Denon 3805 Bi-Amp and Multiroom

[Duffinator]

I'm going to upgrade my Harman Kardon AVR85 with either the Denon 3805 or 2805. One of the features that will drive me to purchase the 3805 over the 2805 is the ability to bi-amp my Mirage 595is fronts and use the third zone for my multiroom setup. My system is used 50/50 for music and movies. A couple questions I have are:

1. If I use zone 2 to bi-amp the front speakers will I be able to use zone 3 (or vise-versa) with a different source? In other words does bi-amping the fronts change my ability to use all three zones with a different source in zone 3 at the same time?

2. Will the bi-amp zone work in direct or pure direct mode? Can I use the multiroom zone and bi-amp zone at the same time in direct or pure direct mode?

3. Does bi-amping the fronts make that much difference in the sound?

And is anybody out there using either Denon as a pre/pro with either the ADCOM GFA-7607 or the B&K AV125.7 amps? Is there a big difference in sound compared to the Denon amps?

Thanks

 

[cam]

I'm going to upgrade my Harman Kardon AVR85 with either the Denon 3805 or 2805. One of the features that will drive me to purchase the 3805 over the 2805 is the ability to bi-amp my Mirage 595is fronts and use the third zone for my multiroom setup. My system is used 50/50 for music and movies. A couple questions I have are:

1. If I use zone 2 to bi-amp the front speakers will I be able to use zone 3 (or vise-versa) with a different source? In other words does bi-amping the fronts change my ability to use all three zones with a different source in zone 3 at the same time?

2. Will the bi-amp zone work in direct or pure direct mode? Can I use the multiroom zone and bi-amp zone at the same time in direct or pure direct mode?

3. Does bi-amping the fronts make that much difference in the sound?

And is anybody out there using either Denon as a pre/pro with either the ADCOM GFA-7607 or the B&K AV125.7 amps? Is there a big difference in sound compared to the Denon amps?

Thanks

Alot of people may not know for sure the answers to your questions. Your best off downloading the manual and reading it for yourself. The translation from japanese to english in denon manuals can be confusing sometimes so I recommend reading it a couple of times. Even after that you may still be scratching your head.

 

[Duffinator]

Thanks CAM. I've read the manuals but I'm still uncertain about the direct and pure direct modes. I was hoping someone who owns a Denon 3805 and has some experience with bi-amping and multiroom can comment.

 

[Unregistered]

*Bumping thread*

I have this question too.


Kind regards,
Wakisashi

 

[Duffinator]

I purchased the 3805 and completed the set up and adjustments today. I'm pleased with the power and sound so for. I have the multiroom set up on zone 3 and it works fine. It would be nice to have a line level adjustment on zone 3.

In review of my questions from above I don't think the bi-amping is going to effect the multiroom set up or vise-versa. But doesn anybody know if the bi-amping will effect the direct or pure direct mode? Considering how long the manual is it does a poor job of explaining many of the set up options. When I complete the bi-amping I'll post the results.

Thanks

 

[Jason Coleman]

Duff-

I have my 3805 bi-amping Paradigm Studio 100 v3's and the results are awesome. I can't comment on Zone 3 limitations because I don't use mine yet nor have I explored them. As far as Direct or Pure Direct, it shouldn't matter at all. They should still function correctly in a bi-amping configuration. Good luck and be sure to post your results.

BTW, the manual sucks from front to back.

Jason

 

[Unregistered]

Bi-amping Denon AVR 3805

Just bought 3805 - and guided by review wanted to bi-amp front speakers. Now quick question 1/ - when you set 'power amp. assign' to zone 2 - there is no 'Zone 2 vol.level' how do you set it to +2dB and as per manual level is set to 'variable', including pre-out level and this menu is not displayed.
2/ - do you select 'CD'(or any other unused input) as a source for pre-out in the 'Trigger -out 1 set up'?

 

[Jason Coleman]

I haven't read the re-written guide for bi-amping, but to adjust the Zone 2 volume, select Zone 2 on the remote control and use the main volume buttons (you can't do this via the front of the unit...you have to use the remote). Whichever input you chose for the Zone 2 should be selected by pressing the Zone 2/Zone 3 button on the front of the 3805 and turning the Function knob.

Jason

 

[Audioholics]

Clarified Biamping Instructions:

I'll be updating the review/bimaping page shortly with this info...

Before telling you HOW to do it, there are some caveats about doing this specifically with the AVR-3805. First, If you set it up to bi-amp, please expect to do your SETUP manually rather than using the mic for the AUTO SETUP procedure. Next, we have seen some complaints of noise (hiss) from some people who have done the bi-amping with specifically the AVR-3805. Accordingly, Denon is not "officially" endorsing this practice on this specific model.

