Exclusive Denon AVR-3805 First Look!

[Unregistered]

Hi Audiosouse,
One time in your post, you said you have a high hiss come from both
woofer and tweeter, are you still having that problem now? I bi-amped
3805 and got this hiss too. If i don't biamp, it's very quiet

thanks,
MN

 

[Audiosouse]

Hi Audiosouse,
One time in your post, you said you have a high hiss come from both
woofer and tweeter, are you still having that problem now? I bi-amped
3805 and got this hiss too. If i don't biamp, it's very quiet

thanks,
MN

Hi MN,

My experience was identical. Biamping the 3805 induced a hiss most noticeably from the tweeter when the volume was turned on at any level, whether playing content or not. Through experimentation, I found turning the Zone 2 volume level up to achieve unity gain with the main amplifier channels was the culprit.

In fact, the hiss can be induced even if your main speakers aren't biamped by assigning the Surround Back amplifier channels to Zone 2 in the set up menu and turning Zone 2 volume level up to +2 db (where I achieved unity gain). It doesn't matter what equipment your running, if you crank the amplifier up enough without a signal, you'll hear noise.

Because the 3805 has such a low SNR stock (it's dead silent), I decided not to biamp. With it's stock configuration in my large 3200 cubic foot room, I can achieve concert levels with plenty of headroom, no noise and save the cost of additional speaker wire.

When I contacted Denon technical support, they acknowledged the biamping but did not recommend it due to the likelyhood of tweeter damage should there be a short. I'm a quality over quantity kind of guy, but it's nice to know the Denon is so flexible, even if there's a trade off (isn't there always?). I've been tested with hearing beyond the normal range, so maybe it won't bother most people, especially with 240 watt bragging rights!

Anyone else experience high subwoofer volume levels with Auto Setup? I noticed in the manual it says to turn your sub up to halfway with the frequency cutoff at max. Even though it measures the sub twice, I found it set the sub level WAY too high, although I realize low frequencies are hard to measure (try it with your SPL sometime if you don't believe me). Even with these minor criticisms, this is one hell of a receiver.

 

[gene]

This is odd, but I suppose the preamp gain stage for Zone2 isn't off the same quality level of the other main channels. Anyone wishing to biamp the AVR-3805 should reserve the Zone2 amps to the bass sections of thier speakers where this issue will be less noticeable.

As for damaging tweeters? I don't follow, especially since you are not bypassing the crossover of your speakers. Perhaps Denon misunderstood your application?

 

[Unregistered]

Avr-3805 tone controls

Just wandering if the bass/treble controls on the 3805 effect
all the channels or just the main two?

 

[Audiosouse]

This is odd, but I suppose the preamp gain stage for Zone2 isn't off the same quality level of the other main channels. Anyone wishing to biamp the AVR-3805 should reserve the Zone2 amps to the bass sections of thier speakers where this issue will be less noticeable.

As for damaging tweeters? I don't follow, especially since you are not bypassing the crossover of your speakers. Perhaps Denon misunderstood your application?

The odd thing is, when I biamped the 3805, I used main channels for highs and Zone 2 for lows as was suggested by Clint in the review. The hiss wasn't distoriton like, it just sounded like any amplifier with the volume cranked (as Zone 2 is at +2 dB), an elevated noise floor. It bothered me, but many people might not even notice.

This brings up another issue, my Zone 2 amplifier's L and R channels were reversed. Meaning when I connected the R channel of Zone 2 to the R speaker, it played on the left speaker when listening to the test tones to acheive unity gain. I find it hard to criticize Denon on biamping since the 3805 isn't designed for it and Denon doesn't recommend it.

When the 3805 is used as designed, it performs flawlessly. In fact, aside from my DPLII not sending an LFE signal to my sub when fed by an analog input (which might be content related), I've not heard a better sounding or used a more convenient receiver. They even nailed the remote, although compared to a Harmony SST-659 it still sucks.

On a feature basis, the only separates that compared were Anthem's AVM 20 and PVA7 combo, with retails for $5498 CDN. I paid $1640 CDN with the set up mic included. That's a $3858 difference! Separates may provide (a little) more power, but not much better sound and for at least double the cost. After all, isn't sound quality what it's all about? If you're still a separates snob, compare your parts list to the Denon's, the quality of components Denon uses smokes those snooty separates.

 

[gene]

This brings up another issue, my Zone 2 amplifier's L and R channels were reversed. Meaning when I connected the R channel of Zone 2 to the R speaker, it played on the left speaker when listening to the test tones to acheive unity gain.

Audiosouse; check the line level connection you made between the unused source and Zone2. PErhaps you had the L and R reversed?

What is the sensitivy of your speakers?

Who have you been dealing with a Denon? I will give him/her a call to discuss.

Thanks.

