norpus Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 Ouch - that will put it firmly in the 'very nice' but 'too expensive' box for most ppl.Especially for those who need the power amp as well. I agree, $14K is way too much for almost everyone here is Aus, but I wouldn't be surprised if that is the rrp either It will mean more sales out of HK I guess, where it should be <$9K
brodricj Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 Ouch - that will put it firmly in the 'very nice' but 'too expensive' box for most ppl.Especially for those who need the power amp as well. "very nice" is an understatement, "too expensive" is a statement of the all too common blinding obvious for us here in Australia. Which is why I suspect many people will be buying theirs overseas and doing an import job. If the RRP is slated at $7000USD I'm revising my Hong Kong price down to about the high $40k HKD mark. If so I'll definitely be buying in at that price. If it has sufficient on-board video processing capability to avoid a VP50 purchase then the equation becomes even sweeter. If I can sell my Parasound Halo AV controller might even make the changeover price WAF friendly. Ooops, no it won't. Better make my frequent flyer redemption booking now, let's hope this puppy weighs in at under 32kg means no shipping cost and maybe no GST. It's getting even better!
Johnson4 Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 Beejay, could you quickly explain how you buy from HK? Seems like it might be the best option... Is there a particular store you shop at? If it's under 32kg, can you ship it on the plane as baggage (they don't throw it around??)? Do you declare at customs, or just hope they don't pull you up? Thanks heaps!
brodricj Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 Beejay, could you quickly explain how you buy from HK? Easy, burn up 60,000 Qantas frequent flyer points and get on a plane to Hong Kong. When you arrive, get on the Airport Express train to Kowloon Station. Then catch the MTR to Mongkok. Then you'll be in hifi hog heaven! Is there a particular store you shop at? If it's under 32kg, can you ship it on the plane as baggage (they don't throw it around??)? Do you declare at customs, or just hope they don't pull you up? I like to shop at them all! Yes, I have a particular store where I do most of my buying (3/F Ocean Centre, TST), but you should be able to get competitive prices wherever you go. Yes, I declare everything at Customs. They check my invoice for any goods and decide whether any GST is payable. I've never had to pay GST yet, and I've travelled to HK maybe 25+ times since 1997. 32kg is the per-piece checked baggage weight limit for all the airlines. Excess baggage can be expensive so you need to be careful with this. Cathay Pacific are good to me as I'm a member of the Marco Polo Club, I've never been charged for excess baggage with them. Neither on Qantas as well because I get an extra 10kg allowance for my frequent flyer gold status.
Spero D. Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 Ouch - that will put it firmly in the 'very nice' but 'too expensive' box for most ppl.Especially for those who need the power amp as well. I agree it is expensive (especially compared to the US RRP conversion), however compared to some other Preamps in the $20k plus realm (Krell, Halcro SP100, Lexicon MC-12B EQ, Theta, Anthem) it is a bargain (Considering the street price in the US would probably be under $8k Australian) as it has a lot more features, connections than the others have as well as Realta HQV processing onboard. I also believe it will also feature Audyssey Pro which allows 32 different positions to be measured and allows the data to be uploaded to a dedicated web server where before and after room shots can be downloaded later. I
betty boop Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 I agree it is expensive (especially compared to the US RRP conversion), however compared to some other Preamps in the $20k plus realm (Krell, Halcro SP100, Lexicon MC-12B EQ, Theta, Anthem) it is a bargain (Considering the street price in the US would probably be under $8k Australian) as it has a lot more features, connections than the others have as well as Realta HQV processing onboard. I also believe it will also feature Audyssey Pro which allows 32 different positions to be measured and allows the data to be uploaded to a dedicated web server where before and after room shots can be downloaded later.I the real problem will be the 9k aussie it will retail for over in the US. and they'll probably sell a bundle of them over there. Over here though at $13k theres a lot of other alternatives at that price or less. the other thing is this is a first release. at the price it might sell here people will be asking if it has an upgradeable architecture ? its very early days with these hi-def surround formats hdmi etc. you wouldnt want to shell out $13k to find a year down the track a $1,000 AVR has its leg up on it !
