Denon AVR-4520ci bargain to grab

[elwaylite]

Just grabbed a new one for an excellent price. My open box X4000 has started faulting, so Im selling my AMP I was using with it and just getting the AVR-4520CI. Plenty of power for sure.

 

[Acoustat]

My open box X4000 has started faulting...

So if I have a choice between keeping my 4000 and returning it for an NAD AVR
for longevity/reliability sake, you think I should swap mine out?

1.2V...
Page 200, Operation Guide.

Denon said my pre out voltage on my X4000 is 2.5V, but who do we trust
aside from testing it ourselves, which I cannot.

 

[slipperybidness]

So if I have a choice between keeping my 4000 and returning it for an NAD AVR
for longevity/reliability sake, you think I should swap mine out?

Denon said my pre out voltage on my X4000 is 2.5V, but who do we trust
aside from testing it ourselves, which I cannot.

Then, there the questions: 2.5V peak to peak or 2.5V peak or 2.5V RMS????

 

[surveyor]

Just grabbed a new one for an excellent price. My open box X4000 has started faulting, so Im selling my AMP I was using with it and just getting the AVR-4520CI. Plenty of power for sure.

The 4520ci is a good choice! I have one and it rocks!

 

[PENG]

Then, there the questions: 2.5V peak to peak or 2.5V peak or 2.5V RMS????

Even more complicated if you throw in the word "maximum" as so do, e.g. NAD, CA etc.. So there are at least the following:

1) Rated RMS
2) Maximum RMS
3) Rated peak (implied peak to peak).
4) Maximum peak
5) All/Any of the above at different THD+N
6) All/Any of the above but at what input level (sensitivity?), gain in dB if given would help, though still not totally enough.

And then there is methodology to consider. It is not that important in most cases but it is just hard to compare among gear just by reading the kind of specs in manufacturers websites.

Suffice to say typically you need less than 200 mV, or 0.2V to yielded the rated output. On the other hand I have read one Denon tested at over 18V RMS Maximum but still rated 1.2V by Denon. That might have been a typo but I have also read a couple other Denon AVRs tested at well over 3 to 8.5V RMS Maximum while the same lab tested the NAD M15 less than 6V so go figure!!

 

[surveyor]

Question: All of my living room speakers are bi amp capable- with exception of my center. I'm currently using the AVR-4520ci in pre-amp. I use my Outlaw Audio Model 770 for amplification. Can I use the AVR for bi-amping the fronts by using the amp for lows and the 4520 for highs?141
Manual Setup Default settings are underlined.
Perform when setting the speakers manually or when changing settings made in Audyssey® Setup.
• If you change the speaker settings after performing Audyssey® Setup, it will not be possible to select
Audyssey MultEQ® XT 32, Audyssey Dynamic EQ® and Audyssey Dynamic Volume® (vpage 125,
126).
• “Manual Setup” can be used without changing the settings. Please set if necessary.
Setting items Setting details
Amp Assign
Select power amplifier
usage method to match
your speaker system.
For the flow to set “Amp
Assign”, see page 140.
Assign Mode : Set the assignment mode.
• 9.1ch(SB/FH/FW) : Assigns all power amplifiers within this unit for
MAIN ZONE.
• 7.1ch + ZONE2 : Assigns power amplifiers within this unit as follows:
7.1ch for MAIN ZONE and 2ch for ZONE2.
• 5.1ch + ZONE2/3 : Assigns power amplifiers within this unit as follows:
5.1ch for MAIN ZONE and 2ch for ZONE2 and ZONE3 each.
• 7.1ch + ZONE2/3-MONO : Assigns power amplifiers within this unit
as follows: 7.1ch for MAIN ZONE and 1ch for ZONE2 and ZONE3 each.
• 7.1ch(Bi-Amp) : Assigns power amplifiers within this unit as follows:
7.1ch for MAIN ZONE and 2ch for the front speaker bi-amplifier
connection.
• 5.1ch(Bi-Amp) + ZONE2 : Assigns power amplifiers within this unit as
follows: 5.1ch for MAIN ZONE, 2ch for the front speaker bi-amplifier
connection, and 2ch for ZONE2.
• 9.1ch/2ch Front : Assigns all power amplifiers within this unit for MAIN
ZONE. Up to 9.1ch playback is available. You can also use a front speaker
that is different from the one used during multi-channel playback for
playback by switching the internal power amplifier during 2ch playback.
• 7.1ch/2ch Front(Bi-Amp) : Assigns power amplifiers within this unit
as follows: 7.1ch for the MAIN ZONE multi-channel playback. You can
also use a front speaker that is different from the one used during multichannel
playback for playback under the bi-amplifier connection by
switching the internal power amplifier during 2ch playback.
• 7.1ch + Front B : Assigns power amplifiers within this unit as follows:
7.1ch for MAIN ZONE and 2ch for the second front speaker connection.
• Discrete 11.1ch : Assigns 9.1ch for power amplifiers within this unit and
2ch (front/front height) for the external power amplifier connection. Up
to 11.1ch playback is available.
• Pre Amplifier : Connects all speakers by using an external power
amplifier and uses this unit as a preamplifier. Up to 9.1ch playback is
available.
• Custom : Assigns power amplifiers within this unit as you prefer.
Setting items Setting details
Amp Assign
(Continued)
The following setting items are displayed according to the setting specified
for“Assign Mode” (vpage 141).
nn When “Assign Mode” (vpage 141) is set to “9.1ch(SB/FH/FW)”, “7.1ch
+ ZONE2”, “7.1ch + ZONE2/3-MONO”, “7.1ch(Bi-Amp)”, “9.1ch/2ch Front”,
“7.1ch/2ch Front(Bi-Amp)” or “7.1ch + Front B”
Main Speakers : Selects speakers used in MAIN ZONE.
• S.Back/F.Height : Uses surround back and front height speakers.
• S.Back/F.Wide : Uses surround back and front wide speakers.
• F.Height/F.Wide : Uses front height and front wide speakers.
nn When “Assign Mode” (vpage 141) is set to “Discrete 11.1ch”
Main Pre-amps : Selects the PRE OUT connector that is connected to
the external power amplifier used in MAIN ZONE.
• Front : Connects the PRE OUT connector for the front speaker.
• Front Height : Connects the PRE OUT connector for the front height
speaker.
nn When “Assign Mode” (vpage 141) is set to “Pre Amplifier”
Pre-Amp Assign : Selects how to use the PRE OUT connector.
• All : Uses this unit as a preamplifier by using only the PRE OUT
connector without using the power amplifiers within this unit.
• Custom : Sets whether to use each channel as a preamplifier or use
speakers.
Center / Surround / Surr. Back / Front Height / Front Wide
• Speaker : Select to use speakers.
• Pre-amp out : Select to output audio only from the PRE OUT
connectors.
nn When “Assign Mode” (vpage 141) is set to “Custom”
Output Channel : Selects signals output from the selected speaker
connector.
• Front / Center / Surround / Surround Back / Front Height / Front
Wide / ZONE2 / ZONE3 / ZONE2/3
• None : Does not output audio from the selected speaker.
Speakers