 

[Unregistered]

DTS and PL2x

I've read several posts that state the yamaha 2400 can apply PL2x processing to the surroud channels for DTS encoded material to achieve matrixed 7.1 sound. My question is can the denon 3805 do this, doesn't that represent licensing issues (DTS and DD)?

 

[redbengal55]

denon 3805

In attempting to send this message I found a "printer friendly" option for the other messages. How about a printer friendly option for your review!!! I would like to look it over, but have only so much time on the library station!!!

 

[Audiosouse]

Gene, I checked the L and R at the Pre Out to the unused source in (CD) and the R and L at the speaker level in.

It's funny you ask, I do have highly sensitive speakers, 93 dB in room (90 dB anechoic).

I've spoken with Jerry Zagaro at (905) 475-4085.

 

[gene]

OK so did you have the interconnects cross wired? Did that help?

I suspect the high sensitivity of your speakers are allowing you to hear the elevated noise floor more easily, especially if you are within close proximity of the speakers. Was the hiss coming from your tweeters or the bass drivers?

I will try to call Denon tomorrow for ya.

 

[Unregistered]

Hi,
When biamping, i was trying to use zone 2 as both for tweeter and
woofer(as Gene suggested). Either case, i still got hiss coming from both tweeter and woofer. But the hiss comes from tweeter is more like high pitch
ringing. My speakers are studio 20 (sensitivity is about 90 or 91 only)
MN

 

[gene]

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[Unregistered]

oh sweet god

OMG wallhacks!....
so let me get this straight, some one will get a rbhsound 5.1 speaker system and another a denon 3805.......maybe it will be the same person, so they have a great sounding system, and after that a 50inch tv, Hiyoooo

 

[Unregistered]

tone control avr-3805

would someone please tell me why the denon 3805 only applies the bass/treble control to the main channels in all modes, analog or digital, is that normal or do i have a faulty unit. there is nothing about this in the manual. thanks

 

[markok]

OMG wallhacks!....
so let me get this straight, some one will get a rbhsound 5.1 speaker system and another a denon 3805.......maybe it will be the same person, so they have a great sounding system, and after that a 50inch tv, Hiyoooo

Yes, I won the RBH system! Not only is Audioholics the best read of any AV website/magazine but it also allows it's readers to win a fabulous prize!

I can't wait to hook up my new RBH system.

Thanks to Audioholics

Marko

 

[Audiosouse]

I Give UP

Well, I finally give up. I've had these green discolourations on my TV for over a month. It turns out the Denon AVR-3805 is incompatible with my Sony KV34HS510. If I have the 3805 plugged in on the same circuit as the Sony, I get the discolourations. Once it's unplugged, my TV is fine. I've tried three different powerline filters and nothing has worked. So back it must go.

What other receivers compare to the 3805 for features and performance? I didn't particularly care for the sound of the Yamaha RX-V2400. Thanks.

 

[Ricky]

What other reciever can you buy at this price range other than RXV-2400. even 2400 is pretty much cheaper than the DENON.And on the other hand YAMAHA outguns DENON in every department.So go ahead take a listen and it might chang your mind . Because 2400 sounds very close to their flagship RX-Z9.
happy listening!!!

 

[Sounds Simple]

What other receivers compare to the 3805 for features and performance? I didn't particularly care for the sound of the Yamaha RX-V2400.

You should be able to pick up the Pioneer Elite VSX-55TXi in the same price range. It lacks DPLIIx and up-conversion to component video and also has only 2 component video ins if any of these features is important to you.

Are you looking for a receiver that does the auto-EQ? If not, you might want to look at the Integra 7.4.

Hope this helps.

Bob

 

[barend]

Help - biamping does not work

Read all info on the forums and in the Audioholics test.
But I can't get it working!
Suppose I must be doing something wrong...I also wondered how to set the MULTI 2 volume?

1. In setup (power amp mode) selected MULTI ZONE 2.
2. Connected all speakers as they should, with split L/H and H to the FL/FR and L to MULTI/BS.
3. Cable from FL/FR to VDP input.
4. Pushed button Multi/REC on amp and selected VDP as source for MULTI ZONE 2.
5. Put on a CD in STEREO mode and no bass came out.
6. Selected VDP on the amp input and turned up the volume. Nothing at all.

Also tried this:
3. VDP cable replugged into MULT2/3 pre outs. Same difference.
4. Additionally assigned VDP to MULTI SOURCE 3.

Remember setting this up on my H.K. receiver was a breeze, but I can't get it to work on the Denon.
Don't want to experiment any further before I have a clue, because something started oscillating at one point and almost blew up my speakers ...
Barend

 

[Unregistered]

3805 caps and rail voltage

gene:

what value are the caps in the avr-3805? also, what are the rail voltages?
great job on the z9 review!