Need New AV Receiver - What do you think of Denon?

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Handle9

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#2687304 6-Apr-2021 16:03

Why would you bother? With the use case you have described you will never use any of the advanced features, you'll just set it to direct mode and use it.

If you really want to use the Xbox plug it into the TV and use or optical to get the audio back to the receiver.

Giggle

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#2687306 6-Apr-2021 16:05

Dunnersfella:

Be aware, the component in's on the Denon aren't up-converting, so when you plug component in you will need to plug component cables out of the amp to your TV. If you want the feature where up-conversion from composite to HDMI occurs you'll need to be looking at the AVRX3700H from Denon or the RXV1085 / RXA1080 from Yamaha. Not sure where it starts in the Marantz range.

And honestly... if you still want a DVD player, a $90 Blu-ray player will connect via HDMI, offer better sound (lossless codecs are part of the Blu-ray spec) and picture plus it will play your old DVD's.

Unless you own the current DVD player solely for playing back out of region discs?

If your old XBox is only component... can I ask the last time you actually used it?

Thanks for the info about the Denon. Didn't know that. In the mean time, have been considering perhaps this price point isn't where we should be, but perhaps we should step up to the better model.

You are correct. The old xbox is a modded version for xbmc (originally) and is used as a backup for the main system. Haven't used it for years. Also, our PVR is also a Bluray player, so the DVD is obsolete (which I also haven't used in a long time). Out collection runs from an unraid server.

Giggle

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#2687339 6-Apr-2021 16:54

Handle9:

Why would you bother? With the use case you have described you will never use any of the advanced features, you'll just set it to direct mode and use it.

If you really want to use the Xbox plug it into the TV and use or optical to get the audio back to the receiver.

You are correct. Definitely have to consider that.

Dunnersfella

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#2687563 6-Apr-2021 21:16

So future proofing for channels is a question you have to have with yourself.

Upwards firing 'bouncy ATMOS speakers' are a big bucket of tres suck compared to proper downward firing speakers... and then you have to chose whether or not you want to cut holes in your ceiling for ATMOS.

Even then, will the room be big enough / suitably laid out for ATMOS (especially the .4 aspect)?

That will help you decide if you need a 9 channel AVR or not.

allanf714

19 posts

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#2687573 6-Apr-2021 21:43

I agree 100% on bouncy-house speakers for Atmos. But, I must point out that you do not have to use in-ceiling speakers for the atmos channels. You can hang or mount boxed speakers from the ceilings and avoid cutting holes (outside of the wires). Yes, in-ceilings are typically preferred for this application b/c of the wife acceptance factor.

Not that I am anti-Yamaha. But, one additional plug for the AVRX 3700... this model is the first in the Denon line-up to bring Audyssey XT32 to the table... a much more advanced room EQ system than YPAO in my understanding. The app will let you dial in your own room response targets for the system to hit. Neat stuff.

Allan

Dunnersfella

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#2687615 7-Apr-2021 00:24

The room EQ system that Denon license is well liked, but the mid-bass hump means a lot of users (on the fanatical end of things) feel like they have to go in and alter the EQ via an app.

What people personally prefer is going to be subjective / matter for the ears, their speakers and their room.

The Yamaha RXA1080 / RXV1085's offer a 7-channel PEQ so you can go nuts EQ'ing what you want... but frankly that's beyond what most experienced users understand... some may, but those people are the fanatics and very much in the minority.

The RXA2A / RXV685 offer a GEQ, which is easier for most people to get their heads around.

To be honest, 95% of people are happy with a 3 band EQ where they boost the bass/treble / whatever!

Giggle

46 posts

Geek

#2687948 7-Apr-2021 16:54

Many thanks for all the insight. It was very helpful, especially as there was / is so much to consider.

I can see myself building an Atmos system, which helped clarify things for me.

So, in lieu of that...we pulled the plug today and went with the Denon AVR-X3700HBK. We got a really good interest free deal at HN - with a great price.

