Need monitor for older Denon for on screen setup

[TankTop5]

So my old NAD finally died and I grab the old Denon 1910. The sound is very thin and has no bass so I need to make some adjustments. I tried to use a laptop as the monitor and tried multiple different options via HDMI out from the Denon to the laptop and could not get a picture. I have an old computer monitor so I’m thinking HDMI to VGA adapter and maybe that will work. I just want to run odyssey but that’s pretty difficult with on the screen buttons and no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for the odyssey app.

 

[Pogre]

Sounds odd. Are you trying with a 4k monitor? I had the 1910 (and really liked it) and I think it only displays up to 1080p. Other than that you should be getting a picture...

 

[TLS Guy]

So my old NAD finally died and I grab the old Denon 1910. The sound is very thin and has no bass so I need to make some adjustments. I tried to use a laptop as the monitor and tried multiple different options via HDMI out from the Denon to the laptop and could not get a picture. I have an old computer monitor so I’m thinking HDMI to VGA adapter and maybe that will work. I just want to run odyssey but that’s pretty difficult with on the screen buttons and no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for the odyssey app.

It will probably work, if you use an active converter like this one. VGA is only video and analog and not digital. So you must use and active converter. Since it is an older receiver, you should consider using a voltage inserter to power it, so you don't blow up the HDMI board.

 

[TankTop5]

Sounds odd. Are you trying with a 4k monitor? I had the 1910 (and really liked it) and I think it only displays up to 1080p. Other than that you should be getting a picture...

Nope, older basic laptop. Windows supports using a laptop as a monitor but my HDMI board may not... just a thought.

 

[TankTop5]

It will probably work, if you use an active converter like this one. VGA is only video and analog and not digital. So you must use and active converter. Since it is an older receiver, you should consider using a voltage inserter to power it, so you don't blow up the HDMI board.

An active HDMI to VGA is about $50 or more, same price as a basic HDMI monitor. Honestly I don’t think spending money to make this work is a viable option.

 

[TankTop5]

My NAD205 sells for just under $200 on eBay for parts. The Denon 1910 cells for similar. I think maybe it’s time to sell both and get a new integrated.

 

[lovinthehd]

The 1910 won't work with the Audyssey app. Using the front panel alone can be done IIRC but agree is somewhat a pain. The vga connection might work, don't see how hdmi would help you with a computer, tho. No small tv in the house you can bring in there even temporarily?

 

[TankTop5]

The 1910 won't work with the Audyssey app. Using the front panel alone can be done IIRC but agree is somewhat a pain. The vga connection might work, don't see how hdmi would help you with a computer, tho. No small tv in the house you can bring in there even temporarily?

I managed to work through the on screen display, still not happy with the results.

Set speakers to large
Crossover 40hz
CD input set to direct (I think that means pure direct). Using iPhone dongle to RCA CD input.

The NAD sounded warmer and fuller and the Focal 706’s had great bass output positioned in the corners of a small room. The Denon sounds thin and very bright with no bass. Tomorrow I’ll try Audessey but so far it doesn’t sound good. In theory they should be able to be made to sound the same but there is a huge difference in sound.

The NAD I ran with bass and treble at 0 and loudness off. It simply sounds significantly better to me.

A 125 watt Denon with modern DAC and electronics should sound better than a 40 watt analog integrated amplifier but it’s not even a contest, not even close.

 

[lovinthehd]

Speakers set to large? Why a crossover? Is there a sub or not? DynamicEQ could perhaps help out, tho.

 

[TankTop5]

Speakers set to large? Why a crossover? Is there a sub or not? DynamicEQ could perhaps help out, tho.

Can’t use dynamic EQ until I run audessey. No sub and I don’t crank the volume so a full signal makes the most sense in my mind. I’ll run audessey tomorrow to see if that’s the missing link.

 

[lovinthehd]

As to the difference, hard to know what that's about. Could be influenced by what you read about integrated amps (receivers without a tuner so they're not magic, just limited use IMO). Did you start with a reset of the 1910? I've run a few Denons now and no issues with audio compared to even my 2ch separates, so not sure what the Nad was doing particularly for you....

 

[highfigh]

Is the AVR connected to your network? If so, find the IP address, open the browser on your computer and enter the AVR's IP address- you should be able to see the receiver's setup menu and can access it by clicking on the box near the bottom.

 

[Pogre]

A 125 watt Denon with modern DAC and electronics should sound better than a 40 watt analog integrated amplifier but it’s not even a contest, not even close.

It should sound the same under equal conditions and level matched...

Why set to large? Are you using a sub? And if so, why 40 hz? Seems really low for most speakers. I suspect expectation bias from reading too many golden eared articles.

 

[TankTop5]

It should sound the same under equal conditions and level matched...

Why set to large? Are you using a sub? And if so, why 40 hz? Seems really low for most speakers. I suspect expectation bias from reading too many golden eared articles.

Just listening in stereo at pretty low volume with no sub. Figured 20hz-20khz wouldn’t hurt anything at those levels. Also the bass is gone, was trying to find it. I think I’ll do a hard reset and see if maybe I clear an old Audyssey setting that’s still in there

 

[TankTop5]

You know a smart person would just bring it into the living room and hook it up to the tv...

 

[highfigh]

So my old NAD finally died and I grab the old Denon 1910. The sound is very thin and has no bass so I need to make some adjustments. I tried to use a laptop as the monitor and tried multiple different options via HDMI out from the Denon to the laptop and could not get a picture. I have an old computer monitor so I’m thinking HDMI to VGA adapter and maybe that will work. I just want to run odyssey but that’s pretty difficult with on the screen buttons and no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for the odyssey app.

Use the speaker level controls in the menu and turn one channel for the main speakers down- if the bass returns, check your wiring because that would mean a speaker wire is reversed.

 

[TankTop5]

Hooked it up in the living room and reset everything, sounds great now. Using the on screen display also showed me how to navigate the menu on the AVR itself without a monitor. Back in business. I still think the NAD had a little more bass output with bass job at 0 and loudness off vs Denon at original factory settings but I doubt that means anything.

 

[Pogre]

Hooked it up in the living room and reset everything, sounds great now. Using the on screen display also showed me how to navigate the menu on the AVR itself without a monitor. Back in business. I still think the NAD had a little more bass output with bass job at 0 and loudness off vs Denon at original factory settings but I doubt that means anything.

I still think your brain is telling your ears that the NAD is somehow inherently better...

 

[TankTop5]

I still think your brain is telling your ears that the NAD is somehow inherently better...

I think the NAD sounds a little different, warmer. In all likelihood the much older NAD may color the sound a little. Also the NAD is all analog, I’m using the CD inputs both NAD and Denon via Apple dongle to RCA’s. Would the signal on the Denon go through a DAC?

 

[lovinthehd]

I think the NAD sounds a little different, warmer. In all likelihood the much older NAD may color the sound a little. Also the NAD is all analog, I’m using the CD inputs both NAD and Denon via Apple dongle to RCA’s. Would the signal on the Denon go through a DAC?

If using rca inputs that's using the dongle's dacs, altho in order to perform dsp the Denon would need to convert adc/dac too. I'd just send the digital signal to the avr.....