Denon AVR-X3700H AVR Review

[ban25]

I'm feeling my loudspeakers, 5x full range high end Focal, have harsh highs with this Denon at high volume, compared to my previous stereo NAD M2 amplifier.
I'm wondering if it is not because of a lack of power to drive them.

I'm wondering if someone got a better sound and dynamics with an external amp like a purifi/hypex?
I'm thinking about a 5 channel Purifi 1ET6525SA or NCX500 From Apollon Audio or Boxem.

Before investing in an amp, it's a good idea to procure a UMIK-1 and measure your system with REW. That will give you objective evidence of what you're hearing.

 

[Vincentponcet]

Before investing in an amp, it's a good idea to procure a UMIK-1 and measure your system with REW. That will give you objective evidence of what you're hearing.

Can UMIK-1 measure distortion ?
I thought it was for room measurement.
The denon already has a mic for room EQ correction with Audissey.

 

[ban25]

Can UMIK-1 measure distortion ?
I thought it was for room measurement.
The denon already has a mic for room EQ correction with Audissey.

Yes you can measure distortion with a UMIK-1 and REW. This is how Amir and Erin measure distortion in their speaker reviews.

 

[antcollinet]

Can UMIK-1 measure distortion ?
I thought it was for room measurement.
The denon already has a mic for room EQ correction with Audissey.

Yes you can measure distortion with a UMIK-1 and REW. This is how Amir and Erin measure distortion in their speaker reviews.

But you have got to be really careful putting high level test tones through a speaker - both for the health of your speaker - and your hearing.

 

[Bucking]

With a 5.2.2 system would you get a Denon X3700H (used 550€) or a X3800H (new for 777€)

I currently have a X1700H and would really like independent subwoofer outputs and MultEQ XT32.

 

[JinxPL]

I seem to be having problems with this amp.
Yesterday added 2 rear atmos speakers to the 5.1.2 set-up (resulting in 5.1.4).

Whenever I put the device in 9.1 mode, front R height dies.
Switching back to 5.1.2 restores it back.

Funnily enough, I get a test sound using denon menu.
Any help appreciated.

 

[rvsixer]

I seem to be having problems with this amp.
Yesterday added 2 rear atmos speakers to the 5.1.2 set-up (resulting in 5.1.4).

Whenever I put the device in 9.1 mode, front R height dies.
Switching back to 5.1.2 restores it back.

Funnily enough, I get a test sound using denon menu.
Any help appreciated.

I have a newer Denon model, but I'd start with the tables in the Assign Mode section of the manual. Make sure ALL those settings are correct for your speaker setup.

 

[JinxPL]

Yes, everything works accordingly with the manual.

Funnily enough, the test sound from FHL and FHR preceeds with a 'switch' as if an amp was doing some weird switch.

If I set it to 11.2 (just for the purpose of testing) every channel play except the FHR (FHL plays without the static 'switch' sound).
If I crank up the volume nearly to the max in this mode, I can hear the FHR playing vaguely albeit with crackling.

Opened it up and cleaned but nothing helped.
Seems like a hardware problem somewhere...

 

[rvsixer]

Since the AVR test tones work fine, I'm inclined to think it's a routing issue due to incorrect setup. The clicking sounds are normal, it's the relays doing thier routing thing. Maybe do a firmware upgrade and a complete factory reset and start from scratch. Good luck!

 

[JinxPL]

Done both already.
Checked cables on unused ports as well (just to to desperately try everything in my might).
FHL works, FHR doesn't once rear HL and HRs are enabled.

 

[JinxPL]

(plus, test tone doesn't work for FHR ONLY in 11.2 mode)

 

[rvsixer]

(plus, test tone doesn't work for FHR ONLY in 11.2 mode)

Well okay then, the story keeps changing. And then there's the confusion between amp assign and speaker selections too....

 

[Artsfols]

(plus, test tone doesn't work for FHR ONLY in 11.2 mode)

Have you tried flipping the speaker connections between L and R, just so you know is it not the speaker? (I know you got a test tone in both, but you never know for sure.)

 

[JinxPL]

Have you tried flipping the speaker connections between L and R, just so you know is it not the speaker? (I know you got a test tone in both, but you never know for sure.)

Yes, I have.
To no avail.

