Although I have been listening to music for 50-odd years, I am still somewhat inexperienced when it come to quality hifi equipment. Last year, I bought a Denon DRA-800H to drive my Goldenear Triton 3 speakers. Overall, I am happy. I have to admit though, that I think the sound could be better. I am all-digital, running a music server and Amazon Music HD through HEOS and the network input on the 800H. I am using the internal DAC. I also have a Denon Blue-Ray transport running through the same DAC.
When I read the specs on the 800H, I thought both the amplifier and the DAC sounded high end. The question is, would I hear the difference if I upgraded my amplifier? Would there be a big improvement with an outboard DAC? I've read opinions that these things (beyond a certain minimum) are snake oil, but I'm very curious what your experience has been.
Thanks in advance.
When I read the specs on the 800H, I thought both the amplifier and the DAC sounded high end. The question is, would I hear the difference if I upgraded my amplifier? Would there be a big improvement with an outboard DAC? I've read opinions that these things (beyond a certain minimum) are snake oil, but I'm very curious what your experience has been.
Thanks in advance.
Looks like it has some problems.
Denon DRA-800H Review (Stereo Receiver) | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
Denon DRA-800H Review (Stereo Receiver) | Audio Science Review (ASR) Forum
The speakers seem to get good reviews, and there are some helpful suggestions.
GoldenEar Triton Three Floorstanding Loudspeaker Reviewed - HomeTheaterReview
Test Report: GoldenEar Technology Triton Three Speakers | Sound & Vision
GoldenEar Technology Triton Three+ Floorstanding Speaker One speaker to rule them all. Review By Steven R. Rochlin
GoldenEar Triton Three Floorstanding Loudspeaker Reviewed - HomeTheaterReview
Test Report: GoldenEar Technology Triton Three Speakers | Sound & Vision
GoldenEar Technology Triton Three+ Floorstanding Speaker One speaker to rule them all. Review By Steven R. Rochlin
You need to quantify what you want to hear.
Use a white noise sound from a DVD/CD to output to the speakers then do some tests using PC sound card to see where system is lacking.
Sometimes systems just sound bland and need something like valve amp to colour things a bit.
Use a white noise sound from a DVD/CD to output to the speakers then do some tests using PC sound card to see where system is lacking.
Sometimes systems just sound bland and need something like valve amp to colour things a bit.
Linearity of the power amplifier and the DAC is nothing to write home about, but I honestly wouldn't complain about that sort of performance. SOTA? No, but it probably won't sound half bad at all. Crest and QSC have both made amplifiers with worse linearity, yet they still sound pretty good in a stereo system.
What concerns me a lot more is that it sounds like the software is a bit glitchy, which means the whole thing has the potential to be a serious pain.
I am looking for a more open sound, greater separation between instruments. Maybe a little brighter sound. Better imaging.
So buy old Technics, Sony, Sansui, Pioneer, Hitachi, Philips
Stay away from Onkyo, Denon, and Yamaha.
Or check the reviews before buying.
If you feel up to it, build a mosfet design, chips are in short supply.
Stay away from Onkyo, Denon, and Yamaha.
Or check the reviews before buying.
If you feel up to it, build a mosfet design, chips are in short supply.
The speakers seem to get the job done. My advice, however, could have been better.
Test Report: GoldenEar Technology Triton Three Speakers | Sound & Vision
CVF GoldenEar Tech Floor standing Speakers
DRA-800H Stereo Network Receiver | Denon
Test Report: GoldenEar Technology Triton Three Speakers | Sound & Vision
CVF GoldenEar Tech Floor standing Speakers
DRA-800H Stereo Network Receiver | Denon
Hey dFinnie
Just chimming coz I actually have this receiver so I’ll give you actual experience.
This is a very good amplifier especially for the price (Mine was $429 on sale) I’d be careful about trusting *knocker reviews on forums. Most of these posters,seem to want to take any opportunity to rubbish smething imo. Human nature can be quite dark.
