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[tanna11]

SACD Setup on 3805 Receiver

Can anyone give me instructions in terms of exactly how I should have the receiver setup for optimal SACD playback? Should my source be DVD with 'Ext in' or 'Stereo'? I have trouble telling the difference in terms of sound quality. I use the receiver with a Denon 3910 DVD/CD player. Also, should my input source on the receiver be DVD or CD?

 

[MarieonCape]

The only way to get SACD sound from the 3805 (until the license issues with Denon Link are settled) is to use the Ext. In input mode (assuming your SACD compatible player is connected using the individual channel outputs to the 3805's Ext. In multi-channel inputs). The multi-channel sound is then sent from the player straight through to the amplifiers and does not go through any surround sound processing. The input source doesn't really matter, the only reason to select the source is to display that source's video information on your monitor. Try it, on any source press the Ext. In button, you will hear the same thing. (Remember to set the input mode back for the source though to whatever it was). Ext. In is basically a by-pass requiring the external source to do all the decoding and send the sound to the amplifier and then to the speakers. You might want to look in the owner's manual a little too. Page 65 is a good place.

Now, in any setting other than Ext. In you are not getting SACD (or DVD Audio) sound. My player does me the "favor" of sending a stereo signal to the standard R/L output jacks and if I have them connected the CD input so I will get sound there even if the disc is labeled "For SACD players" only. I have listened to my AVR-3805 and DVD-2200 and even when the input source is set to CD using the DPLII or DTS Neo6 to mimic the SACD mult-channel and I switch between that and Ext. In I can clearly hear the difference between the SACD multichannel and the "analog" signal sent to the regular CD 2 channel input jacks.

Marie

 

[tanna11]

SACD on Denon 3805

Thanks Marie, that was very helpful. One more question, my speaker setup is 2 bookshlef front speakers, one center channel, and a sub-woofer. I do not have rear surround speakers. Should I still use the ext-in setting as opposed to the stereo setting? I have a Denon 3910 universal player that does have the multi-channel outs.

 

[shokhead]

Go get a cheap pair of speakers to use as surrounds until you can get good ones.

 

[tanna11]

Heavy Bass Sound at Low Volume

When I turn the volume low on my 3805 (-40db) the bass becomes very heavy and overpowers any of the mid and high range sounds. It sounds very bad. Any suggestions on any settings I can tune in order to alleviate this problem? I could turn the volume down on the subwoofer, but it's not that high to begin with and then when the volume is loud the bass is minimal.

 

[MarieonCape]

Re: "Go get a cheap pair of speakers to use as surrounds until you can get good ones."

To quote a friend of mine, not only No, but Hell No! Not when it comes to listening to SACD! No, no, no, no, no. IMHO this not a case where something is better than nothing! (See note below)

Tanna11 since you don't have rear surround speakers don't use the "stereo" setting, still use the Ext. In input, but on your 3910 select the SACD stereo soundtrack off the SACD (or the High Res Stereo on a DVD audio disc) instead of the multi channel program. (They are actaully seperate programs on the disc, not just a mix down done by the machine). This way you won't be missing sound that was intended to go to speakers that you don't have. I'd do this until you can either get matching good quality speakers for the rear or replacing all your speakers.

Sorry for the strong opinion. I am completely in love with the SACD/DVD audio experience I get with my system! I've been happy with both 2 channel and multi, but when the multi is good it can be so amazing!!!!

Hope this helps,

Marie

Note: Multi-channel audio is mastered with 5 identical monitors angled toward this listener (the 3805 manual and some multi channel SACD disc inserts show this set up). For multi-channel music the rear surrounds are expected to be the same type and quality as the front spearkers - ideally all having full range reproduction capabilities. So the speakers, and their qualities, and arrangement are different than for movie surround - thus while I might agree with shokhead for movie surround effects I can't when it comes to music. This difference is why the 3805 (and higher Denons) have the A / B surround so you can select the "movie" surrounds for movies and the "music" surrounds for music. It was the best thing I did was to invest in those extra speakers for my SACD/DVD Audio, and even for listening to some 2 channel sources in Dolby PLIIx with the "music" setting and the music surrounds. I love what it brings to my enjoyment of both movies and music - and since the receiver can be programmed for which set to use for which source - it doesn't even take the push of a button. Well, after you invest in the speakers, cable, and give up the space.

