I have always had a high-end system in my den for music [Meridian separates and B&W/REL loudspeakers/Subwoofers] and a middling home entertainment system in the great room. I decided to simplify my life. I sold all the high end gear on Audiogon and put $15,000 [after heavy negotiating; MSRP the system is over $20k] in a 60 ” Pioneer Elite Plasma based home entertainment system with Definitive Technology SC7001 /SCL 2500 main/center speakers, all with large integrated powered subwoofers.

In trying to decide between the Denon 4308 and 4806, I spoke with the head engineer at D&M, which distributes both Denon and Marantz in the US. My principal interest is in the audio performance as I am heavily into music and use this system for music as much as video. In that conversation I mentioned the SR 9600 and he said that it would absolutely blow away the Denon 4806, which he also said was far better than the 4306.

So I bought an SR9600 and was, indeed, very pleased by the musicality of the unit. It is also a very versatile unit and easy to configure. The supplied universal remote is better than the Harmony I had and have since unloaded on eBay. The only downside for me became apparent when I acquired Apple TV to manage all of my music. It is HDMI, and the SR9600 has only two HDMI inputs, which were in use by my Tivo Series 3 and my DVD. So I decided to try the Denon 4806, as it has three HDMI inputs. It is comparable to the SR9600 in MSRP and power; how different could it be?

I brought it home, hooked it up, and was STUNNED. On two channel stereo it sounded, vis a vis the Marantz, as if someone had pulled curtain in front of the speakers.

I kept the Marantz. It, sonically, is absolutely awesome. Wide-open, full soundstage. Punchy. Brilliant, rich mid and high range, very tight, controlled, punchy bass. Truly Spectacular!

Certainly no regrets on the purchase. Though in retrospect the touch screen remote was a bad idea.