Exclusive Denon AVR-3805 First Look!

C

cappados

Audiophyte
HELP! with Zone 2/3

I've connected an analog feed to the Denon's CD In L & R from my CD player. I've tried to follow the manual (and this site's) instructions and turned on the input sources to zones 2 & 3, and set the unit up to play STEREO.

But no matter what I try, I can't seem to get all of my speakers to play at the same time for a party.

Help!

Can someone please post a very detailed step by step version of how to set this up? I know I'm missing something, and I apologize, but I could really use the assistance.
 
J

Jambino

Audiophyte
Problem biamping 3805 to Paradigm 100s

I believeI followed all the steps to biamp my 3805 to a pair of Paradigm Studio 100 v.3. However, all I got was signal to the midrange and tweeters, but nothing going to the woofers! What did I do wrong?

Also, can someone please explain to me which pre-out to connect the VDP to? There are two of them "Front" and "zone 2". Incidently, I tried both but still no signal to the woofers :(

-
 
Duffinator

Duffinator

Audioholic Field Marshall
Jambino said:
I believeI followed all the steps to biamp my 3805 to a pair of Paradigm Studio 100 v.3. However, all I got was signal to the midrange and tweeters, but nothing going to the woofers! What did I do wrong?

Also, can someone please explain to me which pre-out to connect the VDP to? There are two of them "Front" and "zone 2". Incidently, I tried both but still no signal to the woofers :(

-
You want to use the "front" LR preouts to the VDP inputs. Then you need to select VDP as the input for zone 2 (the recommendations on this site state to use zone 3 for this, which is what I'm using on my receiver, but zone 2 should work just as well). Then while zone 2 is highlighted on your remote adjust the volume up to +2, which is very high on the volume scale. Double check these procedures to see if you missed anything. I'd print up the recommendations from the 3805 review on this site and scratch each one off as you check your setup.
 
Duffinator

Duffinator

Audioholic Field Marshall
cappados said:
I've connected an analog feed to the Denon's CD In L & R from my CD player. I've tried to follow the manual (and this site's) instructions and turned on the input sources to zones 2 & 3, and set the unit up to play STEREO.

But no matter what I try, I can't seem to get all of my speakers to play at the same time for a party.

Help!

Can someone please post a very detailed step by step version of how to set this up? I know I'm missing something, and I apologize, but I could really use the assistance.
What posts do you have your speakers connected to? If I'm not mistaken the 3805 only powers one zone at a time. The A and B posts for the 5.1 sound system are for using direct and dipole speakers in the surrounds. The B posts will not power that second zone if you have A connected to speakers in a 5.1 setup. You can probably power two pairs of speakers from the multizone posts using banana plugs on one set and spades on the other but I'd have impedence matching volume controls in between the amp and speakers to be on the safe side. Better yet purchase a Niles or ADCOM speaker switch and do it properly.
 
J

Jambino

Audiophyte
Duffinator,

Thanks a million! It worked :) I chose zone 2 and its working nicely. There is more bass and better imaging now. If I may burden you again, I set my gain to 0 dB as per the first post. You have yours set at 2 dB. What are the benefits, is it just more volume? Thanks.

-
 
J

Jason Coleman

Banned
Jambino said:
Duffinator,

Thanks a million! It worked :) I chose zone 2 and its working nicely. There is more bass and better imaging now. If I may burden you again, I set my gain to 0 dB as per the first post. You have yours set at 2 dB. What are the benefits, is it just more volume? Thanks.

-
The nice thing about the bi-amp setup is that you can independently adjust the lower end and the high end. Most people seem to find a good balance when set to +2dB. I also had the Studio 100 v3's bi-amped and they sounded fantastic. I had to reallocate my Zone 2 for kitchen speakers, so they're not bi-amped anymore, but they sure did love the extra juice.

Jason
 
Duffinator

Duffinator

Audioholic Field Marshall
Jason Coleman said:
The nice thing about the bi-amp setup is that you can independently adjust the lower end and the high end. Most people seem to find a good balance when set to +2dB. I also had the Studio 100 v3's bi-amped and they sounded fantastic. I had to reallocate my Zone 2 for kitchen speakers, so they're not bi-amped anymore, but they sure did love the extra juice.

Jason
Jambino, that is exactly what I was going to say. The ability to change the gain on the high and low inputs is like having an active crossover. Glad it worked for you.
:cool:
 
J

Jambino

Audiophyte
Thanks Jason and Duffinator. +2 dB it is :) I think you still need a sub with these speakers though, especially for DVD-A and SACD. Incidently, what volume level (dB) on the 3805 main dial is conidered "normal" for critical listening? I normally listen in the -30dB to -25dB region. I that too high, too low? I know it's a matter of personal preference, but I would like to get some feedback from people with a similar setup.

Cheers..

