Update on 8500HA:
Cable testing is extremely buggy.
This unit can test your hdmi cables for its speed/errors. I have tested about 10 cables. 5 certified Monoprice 48k. 1 apple (belkin) certified 8k ultra and some that were not certified but ultra high speed. The unit's top indicating speed is 40gbs 8k, but all the Monoprice cables were jumping from 32gbs 8k and failed the 40gbs 8k. I repeated the test on the same cable and it sometimes would indicate 40gbs 8k passed. Rebooting the unit and using the same cable it showed fail. It did the same with the uncertified cables and even once indicated a cheap cable I had knocking around as 8k 40gbs and then again as 18gbs. My conclusion is this feature is simply useless if you want to test for the correct bandwidth of your HDMI Certified 8K 48gbs etc.
I also used the on board Audyssey which is very scaled down and buggy, too, because it froze twice and I had to reboot the unit. I did experience this previously with another Denon I own. Anyway, once I had to disconnect the subwoofer to get it to configure and that was a mess. You really have to dial down the sub to less than the half way point to get it to continue on with the configuration. With the on board config, we were not happy, so I moved on to the MultEQ XT32 app on my ipad. This was better and the config went through much better. It set all speakers to Large and varied on the Crossovers. The sub was a mess. I setup the eq to not do past the 300Hz frequency range mark and so forth disabling the midrange compensation, Dynamic Eq off, Dynamic Vol off, and LFC off. I did not go past 250 Hz on the Sub on one setting and none on one setting. Now, I did the maximum measurements as well as the minimum position allowed.
Results: The distances were not too bad off, but they were not accurate either. It set the speakers to Large as the on board did and the Crossovers varied, too. So, I set things as should and did some adjustments to the sub channel etc. The app takes a little time to do the update to the AVR and then you are set to go. The unit sounded much better than before, however, I had to play a little with the bass (sub) curve for awhile in order to get it to a likeable sound.
Caveat: 8500 has only 1 Pattern so you are screwed if you want to change to another etc. like on the Yamaha. Each time you want another pattern, you have to go back to the app and change it there providing you had created more edited copies of your pattern. Then you have to wait for it to download to the unit. Cumbersome and not to my liking at all.
Denon's setup in this unit is lacking big time and not as versatile and detailed as in the Yamaha. The web setup in the Yamaha is also really good. I cannot comment on the Denon's 8500HA's one.
Pros: 8500HA
The Unit's front features and Display is a plus.
The Back has a USB for power?
13 powered built in channels/amp
Remote is not bad and can be setup for other sources devices. Like TV, CD player, DVD, Blu Ray etc.
Has DTS X Pro
IMAX
Auro 3D
Cons:
Difficult to setup (for Me)
Menu is not friendly and difficult to get into.
Sound is not to my liking.
Not as much power as I expected for its rating
Runs quite hot (using 2 different laser testers) got temps to 140 F at times when it plays at levels of -20db or if you push it harder. In comparison the Yamaha can get to 125 F
Only 1 configurable Pattern.
Not many 8k inputs
I do not want to say more, but personally for my taste, the Yamaha is a better sounding unit for both movies and music. It has more to offer than the 8500 and clearly out performs it power wise. The sound is overall more clear and pleasing to the ear. Both my wife and the owner of the unit, my brother in law, agreed, too. He already told me that he'll be returning it and may try a Marantz. I am trying to persuade him to the Yamaha which he loves, but also is sold on " the voice of god" channel. Well, you can't please them all. I will wait and see what happens.
Disclaimer:
Testing was done using the exact speakers etc. as the A8A.
Pure Direct Modes, Stereo, Multichannel Stereo, Auto Decoding, Straight modes etc. were used.
The Denon 8500HA is still a good and capable unit and I would be happy to own one if I did not have a Yamaha A8A. I did this comparison for my own personal taste and family and did not mean to be judgmental or to criticize anyone.
It took a lot of time and effort to do it and I am glad I did get the opportunity to do it.
Regards.
