Denon 3300 vs. 3400 vs. 4300

[roadwarrior]

It most likely has a fan. I recommend the 4300 because that $799 is simply irresistible.

You're correct. A single fan at the bottom of the enclosure.

 

[lovinthehd]

I would think so. Some even connect theirs directly to their TV's USB input but not everyone always turns their TV on with the receiver every time.

Or use a smart strip for your avr and anything you want powered when it is....

 

[roadwarrior]

Or use a smart strip for your avr and anything you want powered when it is....

True. I've got enough power strips and the like and I use a Harmony remote . Luckily have never needed an external fan of any kind but open AV racks like mine are the exception these days. I also live in Texas and we don't skimp on the A/C around here. That and a good ceiling fan keep my gear pretty cool thankfully. Least the options are getting better for cooling receivers and amps.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Before plugging in those USB fans...
U better check How much current capability is available in the AVR's USB jack? Some of those fans can draw up to 1/2 amp..

Just my $0.02...

I actually hook up the fans in daisy-chain and plugged the 1st fan into the electrical outlet using USB adapter, not my Denon X3100.

So my fans are on all the time, but they are so quiet I don't hear them.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't see a USB port on the back of the 4300 to plug the fan into?

The USB port is in FRONT.

But I actually plug the fans (daisy-chain) to each other and connect one of the fans into the wall outlet using a USB adapter (I think the fans come with USB adapter).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I also agree these things need active cooling, not just the passive heat sinks they come with. Movies probably won't hurt it, but if you ever listen to sustained loud music, like having a party, the prolonged high temp will shorten the life of electronic components. I went with this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LVUWOBX/ref=mp_s_a_1_1

Maybe it's overkill but I'm a bit of a nut about cooling electronics.

The AIRCOM units are the better option.

But I'm cheap and I'll wait until my fans break first. Then I'll buy that.

Right now I have FOUR 120mm fans on top of my X3100. Those AIRCOM units have 3 x 120mm fans. I have FOUR fans.

I had these fans already for 2 years now. After 2 hours of music listening, I don't think the temperature increases on my X3100; it actually feels COOL. But I also have the A/C on in the Summer.

But if my old fans break, I will buy those AIRCOM units.

 

[lovinthehd]

This might help the OP as well:


https://www.crutchfield.com/Product/CompareTo.aspx?g=10420&compareItems=01|033AVX3300&compareItems=01|033AVX4300&compareItems=01|033AVX3400



Cheers,

Phil

FWIW the comparison tool on the Denon site is more comprehensive...

 

[Pogre]

I also agree these things need active cooling, not just the passive heat sinks they come with. Movies probably won't hurt it, but if you ever listen to sustained loud music, like having a party, the prolonged high temp will shorten the life of electronic components. I went with this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LVUWOBX/ref=mp_s_a_1_1

Maybe it's overkill but I'm a bit of a nut about cooling electronics.

My SR6011 gets hot just idling. I'm using that same fan for it. Works very well and looks like it's part of the system. Right down to the rounded edges on the front.

I vote 4300 also. I'm with Peng. Way too tasty to pass up at this price. Almost makes me wish I were still receiver shopping. I could have pretty much the same performance for a hundo less.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, I would get the 4300 over the 3300 in a heartbeat for only $200 more.

 

[Msujohn]

Is it better to get these fans that vent to top or rear? The AVR is going into a cabinet. I have about 3.5 inches of clearance between it and a top shelf. It is also open in the rear, but not all the way.

 

[lovinthehd]

Is it better to get these fans that vent to top or rear? The AVR is going into a cabinet. I have about 3.5 inches of clearance between it and a top shelf. It is also open in the rear, but not all the way.

Since the fan's height itself will be a good chunk of that, think it would be better for rear venting on the fan....

 

[M Code]

Is it better to get these fans that vent to top or rear? The AVR is going into a cabinet. I have about 3.5 inches of clearance between it and a top shelf. It is also open in the rear, but not all the way.

3 1/2" top cover clearance is too little...
Denon recommends a minimum of 7". Also U should have at least 5-6" for the left/right sides. Denon AVRs run on the hot side and limited free-air clearance will shorten the reliability of the product significantly.

Just my $0.02...

 

[lovinthehd]

3 1/2" top cover clearance is too little...
Denon recommends a minimum of 7". Also U should have at least 5-6" for the left/right sides. Denon AVRs run on the hot side and limited free-air clearance will shorten the reliability of the product significantly.

Just my $0.02...

So that 7" is with a fan on top of the unit venting air to the rear in mind?

 

[M Code]

So that 7" is with a fan on top of the unit venting air to the rear in mind?

That should work..
A major point many forget with these multi-channel amplifiers within the AVRs is that they generate alot of heat.. Besides there is less overdesign today for heat sink & power supply sections..
IMHO..
Thats often why we see premature AVR failure...
The AVR is cramped inside a cabinet, its amplifiers are pushed hard, heating up and its OE thermal design is unable to exit enough of the hot air.. Forcing component failure..

Just my $0.02...

 

[lovinthehd]

That should work..
A major point many forget with these multi-channel amplifiers within the AVRs is that they generate alot of heat.. Besides there is less overdesign today for heat sink & power supply sections..
IMHO..
Thats often why we see premature AVR failure...
The AVR is cramped inside a cabinet, its amplifiers are pushed hard, heating up and its OE thermal design is unable to exit enough of the hot air.. Forcing component failure..

Just my $0.02...

Yes, that's why he was asking about fans

 

[roadwarrior]

I have just 1 1/2 inches of open space above my Denon X4300H and it's cool to barely warm most of the time. It's an open rack though on all other sides. What's the real killer with these receivers is when they are confined on all sides. That's the time to invest in a quality fan setup but on open racks the top clearance doesn't have to be much if the room itself has good circulation.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My Denon X3100 has about 3.5" to 4" clearance on top. I placed 4 x 120mm fans on top of the X3100 blowing UP. It stays really cool. I did measure the temp of my X3100 after 3 hours of 90dB+ music listening. The temp increased by only 6 or 7 degrees Fahrenheit.

Before the fans, it got too hot to even touch. Now it feels COOL to the touch, not even warm, but cool.