Denon 2023 range X3900H/X4900H/X6800H announcement....!!??

[popej]

However, when listening to music in Pure Direct/Pure Audio mode, the Denon is a fairly significant downgrade compared to the Onkyo.

Direct mode makes a plain old amp from an AVR. It is really doubtful that there is any sonic difference between that kind of amps. In other words, rigorous blind testing is needed to claim differences.
IMHO you cripple the AVR using direct mode. Turn on Audyssey to get better stereo.

 

[Oddball]

Rant? Just gave my impression. Idk how measurements will make it sound better to me . I’m sure someone will Measure soon and maybe it measures great. It’s a newer product, someone might value my initial impression. I have no horse in This race, in fact I went out of my way to get the Denon because I prefer a Denon feature. Hoping to hear others impressions, I don’t need to them to measure to give an opinion.

You at least need to find a way to better deliver you message, whatever that is. And unfortunately no measurement no love or credibility around here - for the most part.

 

[Bizznesssox]

You at least need to find a way to better deliver you message, whatever that is. And unfortunately no measurement no love or credibility around here - for the most part.

You’re insufferable . I respect the measurements stuff though, I do agree that’s more important than any impression I could give. I’ll let you give your annoying responses in the thousands to many more.

 

[Ruediger]

I fed both analog through my phone and JCally JM20 DAC, questyle m15i and over AirPlay. I didn’t say it sounded bad, it was just quite inferior to the RZ70, I described the best I could on the differences in my post. It probably should be inferior, just didn’t expect this big of a difference.

I think the JCally qualifies as an excellent analog source for a pure direct stereo analog pre-amp -> volume IC -> amp comparison.

I just assume it is the same thing in the Onkyo. Is it?

To compare apples need to be apples. Volume especially.

There is so much to set up with an AVR. All of which will be interesting to compare when actually using the DAC, room correction, a comprehensive speaker layout, etc. - just not for a raw stereo analog comparison.

 

[Power Pop 23]

Recent AVR's from Sony and JBL omit a jack for wired headphones.

I appreciate Denon retaining a headphone jack on their new '2900' and '3900' AVR's.

 

[doodlebro]

You, my good sir, are a saint.

The receiver is on it's way to Amir this week. I hope it helps Denon sell a lot more!

 

[peng]

The receiver is on it's way to Amir this week. I hope it helps Denon sell a lot more!

@amirm , if and when you measure the 3900, could you please test the pre out preamp mode to 4 V or 3 V if concerned about overdriving it, that is if the owner (presumably doodlebro?) agrees. I am asking because you did push the RZ30 to almost 4 V recently.

If Onkyo can do it I am sure Denon's can as well. Also would be nice to measure without the power amp section disconnected just to see if Denon has improved in that scenario, like Marantz had since the SR8015 (Gene also measured that one and found that even in non preamp mode, without disconnecting the power amps, SINAD was only a couple dB lower iirc). More work for you for sure but I am too tempted to ask.

 

[Power Pop 23]

AC4L dot com is selling 'refurbished' Denon '2900' and '3900' AVR's with a 1-year Denon warranty for $999 and $1,499 respectively.

DENON AVR-X2900H 7.2-Ch x 95 Watts 8K A/V Receiver w/HEOS

Denon Factory Refurbished

www.accessories4less.com

DENON AVR-X3900H 9.4-Ch x 105 Watts 8K A/V Receiver w/HEOS

Denon Factory Refurbished

www.accessories4less.com

 

[amper42]

AC4L dot com is selling 'refurbished' Denon '2900' and '3900' AVR's with a 1-year Denon warranty for $999 and $1,499 respectively.

DENON AVR-X2900H 7.2-Ch x 95 Watts 8K A/V Receiver w/HEOS

Denon Factory Refurbished

www.accessories4less.com

DENON AVR-X3900H 9.4-Ch x 105 Watts 8K A/V Receiver w/HEOS

Denon Factory Refurbished

www.accessories4less.com

Never buy a Denon Refurb receiver. It's a huge gamble. The box is not as ridged as the "New" Factor box and the unit can easily be damaged in shipping. You never know it until 6 months later the height channels don't work or the sound is full of static. That was my experience. If you can pick it up directly at a reseller you may have a better experience? But, return shipping + shipping it out to a new owner for the third trip is highly risky. I would never do it again.

 

[Oddball]

I would be happy with the standard tests, but perhaps this would be a good opportunity to test the unit with EQ engaged as well. We always wonder what EQ does to measurements, and perhaps this AVR is a good place to start. I understand this presents difficulties and additional time for review, but would be well worth it.

ASR has done so much for AVRs and this could be a first that we all so much deserve. Not saying that each AVR should be tested that way, but at least one would be a great way to go as it represents the new AVR that will be around for a while and is posed to be the best selling AVR of them all. If this looks like I am on my knees and begging, well be it. I would really want to know, and sure that others would agree, even if not on their knees.

 

[bing]

@amirm please test the phono input on the x3900h. It would be interesting to see how is stands up to some of the stand alone phono preamps you have tested. Thanks

 

[abdo123]

Has anyone discussed or summarised already what the new features are compared to previous gen?

 

[SynthesisCinema]

Has anyone discussed or summarised already what the new features are compared to previous gen?

Improved 32-bit 8-channel DAC (Cirrus Logic)
LE Audio Bluetooth and Dolby Atmos streaming via AirPlay 2
New Web UI 2.0 interface with HDMI Diagnostics
1440p pass-through, with AMD FreeSync support
New Centre Bi-Amp mode
Dolby Atmos Channel Expander
Channel Level Monitor
New backlit remote
Wireless surround speakers functionality with Denon Home speakers
USB Power at rear

 

[abdo123]

Improved 32-bit 8-channel DAC (Cirrus Logic)
LE Audio Bluetooth and Dolby Atmos streaming via AirPlay 2
New Web UI 2.0 interface with HDMI Diagnostics
1440p pass-through, with AMD FreeSync support
New Centre Bi-Amp mode
Dolby Atmos Channel Expander
Channel Level Monitor
New backlit remote
Wireless surround speakers functionality with Denon Home speakers
USB Power at rear

Thank you so much, are there any other streamers atm who can do dolby atmos via airplay 2 ?

 

[EWL5]

Thank you so much, are there any other streamers atm who can do dolby atmos via airplay 2 ?

More importantly, which Apple devices can stream Dolby Atmos over Airplay2?

 

[middlemarch]

More importantly, which Apple devices can stream Dolby Atmos over Airplay2?

None, that I'm aware of. Airplay has always been 2 channel, although there's plenty of bandwidth for more, it does HD video just fine.

 

[popej]

Thank you so much, are there any other streamers atm who can do dolby atmos via airplay 2 ?

Maybe ask directly: can HEOS stream Atmos?

 

[EWL5]

None, that I'm aware of. Airplay has always been 2 channel, although there's plenty of bandwidth for more, it does HD video just fine.

Feature sounds like the solution to the question no one ever asked!

 

[early rejecter]

More importantly, which Apple devices can stream Dolby Atmos over Airplay2?

Any device running iOS 18.

 

[escape2]

Let's wait and see how the price of the 3900H progresses.

Currently I would buy the 3800H for under 1k again anytime. Incredible value.

Where can you find 3800h for under $1K?