Denon AVR-3808 and 4308 Upgrade

[admin]

Denon is now offering to update their AVR-3808 and AVR-4308 for new buyers (between September 1st and December 1st) for free and for $100 for everyone else. This upgrade will add a number of different functionalities including Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume, Rhapsody support and more.

Discuss "Denon AVR-3808 and 4308 Upgrade" here. Read the article.

 

[sheedoe]

Great News. Too bad Onkyo/Integra is not providing such an option for their 2007 line of receivers.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand I feel offended that they want my to pay $100 for a simple software update. On the other hand I am happy that they can offer improvements to my avr for a relatively low cost instead of me having to buy a new model to get them. I'm interested to hear what others think.

Jack

 

[PENG]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand I feel offended that they want my to pay $100 for a simple software update. On the other hand I am happy that they can offer improvements to my avr for a relatively low cost instead of me having to buy a new model to get them. I'm interested to hear what others think.

Jack

$100 for a few non essential features is way too much. If they drop the price to say less than $30, I would get it just for fun.

 

[sokrman14]

Agreed, $100 isnt worth it, but for about $30 it would already have been done.

 

[mike c]

good thing im not interested in that feature ... because 100 bucks is a bit high.

but then i have two units to share it with

 

[sheedoe]

I don't think $100 is too much at all. Onkyo introduced a new set of receivers that employ those features (without any other hardware changes from their 07 models) and for people who already own their previous generation receivers would have to buy another unit to get those features, far more expensive and frustrating than a simple $100 firmware upgrade. I would gladly pay 2-3 times that amount to get DynamicEQ for my 885.

 

[mike c]

can you pay for mine and peng's too? =300 bucks

just kidding!

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Well I can get this for free as I just bought my 3808....but I have heard about operating issues after the firmware update is installed....not to mention that not any of the features seem to be worth the trouble and certainly not $100....

 

[jinjuku]

I wonder how Denon is going to keep a group of people, like those at audioholics, from downloading the firmware update and privately pm'ing each other to pass it around along with the install routine?

 

[ohio]

I'm guessing the reason behind the $100 is that this one actually COSTS Denon money, even though it's only software. I don't know the exact terms, but Audyssey is a 3rd party. I would assume Denon has to pay Audyssey for each of these upgrades.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I just wish one of you would download it and see if you have issue so that I can decide if I am going to.

 

[PENG]

I'm guessing the reason behind the $100 is that this one actually COSTS Denon money, even though it's only software. I don't know the exact terms, but Audyssey is a 3rd party. I would assume Denon has to pay Audyssey for each of these upgrades.

I am guessing you guessed right but I am sure they put a healthy mark up on it too. If you compare the 3808 to the 875 and the 4308 to the 905, we already paid a significant premium to get the Denon instead of the equivalent (specs & feature wise) THX certified Onkyo/Integra models. Another $100 for just a few Audyssey features is just too much. Hopefully they will drop the price in a year or so.

 

[mike c]

thinking about it ... even if this was free. i'd be having doubts of upgrading my receivers.

i'm of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" club

aside from being a founding member of the "i'm too lazy" club
unless this could be done via a usb flash disk

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Right there with you man....I'm not hauling ethernet all over the place just to do it....

 

[PENG]

Right there with you man....I'm not hauling ethernet all over the place just to do it....

I guess I didn't pay $1k more to get the wifi 4308 for nothing!

 

[mike c]

show-off!

one day it will be the 5 series for me - i like how the pre-outs on the 5 series is laid out.

 

[ChrisSovari]

I did the upgrade late last night but haven't had a chance to use my receiver since. I will post if I find anything problems with mine.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Which route did you use? I was about to download it but you either have to pay the 100 bucks and they send you a $100 rebate by mail or you have to fill out and submit a form and they will email you instructions and codes for the download after 15-30 days.

Did you do this or did you just update the firmware to 1.95?

I did the upgrade late last night but haven't had a chance to use my receiver since. I will post if I find anything problems with mine.

 

[ChrisSovari]

I e-mailed Denon (there was a link in the thread I read from somewhere) support guy asked me to provide him with my Update ID from the unit and a proof of purchase. I sent him the info and he activated my unit to be able to access this update from their servers. I bought my unti Oct so the update was free.

http://www.usa.denon.com/upgrade/