Got HK DPR 2005 today..

[Abhi]

..BRAND NEW at Fry's for $499! Couldn't resist it! I've used Panasonic XR25 before with my Ascend setup. Currently I'm using Denon 2802. I was looking at Panasonic XR55, but got this instead. I'll post my impressions in a few days.

[BGHD]

Seems like a lot of people are jumping on this deal. Fry's is cleaning house it seems.

[Eddie]

wow, $500 for the 2005, isn't that like half off MSRP?

I'm dying to hear the comparison with the xr-25.

[BGHD]

Found out it's $599 in SoCal. Bought probably one of the last ones available in the area.

[Abhi]

Setup: 5 Ascend CBM-170s, HSU-VTF-2, BFD, Sony DVD player, DPR 2005
Day 1: Connected the receiver and did a quick manual calibration. Kept the default 8ohm setting. All channels set to SMALL@ 80Hz. Played a few CDs and DVDs. First thought was the sound was very different compared to my denon. I was not sure which one I liked more. 2005 had cleaner, crisper and more detailed sound. But thought Denon had more musicality. Felt the actual power was almost same on both the receivers.

Day 2: Looked at CBM-170 impedance graph. Decided to try 6ohm setting on DPR 2005. Played TV (Dish network), few CDs and DVDs. And......Magic time, fellas! The sounds floated freely in the space effortlessly! Each instrument had it's own space in the spectrum. The sound was fresh, crisp and super clean and did not lose it's character even at higher than moderate volumes. Power as compared to Den0n (2802) was definitely more. Bass was tight. Treble was smooooth, but detailed and musical. Better resolution than the den0n. Digital sources sounded far superior. What amazed me was the analog sources, which sounded even better than through the Den0n. Definitely a keeper!

More later!

[Kurt C.]

Setup: 5 Ascend CBM-170s, HSU-VTF-2, BFD, Sony DVD player, DPR 2005
Day 1: Connected the receiver and did a quick manual calibration.

The sounds floated freely in the space effortlessly! Each instrument had it's own space in the spectrum. The sound was fresh, crisp and super clean and did not lose it's character even at higher than moderate volumes. Power as compared to Den0n (2802) was definitely more. Bass was tight. Treble was smooooth, but detailed and musical. Better resolution than the den0n. Digital sources sounded far superior. What amazed me was the analog sources, which sounded even better than through the Den0n. Definitely a keeper!

Phrases like 'tight bass', smooth treble, and clean and crisp describe speakers, not receivers. These qualities you describe are almost surely due to the great Ascend/Hsu combo, which you've had all along...

Can you please match volume levels on the receivers with an SPL and get back to us about whether the differences you heard are honestly still apparent?

I know, I'm a bit of a jerk for being so rigorous,