Quick Question Regarding Denon's "Source Level" Function

[John Lohmann]

Much like Onkyo's old "IntelliVolume" system on their classic AVRs, Denon's receivers soldier on with what's called "Source Level," supposedly working the same wherein a certain preamp level can be set for each individual device connected, in a range from "-12dB to "+12dB."

While I do use the system for my Blu-ray player's connection to my AVR-X2800, I was wondering if the Source Level affects both DIGITAL and ANALOG sections of the AVR...does anyone know? I've read some conflicting stuff on this, with some saying it only works with analog sources. I'm hooked up only digitally from my Blu-ray player to the 2800 via HDMI, so I was curious.

 

[Hobbit]

While I do use the system for my Blu-ray player's connection to my AVR-X2800, I was wondering if the Source Level affects both DIGITAL and ANALOG sections of the AVR...does anyone know? I've read some conflicting stuff on this, with some saying it only works with analog sources. I'm hooked up only digitally from my Blu-ray player to the 2800 via HDMI, so I was curious.

Is it not working on with your Blu Ray player?

On my Denon it clearly works with digital inputs. When adjusting the Source Level for the input on my Roku for instance, the output volume follows the adjustment. My assumption is that it's done digitally by increasing/decreasing the number that represents the output volume.

Likewise with Analog input signals, to the best of my knowledge with Denon AVRs (and probably most other modern AVRs), these signals are converted to digital before sending them to the amplifier. Thus, adjusting the source level works the same.

 

[lovinthehd]

Denon separates analog vs digital gain with that function from what I've seen on my various Denon units and specifies it.

 

[carlosmiguez75]

Much like Onkyo's old "IntelliVolume" system on their classic AVRs, Denon's receivers soldier on with what's called "Source Level," supposedly working the same wherein a certain preamp level can be set for each individual device connected, in a range from "-12dB to "+12dB."

While I do use the system for my Blu-ray player's connection to my AVR-X2800, I was wondering if the Source Level affects both DIGITAL and ANALOG sections of the AVR...does anyone know? I've read some conflicting stuff on this, with some saying it only works with analog sources. I'm hooked up only digitally from my Blu-ray player to the 2800 via HDMI, so I was curious.

From what I’ve gathered, the Source Level feature should affect both digital and analog inputs on your Denon AVR-X2800.

 

[John Lohmann]

Is it not working on with your Blu Ray player?

On my Denon it clearly works with digital inputs. When adjusting the Source Level for the input on my Roku for instance, the output volume follows the adjustment. My assumption is that it's done digitally by increasing/decreasing the number that represents the output volume.

Likewise with Analog input signals, to the best of my knowledge with Denon AVRs (and probably most other modern AVRs), these signals are converted to digital before sending them to the amplifier. Thus, adjusting the source level works the same.

Thank you -- it wasn't that it was NOT working, I just wanted to be sure, as I recently dropped the level I originally set the Blu-ray input to (+10dB) to +9dB because I think I may have heard some brief clipping when pushing the volume up. I am not experiencing that now, unless it's placebo, so SOMETHING must have changed.

Thanks again for your reply.

 

[John Lohmann]

From what I’ve gathered, the Source Level feature should affect both digital and analog inputs on your Denon AVR-X2800.

Thanks for the reply -- I read conflicting stuff on this, so figured I'd ask you guys.

 

[John Lohmann]

Denon separates analog vs digital gain with that function from what I've seen on my various Denon units and specifies it.

Thanks Lovin -- do you mean it affects BOTH analog and digital signals?

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks Lovin -- do you mean it affects BOTH analog and digital signals?

Just that it provides for separate adjustment of the two types of inputs, up to you whether you use both or not for a given source. Only reason I usually have both a digital and analog input for a given source would be for zones (and the only of my avrs that I use zones on I don't needs to adjust source levels).

 

[TankTop5]

What’s weird is I notice different gain levels between streaming sources. What I mean by that is when using my smart TV as my source, Netflix,, Amazon Prime and Disney all have different gains streaming from the same source. Kind of like how sometimes a commercial will have a higher gain than the TV show that you’re watching. I wish there was some way to mitigate this and level match all of them. I know this doesn’t address the question.