Guest JohnA Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 Have to agree with Al unless you want to be the first kid on the block to own one i would just wait. More and more will be relased and prices will drop. Before you know it they will be in the $4-$8k bracket with all the bells and whistles, plus more I will wait
Spero D. Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 the real problem will be the 9k aussie it will retail for over in the US. and they'll probably sell a bundle of them over there. Over here though at $13k theres a lot of other alternatives at that price or less.the other thing is this is a first release. at the price it might sell here people will be asking if it has an upgradeable architecture ? its very early days with these hi-def surround formats hdmi etc. you wouldnt want to shell out $13k to find a year down the track a $1,000 AVR has its leg up on it ! Since it is released 3 months before we get in the states we should get some early reviews. Lastly considering that Denon have been offering upgrades for their AVC-A11XV and AVC-A1XV I would assume they would do it for the top end unit. When all is said and done I may just get their new top AVR and use that as a preamp depending on the cost of the new Preamp.
franin Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 Since it is released 3 months before we get in the states we should get some early reviews. Lastly considering that Denon have been offering upgrades for their AVC-A11XV and AVC-A1XV I would assume they would do it for the top end unit. When all is said and done I may just get their new top AVR and use that as a preamp depending on the cost of the new Preamp. Does the avr handle the DTS-HD Master audio ?
Johnson4 Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 It's a good point about early adopters and upgradability. I bought my AVP-A1 about a year after release. It cost me $4000 and already had started to age, as it didn't have DTS or 5.1 inputs. Nevertheless, I still use it today (it's given me a few wiring headaches!) and it has the most magnificent sound I've heard to date. Denon's top-range equipment is absolutely bullet-proof, and I wouldn't hesitate buying the AVP-A1HD as a replacement. (I also have the Denon DVD-5000 -- no SACD/DVDAudio, but I'm happy to hang onto it until I can find a high-end BluRay machine of the same quality, which may be years away.) Equipment will always date. Ask any computer salesman!
brodricj Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 ...I also have the Denon DVD-5000 -- no SACD/DVDAudio, but I'm happy to hang onto it until I can find a high-end BluRay machine of the same quality, which may be years away. sorry to rain on your parade but there will never be anything ever built again to the same quality as the Denon DVD 5000, it was a freak of nature!!
Curious Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 sorry to rain on your parade but there will never be anything ever built again to the same quality as the Denon DVD 5000, it was a freak of nature!! I second that (but then I'm biased...) Cheers, Curious
cwt Posted May 27, 2007 Posted May 27, 2007 Does the avr handle the DTS-HD Master audio ? Yes franin ; The 4308ci has DTS-HD MA decoding. I'de team it with a 7 channel electra and save some moola ;but thats just me If I bought the pre pro and wanted to use its full 3/4 zone capacity ;Ide be using expensive amps to drive a couple of sonances - you may have better
Spero D. Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 The Preamp is going to be released in the US for $7000US in August = $8750 Australia. I have a feeling the Preamp here will be $13,999 since APA usually double the US RRP here in Australia i.e AVR-4306 $1999US = $3999 here in Australia. Just a guess. Well I was a little bit out in a good way. Here is an update- The Denon AVP-A1HD Preamp will be in Australia end of October for- $12,499 RRP The Denon AVR-4308Ci will be here also at $4999 (That worked out to be double the US price ) Was hoping for info on the AVR-5308 or equivalent model but alas none was available. Decisions, decisions. Well at least I have a bit of time to decide which one I'll choose
Curious Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 Well I was a little bit out in a good way. Here is an update-The Denon AVP-A1HD Preamp will be in Australia end of October for- $12,499 RRP $12,499 puts this in the same ballpark as Lexicon, Halcro and Anthem (to name a few) Iwonder how it will compare in build quality and componentry....be fun to host a shootout between them all (probably need a long weekend in a dedicated room for that ) What a 'blast' that would be Curious
betty boop Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 $12,499 puts this in the same ballpark as Lexicon, Halcro and Anthem (to name a few) Iwonder how it will compare in build quality and componentry....be fun to host a shootout between them all (probably need a long weekend in a dedicated room for that )What a 'blast' that would be Curious would be a blast indeed, the krell, classe pre-pro's also in that price range I think. its extremely silly I think denon putting its pre-pro in that sort of company over here. would have been smarter to put it in the $8-9k range as in the us and make it and out and out bargain compared to these others rather than right amongst them.