 

[PENG]

Question: All of my living room speakers are bi amp capable- with exception of my center. I'm currently using the AVR-4520ci in pre-amp. I use my Outlaw Audio Model 770 for amplification. Can I use the AVR for bi-amping the fronts by using the amp for lows and the 4520 for highs?141

It will work but not a good idea because the gains won't be exactly the same. I suspect the Outlaw would have a slightly higher gain. If that happens to be the case, the configuration may sound artificially warmer. If you really want to do passive biamp, you can use up the amps of the 770 to biamp the front, the center, the surrounds and use the 4520 to power the surround back.

Or just use 5 of the 7 channels of the 770 to drive the L/R/C only and power the rest with the 4520. Either way you can no longer use the 4520's so call pre-amp mode. I don't think there will be audible difference but no harm trying just for fun.

 

[surveyor]

I'll probably try the passive route, some time when I have the time and am not lazy! I hold little hopes of noticeable audio improvement though?
I have to really hide the wires these days as the wife and I bought a killer home and moved. It is definitely presented a challenge to the Denon
Audyssey MultEQ XT32
with travertine floors and large rooms with high ceilings.

 

[surveyor]

I'm warming up the 4520/Outlaw 126 lbs combo for a ZEP session. How much does your receiver weigh?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I hold little hopes of noticeable audio improvement though?

I hold zero hope of any kind of improvement from passive bi-amp.

 

[surveyor]

Agreed- I did not do the passive Bi- Amp thing yet. I'm too lazy! The 4520 is in pre-amp mode and the Outlaw is amplifying.

 

[sharkman]

Hey surveyor, just noticed that you have an Outlaw amp too. I've got the 7125, and have been really happy with it running my Paradigm Monitor speakers. I thought I'd sell it though, with the addition of the 4520 I've ordered, but no nibbles on the amp, I may just have to keep it. I believe I will survive the ordeal.

 

[surveyor]

The 7125 is a real good amp. The 4520 should cover your needs with ease. You could expand to other zones with the outlaw! Anyway, congratulations on an outstanding purchase!

 

[surveyor]

What version of HDMI does the AVR-4520ci have?

 

[adk highlander]

It is 1.4 but cannot find on the Denon site if it there is an a or b.

 

[surveyor]

It will upconvert to 4k video. But that was my dilema 4a or 4b?

 

[surveyor]

The Avr4520ci was released on
September 5, 2012.
HDMI 1.4b
Release Date: October 2011
It has 1.4b!

 

[KEW]

Why buy a refurbished Denon 4520 for $1100 when you can buy a brand new one for $1000?

Now seeing $1100 new on Amazon (Adorama) and $1000 refurbished at A4L. Shipping included.
Anyone know of a better deal currently?

 

[surveyor]

I'd buy it, if it has the factory warranty 3 years parts and labor. It's a reliable AVR- but the warranty would be a definite consideration to study!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Now seeing $1100 new on Amazon (Adorama) and $1000 refurbished at A4L. Shipping included.
Anyone know of a better deal currently?

I would go to Best Buy and talk to one of the managers. See if he would honor the sale price Best Buy had a few weeks ago for $1K.

No way I would buy it refurbished even with 5 YR warranty.

Actually Amazon has it Like-New open box for $881 delivered or $862 for very-good condition, which is almost like new. You get full new warranty either way. This is a much better deal than A4L.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0092KZCKC/ref=sr_1_1_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1418730875&sr=8-1&keywords=Denon+4520&condition=used