Connecting Denon AVR-X6700H

[kmoshers]

I just ordered the new Denon AVR-X6700H but need advice on how to connect my system. I will be using all 13 channels. Currently, on my Yamaha 3060 I have the fronts bi-amped and an Emotiva bas-x 5 channel amp handling the two sets of ceiling speakers. This is how I think I should connect them on the Denon - bi-amp the fronts using the front and height 3 channels and use the Emotiva to connect the ceiling speakers to the height 1 and 2 channels. That seems logical but I can't find an amp assign mode that matches that setup in the manual which I'm finding to be confusing. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[lovinthehd]

Why would you bi-amp with an avr? Not much point to that....

 

[TankTop5]

Why would you bi-amp with an avr? Not much point to that....

I might bi-amp a pair of Grand Utopias to take advantage of their many crossover settings... no, never mind. If I bought those I’d have someone from Focal come do it for me!

 

[kmoshers]

Why would you bi-amp with an avr? Not much point to that....

Yeah, I've read many opinions on that so 2 reasons neither one of which might hold water, first, I have the Klipsch RP280s and thought with two 8 inch woofers and the tweeter they might benefit from their own power and, second, because I have the channels available and thought what can it hurt. Haven't done any measures to determine if it makes a difference.

 

[little wing]

I can't offer much advice on setting up a Denon AVR-X6700H, but I would be very interested to know how your new gear compares to the 3060 sound wise.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah, I've read many opinions on that so 2 reasons neither one of which might hold water, first, I have the Klipsch RP280s and thought with two 8 inch woofers and the tweeter they might benefit from their own power and, second, because I have the channels available and thought what can it hurt. Haven't done any measures to determine if it makes a difference.

Try this if you haven't already https://www.audioholics.com/frequent-questions/the-difference-between-biamping-vs-biwiring

 

[VMPS-TIII]

I just ordered the new Denon AVR-X6700H but need advice on how to connect my system. I will be using all 13 channels. Currently, on my Yamaha 3060 I have the fronts bi-amped and an Emotiva bas-x 5 channel amp handling the two sets of ceiling speakers. This is how I think I should connect them on the Denon - bi-amp the fronts using the front and height 3 channels and use the Emotiva to connect the ceiling speakers to the height 1 and 2 channels. That seems logical but I can't find an amp assign mode that matches that setup in the manual which I'm finding to be confusing. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

The Denon 6700 does not offer an amp-assign configuration supporting four height speakers while also bi-amping the fronts. If you want front AND rear height speakers you will need to give up bi-amping or run a "Y" RCA cable on the front pre-out and use external amps for both bi-amp connections.

Page 73 offers instruction for bi-amping using the rear height speaker terminals. It looks like this. This would allow bi-amping but limit your height configuration to fronts.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I might bi-amp a pair of Grand Utopias to take advantage of their many crossover settings... no, never mind. If I bought those I’d have someone from Focal come do it for me!

If you bought Focal Grande Utopia, shouldn’t you get some McIntosh or Bryston or Krell amps?

 

[TankTop5]

If you bought Focal Grande Utopia, shouldn’t you get some McIntosh or Bryston or Krell amps?

I was bored and checking out Krell amps once, they have a BTU rating! Maybe they would be good for here in Colorado in the winter.

i’ve been at my house for three years now and values are really going up here in Colorado Springs, maybe I could refi and get a pair of those Focals???

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I was bored and checking out Krell amps once, they have a BTU rating! Maybe they would be good for here in Colorado in the winter.

i’ve been at my house for three years now and values are really going up here in Colorado Springs, maybe I could refi and get a pair of those Focals???

$180K, street price probably $120K, not a prob. You can swing it.

Might as well get the Krell, Mac, Bryston, or Mark Levinson amp along with the Focal Grande Utopia. Not some AVR.

 

[TankTop5]

$180K, street price probably $120K, not a prob. You can swing it.

Might as well get the Krell, Mac, Bryston, or Mark Levinson amp along with the Focal Grande Utopia. Not some AVR.

It would almost be worth it to buy a pair of Focal Grand Utopias and have the salesman help hook them up to a Denon AVR with some monster cable.

 

[kmoshers]

The Denon 6700 does not offer an amp-assign configuration supporting four height speakers while also bi-amping the fronts. If you want front AND rear height speakers you will need to give up bi-amping or run a "Y" RCA cable on the front pre-out and use external amps for both bi-amp connections.

Page 73 offers instruction for bi-amping using the rear height speaker terminals. It looks like this. This would allow bi-amping but limit your height configuration to fronts.

View attachment 40488

Thank you, that's what I thought might be the case. Bi-amping my fronts is not a must and if I can't do it, so be it, but I'm curious to know if I'm already using an external amp for my heights why I can't use the height 3 channel to bi-amp?? To advertise 13 channels but then retstrict your using them seems misleading.

 

[kmoshers]

I can't offer much advice on setting up a Denon AVR-X6700H, but I would very interested to know how your new gear compares to the 3060 sound wise.

