Denon AVR-X6800H now released.

[shinseiRomeo]

It's $2299 now!

Yeah! I just called and got it price matched. They’re refunding me the difference to my card.

My order is from electronics expo, NOT amazon direct. I still feel more comfortable using amazon official, though electronics expo is an official partner with full warranty. And they seem to be constantly undercutting amazon today. I spoke to their customer support by phone today and they said prime deals cause them to be very aggressive with pricing to move inventory. This all makes me wonder what the margin is on this AVR. If they can cut off $1100 or 33% within six months of release, the profit margin on this is super high.

 

[peng]

Here’s an odd update. There’s definitely a game being played with this AVR. I’m watching the price live today on amazon. It’s constantly changing every 10 minutes. Today’s price is cheaper than yesterdays ‘prime day deal’. Now the third party seller is changing the price over and over to undercut amazon. amazon’s price is ranging from $2,359 to $2,424. Currently electronics expo is selling it for $2,324.

This is super fishy to me. It this REALLY a $3500 AVR? Or is it actually a $2500 or less AVR?

As long as it is from an authorized dealer, with full Denon warranty, is it a great price, nothing fishy about it when you consider the Cinema 30, that has the same gut plus a bunch HDAM modules that does nothing to sound quality, a better physical layout, heatsink and slightly larger power supply, is still going for $4,500.

For the same price or up to $300 more I might have preferred the Cinema 30, but for almost $2,200 less, I would have jumped on the AVR-X6800H with no hesitation, if I need an AVR.

 

[peng]

It's $2299 now!

If you had one already, time to buy one for spare lol!!

 

[EWL5]

If you had one already, time to buy one for spare lol!!

It's too bad the Dirac license is not transferable to a different model. I would have found some way to move the 3800! LOL!

 

[dlaloum]

Here’s an odd update. There’s definitely a game being played with this AVR. I’m watching the price live today on amazon. It’s constantly changing every 10 minutes. Today’s price is cheaper than yesterdays ‘prime day deal’. Now the third party seller is changing the price over and over to undercut amazon. amazon’s price is ranging from $2,359 to $2,424. Currently electronics expo is selling it for $2,324.

This is super fishy to me. It this REALLY a $3500 AVR? Or is it actually a $2500 or less AVR?

Retail price went up massively over the previous generation X6700....
Probably due to Massimo shareholders complaining about low margins in that business line (they are used to 60%+ margins in the health sector)

The resulting high MSRP prices, have provided large margins that can be discounted....

 

[Newman]

It this REALLY a $3500 AVR? Or is it actually a $2500 or less AVR?

Based on the full price of the competition, the full price of the X6800H seems fair. Discounting is just a game.

 

[shinseiRomeo]

Would love some opinions from people here. Today I received my X6800H from electronics expo, shipped from NJ. The factory box was shipped in a larger cardboard box.

From the looks of it, the factory box was damaged prior to electronics expo shipping it. The denon box was filthy, numerous corners smashed in, and inside the denon box pieces of styrofoam were also broken.

This is my first ‘high end’ receiver. The company is aware of the packaging damage and I sent them photos. Is this acceptable and I’m overthinking it or should I just exchange it immediately?

 

[EWL5]

Would love some opinions from people here. Today I received my X6800H from electronics expo, shipped from NJ. The factory box was shipped in a larger cardboard box.

From the looks of if, the factory box was damaged prior to electronics expo shipping it. The denon box was filthy, numerous corners smashed in, and inside the denon box pieces of styrofoam were also broken.

This is my first ‘high end’ receiver. The company is aware of the packaging damage and I sent them photos. Is this acceptable and I’m overthinking it or should I just exchange it immediately?

Not acceptable. I've purchased stuff from Expo that was clearly someone's return that they tried to pass off as new.
Ask for another shipment or get a full refund! Shipping back may be on you...

 

[shinseiRomeo]

Ask for a full refund. If you got it through Amazon it should be easy. If it's been hit that hard you don't want it.

I accidentally ordered a ‘prime day deal’ through a third party. The seller did offer an exchange thankfully though they’re saying it should be fine to keep. My gut is telling me what you did, if it was rattled hard enough to smash the styrofoam then the unit could have issues.

 

[ban25]

Absolutely return it. That is unacceptable condition. In addition to dirt, there could even be moisture or water damage.

 

[shinseiRomeo]

I have been working with electronics expo on this issue. They tried to assure me that the received 'should' be fine and the styrofoam 'did its job'. I still felt uncomfortable keeping it knowing it was clearly dropped or banged around enough to smash in three of the four corners. They did offer a return label though I have to wait about a week for a new one, since they won't ship a replacement until the current damaged unit (damaged BEFORE it was sent to me) is received by them.

It's a shame I was 'tricked' by amazon, purchasing a prime deal and somehow unknowingly purchased from a third party instead. Even called to cancel shortly after I placed the order and before it was ever shipped, though was told it's too late.

 

[dave999z]

Would love some opinions from people here. Today I received my X6800H from electronics expo, shipped from NJ. The factory box was shipped in a larger cardboard box.

From the looks of it, the factory box was damaged prior to electronics expo shipping it. The denon box was filthy, numerous corners smashed in, and inside the denon box pieces of styrofoam were also broken.

