Cheap Denon AVC A10SE vs 3802

[bollecks]

I've noticed a couple of ad's in What Video for AVC-A10SE going for £699.

It's not as fully featured as the 3802, but I wonder if it would be a better buy as requards overall performance?

Any thoughts?

[pjweston]

If it's any help, www.homecinemachoice.com has reviews of the 10SE and 3801 (3802 adds Prologic 2, I believe).

If the reviews are anything to go by, the 10SE is undoubtedly the better amp.: more powerful, more musical (Hi-Fi Choice called it the best single box solution they'd ever tested), THX Ultra certification. The 10SE should also be much better engineered than the 380x series since it cost £500 than the 3300 at the time.

If I were choosing then I'd take the 10SE simply because the engineering is more valuable to me than 2 more channels of amplification and Prologic 2.

[jon smith]

The 10se looks great at that price, but it's a shame the matching power amp is still so expensive (and so goddamn big). Why do these matching 2 channel amps have to be so big (the Pioneer ones the same).

[bollecks]

Thanks for answering. I reckon the A10 will be the better buy, esp as there's no room for more than five speakers in my little AV/spare Bedroom!

I'll try and track one down tomorrow.

[jjwf]

who's selling this for £699

[westy1507]

Guys,

Remember that Denon only recommend using the extra power amp sold by them. You can use any sufficient stereo power/integrated amp to power the centre rear channels. The THX processing is done in the main unit, so a matching THX amp for the rear centres isn't essential.

The Denon 3802 is fantastic for value and features, and also sounds the bees knees with anything you throw at it. Musically it isn't as hot as the 10se or indeed a £300 music amp, but for the stupid asking price-you really cant complain considering the feature count.
THX or every known format(barring DTS 96/24),to man?

Down to you...

Westy

[puddleduck]

definately go for the AVC-A10SE - used to sell for over £1800 not so long ago!

I was tempted to upgrade my 3801 to a 3802 but if the AVC-A10SE is going for £699 then it'd be daft not to IMHO.

[Reefer]

I have the AVC-A10SE hooked up to a Kef THX speaker system and I have to say, it sounds amazing.

Do not hesitate, grab it now - I paid £1200 for mine a few months ago and am more than happy.

Make sure you have high quality speakers to hook up to it though or you might wonder what the fuss is all about.

I wouldn't worry too much about the 6.1 extra channels too much, if you run dipoles at the back, you won't miss much anyway. By the time 6.1 is commonplace on DVD's, the power amp will come down in price I would think.

[Edith]

Reefer:
Make sure you have high quality speakers to hook up to it though or you might wonder what the fuss is all about.

Yep I'd make that decision based on what speakers your gonna partner it with.

[bollecks]

I tried to get hold of the A10 for £699. I tried KRISH, formerly SDB, they have two in stock but in black only and no prospect of getting any more gold ones.

The second shop, also advertising in What Video, told me it was £999 in the advert even though I was sitting there with the ad in front of me, and then told me I was a liar.

If you want a bargain and you can put up with black, give Krish a call.

As for me it looks like I'll be getting a 3802 with the new B&W 603 series 3 speakers. A10 would have been nice though. Thanks for all your replies.

[bollecks]

Should have put this in the first time for those who asked:

Krish 020 8742 2200

Two black ones left at £699 at noon today. Guy seemed really helpful on the phone. Deliver same day within M25. Said they are selling really fast

[Edith]

Krish - http://www.krishav.co.uk/

[puddleduck]

all sold out now at Krish - was gonna upgrade my 3801 to the 10s...

anyway, saves me some cash...!