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expired Posted by supermanrob • Apr 28, 2024
expired Posted by supermanrob • Apr 28, 2024

Denon AVR-A1H 15.4 Channel 8K A/V Receiver Open Box $4399.99 at Safe and Sound

$4,400

$6,499

32% off
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https://www.safeandsoundhq.com/pr...s-open-box

For the person looking for it all S&S has Denon's AVR AH1 open box for $4399.

Some key highlights:
15 150 watt channels, processes 17, 4 independent balanced XLR sub outs & 2 L/R, all channels have independent pre amp mode, new Audyssey directional sub integration.
Future proof with Dirac Live & Dirac Live Bass Control upgradability and rumored ART in the future.
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https://www.safeandsoundhq.com/pr...s-open-box

For the person looking for it all S&S has Denon's AVR AH1 open box for $4399.

Some key highlights:
15 150 watt channels, processes 17, 4 independent balanced XLR sub outs & 2 L/R, all channels have independent pre amp mode, new Audyssey directional sub integration.
Future proof with Dirac Live & Dirac Live Bass Control upgradability and rumored ART in the future.

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24 Comments

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Apr 28, 2024
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Apr 28, 2024
turnne
Apr 28, 2024
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Unless this is sonically a lot more impressive than their former flagship.....which I owned for a years. IMO,.there are lot better sounding units from Anthem, Arcam , NAD etc at this price point

Same DACs and very similar amp performance as the Onkyo RZ70 at more than double its price
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Apr 29, 2024
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supermanrob
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Quote from turnne :
Unless this is sonically a lot more impressive than their former flagship.....which I owned for a years. IMO,.there are lot better sounding units from Anthem, Arcam , NAD etc at this price point

Same DACs and very similar amp performance as the Onkyo RZ70 at more than double its price
If Dirac Live is sonically head & shoulders better as people often say then this would be very impressive(it is)!
$4399 + $350 for Dirac Live, good luck finding a 15 channel AVR & processes 17 for anything near $4750!
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Apr 29, 2024
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turnne
Apr 29, 2024
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Quote from supermanrob :
If Dirac Live is sonically head & shoulders better as people often say then this would be very impressive(it is)!
$4399 + $350 for Dirac Live, good luck finding a 15 channel AVR & processes 17 for anything near $4750!
Yet it still doesnt have the appropriate calibration mic for Dirac,..I find that amazing at this price point
Additionally, it has the same DACs and just about the same amp/power supply capability as the Onkyo RZ70

For more than 2X the price...not sure that seems like a great deal IMO
Popular opinion would suggest there are better options out there in the same price range and I would agree

Anthem, Arcam, Nad, etc etc
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Quote from turnne :
Yet it still doesnt have the appropriate calibration mic for Dirac,..I find that amazing at this price point
Additionally, it has the same DACs and just about the same amp/power supply capability as the Onkyo RZ70

For more than 2X the price...not sure that seems like a great deal IMO
Popular opinion would suggest there are better options out there in the same price range and I would agree

Anthem, Arcam, Nad, etc etc
Dirac is an option, it's not included.
Why include something you may not need out of the box.

If they included it, you pay for it, nothing is free.
I for one am glad they don't, I had one already.

Anyone considering this wouldn't bother with the RZ70, it's only capable of 11 channels.

Anthem, Arcam, Nad don't have an AVR with 15 internal amps or capable of processing 17 channels.
I can't think of one that includes Dirac Live for $4750.

As far as 11 channel capable AVR for around $2k with Dirac Live, there are several.
The RZ50 comes to mind for much less.

The RZ70 doesn't add much features anyone really values, not sure that seems like a great deal IMO.
Especially when the RZ50 didn't measure well and yet people rave on how satisfied they are with it.
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May 1, 2024
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dugan661
May 1, 2024
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Quote from turnne :
Yet it still doesnt have the appropriate calibration mic for Dirac,..I find that amazing at this price point
Additionally, it has the same DACs and just about the same amp/power supply capability as the Onkyo RZ70

For more than 2X the price...not sure that seems like a great deal IMO
Popular opinion would suggest there are better options out there in the same price range and I would agree

Anthem, Arcam, Nad, etc etc
Use any of those models for more than a week and tell me they aren't full of bugs.

Denon/Marantz products are much more flushed out and reliable. Nothing is perfect but alot of the brands that have better specs/value on paper can leave you frustrated. Same goes for high end processors. They are all buggy. It's a bit of a shame but it's reality.