This is my first ‘high end’ receiver. The company is aware of the packaging damage and I sent them photos. Is this acceptable and I’m overthinking it or should I just exchange it immediately?

I received one from them in similar shape (pics attached). It has clearly been dropped or slammed around.

The wrapping around the receiver itself seems fine, and my guess is it's probably ok. Haven't unwrapped it though.

What do folks think? Return it and demand another new one? That will be a huge headache and delay of course. And can't just demand money back because these are now back up to $3500 everywhere.

 

[shinseiRomeo]

Dave, that’s exactly how mine came! At this point it’s either denon‘s fault for shipping these from the factory without an outer shipping box, or electronic expo for sending these expensive pieces of equipment to people like this. My box was just as dirty and it couldn’t have happened from EE to me. Also the oddly shaped shopping box looked the same when I received mine.

EE received mine back today and I’m waiting for them to ship me a new unit.

 

[EWL5]

EE is probably using the "throw against the wall and see if it sticks" philosophy! They sell a certain number of units on Prime Day in similar shape and count on the fact that a minimum percentage of units sold will be kept by the new owner. It's an awful way to do business and I haven't had many great experiences w/EE myself!

Please let us know if the new units are in acceptable shape (especially the condition of the Styrofoam and any bagged instructions/equipment)!

 

[shinseiRomeo]

EE is probably using the "throw against the wall and see if it sticks" philosophy! They sell a certain number of units on Prime Day in similar shape and count on the fact that a minimum percentage of units sold will be kept by the new owner. It's an awful way to do business and I haven't had many great experiences w/EE myself!

Please let us know if the new units are in acceptable shape (especially the condition of the Styrofoam and any bagged instructions/equipment)!

I’m still upset how EE was manipulating amazon search results and sales. And this isn’t an opinion, employees I spoke to there told me they were doing this! Every 10 minutes the price would change on prime day. While at work, I would refresh the amazon page for the X6800H on my laptop and the price would constantly be different. I’m always sure to choose “ships and sold by amazon” as well. EE kept undercutting the amazon price changes to be $10-20 less, so EE would appear as the first seller for the best price.

Apparently what happened was one of the times I refreshed my browser and added to cart, their search manipulation trickery popped up first and I didn’t realize it. The item I thought was “ships and sold by amazon” changed to “sold by electronics expo”. Shortly after I paid for it, I called them the same day and asked not to complete the order as the item was not shipped yet. They refused and said they cannot cancel an order. My only option was to re buy a second unit direct from amazon, ship back the EE unit, and wait for a $2500 refund up to a week later.

I’m currently going through exchange hell with them and waiting for the replacement to be shipped to me. I actually don’t live too far away from their store in NJ and even offered to drive there to exchange my unit in person, so I can pick a unit in good condition and also save them money on shipping. Unfortunately they told me no, that the store and their warehouse are two divisions and don’t work hand in hand.

 

[EWL5]

I’m still upset how EE was manipulating amazon search results and sales. And this isn’t an opinion, employees I spoke to there told me they were doing this! Every 10 minutes the price would change on prime day. While at work, I would refresh the amazon page for the X6800H on my laptop and the price would constantly be different. I’m always sure to choose “ships and sold by amazon” as well. EE kept undercutting the amazon price changes to be $10-20 less, so EE would appear as the first seller for the best price.

Apparently what happened was one of the times I refreshed my browser and added to cart, their search manipulation trickery popped up first and I didn’t realize it. The item I thought was “ships and sold by amazon” changed to “sold by electronics expo”. Shortly after I paid for it, I called them the same day and asked not to complete the order as the item was not shipped yet. They refused and said they cannot cancel an order. My only option was to re buy a second unit direct from amazon, ship back the EE unit, and wait for a $2500 refund up to a week later.

I’m currently going through exchange hell with them and waiting for the replacement to be shipped to me. I actually don’t live too far away from their store in NJ and even offered to drive there to exchange my unit in person, so I can pick a unit in good condition and also save them money on shipping. Unfortunately they told me no, that the store and their warehouse are two divisions and don’t work hand in hand.

Hoping for a good outcome. Keep us updated!

 

[dave999z]

I haven't decided what to do yet. I'm thinking of just keeping it. I haven't had time to unwrap it yet, but if the receiver has no marks on it and nothing rattling inside, and turns on, I may just keep it.

Wish I would have just purchased from Best Buy for a couple hundred more.

 

[shinseiRomeo]

Hoping for a good outcome. Keep us updated!

Will do!

I haven't decided what to do yet. I'm thinking of just keeping it. I haven't had time to unwrap it yet, but if the receiver has no marks on it and nothing rattling inside, and turns on, I may just keep it.

Wish I would have just purchased from Best Buy for a couple hundred more.

After the feedback here, I chose to send it back. I never spent this kind of money on an AVR before and I couldn’t be comfortable keeping it either.

 

[Oddball]

If it works well, then you are in luck, but damage could still manifest later on. Also, I had issues selling my used gear when original packaging was damaged even less. So thinking about the re-sale value, these are return items for sure.

 

[shinseiRomeo]

If it works well, then you are in luck, but damage could still manifest later on. Also, I had issues selling my used gear when original packaging was damaged even less. So thinking about the re-sale value, these are return items for sure.

That is something I pride myself on if/when I sell user gear or tech.