New Receiver?

[3db]

Bummer. I guess you do have it narrowed down then. The 663 as I'm sure you know got a favorable review here at AH. Good things have been said about it's pre-amp capabilities too. This is the first time that I'm hearing about one having a problem. Now what?

Still could be dirty contacts...but it also could be a poor solder joint, a cap gone bad, etc. This is a tough spot to be in. I don't know what I would do if I were in his shoes.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Rotel running out of wind...

Paradigm's sounding awful...

Elite's are pieces of junk...

Something may be wrong with my system because it sounds really awesome and the only thing I am missing is the Pio...

The trouble is you don't know which unit is running out of headroom.

I can tell you one thing any piece of budget equipment I have ever had on the bench generally does not have enough headroom on the inputs.

This spec is never quoted and seldom measured in reviews. For any receiver preamp or mixer, it is one of the most important specs.

My last Rotel unit was very close to the wind and occasionally not adequate.

When I got my Marantz 8003 back home that was the first thing I tested, and if it had not been adequate, it would have gone back.

I was in a friends home for a week in February, and he had a Pioneer Elite receiver. I forget the model, but as far as I was concerned it was absolute junk. Every time there was louder dynamics, it had the same problem you describe. It was gritty as all get out. The Paradigm speaker system did not help, which was plain awful.

So unfortunately you are like me and probably cursed with a keen ear.

 

[lsiberian]

I suspect the Amp. Try disconnecting the amp and running the speakers through the receiver. If you don't encounter the issue then you've found the issue. It's the only device you haven't replaced.

 

[SopRage]

Oh, I ran it for a year without the amp.

Frustrating. I've tried pretty much everything you guys have mentioned.

Got a bunch of audio gear I don't use that I need to sell; going to see if I can borrow/buy a higher-end receiver to see if it solves the problem.

 

[tom67]

last comment is excellent idea... borrow a beefer amp and try...better yet try a similar receiver to see if it is adequate...will also rule out problem with speakers or other components...I have to believe that even a modest receiver like the Yamaha should run these 92 db speakers at a loud level without a strain...Maybe return the 663 if it still under warranty?....


http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages/products/speakers/cmt340m/cmt340m.html

 

[yepimonfire]

i suspect its not the equipment, its the source, play the DVD on your computer over heaphones and you will hear the same problem.

 

[Matt34]

Have you noticed it on difference disc or just one in particular?

If it was there:

before the amp

Using two different receivers

and the speakers are not defective

Leads me to believe it's either a source issue or a bad interconnect.

I have a 663 as well and have used it as both a pre-amp and standalone receiver and never noticed this issue.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Guys,

I'm leaning towards the Denon AVR-3310, which is for sale at around $750 on Amazon.

That is a good one.

I would get this Denon 3808 for $570 (original $1,700):

http://www.ecost.com/prod/Electronics/Receivers/Denon+71+CH512+CH+AV+Home+TheaterMultiMedia+Multi-SourceZone+Receiver+with+Networking+-+AVR3808CI/39372354.aspx?navid=155442295

 

[jostenmeat]

That is a good one.

I would get this Denon 3808 for $570 (original $1,700):

http://www.ecost.com/prod/Electronics/Receivers/Denon+71+CH512+CH+AV+Home+TheaterMultiMedia+Multi-SourceZone+Receiver+with+Networking+-+AVR3808CI/39372354.aspx?navid=155442295

Nice find. Questions, particularly since it's a refurb.

Will it come with an Audyssey mic (refurbed onkyos usually didn't), and if not, how much is one? (I remember Denon was a lot more expensive than Onkyo mics, and you have to use the right calibrated one).

If it's even possible, how much does it cost to upgrade software to add Dynamic EQ+Volume?

I know there are not a few who care about the above, but I would, and I have friends who will be looking for receivers in the near future . . .

Thanks.

 

[Alex2507]

Nice find.

I don't know. No manufacturer's warranty. No money back warranty. 90 days parts and labor? H/T addict ... puh-lease. I do like that 3808. Greg has one and I like what I saw of it but getting one from Dakmart or 6th Ave (I think they are factory authorized sellers) might be better. I just had someone ask me whether to get an open box or refurb recently from them (I think). I also forget who asked.

 

[pzaur]

I've never encountered anything remotely like the aforementioned problem with the dialogue with any movie/cd/dvd/TV show. Obviously, something is amiss.

Since the unit is already out of warrant, have you considered opening the top to visually inspect the guts for anything that seems abnormal? There are plenty of internal photos floating around for this unit.

-pat

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't know. No manufacturer's warranty. No money back warranty. 90 days parts and labor? H/T addict ... puh-lease. I do like that 3808. Greg has one and I like what I saw of it but getting one from Dakmart or 6th Ave (I think they are factory authorized sellers) might be better. I just had someone ask me whether to get an open box or refurb recently from them (I think). I also forget who asked.

eCost: $570 + $30 s/h + 3 months Denon Warranty (eCost is Denon Authorized) ----- or + $75 1 yr warranty = $645 + $30 = $675/1 yr Warranty.

Dakmart: $800 + $50 s/h (my experience with their s/h policy) + 3 months Denon Warranty (but Dakmart gives you a 1 yr warranty) = $850/1 yr warranty.


http://www.dakmart.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Denon+3808&osCsid=biibvnps0ngfud6dlfpoi66c77

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Nice find. Questions, particularly since it's a refurb.

Will it come with an Audyssey mic (refurbed onkyos usually didn't), and if not, how much is one? (I remember Denon was a lot more expensive than Onkyo mics, and you have to use the right calibrated one).

If it's even possible, how much does it cost to upgrade software to add Dynamic EQ+Volume?

I know there are not a few who care about the above, but I would, and I have friends who will be looking for receivers in the near future . . .

Thanks.

All the refurb Denons I've bought came with everything a brand new one would have - manuals, cables, remotes, etc.

But it doesn't hurt to ask eCost.

I think Denon customer service would know for sure.

I bought a Denon DVD-5910CI, DVD-3810CI, & PMA-2000IVR from eCost in the past.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

eCost: $570 + $30 s/h + 3 months Denon Warranty (eCost is Denon Authorized) ----- or + $75 1 yr warranty = $645 + $30 = $675/1 yr Warranty.

Dakmart: $800 + $50 s/h (my experience with their s/h policy) + 3 months Denon Warranty (but Dakmart gives you a 1 yr warranty) = $850/1 yr warranty.


http://www.dakmart.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Denon+3808&osCsid=biibvnps0ngfud6dlfpoi66c77

And just for fun, I just called Dakmart and they DON'T even have any Denon 3808 in stock!!!

They list every single model, but most of the models are not even available.

And I also asked for the shipping cost for a Denon 3310 - it is $61 to OKC...I mean Krypton.