Hope to pick it up next week when we are in town. We both think stepping up to the higher spec'd model was they way to go.

Again...very much appreciated.

Cheers

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1101

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#2688195 8-Apr-2021 10:13

Giggle:

I guess the question I should ask is...is 95Watts enough??

20W is enough. Unless your room is the size of the local town hall.
doubling the power gives ONLY another 3db . So going from 95W to say 120W , you wont even hear that difference (and will blow the speakers trying)
To double the loudness (as humans hear it) requires almost 10x the power (logarithms)

if 90W isnt enough, your speakers must be the most inefficient ever made :-)
even a 20W amp, with an efficient speaker, can be loud enough to cause eardrum pain .
Normal listening levels are power levels so low that you'd be really surprised .

Small Sub's being an exception

dfnt

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#2688249 8-Apr-2021 10:55

Just be aware with the 2021 Denon's that there's a known issue with HDMI 2.1 and 4k/120hz resulting in a black screen. There's no firmware fix for it and will require a hardware fix, which they haven't figured out details of that yet.

https://denon.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7354/~/hdmi-chipset-issue-affecting-4k%2F120hz-hdr-output-for-console-gaming

If you have no plans to use 4k/120hz then its a non issue really

jonathan18

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#2688257 8-Apr-2021 11:13

Giggle:

So, in lieu of that...we pulled the plug today and went with the Denon AVR-X3700HBK. We got a really good interest free deal at HN - with a great price.

I’ll be in the market for a new AVR at some point (my current one doesn’t want to seem to die, despite it being a model known for its faulty HDMI board!), so @Giggle, I’d be interested in hearing what you paid for this - would you be comfortable posting (or DMing me) this? AVR pricing is damn high at the moment, and sale pricing doesn’t seem to be that sharp, so keen on seeing what level of discount is being offered. Thanks!

mkissin

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#2688281 8-Apr-2021 11:49

1101:

Giggle:

I guess the question I should ask is...is 95Watts enough??

20W is enough. Unless your room is the size of the local town hall.
doubling the power gives ONLY another 3db . So going from 95W to say 120W , you wont even hear that difference (and will blow the speakers trying)
To double the loudness (as humans hear it) requires almost 10x the power (logarithms)

if 90W isnt enough, your speakers must be the most inefficient ever made :-)
even a 20W amp, with an efficient speaker, can be loud enough to cause eardrum pain .
Normal listening levels are power levels so low that you'd be really surprised .

Small Sub's being an exception

While this is true, it more serves to highlight the problem with rating amplifiers by per-channel wattage. At certain frequencies your 8 ohm speakers may well be down at 1 or 2 ohms, and so what you more want to know is what levels of current the channels can source, and the rating of the overall power supply as you're likely to have 2 or even 3 channels going hard at once, rather than the single channel that they're often rated at.

None of that is easy (or even possible) to pull out of typical amp specs, but larger numbers are probably better.

Giggle

46 posts

Geek

#2689557 8-Apr-2021 20:00

dfnt:

Just be aware with the 2021 Denon's that there's a known issue with HDMI 2.1 and 4k/120hz resulting in a black screen. There's no firmware fix for it and will require a hardware fix, which they haven't figured out details of that yet.

https://denon.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7354/~/hdmi-chipset-issue-affecting-4k%2F120hz-hdr-output-for-console-gaming

If you have no plans to use 4k/120hz then its a non issue really

Thanks - Didn't know what it's for, so hopefully it won't be an issue. Seems like it affects gaming things, which I don't do.

DrakeNZ

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#2699090 28-Apr-2021 09:18

I’ve recently switched to a Denon AVR for a 2.1 system and so far it has been very good. It’s running a set of Dali tower speakers and a Klipsch subwoofer. I was moving from a Cambridge Audio amplifier and was worried about a drop in detail, but the Denon has been more than up to the task (plus the Denon has automatic room calibration built in).

Incidentally, if anyone wants a solid 2-channel Cambridge Audio SR20 amplifier, get in touch...

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