Music from IPod and CDs are terrible on Denon AVR.

[HardOfHearing]

Recently picked up a Denon AVR X1600H.
TV Shows, movies via satellite, streaming, or Blu-Ray player sound great.
Even the music channel via satellite sounds great.

Hooked up my ipod to the AVR via the Bluetooth option and it sounds terrible.
I have an older music CD recorded in Digital and gold plated and used the same Blu-Ray player (Sony UBP-X700) and it too sounded terrible.
Sony uses the HDMI cable and connects directly to the AVR.

Using other stand-alone, wireless speakers that connect via Bluetooth work great with the same IPod.

I sent an e-mail to Denon but don't expect to hear back for a few days especially since its the weekend.

Anyone stumble across a similar issue? Are there different settings when connect an IPod to an actual AVR as opposed to one of the little portable speakers?

 

[Mark E. Long]

Can you plug it in with a usb cable on the back or front of the avr . That would be your best connection if at all possible .

 

[HardOfHearing]

Can you plug it in with a usb cable on the back or front of the avr . That would be your best connection if at all possible .

Didn't think about it......but just tried it out?
The AVR doesn't recognize it.
Based on the manual, the latest IPod Touch version supported is 5th generation and mine is a 6th.
The 6th Gen is very old. Would have expected it to be supported with a fairly new AVR.

I wouldn't expect the version to matter when connected via Bluetooth and even if it did, there is still the issue of the music from CD not sounding very good.

Side note....I have not connected the AVR to the internet. Is there a place to check if my AVR has any outstanding firmware updates pending????

 

[Trebdp83]

What is the version of iOS on the iPod Touch? I know it is no longer supported but you should be able to run iOS 12. That will enable Airplay 2 if it is not at 12 already. Try using Airplay 2 to connect to the Denon after getting it connected to the network and installing any firmware updates. You may have different devices playing back in different modes when playing music. Set each to STEREO mode in the receiver when playing two channel music and see how they compare to one another. Hope you work it out.

 

[Mark E. Long]

Didn't think about it......but just tried it out?
The AVR doesn't recognize it.
Based on the manual, the latest IPod Touch version supported is 5th generation and mine is a 6th.
The 6th Gen is very old. Would have expected it to be supported with a fairly new AVR.

I wouldn't expect the version to matter when connected via Bluetooth and even if it did, there is still the issue of the music from CD not sounding very good.

Side note....I have not connected the AVR to the internet. Is there a place to check if my AVR has any outstanding firmware updates pending????

You could probably go the manufacturer sight and look up your model and see what the latest firmware version is . If you have a USB port there more than likely a use for it not sure what avr you have I’d have to look up your manual I prefer hard wired over Bluetooth if possible. There should be an info button on the remote that should display the units info firmware version etc .

 

[lovinthehd]

Denon last I checked wasn't doing too well with info about firmware updates. Generally I turn them off until I know there's something it's going to fix that I need/use. I'd do it old school via usb for safety rather than wi-fi, too.

You may like settings for movies but not same for music, but hard to know what you did to set up the avr (did you use Audyssey?) or what sound modes you're using or how you've setup your speakers/subs.....

I wouldn't use bluetooth when wifi is available, tho. I've no issues with a variety of optical disc players connected to several avrs (including two Denons) via hdmi, tho.

 

[HardOfHearing]

I greatly appreciate the helpful replies and hopefully you all don't feel like I am wasting your time, but here is what just happened.

It was last weekend that I tested and just didn't get around to posting today.
So, after posting and the first reply suggested to use the USB, I connected the iPod via USB and that didn't help.

Tried another model IPod and that didn't work either so i opted to try to see if that would connect via Bluetooth but the AVR picked up the original IPod instead and for some reason it sounded better.
Called in wife and she ask what I did changed to which I said "Nothing".
Then I inserted the same CD as last week and that sounded very good too.

I have no idea WTF changed or what button I hit but it sounds much better than it did last week.

Is possible to just delete this thread???

 

[lovinthehd]

You can ask a mod to delete, but you might just leave it here....it doesn't hurt and you may change your mind or find the old settings

 

[HardOfHearing]

If I do find the underlying cause, I will post in case it helps another illiterate audiophiles like myself.
It may very well be the settings on the sub just overpowering everything as I did make modifications recently.