There may be just a few 3800s around and IMHO you won't be disappointed if you take the plunge. ÿThe 3800 was never reviewed by WHF, but it received excellent notices elsewhere. ÿIt was also highly recommended over the competition from Denon/Onkyo etc by the dealer I used, ÿFrank Harvey/HiFix of Coventry (they post on here). ÿWhen the price came down at the end of the summer I decided to buy one and it's been absolutely fantastic - a mix of power and delicacy. ÿThere's been some joking about the 1900 doing silence well, but I think I know what the reviewer was trying to say: the dynamic range and clarity is outstanding.
The guys at Frank Harvey have tried the new 1900 and reckon that it possibly sounds a tiny bit better than the 3800 (maybe due to the 8 point set-up procedure), but there isn't much difference really. ÿOf course, the 3800 comes with internet radio and network streaming as bonus features. ÿThe 3800 is silver only. ÿCDs sound OK - perfectly enjoyable but mid-range hi-fi level and not as good as my A85 - and oh yes, it's barely warm to the touch even when being driven really hard. ÿMine drives a Quad L-ite package with 12L2s at the front to make it 7.1 and I must say, I love it!
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