Yamaha DSP-Z7 or Denon 4308A...............

[amwarren13]

Hi there,

I am looking to upgrade my home cinema amp from my Arcam Diva AVR 350. I am considering the Yamaha DSP-Z7 or Denon 4308A. It will be running with a Denon DVD-3800BD, Sky + HD and my speakers are Monitor Audio Radius R90AV-12.

Will be used for playing music (CD's or MP3) /Blu-Ray/DVD/TV

Does anyone have any recommendations - both look good, and have great reviews, but I need some help in making the final decision !

Ashley

 

[Anonymous]

If it were my money, I would pick the Yamaha Z7.

However, since you have that sensational Denon Blu-ray Disc Player, aesthetically, I suppose you might be better off with the Denon 4308A.

 

[jase fox]

mmm very good question ,

Like Dantan i would probably choose the yammy Z7 ! However, id also be tempted to get the Denon to match your player even though that doesnt "really" matter.

So, >>>taps fingers on desk) Ideally it would be good to be able to demo both of them & see what you think is best? But these amps are big beasts & not really ideal to keep lifting off & on racks etc

Minds made up, id go for the Yamaha Z7, Because it did get a cracking review & i think yamaha have spent some considerable time making this amp & having owned previous yamaha amps ive never been disapointed !

But, the final choice lies with you, Goodluck !!

 

[Anonymous]

I've only heard the pre A version the 4308 and I've not heard them side by side. They both sound great though. I'm not familiar with your speakers but looking at your sources, I'd probably have to say go with the Denon. The Yamaha has a very sophisticated video processor from DVDO / Anchor Bay. The Denon uses a less sophisticated Faroudja processor. But this will be largely redundant since you've got a Realta HQV chip in the 3800 and most SD Sky channels will look pants whatever processor you use. Personally I prefer the look of the Denon too.

 

[Anonymous]

I would also go for the Z7. It is worth bearing in mind that Yamaha has got some serious supply problems inthe UK at the moment, and if you order one from your reseller, you might have to wait a bit to get it... but since this is a long term investment, it is worth waiting sometimes. Good things come to those who wait [I am sure I heard that somewhere else

]

 

[d4v3pum4]

Personally I would demo, that's a lot of money to spend based on forum opinion only. I also think that both are far too good for Radius 90's and would look further down the ranges e.g. 2809/3808a and 1900/3900 unless there is a particular feature you're after. The Radius can really sing with good amplification but they have a ceiling.

Can I ask why you're upgrading? The AVR350 is a mighty fine amp and I know that some folks on other forums have upgraded to the Z7 etc. for HDMI audio but they're all running better speakers.

Just my 2p worth though. Enjoy the demos.

 

[Anonymous]

I also agree that either amplifier will be 'too good' for the Monitor Audio Radius's. I suppose either amplifier would do better amplifying the Silver or even Gold Series loudspeakers, but I suppose that might be the original poster's next upgrade.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

dantan:I also agree that either amplifier will be 'too good' for the Monitor Audio Radius's. I suppose either amplifier would do better amplifying the Silver or even Gold Series loudspeakers, but I suppose that might be the original poster's next upgrade.

I was just about to say the same. I have the R90s as my rear speakers - they are very good but you will be in overkill territory using a 4308 with them. I would get the new 2809 if you want to stay with Denon (although I have listened to it and my Sony 3400es was better imo).

 

[jase fox]

d4v3pum4:
Personally I would demo, that's a lot of money to spend based on forum opinion only. I also think that both are far too good for Radius 90's and would look further down the ranges e.g. 2809/3808a and 1900/3900 unless there is a particular feature you're after. The Radius can really sing with good amplification but they have a ceiling.

Can I ask why you're upgrading? The AVR350 is a mighty fine amp and I know that some folks on other forums have upgraded to the Z7 etc. for HDMI audio but they're all running better speakers.

Just my 2p worth though. Enjoy the demos.

I couldnt agree with you more if i were going to spend that kind of cash on an amp id certainly demo them both, but if for some reason i couldnt id go with the Z7 ! Remember, jusy my opinion.

 

[amwarren13]

Hi there, thanks for the note - I agree with you re the speakers, and they are next on my list for upgardes when the piggy bank is re-plenished !

I wanted to upgrade as I feel that the Arcam is starting to lack a few of the newer technical features that these newer models have. Currently the BD3800 is decoding the HD sound from Blu-ray and sending it to the Arcam via the 5.1 input leads - but am I correct in saying that it will sound better if the amp deals with all the sound decoding ?

I will book a demo for both to experience myself.

Thanks again

 

[Anonymous]

It wouldn't surprise me if the HD audio decoding in the 3800 was at least as good as, if not better than, the decoding in either of these amps. But as a rule of thumb the simplest, cleanest signal path is generally the best. Digital connections like HDMI include error correction, and therefore can cope better with interference than analogue connections.

There's also a good chance that an analogue signal fed into the Denon or the Yamaha (and maybe your Arcam too) is digitised and then processed again, especially if you enable room EQ or (if you use them) DSP simulation modes. So the signal path using analogue connections might look like this:

Digital > Analogue > Digital > Analogue

Whereas with HDMI bitstream it might be more like this:

Digital > Analogue

This is a gross oversimplification and to be honest I know very little about the internal processing path of either receiver, so take it with a pinch of salt.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Ashley,

Because the Denon '3800BD is such a high-end Blu-ray Disc Player, and priced to suit, I would say that there is a fair chance that its internal decoding of the lossless HD audio formats might be better.

However, I personally prefer to allow the A/V Receiver or Surround Processor/Pre-Amplifier to perform on-board decoding.

If you are going for the Yamaha Z7 or Denon 4308A, why not look at the Denon DVD2500BT Blu-ray Transport? In this way, I believe that the performance you will get will be sensational, but you will have quite a few hundred quid left, to save for your speaker upgrade in the future.

I am considering the Denon DVD2500BT, because I like the idea of a Transport, instead of a fully-fledged Player, because I do not require the analogue out-puts of a fully-fledged Player. I like keeping things as simple as possible, and I like 'dedicated' everything - Processor, Power Amplifier, CD Player, etc.

Dan.

 

[Anonymous]

Come to think of it, you did mention you want the Denon '3800 for CD play-back, as well, so perhaps that is why you are looking towards a Universal Player, with analogue out-puts.

However, I am sure that the Z7 and 4308A have decent on-board digital-to-analogue converters (DACs) that can take the incoming digital signals from, say, the Denon DVD2500BT, and still sing reasonably well.

 

[Anonymous]

I would get the Yamaha DSP-Z7. The Denon 4308 is an old receiver from way back in 2007 even though they have added in some features with the upgraded "A" version.