-
 
J

Jason Coleman

Banned
Incidently, what volume level (dB) on the 3805 main dial is conidered "normal" for critical listening?
It significantly depends on how you have each channel's level set. When playing a CD, for example, press the Ch Sel/Enter button on the remote control to cycle through each of the channel levels (which ones are accessible will depend on the channels being used...stereo vs multichannel) and you can adjust each channel up and down. Once you do that, you'll have a baseline for comparison.

Also, I agree about the sub. I use a Paradigm Servo-15 v1 for multichannel and movies.

Jason
 
T

tjharrop

Audiophyte
Sound mute when changing channels

Strangely, when I change the tv channel on my cable box (a/v routed through my 3805) the sound will sometimes mute, requiring that I turn the receiver off and on to re-engage the sound. Anyone else experience this?
 
J

Jason Coleman

Banned
tjharrop said:
Strangely, when I change the tv channel on my cable box (a/v routed through my 3805) the sound will sometimes mute, requiring that I turn the receiver off and on to re-engage the sound. Anyone else experience this?
How do you have the audio from your cable box connected to your 3805?

Jason
 
T

tjharrop

Audiophyte
The audio is connected via [digital audio out] into [digital coax in]. RCA input/output.

Jason Coleman said:
How do you have the audio from your cable box connected to your 3805?

Jason
 
J

Jason Coleman

Banned
You may want to try using an optical cable and see if you still have the dropouts. I haven't had, or heard of, the audio dropouts you've described, but I know that something's definitely wrong if you have to turn off/on your 3805 in order to restore the sound. See if you can isolate the source.

Jason
 
M

mwc

Audioholic Intern
tjhrrop,

I sometimes have that same problem with my Dishnetwork PVR. It only happens when I'm watching a recorded program and skip through too fast. The 3805 will sometimes loose the digital signal. To get it back I simply hit the DBS mode button again and I don't have to turn the 3805 off and back on again.
 

manishbhardwaj

Audiophyte
RC 969 Remote unit issues ?

Hi ,

Recently I bought 3805 and with it came all my worries, RC 969 ! After pressing few buttons suddenly it hangs and refuses to do any thing. any body facing this issue. I'll be very much greatful, if any body can provide any info. on this.

Only because of this bull**** remote, I am planning to return my 3805 !

Thanks in advance.

Manish
 
Duffinator

Duffinator

Audioholic Field Marshall
manishbhardwaj said:
Hi ,

Recently I bought 3805 and with it came all my worries, RC 969 ! After pressing few buttons suddenly it hangs and refuses to do any thing. any body facing this issue. I'll be very much greatful, if any body can provide any info. on this.

Only because of this bull**** remote, I am planning to return my 3805 !

Thanks in advance.

Manish
This is a very common problem. With the remote not back lit, does yours have a black or blue cover? The blue cover is the newer one and should work better. Either way call Denon support and they will replace your remote.
 
J

Jason Coleman

Banned
manishbhardwaj said:
Only because of this bull**** remote, I am planning to return my 3805 !
Nice first post...if you're ready to part with your 3805 simply because of frustration with the remote control, then go ahead and return your 3805. If you read through any of this thread, you'd know that the remote controls have had various issues that Denon has dealt with promptly.

Jason
 
C

Caligula

Audiophyte
I faced similar initial problems until I learned to use the

remote more adeptly. It was 100% operator error on my part. Since, I have learned the remote and not experienced any technical difficulties.

I'd eliminate operator error before I returned the 3805. It is one helluva performer.
 
T

tjharrop

Audiophyte
Jason Coleman said:
You may want to try using an optical cable and see if you still have the dropouts. I haven't had, or heard of, the audio dropouts you've described, but I know that something's definitely wrong if you have to turn off/on your 3805 in order to restore the sound. See if you can isolate the source.

Jason
Thanks to everyone for the posts. Jason: I don't have optical out on my cable box but I switched the input to coax 2 and that seems to have done the trick (2 days and no issues yet k.o.w). May be a permanent solution as I now have my dvd going into coax 1 and I don't expect issues-- plus I can go optical on the DVD if need be. Seems like a semi-faulty coax 1-- just need to decide whether it warrants a possible repair/replacement...
 
J

Jason Coleman

Banned
tjharrop said:
Seems like a semi-faulty coax 1-- just need to decide whether it warrants a possible repair/replacement...
I would try as many sources as you can with that input and if it is indeed faulty, definitely exchange the unit. Try jumping around chapters on a DVD and see if you get the dropouts...it may be that the 3805 has a brain-fart when the signal is temporarily lost and can't re-establish the signal. Also try to see if you get the same dropouts with your cable box connected to Coax 2. I had digital audio dropout issues with my Motorola HD box and ended up replacing it.

Good Luck!

Jason
 
newsletter

  • RBHsound.com
  • BlueJeansCable.com
  • SVS Sound Subwoofers
  • Experience the Martin Logan Montis
Top