 

[Verdinut]

There's also various output levels among CDs. Consequently, when this happens you can adjust the playback volume on your system.

 

[lovinthehd]

There's also various output levels among CDs. Consequently, when this happens you have to adjust the playback volume on your system.

That'd be easier than trying to use the source level adjustment within a media type....

 

[Hobbit]

That'd be easier than trying to use the source level adjustment within a media type....

Yeah, and even within a streaming app the volume can vary significantly. I was just watching a show on Netflix. When it ended and went back to previews, I jumped out of my seat it was so loud compared to the show's volume.

 

[John Lohmann]

Just that it provides for separate adjustment of the two types of inputs, up to you whether you use both or not for a given source. Only reason I usually have both a digital and analog input for a given source would be for zones (and the only of my avrs that I use zones on I don't needs to adjust source levels).

Oh, okay; so it would affect analog or digital, depending on what's assigned for that input name...

 

[John Lohmann]

That'd be easier than trying to use the source level adjustment within a media type....

As I stated in that other thread, some of us just prefer that the master volume number doesn't have to get as high in the range in order to achieve a satisfactory playback level. Systems like Denon's Source Level and Onkyo's former IntelliVolume compensate for this.

 

[John Lohmann]

There's also various output levels among CDs. Consequently, when this happens you can adjust the playback volume on your system.

Yes, I'm aware that there are varying mastering levels amongst sources, whether it's DVDs, Blu-rays or CDs. And, of course, you can just raise the master volume when one doesn't seem to be as "punchy" as another. But as I explained to Lovin, there are some folks who prefer a system to be on the louder side with a lower overall master volume number, and these source input leveling systems (Onkyo used to call it "IntelliVolume," but they dropped it from their newer AVRs...something that was a dealbreaker to me, and was one of the reasons I went with a Denon to replace my old TX-SR605) help achieve that.

 

[John Lohmann]

What’s weird is I notice different gain levels between streaming sources. What I mean by that is when using my smart TV as my source, Netflix,, Amazon Prime and Disney all have different gains streaming from the same source. Kind of like how sometimes a commercial will have a higher gain than the TV show that you’re watching. I wish there was some way to mitigate this and level match all of them. I know this doesn’t address the question.

THAT is precisely what these source leveling systems are supposed to do. That's why they're there.

 

[lovinthehd]

As I stated in that other thread, some of us just prefer that the master volume number doesn't have to get as high in the range in order to achieve a satisfactory playback level. Systems like Denon's Source Level and Onkyo's former IntelliVolume compensate for this.

Reminds me of older gear where some sort of capability was assumed by the position of the volume knob....but hey, if it works for you....

Yeah, and even within a streaming app the volume can vary significantly. I was just watching a show on Netflix. When it ended and went back to previews, I jumped out of my seat it was so loud compared to the show's volume.

More and more, particularly with the video streaming services, the volume levels are all over the place. Particularly youtube content. I just went to look for a volume leveling type setting in youtube and found one I hadn't noticed before, the "Stable Volume" setting. It was on already, so apparently it is of limited value as I still get wide swings (but probably very much due differing production values from a variety of makers). I hate automatic previews, particularly audio so I try and turn that stuff off.

 

[John Lohmann]

Reminds me of older gear where some sort of capability was assumed by the position of the volume knob....but hey, if it works for you....

Even NEWER gear allows you to control the position of the volume level via a knob.

But what these leveling systems were more akin to were the "sensitivity control knobs" on power amps of the past, where you could sort of "jack them up" so the speakers responded at a lower volume level.

More and more, particularly with the video streaming services, the volume levels are all over the place. Particularly youtube content. I just went to look for a volume leveling type setting in youtube and found one I hadn't noticed before, the "Stable Volume" setting. It was on already, so apparently it is of limited value as I still get wide swings (but probably very much due differing production values from a variety of makers). I hate automatic previews, particularly audio so I try and turn that stuff off.

While it could happen with physical media as well (as I hinted at above), this is one of the major reasons I stay away from any kind of streaming.