 

[shokhead]

Thats fine if you want to listen to stereo but if you want to listen to multi-channel and dont have surrounds,then do what i suggested. Me,i wouldnt get a SACD-DVD-A player until i had all the speakers.

 

[MarieonCape]

RE: "...if you want to listen to multi-channel and dont have surrounds,then do what i suggested." [Get cheap surround speakers. sic.]

Disclaimer: See, I love music, and I don't like to hurt it any more than I have to, so my opinion still differs. But to each their own!!!!

Assuming you do have a good pair speakers than I guess the question becomes a preference for listening to "just" SACD stereo with all the clarity of SACD or listening to hobbled multi-channel SACD with a cheap pair of speakers that compromise the the sound of the good speakers. I can understand wanting to get a feeling for the effect you are missing, but I'd prefer to listen to SACD in stereo with good speakers than to multi-channel SACD with "cheap" speakers.

RE: "Me, i wouldnt get a SACD-DVD-A player until i had all the speakers."

Sounds like good advice, but in this case it is moot.

Marie

 

[shokhead]

I understand,quality over quanity.

 

[tanna11]

Re: Sacd

Thanks for your replies, these all make sense. I know it's a little strange to get SACD equipment without surround speakers, but I'm just starting to build my home theatre and of course, surround speakers are next on my list! This equipment is expensive though, so I can't get everything at once. No point in having surround speakers without a proper receiver to hook them up to.

I think that even without the rear speakers, SACD quality can easily be heard. Plus, several SACDs (especially jazz) are currently only offerred in stereo sound anyway.

On another note, anyone have any suggestions about my bass issues? When the volume on my receiver is low (-40db or lower) the bass completely overpowers the music, and mids and highs are minimal. The volume on my subwoofer is almost minimal, my bass settings on the receiver and DVD player are at factory default, and the bass sounds perfect when at higher listening volumes.

 

[shokhead]

I would start at the basic's,speaker setup and so on. Speakers to small,80Hz x over,LFE only for sub mode,check when wires and all that easy stuff first. My sub is about 3/4 volume.

 

[shokhead]

Question? My 2805 isnt to much different then the 3805. When playing a cd,which modes will use the sub? Stereo? 5 channel stereo?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

All of them will use the sub if the receiver is set properly.

 

[PENG]

On another note, anyone have any suggestions about my bass issues? When the volume on my receiver is low (-40db or lower) the bass completely overpowers the music, and mids and highs are minimal. The volume on my subwoofer is almost minimal, my bass settings on the receiver and DVD player are at factory default, and the bass sounds perfect when at higher listening volumes.

Did you calibrate your "channel level" with a sound level meter? If not, you should do it first.

 

[giantsrl56]

AVR 3805 Rc 969

I have a question about the reliabilty of the Remote. Does any one have a problem with it Freezing up When turned on? I am constantly Resetting the Batteries and Go through them Every Month. I had this replaced because I was told the BLue face was better. Maybe, but The Original I got with the AVR 3805 died after 2 months. Anyone know if Denon is aware of this problem?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I have a question about the reliabilty of the Remote. Does any one have a problem with it Freezing up When turned on? I am constantly Resetting the Batteries and Go through them Every Month. I had this replaced because I was told the BLue face was better. Maybe, but The Original I got with the AVR 3805 died after 2 months. Anyone know if Denon is aware of this problem?

Yes, call Denon, and they'll exchange it for yet another one. My new blue foil remote is still on it's original batteries - 3 months and going.

 

[av-man]

I hate that foil remote. Aside from the peice of crap touch screen that came with the 5803 its the worst remote Denon has put out. Throw it in the drawer and buy a Harmony or Pronto.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

One wonders how many sales Denon lost with that remote. It took me three months to "adopt" it. If it came with a Logitech Harmony style remote, imagine the market share!

 

[giantsrl56]

Logictech Harmony Remote

Will the Harmony Remote record all the buttons from the Denon RC969?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Will the Harmony Remote record all the buttons from the Denon RC969?

It should. The Harmony can download info via the internet on just about any brand of any A/V product. The RC969 is actually an aftermarket type all in one remote just like the Harmony. It will do everything the Harmony will. It's just that people complain about it being hard to see in bright light, and they don't like the flat touchpad. The RC969 actually turns on all of my components at once, something the Harmony is known for and a lot of other multifunction remotes cannot.