Denon AVR3803 Receiver and Kef KHT 2005.2 package

[torqemada]

First post after much lurking, so here goes. It's a bit of a crossover between Amp and Speaker, hope that's okay.



I'm interested in getting your thoughts on this package - http://www.creative-audio.co.uk/KEF_AVR3803.htm. I'm about to make my first leap into the full-blown AV world and after a lot of reading thought this looked a good deal. My budget is around £1,500 to £2,000.



Everything I've read about the 3803 sounds great, and I already have a Denon DM30 stereo and am impressed with the quality of Denon kit. I think this part of the deal isn't that tough.



One of my prime drivers is that I want small sats for personal reasons, and these seem to be among the best for the price. I'm not sure about the sub though, would it best to go with one of the Velodyne's I read about? The room is 14x18 but I'd like to spec the system out for a larger room as well.



Any help you can give me?



Thanks,

Scott.

[Rainbow6]

I have been told that the sub with the KHT system is very good. If it's anything like the Q series sub I heard the other day at a demo with the egg sats, I doubt you'll be dissappointed.



The part of that system you should worry about or demo for yourself is the centre speaker. I too am interested in that package, but after hearing the centre at a demo I'm having second thoughts. Some suggest it's a bit weak for dialogue duties. I wondered myself. I may have to go back for a second listen.



All the best with your decision. Try Creative Audio's website, as they may have what you're looking for as a package deal for considerably less than elsewhere. And the folks there seem very helpful, too. :)~:-)~:smile:



Jim

[James45]

There's some decent deals on there, (apart from the Kef egg Hot Price of £799 when the RRP is £799).



I think the Denon amp is certainly in a league above the Kef speakers, I heard the Eggs running off a 2803 and personally wasn't impressed (and judging by the praise the Denon amp gets everywhere) that had to be down to the Eggs.

[torqemada]

The part of that system you should worry about or demo for yourself is the centre speaker. I too am interested in that package, but after hearing the centre at a demo I'm having second thoughts. Some suggest it's a bit weak for dialogue duties. I wondered myself. I may have to go back for a second listen.

Jim




Hmm. Food for thought there. I suppose I could break the system up and purchase the bits individually, they seem to be not bad prices overall. 4 Kef eggs, a centre speaker and maybe a seperate sub as well. Did some quick sums and it works out only a little bit more, plus cable costs.

[Jonas]

I would have a look at the B&W VM1 as well, i've always been impressed by these and did some direct comparisons with the orginal Kef Eggs. Not done any comparisons with the latest Kefs. The SUB that B&W ships with the VM1s is not very good, so I would stay away from that.

[juboy]

First post after much lurking, so here goes.






Welcome to AV Talk :thumbup:






My budget is around £1,500 to £2,000. Everything I've read about the 3803 sounds great




You won't go wrong with the 3803. If you already like the Denon sound and look then the 3803 is your obvious choice. What DVD player do you have? That might influence the choice too.



As mentioned by others, I don't honestly think that the Kef eggs package would let the 3803 shine to it's full potential. Have you considered the Velodyne Deco package available at £200 off list prices in the Power Buy section? The sub would certainly do the business and the system gets a great review here (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_9_3/product-roundup-small-speakers-velodyne-9-2002.html).



Other than that, sub/sat wise, I'd look at the Anthony Gallo range and, if you can stretch to it, the M&K series (although that probably would take you over your budget).

[torqemada]

The Velo package does look tasty. How does the sub compare with the other Velo subs?



I also like the look of those Anthony Gallo's; I could do 5 of those, a Velodyne sub and the Denon and still hit my budget. What about a centre speaker, would the AG's do the job okay?



Actually, I can stretch the budget if I need to, I need to get a decent DVD player to make the most of this new kit, been looking at either the Pioneer 565 or going all out with the Denon 2900.



I'm beginning to see a nice system forming here. Could be some more business for Uncle Eric...

[juboy]

The Velo package does look tasty. How does the sub compare with the other Velo subs?






I believe Eric has likened it to the SPL range, which is praise indeed.



The Denon 2900/3803 plus the Deco system would be a pretty damn awesome system.



That said, if you're still after a DVD player, the Pioneer 757ai/AX5i and Deco system would provide an equally awesome set-up at around the same price.



(Just thought I'd throw that in as a second option - just to confuse you - as I own the 757/AX5 combo and it's absolutely amazing in pretty much every respect)



I've heard the Gallo's a number of times now and they really do create a much better soundstage than you'd expect from something the size of a grapefruit :o~:-o~:eek: :D~:-D~:grin:

[James45]

Oi w) the Micros are Orange-sized, the A'Divas Grapefruit sized and the Dues are well... telephone sized! :lol:

[juboy]

and the Dues are well... telephone sized! :lol:




...or genetically modified bananas :lol: :thumbup: