Denon AVR-4311ci

[surveyor]

The Denon AVR-4311ci was introduced in September of 2010. I see that are still new 4311's for sale. Does Denon still build these?

 

[pg_rider]

The 4311 was replaced by the 4520. I doubt 4311s are still in production, so you must be seeing old stock or refurbs or something.

Note that you can get 97% of the performance of the 4311/4520 with the X4000, for about $400 less.

 

[surveyor]

The 4311 was replaced by the 4520. I doubt 4311s are still in production, so you must be seeing old stock or refurbs or something.

Note that you can get 97% of the performance of the 4311/4520 with the X4000, for about $400 less.

I have the 4520 and a 3312 already. I had an AVR-A100 prior to the 4520. The AVR-A100 was just a better looking 4311. The X4000 has a lot to offer- no doubt!

 

[ReUpRo]

The X4000 is a 9ch processor. Consequently, one has too choose between SB, FH and FW, to drop a pair. Further, it has only 7 amps. Meaning, you need a 2 ch amp or powered speakers to fully use the 9ch processing.

By contrast, the 4250 does 11ch processing and has 11 amp channels to give one 11 ch surround, no ifs or buts. It also has a more flexibility for assigning the 11 amps in different configurations.

 

[surveyor]

The X4000 is a 9ch processor. Consequently, one has too choose between SB, FH and FW, to drop a pair. Further, it has only 7 amps. Meaning, you need a 2 ch amp or powered speakers to fully use the 9ch processing.

By contrast, the 4250 does 11ch processing and has 11 amp channels to give one 11 ch surround, no ifs or buts. It also has a more flexibility for assigning the 11 amps in different configurations.

The AVR-4520ci has 9 amps vs. 7 on the X4000. You need 2 more amp channels to for 11.

 

[Alex2507]

Does Denon still build these?

I'm waiting for PENG to tell us. I thought you would know because you own the 4520. Maybe Craig can tell us. He has a 4520 too.

 

[ReUpRo]

The AVR-4520ci has 9 amps vs. 7 on the X4000. You need 2 more amp channels to for 11.

+1. Thanks for keeping me honest.

 

[M Code]

I'm waiting for PENG to tell us. I thought you would know because you own the 4520. Maybe Craig can tell us. He has a 4520 too.

Nope leftover inventory...
As you may be aware the last 3 years has been a major financial setback for Denon... Besides loosing major market share, they lost big $ putting their parent company D&M Holdings in dire straits..
In their quest for market share, they opened up many, many internet sellers causing their AVRs prices to crash as the AV specialist dropped their support due to little profit margins. Additionally they experienced some significant quality issues when they closed their Japanese factory outsourcing their products to the Sherwood factory.. In their latest X000 AVRs they have tried to regain some market position but to date their efforts have not suceeded..

Just my $0.05...

 

[surveyor]

+1. Thanks for keeping me honest.

Understandable mistake- I just happen to own the 4520.

 

[Alex2507]

Nope leftover inventory...

So were the 4311s all built at the Denon factory in Japan or were some outsourced to Sherwood?

If they were outsourced to Sherwood, is there a way to tell? I take it Sherwood is in China and any units from there would be badged accordingly?

 

[sawzalot]

So were the 4311s all built at the Denon factory in Japan or were some outsourced to Sherwood?

If they were outsourced to Sherwood, is there a way to tell? I take it Sherwood is in China and any units from there would be badged accordingly?

That being said/asked does this mean that one should steer away from any Denons that were put together outside of Japan ?

 

[herbu]

The AVR-4520ci has 9 amps vs. 7 on the X4000. You need 2 more amp channels to for 11.

I heard this argument when I was deciding between X4000 & 4311ci. Went with the X4000 for additional features over additional amps. Glad I did. Most music is stereo. Most HDTV and Bluray are 5.1. Occasionally I'll get a Bluray that is 7.1.

