Help Needed

[newbietoaudio]

Hello Experts


I just ordered the Denon AVR-686 7.1 http://www.usa.denon.com/AVR686.pdf

I have been trying to find reviews and all I have found was negative ones I talked to a couple of my friends and they said Denon makes pretty good recievers my budget only allowed for the 686 model and not the 3805 that I have heard great things about well my question to the experts on this board did I make a bad decision? I can always send it back!

 

[markw]

Where did you read these reviews?

I can't seem to find any reviews at all, either negative or positive. I'd like to read them.

But, on the whole, I don't think there's anything wrong with either Denon itself or this receiver from what I can read in the specs.

 

[westcott]

Hi,

Denon makes great products and this is no exception.

The only thing I do not see that may or may not be of importance to you is bass management.

I see you can set the crossover points but I see no distance features or dB settings for individual speakers.

Bass Management is MANDATORY for SACD and DVD audio and for good HT sound.

I could be wrong because I just was reading the cut sheet you supplied.

I do not know what the price difference is for a Denon with bass management, but I would try to get a unit that has it if this is a long term purchase.

 

[newbietoaudio]

Here is the one review I found/bass management

Thanks for the reply guys


here is the one review I found
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B000A76ZRK/ref=dp_nav_1/102-1811385-9364944?_encoding=UTF8&n=172282&s=electronics

also I left a message with Denon customer service and they left me a voice mail and stated that the 686 model does have bass management if you set the front speakers to small it will automatically cross over at 100 hertz to the subwoofer but it doesn't offer a variable crossover frequency however the 786 model does

Don't know what the hell this means Please look pass my ignorance and can some one explain and please remember I am new to this


Oh yes almost forgot this reciever will be used for strictly watching movies I purchased a set of mirage nanostat speakers I went to the Magnolia and they demo them for me and I really like the sound as well I can't get any floor speakers ( I have a destructive 2 year old)

 

[westcott]

Many would consider 100Hz is a tad high for a crossover setting.

Also, there are two other parts to bass management. One is the ability to set the distances from the primary seating position to every speaker and the second is to be able to set the dB (volume) level for each individual speaker so that they all play at equal volume.

If you feel this is a long term investment and you want these features, let us know and we can help you select the right receiver from their product line that best meets your budget.

 

[newbietoaudio]

Recommendation

This will be a long term investment should I just stop being cheap and jump up to the 3806? being that I have A samsung DLP and a samsung HD Dvd and a direct tv HD Reciever just don't know if I could justify the $1300 to my wife

 

[markw]

Well, tge bass management does appear to bea little weak, but...

Thanks for the reply guys


here is the one review I found
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B000A76ZRK/ref=dp_nav_1/102-1811385-9364944?_encoding=UTF8&n=172282&s=electronics

also I left a message with Denon customer service and they left me a voice mail and stated that the 686 model does have bass management if you set the front speakers to small it will automatically cross over at 100 hertz to the subwoofer but it doesn't offer a variable crossover frequency however the 786 model does

Don't know what the hell this means Please look pass my ignorance and can some one explain and please remember I am new to this


Oh yes almost forgot this reciever will be used for strictly watching movies I purchased a set of mirage nanostat speakers I went to the Magnolia and they demo them for me and I really like the sound as well I can't get any floor speakers ( I have a destructive 2 year old)

...that lone negative revew going on about 7.1, 3.1 and DPL show thast the guy who wrote it is an idiot. He has no comprehension of the subject.

ALL Denon remotes, and many others, are complesx anf require a bit of living with. As for manuals, these ain't plug and play two slice toasters. They try to pack a lot of features into these receivers and use as few buttons as possible to access them. Sometimes a bit of reading is required, which does not seem to be that bozo's strong point.

I'd say it ain't bad fora budget receiver but sometimes going up a little can help. It may not always bring "more" sound but it can add more features, such as more complex bass management.. That jump from your $400 receiver to a $1200 receiver is quite a jump. I'm sure there are models in between, no?

 

[Sheep]

If bass management is a concern for you, I would send it back and grab a Yamaha HTR model. They all have bass management.

The deal with bass management is setting the crossover Frequency between the subwoofer and speakers. If the speakers can play below 100Hz, you should set it lower then 100Hz. With this receiver, you don't have that option. Also, bass frequency's become directional above 80Hz, so if your subwoofer is in a corner, you could pin point its location (its supposed to blend in and not be located).

