If you're familiar with the Denon 3805, I need help!

[slmcdonald7]

Hi,
I just purchased a Denon 3805 and want to use it to play CD's in my living room (where my main speakers are located) and in my office (where I have bookshelf speakers located). The salesperson at the audio store where I purchased it said to use the Zone 2 selection to do so, but after reading and re-reading and re-reading the manual and trying everything I could think of, I can't get ANY sound out of the speakers in my office. The CD player works fine and plays out of my front speakers, but not my office.

Do I need a separate amplifier to run Zone 2 or is the answer something more simple than that?

I have a Kenwood A/V receiver (that was replaced by the 3805). Could I use this for a separate amplifier for my Zone 2 speakers (if I even need one?)

Help me please,
Stephen

 

[keenan]

I've never used Zone 2 for anything but I have read somewhere that Zone 2 does not work with digital inputs, try an input using an analog source and see if it works.

Jim

 

[Unregistered]

3805 and digital audio....

The 3805 has issues with routing digital audio sources (i.e. CD, DVD) through to the Zone 2/3 outputs (pre-amp AND powered). What I had to do was select an analog input (VCR-2 in my case) and use a set of RCA's to hook it up. I only figured this out after visiting the Denon USA website and trolling through their FAQ section - the manual doesn't really mention this specifically. I was a little disappointed when I discovered this, but I still think this is one of the best receivers out there for the money.

 

[slmcdonald7]

Thanks for the input, I apprecieate it.

I called the Denon help line today, and after talking with a member of their super helpful tech support staff, I have solved the problem!

Needless to say, it was user error that caused the problem, not this wonderful receiver!

 

[Unregistered]

Denon Avr-3802

Someone please help ! This sounds like an identical matter I cannot resolve with my Denon AVR-3802.. It doesn't have the normal A/B Speaker concept..it is 7.1 supportable as well. I have installed speakers on my porch and I want the same source playing in my living room to play on the porch, or perhaps, just turn off the speakers on the porch and just play the living room, A/B concept. The Receivier has multi-zone and I'm not concerned with using a separate amp unit and trying to play one source in one room and another source in a 2nd room. I changed my system setup currently to 5.1 (no subwoofer) so that it does not think the porch speakers are meant to be additional surrounds, which can't be controlled in the A/B concept. Someone please let me know how I can utilize this multizone feature just like the original post was seeking to understand for his model receiver, same idea, and tech support is a dead end wait. Thanks. John, Columbus, GA

 

[Paul F]

Hi Stephen,
Care to enlighten another newbie to the 3805 what the operator error was and what the fix was??

 

[Unregistered]

I have the same problem with Zone2

I hooked up a 3805 for a client yesterday and also failed to get output of zone 2. I am pretty sure I went through the setup properly, and I ran an analog set of cables from the dvd player in hopes that this would solve the problem. I have seen the issue before where a digital input will not convert to analog for second room outputs, and that is why I ran the analog lines. I can listen to either digital or analog from the main outputs, but have been unable to get anything out of the zone 2 outputs. This client is having a party this weekend and needs to have his outdoor speakers working.

 

[Unregistered]

3805 and multi-room

you are correct that a digital signal apparantly cannot be fed to another room. I have my 5.1 set-up in the living room and two channels on the porch where I can play the same source or a different source from the living room - it's great. It's been a while now, but I think I can remember. The rear surround amps need to be assigned to zone 2 in the setup menu - select zone 2 on the remote - select a source for zone 2 - adjust the volume for zone 2 - you should hear sound in zone 2. I'm not at home right now, let me know if it doesn't work and I'll look at it tonight. There may be one thing I'm missing, I'm not sure. The rear surround amps have to be switched on with the remote - I don't think it is possible on the receiver itself.

 

[slmcdonald7]

Hmmm... this is embarassing

Paul (and unregistered),

I am embarassed to admit it, but the problem was purely one of operator error. I didn't realize that there were separate volume controls for zone 2, so I went days connecting and re-connecting all of the appropriate wires and cables and running through the set-up menu time and time again until I finally broke down and called Denon. Boy did I feel dumb when they told me that to fix my problem I only needed to adjust the volume for Zone 2.

In my defense, the remote can be a little confusing at first...

Hope this helps,
Stephen

 

[mtrycrafts]

Paul (and unregistered),

I am embarassed to admit it, but the problem was purely one of operator error. I didn't realize that there were separate volume controls for zone 2, so I went days connecting and re-connecting all of the appropriate wires and cables and running through the set-up menu time and time again until I finally broke down and called Denon. Boy did I feel dumb when they told me that to fix my problem I only needed to adjust the volume for Zone 2.

In my defense, the remote can be a little confusing at first...

Hope this helps,
Stephen

Why is it embarrassing? The manual is a texbook size
then everything is packed into it. It is daunting to figure some aspects out especially if you don't use those aspects much or at all. Not very intuitive and, as you indicate, remote is another problem area.
I bet the people who test this out know it inside out and is intuitive for them

 

[Paul F]

Roger that!

mtrycrafts is exactly right. There is only so much you can internalize from a manual. I hope to get my speakers in a couple of weeks and will then be setting up my 3805 (still in the box). You won't believe all the newbie, stupid questions I post then!!!!

 

[Unregistered]

Denon Avr-3802

Okay, I quickly glanced at the replies, but I too finally made a call to a local dealer to see what I was doing wrong (Operator Error)... yes, I learned a couple things mentioned here of which I can go back and try to see where the manual 'attempted' to convey that poorly in no easy to understand context. (1) I had a button for multi/rec on my receiver which controls the source of the multizone - well, for starters, it was set to the 'record' option.
(2) I now understand that to work the multizone of speakers, I have to assign the remote to the 'multi' assignment and then assign the input..
(3) I had to hook up rca cables for audio to my reciever, even though I had optical (?) or some other digital connection, so that I could choose CD option (analog) and listen to cd's on my porch with multizone...If I use my main speakers on amp assignment, I of course use the 'DVD' source to play the cds..(don't ask me why, but it sounds better, right or wrong)... So, I showed my ignorance, but I appreciate everyone's replies and as I learn more about these sophisticated electronics I've been buying I will go back and reread the threads to where they make even more sense as time goes by.
Thanks all!