I don't expect their will be much difference, the only reason I'm buying the Denon is HDMI 2.1. I don't see buying a PS 5 and not have the ability to fully implement its features. I also have a system upstairs that could use the 3060 upgrade. I will try to remember to post my impressions once its all hooked up.

 

[VMPS-TIII]

Thank you, that's what I thought might be the case. Bi-amping my fronts is not a must and if I can't do it, so be it, but I'm curious to know if I'm already using an external amp for my heights why I can't use the height 3 channel to bi-amp?? To advertise 13 channels but then retstrict your using them seems misleading.

Page 73 of the 6700 manual is the configuration I would try. It uses Height 3 for bi-amp. In theory, this should leave Height 1 and 2 available. They don't show the exact configuration you are asking for but if you use the 11.1 "amp assign" perhaps it will offer a bi-amp configuration? The 9.1 configuration above does.

Typically, if you don't stick exactly to the Denon examples for amp assign in the manual there is a good chance it's not supported (but you could try). I found this out with my 4700. Each amp assign feature is designed for a specific feature and if I don't follow the exact connections it won't work. Example: if I use pre-outs instead of speaker connections for Front A-B amp assign feature - it doesn't work. Denon tech support says that's normal.

The assignable channels have strict configurations that don't support pre-outs unless specifically called for in the diagram. Definitely limited.

As far as having three height channels? There are pages of configurations with Heights. They are supported within the assign modes offered.
.

 

[kmoshers]

View attachment 40519

Page 73 of the 6700 manual is the configuration I would try. It uses Height 3 for bi-amp. In theory, this should leave Height 1 and 2 available. They don't show the exact configuration you are asking for but if you use the 11.1 "amp assign" perhaps it will offer a bi-amp configuration? The 9.1 configuration above does.

Typically, if you don't stick exactly to the Denon examples for amp assign in the manual there is a good chance it's not supported (but you could try). I found this out with my 4700. Each amp assign feature is designed for a specific feature and if I don't follow the exact connections it won't work. Example: if I use pre-outs instead of speaker connections for Front A-B amp assign feature - it doesn't work. Denon tech support says that's normal.

The assignable channels have strict configurations that don't support pre-outs unless specifically called for in the diagram. Definitely limited.

As far as having three height channels? There are pages of configurations with Heights. They are supported within the assign modes offered.
.

Agreed, I found the same to be true when I ran the 13 channel setup on my Yamaha. I'm not even sure I did it right but everything works. So, from your suggestions in the first post, I'm thinking that if I connect all but Height 2 with the bi-amp (just to put it to rest) and then use my Bas-X to connect the Height 2 it might work with one of the amp assigns starting with the 11 channel you suggest. I'm still not understanding if I'm connecting both my heights to the Bas-X why I can't have both height speakers. Frankly, it gets very muddled when I start looking at all the amp and height assignments, its calculus 3 all over again. OK, so if that fails and can the bi-amp I can still reduce the load on the 6700 by using the Bas-X to power my heights...correct? Thanks for all the help, I appreciate it.

 

[Ponzio]

I can't offer much advice on setting up a Denon AVR-X6700H, but I would very interested to know how your new gear compares to the 3060 sound wise.

I was thinking the same thing.

Wattage wise, they're very similar. Where's the advantage? No close pun intended. Wouldn't he just be better off buying some stand-alone power amps to connect to the pre-out's to power his mains?

Maybe he likes the Denon tonal signature? I'm cornfused ... which happens quite often with this hobby of ours.

 

[little wing]

I don't expect their will be much difference, the only reason I'm buying the Denon is HDMI 2.1. I don't see buying a PS 5 and not have the ability to fully implement its features. I also have a system upstairs that could use the 3060 upgrade. I will try to remember to post my impressions once its all hooked up.

Yeah, that makes perfect sense to me. I was curious because I have the 3060 as well. Been running it for a few years now, and I still really like mine. But you know how we audio geeks are....hmm, might the Denon be even better ?

 

[Ponzio]

Yeah, that makes perfect sense to me. I was curious because I have the 3060 as well. Been running it for a few years now, and I still really like mine. But you know how we audio geeks are....hmm, might the Denon be even better ?

Exactly.

I have a RX-A3070 and it has more than enough juice for my Salk SongTowers, associated Salk center and 2 SVS subs, with enough power to spare, here in my office. Same goes for the main room with a full 5.1 set-up, albeit a RX-A3040.

To each his own I guess.

 

[little wing]

Exactly.

I have a RX-A3070 and it has more than enough juice for my Salk SongTowers, associated Salk center and 2 SVS subs, with enough power to spare, here in my office. Same goes for the main room with a full 5.1 set-up, albeit a RX-A3040.

To each his own I guess.

That's a hell of an office system you set up. Very nice indeed. I have my Acsend towers and Horizon center set at small with a 90hz XO to a Rythmik sub and I don't feel like I am lacking power at all either.

PC with some nice sounding audioengines for the office.

 

[lovinthehd]

Curious, what does HDMI 2.1 do for you with the new Playstation?