ray player would complete the picture - why not audition the Pioneer and Denon while you're at it.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Clare,

Will see if I can get to listen to my cyrus through the Plinius. Problem is I might listen to the 101 too and then want that too!ÿ

I'll try the other AVs and BD players too. That should at least be a fun way to spend an afternoon.

thanks for your help and will post results here in case anyone wants to read.

Cheers.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

For interest I ended up with the LX90 which is IMO phenomenal with music- not in the same league as a Plinius stereo amp I dont doubt but as far as AV amps go, I doubt it can be bettered. It blows my 4306 to pieces - with the same cd player and speakers, ts like listening to a totally different system. Let us know what you ended up with.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

ÿA little while since I first asked the question and I have finally pulled my finger out and have listened to some amps.

ÿAm going to stick with the 4308 but buy a stereo amp for music. Have managed to home demo Cyrus DACXP plus X Power (and also with Mono X) plus a PSXR power supply to my CDXTSE.ÿ

ÿWanted to test the Plinius (prob 9200) at home but the shop won't do it so I have only had the chance to listen to it using a cd player, speakers and cables not my own. Which makes it a little more difficult to decide.

ÿSo any advice would be more than welcome on the options:

(1) DACXP, X Power plus PSXR

(2) DACXP, pair of mono Xs plus PSXR

(3) Plinius (prob 9200).

Options 1 and 3 are about the same. 2 is considerably more expensive.

Any thoughts out there?ÿ

Thanks,

Simon.ÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Plus one more, sorry. How does the Plinius CD101 compare with the Cyrus CDXTSE and DACX combo I have?ÿ

If I go for Plinius 9200 or above is it worth having Plinius CD to pair up?ÿ