JoshH Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 would be a blast indeed, the krell, classe pre-pro's also in that price range I think. its extremely silly I think denon putting its pre-pro in that sort of company over here. would have been smarter to put it in the $8-9k range as in the us and make it and out and out bargain compared to these others rather than right amongst them. Agreed.
lucmor444 Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 If Integra brings in the planned DTC-9.8 pre/pro to Australia I expect it will be a fair bit cheaper than this monster Denon and in some specs (at least on paper) may give it a run for its money (eg. scaling, DSP horsepower).
betty boop Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 If Integra brings in the planned DTC-9.8 pre/pro to Australia I expect it will be a fair bit cheaper than this monster Denon and in some specs (at least on paper) may give it a run for its money (eg. scaling, DSP horsepower). and the beaut thing with the integra's are with its modular construction they are fully hardware upgradeable to keep you covered technology wise for the future.
Curious Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 would be a blast indeed, the krell, classe pre-pro's also in that price range I think. its extremely silly I think denon putting its pre-pro in that sort of company over here. would have been smarter to put it in the $8-9k range as in the us and make it and out and out bargain compared to these others rather than right amongst them. Interesting price range Al, I was thinkin if it was $7-8k I'd be sniffing around...definitely not at $13k though Curious
mozart1503560475 Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 Well I was a little bit out in a good way. Here is an update-The Denon AVP-A1HD Preamp will be in Australia end of October for- $12,499 RRP The Denon AVR-4308Ci will be here also at $4999 (That worked out to be double the US price ) Was hoping for info on the AVR-5308 or equivalent model but alas none was available. Decisions, decisions. Well at least I have a bit of time to decide which one I'll choose Where did you get the pricing Spero? $5k for the the 4308 is just ridiculous. You can get the 4306 AND the DV 3939 for less than that now ($4500 here) . Why are they so expensive here? What about the 3808? My guess would be around $3999. Remember when you could buy a new 3805 for $1750?
Spero D. Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 Where did you get the pricing Spero? $5k for the the 4308 is just ridiculous. You can get the 4306 AND the DV 3939 for less than that now ($4500 here) . Why are they so expensive here? What about the 3808? My guess would be around $3999. Remember when you could buy a new 3805 for $1750? I got the pricing from APA. Didn't enquire about the 3808 as I am only interested in the 4308, 5308 (which there is no info both here or in the US), and the AVP-A1HD.
franin Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 Well I was a little bit out in a good way. Here is an update-The Denon AVP-A1HD Preamp will be in Australia end of October for- $12,499 RRP The Denon AVR-4308Ci will be here also at $4999 (That worked out to be double the US price ) Was hoping for info on the AVR-5308 or equivalent model but alas none was available. Decisions, decisions. Well at least I have a bit of time to decide which one I'll choose Same Spero D. I think im goiing more for the avp-a1hd I don't think im going to take the power amp as I have the Nad m25.
cwt Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 and the beaut thing with the integra's are with its modular construction they are fully hardware upgradeable to keep you covered technology wise for the future. Some very preliminary info on the new integra pre/pro is being given by egcarter [a dealer in hawaii who keeps everyone on avs forums up to date] Al.It has balanced inputs and outputs;but looses the internet radio and streaming audio features of the 905.Modular construction hasnt been mentioned yet but an xlr input card is already available for my amp;so more than likely it is .I think the i-link card is as good as gone-predictable
Johnson4 Posted May 30, 2007 Posted May 30, 2007 Integra's have always felt like the Hyundai of sound systems for me... but then again I know nothing about them (just a preconception from their advertising I think). Are they a reputable brand? Can their high-end stuff compare to Denon's, and the more eclectic like Halcro? I'm all for buying something that is as good in quality and performance, but costs a lot less!
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