Westcott,

I beleive level trim and bass management are different things. Same with speaker distances. My receiver doesn't have bass mgt. and I can set levels and distances.

SheepStar

 

[bobbydigital]

I would be wary of the HTR series. Aren't they rated at peak power or 10% THD or something?

 

[Buckle-meister]

I beleive level trim and bass management are different things.

They are. Bass management is what allows you to integrate a sub with the rest of your speakers (i.e. crossover settings etc.).

 

[mfabien]

... My receiver doesn't have bass mgt. and I can set levels and distances.

SheepStar

Your receiver is covered in the same Owner's Manual as mine. On page 39 and 40, for speaker set, read where you use SML for speakers:

"The unit directs the low-frequency signals (90 Hz and below) ... to the speakers with "IE BASS". And if the SWFR is the choice, then the LFE is directed only to the sub.

In other words, you have a fixed crossover at 90 Hz.

 

[Takeereasy]

Newbie, you have a ton of choices well under $1000 that will do a fantastic job for you.

Dakmart has the Denon 3805 (last years model) for $679. Yes it's a refurb but they are authorized dealers and offer a one year warranty. http://dakmart.com/website/ItemDetail.asp?ItemId=41296&cID=111

Denon is great but other brands to consider include Marantz, Yamaha, Pioneer Harman Kardon and Onkyo. There are others but I think this gives you a good base of "budget" or "mid-fi" companies that offer the best bang for the buck if you are on a budget, like most of us. I'll give a few links so you can price these guys out and get some good sites to start shopping on.

Onkyo 703 ($599 once you add to cart) http://www.onecall.com/ProductDetails.aspx?sHist=12-125&menu=true&Page=1&id=29487

Yamaha 5860 ($349) and you can get the 5890 for $599 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=371381&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Marantz 7400 ($650), I own the 8400 and I love it. Built like a darn tank, but the other receivers are more feature laden. http://www.accessories4less.com/cgi-bin/item/MARSR7400

Pioneer Models to consider: 1015 & 915. Lots of online dealers.

The benifits of buying online from an authorized online dealer are usually no tax and lower prices and you can still take it to your local authorized repair shop. The models I've listed are by no means the only models to do the job you need done, they are just some of the most popular. Good luck with the receiver hunt.

 

[westcott]

I tend to lump the three together because it seems all the manufacturers seem to. I do not consider fixed crossover settings true bass management. It is more like bass dictation, and more often than not, too high.

No matter what receiver you buy, if this is a long term investment, than I would have to include HDMI switching. HDCP will be enforced sooner than later so that is why I suggest you spend a little more now. Never mind the better possible video quality.

Otherwise, an HDMI switch will cost you US$250 approximately. Add that price into a reciever cost and you can quickly start to justify its inclusion. Not to mention up\down conversion of all your video inputs with some recievers.

If you decide that SACD and DVD audio is for you, then a receiver with a proprietary digital link would be ideal, providing bass management, dB control, speaker distances, and maintain digital continuity.

Lots of things to consider and I apologize if I have just complicated the matter.

 

[t3031999]

I would be wary of the HTR series. Aren't they rated at peak power or 10% THD or something?

The HTR as ratings for power are as high as 10% THD, but it has the same amp section as the RX-V1500, so the it's really a 120W amp at .04% THD. They just post the 140W at .08% or 170 at 10% ratings depending on whether they are attracting power hungry people (HTR line at best buy) or quality hungry people (RX-V line at nicer stores).

But they both still have the same amp section. Just tested in different ways.

 

[newbietoaudio]

eyes on the 4306

Thanks for all the input and help after carefully reviewing and doing some serious thinking I am going to send the denon avr-686 back and jump up to the 4306 it has all the bells and whistles and most importantly has the ability to convert analog to HDMI as well as the internet radio capability and the ability to stream audio from a Windows P.C. Only problem is I may be sleeping on the couch for a while when my wife finds out how much I spent on it

 

[newbietoaudio]

is it worth it?

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JVC's latest generation of A/V control receivers feature a sleek profile to complement todays home theater systems. Incorporated into this beautifully designed 7.1 channel x 150W receiver you will find and abundance of features. H.D.M.I. , Wireless USB - PC Link,On Screen Display, Center Channel Alignment, Virtual Surround Back, Quick Speaker Setup and more.



JVC Surround Sound Receiver (RXD702B)
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Only thing is I don't know much about JVC