Denon 3805 receiver problem

[eirepaul]

I have recently been experiencing what sounds like crackling distortion from the center channel of my system. The overall sound of the center channel does not sound distorted, but there is an underlying occasional crackle or “muddy” sound that can be heard better if my ear is up to speaker. Changing center channel speakers makes no difference, it’s still there. This does not happen in 5-channel stereo mode, but does happen in all DSP modes (Pro-Logic Music, etc.) and multi-channel modes (Ext. In and D-Link). Based on this, I suspect it must be the receiver's processor? Has anyone experienced anything like this before with a Denon receiver (Denon 3805)? I have had no other problems with this unit.

The only recent change to my system was adding a Denon 2930CI DVD with which I use Denon Link, but this problem hapens with another CD player connected to the receiver as well and I suspect it was happening before the 2930 arrived.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated - this is frustrating! I hate when everything is not perfect with my system. Thanks.

 

[TLS Guy]

I have recently been experiencing what sounds like crackling distortion from the center channel of my system. The overall sound of the center channel does not sound distorted, but there is an underlying occasional crackle or “muddy” sound that can be heard better if my ear is up to speaker. Changing center channel speakers makes no difference, it’s still there. This does not happen in 5-channel stereo mode, but does happen in all DSP modes (Pro-Logic Music, etc.) and multi-channel modes (Ext. In and D-Link). Based on this, I suspect it must be the receiver's processor? Has anyone experienced anything like this before with a Denon receiver (Denon 3805)? I have had no other problems with this unit.

The only recent change to my system was adding a Denon 2930CI DVD with which I use Denon Link, but this problem hapens with another CD player connected to the receiver as well and I suspect it was happening before the 2930 arrived.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated - this is frustrating! I hate when everything is not perfect with my system. Thanks.

What I would do next is connect a good source to the ext center channel analog input in pass through mode. Make sure you have no EQ of any type. See what happens then. If everything is clean, defeat all EQ and play the sources that are causing trouble.

I'm wondering if this is a problem related to the auto EQ program. Those systems can be very dumb and set ridiculous EQ curves, that can run any gain stage in the audio chain out of headroom.
It sounds as if a circuit in the middle channel chain is getting run out of headroom somewhere, somehow. That is my first guess. I think this would be a strange fault for the processor.

 

[PENG]

I suggest you talk to the service department at Denon. The 3805 is such a reliable work horse that it is unlikely you will find other forum members who had experienced similar (or any at all) problems.

 

[eirepaul]

TLS Guy - thanks for the suggestions. I do not run any EQ of any kind and I have never even used the auto EQ feature - don't believe I need it.

Peng - you are probably right. I have not ever heard of anything going wrong with these units. It has been great up to now. It is a puzzler.

 

[PENG]

TLS Guy - thanks for the suggestions. I do not run any EQ of any kind and I have never even used the auto EQ feature - don't believe I need it.

Peng - you are probably right. I have not ever heard of anything going wrong with these units. It has been great up to now. It is a puzzler.

If you end up contacting Denon, try bypassing the dealer and the Denon customer service department. Recently my broken (cracked casing) remote deteriorated to the point I felt it has to be replaced. I tried both the dealer and the Denon Customer Service department and was told to buy a replacement because the unit is out of warranty. It was about 4.5 years old at the time but since everyone know that remote never worked well from day one, so I asked to talk to the service manager. The first thing the service manager said to me was "just sent it to me and I'll send you a replacement, no charge". I now have a brand new remote, for my nearly 5 year old 3805.

If you want result, go directly to the one who can deliver.

Best of luck!

 

[eirepaul]

Peng - how did this go? Did you ask the customer service person on the phone if you could speak to their manager?

 

[PENG]

Peng - how did this go? Did you ask the customer service person on the phone if you could speak to their manager?

I asked for a replacement based on the notorious reputation of the 3805 remote. She told me the warranty was over but I could buy a replacement. I asked her how, then she put me through to the service department and the person who answered happened to be the manager.

Your case is different, you are going to ask a technical question so you should ask for the service department right from the beginning. Obviously they won't offer you a new receiver but I am sure you will get a more intelligent response from the service manager (or technician/engineer) than you would from the non technical staff at the customer service desk.