I have NEVER had something that was in 9.1, and thought to myself, "Geez... wish I had gotten the 4311!!!". In fact, there is VERY little stuff out of the rear surrounds even in 7.1, whether it is from a 7.1 source or has the rear 2 channels artificially added.

So in my pedestrian experience, I would suggest giving more weight to the AVR features than to 2 more amps so each channel in a 9.1 setup has its own amp. That said, I have seen comments where people like their front-wides or front-heights, but I'm not at all sure there are more of these people than people who like and regularly use the features on the X4000.

 

[ImcLoud]

I have tried 7.1 and heard 9.2, 11.4, ect lol and to me 5.1 {or 5.2 as in my system} is about the best you will get. Show me a system where they stretched the budget to 9.1 vs a nice 5.1 system the 5. is going to have better sound... 7. seems to take you out of the action, when the rears light they distract me from the material. Front center for dialog, front l and r for surround and front stage, and surr l and r for surround effect, any more and you just jumble everything to sh!t... IMO, but every body likes something different, so to each their own..

 

[herbu]

to me 5.1 {or 5.2 as in my system} is about the best you will get.

Agreed. We run a 7.2, and though the rear surrounds are not very useful, we don't find them distracting because so little comes from them. We hear the occasional knock on a door, or phone ring, but that's about it. Sometimes those sounds are a bit startling because they sound so real we think somebody is really at our door. (Startles the dog, too.) But I wouldn't spend much money to get it, and certainly don't think separate amps to go even further than 7 channels is necessary.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

That being said/asked does this mean that one should steer away from any Denons that were put together outside of Japan ?

Yeah, if you can afford it.

Some people choose not to buy anything from China, etc. That is their right.

 

[Alex2507]

Yeah, if you can afford it.

Some people choose not to buy anything from China, etc. That is their right.

I think he meant 4311s specifically.

Were any 4311s made outside of Japan and if so, should they be avoided?

Edit: Wait, maybe that's not what he meant but it's what I meant.

 

[sawzalot]

I think he meant 4311s specifically.

Were any 4311s made outside of Japan and if so, should they be avoided?

Edit: Wait, maybe that's not what he meant but it's what I meant.

Exactly what I meant .

Damn what happened to all of the mind readers around here ?

 

[M Code]

So were the 4311s all built at the Denon factory in Japan or were some outsourced to Sherwood?

If they were outsourced to Sherwood, is there a way to tell? I take it Sherwood is in China and any units from there would be badged accordingly?

The last production runs were built in China...

Just my $0.05...

 

[surveyor]

Here's a closer look! The 4520 is made in Japan and lacks nothing in comparison. the 4520 is a better unit- without any doubt. Yes the cost bears deminishing returns- but it will smoke the x4000 any day!
http://usa.denon.com/us/product/pages/productcomparision.aspx?pIDs=avr4520ci(denonna)|avrx4000(denonna)&catID=2011incommandreceivers(denonna)

I heard this argument when I was deciding between X4000 & 4311ci. Went with the X4000 for additional features over additional amps. Glad I did. Most music is stereo. Most HDTV and Bluray are 5.1. Occasionally I'll get a Bluray that is 7.1.

I have NEVER had something that was in 9.1, and thought to myself, "Geez... wish I had gotten the 4311!!!". In fact, there is VERY little stuff out of the rear surrounds even in 7.1, whether it is from a 7.1 source or has the rear 2 channels artificially added.

So in my pedestrian experience, I would suggest giving more weight to the AVR features than to 2 more amps so each channel in a 9.1 setup has its own amp. That said, I have seen comments where people like their front-wides or front-heights, but I'm not at all sure there are more of these people than people who like and regularly use the features on the X4000.

 

[PENG]

Here's a closer look! The 4520 is made in Japan and lacks nothing in comparison. the 4520 is a better unit- without any doubt. Yes the cost bears deminishing returns- but it will smoke the x4000 any day!
Product Comparision)

I think he compared the 4000 with the 4311. I still prefer the 4311 though, it even plays HDCD, not that it makes any difference other than bragging rights. And it was made in Japan, for those who think that is important, not me.