That said unless you need this many channels process a lower end X38/48/6800 will be adequate for most.
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supermanrob
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Quote from dugan661 :
Use any of those models for more than a week and tell me they aren't full of bugs.

Denon/Marantz products are much more flushed out and reliable. Nothing is perfect but alot of the brands that have better specs/value on paper can leave you frustrated. Same goes for high end processors. They are all buggy. It's a bit of a shame but it's reality.

That said unless you need this many channels process a lower end X38/48/6800 will be adequate for most.
Kinda have to agree.
Recently warned a friend when BB had the Arcams on sale.
Been bugging me to help him, dragging my feet as much as can PITA!

For me after comparing 3800/4800/Cinema 50(and others) went with 3800.
Difference wasn't very big especially if you use an external amp, very little imo.

Use it as a pre-pro and got it for $1k + DL&DLBC for $560, nothing comes close, that is a lot of value imo.
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May 2, 2024
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turnne
May 2, 2024
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Quote from dugan661 :
Use any of those models for more than a week and tell me they aren't full of bugs.

Denon/Marantz products are much more flushed out and reliable. Nothing is perfect but alot of the brands that have better specs/value on paper can leave you frustrated. Same goes for high end processors. They are all buggy. It's a bit of a shame but it's reality.

That said unless you need this many channels process a lower end X38/48/6800 will be adequate for most.
I have personally owned a couple of them for multiple years and they are not full of bugs...at least in my ownership and many others I know.
The first Arcam took me a little longer as it was my first time customizing Dirac and it has more customization to it. The Onkyo set up for Dirac was much simpler...though the Arcams are better sounding units

Denon/Marantz , however did completely replace my 7015 under warranty about a year ago after it was returned from the first repair still broken.

As I mentioned in my earlier post..I dont think the unit in this thread is worth the money
To my ears..if you are spending that type of money there are betting sounding options.
Anything over 9 channels is not really important to me personally, either

Of the models you listed , IMO..the Onkyo RZ70 is a much better buy

But..if you are spending over $3500 ish..there are just simply better sounding units out there.

If one chooses a perceived easier set up over something that sounds better..then its clearly its their choice

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Quote from turnne :
I have personally owned a couple of them for multiple years and they are not full of bugs...at least in my ownership and many others I know.
The first Arcam took me a little longer as it was my first time customizing Dirac and it has more customization to it. The Onkyo set up for Dirac was much simpler...though the Arcams are better sounding units

Denon/Marantz , however did completely replace my 7015 under warranty about a year ago after it was returned from the first repair still broken.

As I mentioned in my earlier post..I dont think the unit in this thread is worth the money
To my ears..if you are spending that type of money there are betting sounding options.
Anything over 9 channels is not really important to me personally, either

Of the models you listed , IMO..the Onkyo RZ70 is a much better buy

But..if you are spending over $3500 ish..there are just simply better sounding units out there.

If one chooses a perceived easier set up over something that sounds better..then its clearly its their choice
So what 17 channel AVRS that includes Dirac Live for $4750 are "betting sounding options"?

Are you claiming the RZ70 sounds over $1k better than the RZ50?
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May 2, 2024
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rootbear
May 2, 2024
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By the time you have the money and home theater for this and accompanying kit, and such a love of audio to go this far - built up from years of experience and knowledge - you have already started to lose your hearing, the frequencies are slipping away, year by year. In the end, it's all about bragging rights.
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May 2, 2024
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turnne
May 2, 2024
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Quote from supermanrob :
So what 17 channel AVRS that includes Dirac Live for $4750 are "betting sounding options"?

Are you claiming the RZ70 sounds over $1k better than the RZ50?
The unit in this thread does not include Dirac live...it is a paid option not including the calibration mic needed...so I am not sure of your question

The RZ70 has better Dirac options and DACs than the RZ50. In fact it has the same DACs as the Denon unit in this thread as well as the Marantz.AV10.
The RZ70 also benches near the same as the Denon in this thread and is more powerful than the Denon X6800

So with than in mind ,it really makes one question how the Denon X6800 and even the X4800 are worth the money, IMO

The Anthem units are also another good look, IMO, when you get to this price point if sonics are your main goal.
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Quote from turnne :
The unit in this thread does not include Dirac live...it is a paid option not including the calibration mic needed...so I am not sure of your question

The RZ70 has better Dirac options and DACs than the RZ50. In fact it has the same DACs as the Denon unit in this thread as well as the Marantz.AV10.
The RZ70 also benches near the same as the Denon in this thread and is more powerful than the Denon X6800

So with than in mind ,it really makes one question how the Denon X6800 and even the X4800 are worth the money, IMO

The Anthem units are also another good look, IMO, when you get to this price point if sonics are your main goal.
Correct it's not included but an option hence the question with it included($4399 + $350=$4750), simple question.
So what "betting(better) sounding" optionS did you mean that offers 17 channels, we'll even add the better $100 mic just in case someone doesn't have it?

