Denon AVR-X4800H 125W 9.4-Channel 8K Network AV Receiver Expired

I picked up the 3800 from the 999 post a few months ago, it is a nice receiver. I compared the 3800 and 4800 before I jumped, and if I was still in the market, AND if the 3800 was avail for 999, I am not sure if I would pay the 300 more for the 4800... but here are the differences I found (more than I typically see people mention in these threads):

NOTE: 4800 is always first in the comparisons below, followed by relevance to me and why.

1) 125WPC @ .05% THD vs. 105WPC @.08 THD. Basically, the 4800 amps are better. In my case I use external amplification so not a factor. That said, I read that the 4800 amps are the monolithic design inherited from the 6700, vs. the 3800 (and 4700s) all on one PCB design which is a pretty huge difference in construction. That is probably a contributing factor to why the THD is lower on the 4800 while putting out more power. But... external amps .

2) 3 Zone support vs. 2 Zone support. Don't care, ever use the extra zones.

3) 7 HDMI inputs vs. 6 HDMI inputs. This could be handy, the 4800 adds "game 2", although all are assignable. I can easily use 7 HDMI inputs (xboxsex, ps5, switch, PC, UHD player, nvidia shield, steam deck dock, HD-DVD player (yup))

4) 1 component & 2 composite video inputs vs. no analog video inputs. Would be handy for my old systems (Wii, NES, Dreamcast) that I pull out for nostalgia... but an HDMI converter box can be used instead.

5) 3 amp trigger outs vs. 1 amp trigger out. Could be handy, but all of my amps support trigger daisy chaining, so not a big deal.

6) Covered door front panel with navigation panel vs. buttons and ports on front with no cover. In addition to the zone 3 buttons on the 4800, it has the buttons required to do all menu selections, etc. from the front panel, vs. the 3800 you need the remote to do most setup things. I actually miss this, I often will mess with the receiver while being right in front of it, while the remote is in the bedside drawer. I also miss the dust cover... the buttons to indeed get dusty on the front of the 3800. Minor thing though.

7) 29.5 lbs vs. 27.6 lbs. The extra 1.9 lbs is probably due to the better amps... but the 4800 is still more expensive per lb .

8) Made in Shirakawa, Japan vs. Made in Vietnam. Rumor has it that A/V components MIJ are better ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, but as with everything else, IMHO it depends on the companies, the factory processes & standards, QA, etc. As long as it works and is well made, I don't much care which foreign place the thing was made.

9) Different remotes, the 4800 has more buttons to support the extra HDMI input and Zone 3.

10) AL32 and HD32 processing vs. ... not? I am not sure if there is a discernable difference in casual watching/listening between the 4800 with it's 32 bit processing vs. the 3800 without it (where Audyssey is 24 bit anyway, and I do use the MultEQ XT32 room correction), so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I *probably* would have gotten the 4800... if for no other reason than given the typical selling prices, MSRPs, etc. it would have been easier to get my money back out of it later... but maybe not. Glad I don't have to make this decision .

Dirac Live is on sale until the 26th for 30% off with code BF23. https://www.dirac.com/online-store/

Most will find the 3800 a better deal (when you can snag it for $999 or less). The two objective differences are a) slightly more wattage (but not likely to make a difference for most) and b) a zone 3 pre out. Then the 4800 is made in Japan, so some say that means better build quality.