Denon AVR-3805 and Outlaw 755 ?

I currently have the following set-up:

Denon AVR-3805
2 x Paradigm Monitor 11's Mains
2 x Paradigm Monitor 7's Surrounds
1 x Paradigm CC-370 Center
1 x Paradigm PW-2100 Sub

I'm looking at adding the Outlaw 755 5 x 200Watt amp, has anyone made a similar upgrade and if so was it worth it ? what improvements did you notice (if any). Also I will be shipping to Canada, any experiences with that and how did it go ?

Thanks for your time

So you'd be using the 3805 just as a pre-amp? Or were you going to ditch it entirely and get a pre/processor with the 755?

The 3805 has a decent sound. For most folks, it's a stunning performer at its price point. I auditioned one recently (along with Arcam and some Classe gear) and found it to be adequate. However, it doesn't provide the same dynamics I get from the 755. Denon claims 120wpc, but it felt a bit anemic to me on the low end. Outsourcing the amp duty to the 755 would be a definite upgrade in the sound.

Cheers,

Thanks for the response Ritz, yes I would be using the 3805 as a Pre/Pro only, one of the reasons I'm a little reluctant to buy another Amp is because it does perform so well. I figure about 107 Watts per Channel with 5 Channels driven so it's pretty good. However I'm working towards a System that's going to be around for a long time and I have a bit of Cash left after selling my Motorcylce so I'm trying to determine if the additional Amp (200 Watts per Channel x 5)would pay dividends in Sound Quality... a tough call so I'm try to research the heck out of this before I make a decision

Any higher-end dedicated 5-channel amp would probably be an improvement in the sound. The 755 sounds pretty darned good for the money. It wouldn't be my first choice for 2-channel duty, but I haven't heard anything remotely close to it's price that sounds as good for 5 channels at those power levels.

Cheers,

i use the 3805 with amps and i prefer it over the denon amplification by itself. not to say it sucked without separate amps, but they do make an improvement.

Yeah, that's the "problem" with the receiver approach. They've got to make compromises somewhere or (a) it won't fit in the box or (b) it becomes prohibitively expensive or (c) both. 8-) Unfortunately, for receivers, it seems that the amp is the sacrificial lamb.

Those Denon receivers (and the cheaper Arcams) sound great though (as pre-amps/processors). The jury is still out for me whether the 990 sounds better/worse, but I'm inclined to say it's equivalent...which means it sounds pretty darned good.

Cheers,

Well, it's done, the 755 really helped the Denon AVR-3805 in Multi Channel Music (5 Speakers) particularily as you crank it up. For two Channel the Denon seemed fine but started to strain a tiny bit pushing all my speakers. So far I'm very pleased with the Outlaw 755.

Snarl,
I have the 3805 with the 770 amp.
I have not had the opportunity to do an A/B with and with out the amp for anything other than 2 channel music.
I will say, I did not hear all that much of a difference in the mids and highs, but bass has definitely improved. It seems to be much more pronounced with the added amp.
I also expect the 770 to be an improvement over the 3805 when running more than just two speakers like in 5.1 or 6.1 surround.
Once I have my theater complete, an A/B comparison will be one of the first things I play with and I will post my findings in the 770 forum.

Craig

Craig, I think you'll be pleased with the improvement when pushing 5 Speakers. The Denon is an excellent unit all by itself, no doubt of that, but driving 5 Channels (I use a 60Hz Crossover) I found it strained a bit at higher volume. The 755 gave it an effortless sound with 5 Channel, one way to explain it is that 5 Channel with the Outlaw sounded like 2 Channel with the Denon. I beleive on 2 Channel the Denon 3805 will put out 120-130 WPC however at 5 Channel that drops to about 80-85 WPC. Thats still lots of power but with a steady 200 WPC with the outlaw thats over double, easily audible. So far I am very pleased with the Outlaw 755 purchase. You can expect 200 WPC accross all 7 Channels, you'll notice a difference for sure.

that Denon is not even in the same league as the 755, not even the same ballpark, hell not even the same sport !! but seriously, you should notice a huge improvement with the 755