Many people in the RZ50 deals say it's incredible sounding and the best buy with pre outs.
It includes the same Dirac Live & option doesn't count unless you purchase it(ie DLBC is another $500).
Are you claiming the RZ70 is worth paying over $1k(especially including DLBC) for some bench test DAC?
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May 2, 2024
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turnne
May 2, 2024
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Quote from supermanrob :
Correct it's not included but an option hence the question with it included($4399 + $350=$4750), simple question.
So what "betting(better) sounding" optionS did you mean that offers 17 channels, we'll even add the better $100 mic just in case someone doesn't have it?

Many people in the RZ50 deals say it's incredible sounding and the best buy with pre outs.
It includes the same Dirac Live & option doesn't count unless you purchase it(ie DLBC is another $500).
Are you claiming the RZ70 is worth paying over $1k(especially including DLBC) for some bench test DAC?
To your point..is the Denon X6800 worth $1800 more than the X3800?
If not then the unit in this thread is most certainly not

There is also some apples and oranges here since the deal is for an open box unit ..which I am going to state/assume
1. is not widely available...with just 1 or a very few units available
2. is a display or demo unit
3. Many people( or so they say) are not interested in open box, display or demo units

I personally own the RZ50 and I think it is quite the buy for the money

If you want to know more differences in people that owned one and either changed out or own both at the same time..I suggest you read through some of these owner threads/testimonials
There are some major differences.
https://www.avsforum.com/threads/...s.3280951/
https://www.avsforum.com/threads/...3/#replies
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supermanrob
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Quote from turnne :
To your point..is the Denon X6800 worth $1800 more than the X3800?
If not then the unit in this thread is most certainly not

There is also some apples and oranges here since the deal is for an open box unit ..which I am going to state/assume
1. is not widely available...with just 1 or a very few units available
2. is a display or demo unit
3. Many people( or so they say) are not interested in open box, display or demo units

I personally own the RZ50 and I think it is quite the buy for the money

If you want to know more differences in people that owned one and either changed out or own both at the same time..I suggest you read through some of these owner threads/testimonials
There are some major differences.
https://www.avsforum.com/threads/...s.3280951/
https://www.avsforum.com/threads/...3/#replies

Not my point, wouldn't make it.
The 6800 has 13 channels, 3800 only 11, that's apples & oranges comparison.

So what apples to apples comparison were you talking about vs this AVR as better options?

Did you buy the RZ50 brand new?
Edit: never mind looks like you said:"Found of these open box ( excellent condition complete) at a Best Buy outlet"

Bench mark of the RZ50 was concluded by Amir at AS saying:
"The amplifier has serious power limiting "feature" and even without it, it is not competitive with other products out there".

Are you disagreeing with that bench test conclusion?
Last edited by supermanrob May 2, 2024 at 05:29 PM.
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May 3, 2024
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dugan661
May 3, 2024
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Quote from supermanrob :
Not my point, wouldn't make it.
The 6800 has 13 channels, 3800 only 11, that's apples & oranges comparison.

So what apples to apples comparison were you talking about vs this AVR as better options?

Did you buy the RZ50 brand new?
Edit: never mind looks like you said:"Found of these open box ( excellent condition complete) at a Best Buy outlet"

Bench mark of the RZ50 was concluded by Amir at AS saying:
"The amplifier has serious power limiting "feature" and even without it, it is not competitive with other products out there".

Are you disagreeing with that bench test conclusion?
I always said best selling point for a AVR/ processor is channel count. It takes leaps and bounds more watts to make an actual difference. And basically every single DAC with modern tech is far better than our hearing will ever be. Paper and reality are different things.

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Quote from dugan661 :
I always said best selling point for a AVR/ processor is channel count. It takes leaps and bounds more watts to make an actual difference. And basically every single DAC with modern tech is far better than our hearing will ever be. Paper and reality are different things.
From personal experience I kinda agree.
If you need 15 channels why look at a receiver with less channels, it's a moot point.

People love "paper" but I agree doesn't really tell you much about reality!

As you pointed out most of that "paper" isn't even audible anyways!

You just have to look at all these popular AVRs that don't do well on paper yet people rave how great they are in reality as proof!
Last edited by supermanrob May 3, 2024 at 09:48 PM.
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