That said, we encourage you to TRY the bi-amp setup and judge for yourself if you hear any objectionable increase in noise that negates the many advantages of bi-amping in general. The procedure below specifically connects the speakers LOW frequency to the Zone 3, while having the HIGH frequency connected to the FRONT speaker terminals. This may help to reduce any extra noise from the use of multi-zone from getting to the tweeters. The reason for choosing Zone 3 rather than Zone 2 is simply to still permit the use of a volume controlled zone 2 for genuine multi zone use, so long as an additional stereo amplifier is used. Additionally, because of details on the remote, it makes it slightly more difficult to accidentally alter some of the settings.

1. Connect a SHORT stereo cable pair from [PRE OUT LEFT & RIGHT] and run it into the Red and White jacks labeled [VDP].

2. DISCONNECT the SHORTING STRAPS from your bi-ampable speaker's terminals! This is whatever device the speaker manufacture has used to connect the two black terminals to each other, and the similar one used for the two red terminals. Failure to do this can quickly damage the amplifiers!

3. Connect the HIGH FREQUENCY terminals of the speakers to the receiver's FRONT LEFT and RIGHT speaker terminals.

4. Connect the speakers' LOW FREQUENCY terminals to the receiver's speaker terminals marked: [SURR BACK / MULTI ZONE]. These are to the far right, viewed from the back.

5. Via step # 5.1 in OPTION SETUP, set P.AMP ASSIGN to ZONE 3. See page 43 of the owner's manual for detail.

6. Via REMOTE (RC-969) press button that says [ZONE 2] until it changes to read [ZONE 3] with the bright bar above the ZONE 3 indication.

7. Press [SOURCE ON] to turn on the ZONE 3 amplifiers.

8. Select [VDP] as the SOURCE for Zone 3. This is done by pressing the letters [VDP] which are directly under the CD indication, NOT the VDP which is directly under the MD indication. Note that this step is what causes the "ZONE 3" to always play the VDP input, which is in turn, the signal from the Left and Right FRONT PRE OUTS of the main zone. Voila!

9. With the remote still in the ZONE 3 mode, press the VOL ^ up button while watching the front panel of the AVR-3805. Bring it up to read 00 as a starting point. Later in the process you will come back to this and adjust to your own taste for spectral balance of the front speakers. (More, later).

Next, put the remote back to the AMP mode, so the word AMP is underlined by the bright bar. You can now do any other setup steps you need and use the receiver as you normally would.

Anything you select to listen to will have its output for the front L&R go directly to the speaker terminals marked Front L&R and ALSO go out the L&R PRE OUT jacks which ultimately get to the SURR BACK / MULTI speaker terminals. Therefore, the CONTENT of the FRONT L&R speaker terminals is identical to the content of the SURR BACK / MULTI speaker terminals.

Once setup this way, you never touch the ZONE 3 again since the main zone is in control of everything.....one exception...

The ZONE 3 volume will adjust ONLY the level to the LOW FREQUENCY part of the speaker, whereas the MASTER VOLUME (main zone) will control ALL channels INCLUDING the LOW FREQUENCY part of the speaker. Therefore the ZONE 3 Volume, step number 9 in the list above, actually adjusts the RATIO of Lows to Highs in the speaker. If you want a bit heaver sound, bring Z3 volume up a bit. If you want a bit brighter sound, take Z3 volume down a bit. Some "Audiophiles" worry they won't know what setting is "Correct", but "REAL" audiophiles trust their own ears above all! One of the very powerful ADVANTAGES of the Bi-Amp setup this way is your ability to control the spectral balance of the speaker with this specific adjustment.

Enjoy!

 

[radaray58]

Has anyone tried this technique with a HK AVR 630?

I have a Harman Kardon AVR630 with zone 2 capability. Due to my room conditions, I will not be using the two extra channels for 7.1 configuration. Has anyone ever tried doing a setup like this with Definitive Tech towers on the mains? Thanks.

 

[MarkSJohnson]

what about "equal power"?

Sorry to ask what might be a very stupid question, but isn't it generally accepted that you want equal power in a surround setup...especially across the front? If I understand the directions (haven't and can't try it just yet) you can raise and lower the "bass" portion of your mains in reference to the overall volume, but, all else being equal, you can't help but have your mains now be ~3db louder than your other speakers.

For those of you that are biamping: Are you doing this just for stereo listening?

I know that I can go into the Denon's setup and lower the individual volume of the front left and front right; should this be done to end up with a result that affords you more power to your R and L yet at a balanced volume?