I may post a video tomorrow to show you exactly what is happening; it is kind of hard to explain, so you may better see it yourself.
I have however tried everything there is.

 

[JinxPL]

I may record a video later on, but here's a more coherent summary of my findings that I've pasted on another forum.

Long story short:

used to drive a 5.1.2 set-up without a hitch; yesterday, finally decided to remodel the room and add the rear L/R heights I've had waiting in the attic forever.

Much to my surprise, whenever I switch the amp into 5.1.2 mode, the front R height stops working.
Checked terminals, switched cables, factory defaulted, reset the microchip - done it all.

1) it works in the sound test mode when amps are set to 5.1.2 mode, however whenever you switch between front R/L heights and rear R/L heights, there's a 'chink' sound, as if the amp turns itself on
2) when I set the amp to 11.2 mode (for the sake of trying every combination of settings), every speaker does play during sound test, except the very same front height right. Switching between rear heights and front heights does not generate the 'standby' click. If I max out the volume, i can hear it very, VERY faintly with a lot of crackling.

Is something wrong with the amp's power? Seems like its not getting adequate juice to drive all the 9 amps simultanously?

I have been suggested it may be a faulty relay switch somewhere?

 

[peng]

I may record a video later on, but here's a more coherent summary of my findings that I've pasted on another forum.

Long story short:

used to drive a 5.1.2 set-up without a hitch; yesterday, finally decided to remodel the room and add the rear L/R heights I've had waiting in the attic forever.

Much to my surprise, whenever I switch the amp into 5.1.2 mode, the front R height stops working.
Checked terminals, switched cables, factory defaulted, reset the microchip - done it all.

1) it works in the sound test mode when amps are set to 5.1.2 mode, however whenever you switch between front R/L heights and rear R/L heights, there's a 'chink' sound, as if the amp turns itself on
2) when I set the amp to 11.2 mode (for the sake of trying every combination of settings), every speaker does play during sound test, except the very same front height right. Switching between rear heights and front heights does not generate the 'standby' click. If I max out the volume, i can hear it very, VERY faintly with a lot of crackling.

Is something wrong with the amp's power? Seems like its not getting adequate juice to drive all the 9 amps simultanously?

I have been suggested it may be a faulty relay switch somewhere?

That does not sound right but I guess you might have some typos there.

Anyway, if you have already factory reset the unit, test tones showed all channels have outputs, and have followed the instructions such as below, then something have gone default, yes it could be a relay contact, the one the route the signal to the channel that you are not getting sound.

If it is a relay contact issue, then it likely would not have affected the pre outs, so when that channel is not making sound, you can try to measure the pre out voltage to confirm if it has output.

If there is pre out voltage, then you can either send the amp out for service if within warranty, or just buy one of those cheap Fosi V3 class D amp/monoblock for that channel. There could be other causes, but as you alluded to yourself, a defective relay seems like a likely scenario.

 

[ban25]

Perhaps Zone 2 is on. That would disable the HEIGHT 2 speakers from the main zone.

 

[JinxPL]

Perhaps Zone 2 is on. That would disable the HEIGHT 2 speakers from the main zone.

Nope. Zone 2 disabled.

As weird as it sounds, I have made no typos. I will make sure to record a vid tomorrow; sorry - didn't have much time today.
As for the pre-amp advice - I would definately go this route if denon made it possible to choose specific channels for pre-amping.

For this model however, it's either all channels in pre-amp mode or just front L/R.

 

[ban25]

Nope. Zone 2 disabled.

As weird as it sounds, I have made no typos. I will make sure to record a vid tomorrow; sorry - didn't have much time today.
As for the pre-amp advice - I would definately go this route if denon made it possible to choose specific channels for pre-amping.

For this model however, it's either all channels in pre-amp mode or just front L/R.

The pre-amp outputs are always live. So you can use this fact with a multimeter to verify whether it's just an amp problem or a processing issue.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

I have a very strange problem with my x3700h that I just realized for the first time, after over a year of use. The Front Left and Front Right amp channels seem to be internally swapped. The reason it took me so long to realize it is that I have been using preamp outs to my Hypex amps and the pre-outs are normal. I happen to be moving, and so my amps and Revel Performa's are in storage and I'm using the onboard amps and sure as shit, right is left and left is right.

I did a full firmware update and factory reset and the issue persists, anybody seen this before?