Hi folks! This is my first post to the forum, but I have enjoyed and learned a lot reading posts for the past month. I've got a customer that has a Denon AVR-5805 that is currently not working properly. We have decided to replace the receiver with a new one, but I'm having trouble finding a receiver that can do what this one does. The receiver is currently powering 7.1 audio in the main room with its internal amps and a 5.1 secondary zone is connected via pre-amp outputs to a multichannel amp. Does anyone know of a receiver that can do this? Thanks in advance for your help.

Yamaha? Marantz?

5805 is beast of receiver. Current top of Denon, Marantz, Yamaha at less half the price of 5805 but will out do the unit.

I'd give Yamaha or Marantz separates a shot since your client had the path of writing big checks for the AV gears.

no current/mainstream receiver I'm aware currently can decode for 2 independent surround systems (1 powered, 1 line level out).

There are some top line pieces from Yamaha RXA-3030 (and the new topline Marantz I believe), that will output a down converted audio stream over digital coax which can then be easily converted to 5.1 out to your amplifier.

*note, there are a number of products out there that will now send a 5/7.1 2nd Zone HDMI matrix'ed feed/output though you'll need an additional receiver or processor in this situation.

*note 2, there are also some high-end custom products (such as BSS audio products) that can do ALOT of audio processing and output configurations that might also work.

A bit more information including budget, how is volume/source selection being controlled in the second system and 'why' you want to use the same configuration are needed to make the best recommendations.

Do you need to replace the video switching as well? Are you upgrading to HDMI audio? The simplest solution is probably to replace the 5805 and external amp with two new AVRs. Use a receiver for the 7.1 room with a zone 2 HDMI/analog/digital output to feed the 5.1 room. You could even use a slim (possibly preamp only) receiver and keep the existing amp if there is room.

Unless the old external amp is some special piece, this should replicate all of the functionality of the existing system, depending on what remote system is in use.

Thanks for the replies. Customer just wants to have it all in one unit. I did not install the original system, just came behind after it went on the fritz. My understanding is the system has never functioned exactly properly. My thoughts are to just separate into two receivers. Everything is controlled by URC remotes. As far as budget goes, that hasn't been discussed- the customer just wants it to to work properly. Another obstacle is that the TVs are currently being fed by component video as when the house was being built (2006), HDMI would have increased the budget massively. I've currently installed a Sony STR-DA5800es as a temporary band aid until we know for sure the Denon is dead at the repair shop. It is working fine, just no surround sound in the second zone. I think I'll just propose two a two receiver system. The second zone is all in-wall speakers (not sure of the brand) and a B&W center so nothing elaborate is needed for that 5.1 setup. The main zone is all B&W on wall surrounds, front towers, center channel, and sub. What receiver brand is most everyone using these days?

Marantz SR7008. It sounds like what you're describing is a theater powered off the receiver's internal amp and also the pre outs for the main room going to a secondary amp that is providing the same program in another room.

Pick Marantz because they tend to have more legacy analog audio and video connectors, but don't expect to be able to pump source material into there for long as component video is in line with the dodo.

EDIT: Not being familar with the 5805, I made an ASSumption that it was a single zone AVR. As pointed out below, I was wrong and should have done my research before responding. /EDIT

As far as suggestions for replacement AVR(s), we are doing Marantz for now and liking it, the SR5008 and up all have pre-outs. 7008 has a bit more muscle and is musically a bit closer to the old Denon.

iimig: The Denon AVR-5805 is basically 2 a/v receivers in one. It is capable of powering 7.1 in one room and 5.1 via preouts and external amp in the other. Volume and sources are independent for the rooms. The AVR-5805 is a beast, but also a failed experiment. I have found no other receiver capable of doing this. My suggestion to the customer was to replace that receiver with two separate receivers. Are the Marantz receivers able to be programmed via the computer? If not, are they easy to setup? I can't stand receivers that are not user friendly!

I love some of the dealers replying that don't even seem to know what a Denon AVR-5805 is!  And apparently were to lazy to look it up, before making generic replies that were based on wrong assumptions.
Original poster explained it perfectly in the post above. It is exactly like having "2" A/V receivers in 1 chassis. It has 10 channels of amplification = "2" 5.1 channel outputs for 2 different areas, with different sources available. And it was as big as "2" A/V receivers as well - you can put 2 A/V receivers into the space this thing occupies.

My opinion: This thing was a gimmick. It had issues from the start and you telling me the original company never got it to work quite right, is of no surprise. If you do get it fixed, you might not get to work the way you think either. I would have a talk with the customer: Explain how you are sorry they bought a gimmick, that cost them so much money ($5,000). But you are there to get them the right product now - $2,500 x2 will get some nice A/V receivers.

 

Brad, +1 to you as well for understanding what was going on and understanding the real issues at hand too.

2 Receivers will be the best, most economical and reliable solution (plus a component video matrix switch) especially with the current wiring configurations...you might be able to use the Yamaha or Marantz as noted; but you will run into some fun wiring configurations making them both work given the new information that the video output is component!

I've started to introduce the idea of also moving to a HDMI matrix with extenders solution as the house was wired with cat5e extensively (thank goodness). There are 8 other TVs that just have standard definition going to HDTVs so it would be greatly beneficial to do this at the same time as installing two a/v receivers. The customer obviously invested a ton of money in the original setup and I understand him wanting that original setup to work too, but on the other hand he is really just wants a the system to work properly. I've currently installed a Sony STR-DA5800es temporarily, what do you guys think of the ES line?

I have one in perfect working order with all the upgrades.

Patrick. Look at the post you're answering. See how old it is. Would you wait around that long for a solution? Probably not.

My name is Patrick.
I have a 5805 that is perfect working order with all the upgrades and the Audessy microphone.