I’d say mostly that your out come (and times passed so u may have sorted this already) will mostly depend on what you want from it. I bought one to improve tv sound quality and it’s stunning for that of course as I’ve read above depending on your speaker choice. Already had JBL TLX 6 from the early 1980’s made in the USA three ways either 8” bass drivers that were perfect for this application and cost a whopping $100! Now the Denon is an2 channel however there’s also a sub port if you need to shake the roof there’s also connections for another par of speakere so surround is possible but imo just overkill. I did hook up a pair of vintage Goodmans 212c wth the JBL and it was pretty flipping room filling. In fact kinda liked the combo of the 800h with the 212c’s when using Spotify. And that for me was the real bonus here. The home theatre aspect worked well but I didn’t doubt it would. I do tho think I’d be needing a new dac due to the low retail $ of the Denon but that’s not the case at all. It’s a very capable dac indeed. Can only guess that this is because dac chips have really come down in price and well, Denon has had just a bit of experience putting these things together. The only negative here and it’s a very minor one is the phono but it’s not bad not at all, it’s just not what this amp is made for so it does the job for someone who say loves the artwork of an lp sleeve but would like to hear the record sometimes too coz it’s there or for fun.
Look I’m sure you are sorted by now I just thought, as I did, someone else here might be looking for an owners experience.
*i really love very old HiFi gear from the 1950’s n 1960’s- early 1970’s. My main amps are a Marantz 240 (@ 1974) and a Leak Point One St.20 with matching Varislpoe stereo line stage from about 1958. Well I’ve lost count of the number of absolute parrots making ridiculous negative comments on this line stage. I use it nearly everyday in the non-summer period (vac valve amps run way too hot for my little house in Summer) Yes it can be temperamental if not setup right but when it is the two Leak amps just sing! It is amusing to hear from some random internet expert that Harold Leak, a bonafide genius and HiFi designer who’d been in the game since the war couldn’t get a line stage, which is basically a glorified volume control right. it actually was great that these people were tripping over themselves to show of such outstanding knowledge as this amp combo was ridiculously inexpensive for quite some time, sadly now not so much once people actually experienced what it can sound like. Like most gear from back then these were made for enthusiasts who loved to fiddle and get things right, real hobbyists, a type who has sadly mostly disappeared since plug n play became mainstream. I know my kids are gonna have to prize mine from my cold dead hands when the day comes haha.
God Bless
🌞
Just chimming coz I actually have this receiver so I’ll give you actual experience.
This is a very good amplifier especially for the price (Mine was $429 on sale) I’d be careful about trusting *knocker reviews on forums. Most of these posters,seem to want to take any opportunity to rubbish smething imo. Human nature can be quite dark.
I’d say mostly that your out come (and times passed so u may have sorted this already) will mostly depend on what you want from it. I bought one to improve tv sound quality and it’s stunning for that of course as I’ve read above depending on your speaker choice. Already had JBL TLX 6 from the early 1980’s made in the USA three ways either 8” bass drivers that were perfect for this application and cost a whopping $100! Now the Denon is an2 channel however there’s also a sub port if you need to shake the roof there’s also connections for another par of speakere so surround is possible but imo just overkill. I did hook up a pair of vintage Goodmans 212c wth the JBL and it was pretty flipping room filling. In fact kinda liked the combo of the 800h with the 212c’s when using Spotify. And that for me was the real bonus here. The home theatre aspect worked well but I didn’t doubt it would. I do tho think I’d be needing a new dac due to the low retail $ of the Denon but that’s not the case at all. It’s a very capable dac indeed. Can only guess that this is because dac chips have really come down in price and well, Denon has had just a bit of experience putting these things together. The only negative here and it’s a very minor one is the phono but it’s not bad not at all, it’s just not what this amp is made for so it does the job for someone who say loves the artwork of an lp sleeve but would like to hear the record sometimes too coz it’s there or for fun.
Look I’m sure you are sorted by now I just thought, as I did, someone else here might be looking for an owners experience.
*i really love very old HiFi gear from the 1950’s n 1960’s- early 1970’s. My main amps are a Marantz 240 (@ 1974) and a Leak Point One St.20 with matching Varislpoe stereo line stage from about 1958. Well I’ve lost count of the number of absolute parrots making ridiculous negative comments on this line stage. I use it nearly everyday in the non-summer period (vac valve amps run way too hot for my little house in Summer) Yes it can be temperamental if not setup right but when it is the two Leak amps just sing! It is amusing to hear from some random internet expert that Harold Leak, a bonafide genius and HiFi designer who’d been in the game since the war couldn’t get a line stage, which is basically a glorified volume control right. it actually was great that these people were tripping over themselves to show of such outstanding knowledge as this amp combo was ridiculously inexpensive for quite some time, sadly now not so much once people actually experienced what it can sound like. Like most gear from back then these were made for enthusiasts who loved to fiddle and get things right, real hobbyists, a type who has sadly mostly disappeared since plug n play became mainstream. I know my kids are gonna have to prize mine from my cold dead hands when the day comes haha.
God Bless
🌞
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