Denon AVR-X3800H Review

[ban25]

He could use star quad instead of basic cables.

I found these guys a few years ago and used them for my subs. The Canare Quad L-4E6S is good stuff.

RCA Audio Cables | Pro Audio LA

Our unbalanced RCA cables can be configured to your exact needs with Mogami cable, and a variety of connectors from Neutrik. We can custom build your RCA cable to include a number of different connectors, including 1/4" TRS, 1/4" TS, XLR and SPDIF.

www.proaudiola.com

I've purchased cables from the same guys for years and can heartily recommend.

 

[decryption]

I don't know the specifics of why you need such long cables but would any combo of IR repeaters and/or web cam and Amazon Echo Show (or other similar video display) to show the front of the AVR be a better resolution?

I don't need to see the front of the AVR? I need to plug the speaker into the AVR! I have a 4.2m x 5.5m room, so the total length of the cable from the middle of the front to the rear of the back is ~10m, with 1m-ish of slack as the speakers are 1.2m off the floor and the amp is ~60cm off the floor.

I have a run of over 25 meters of quad-shielded RG6 to one of my subwoofers and have no noise whatsoever. Of course it is low frequency content anyway, but I suspect you will be fine even with full audio bandwidth. Remember, you can run HD video through quality RG6 at GHz frequencies. Don't listen to audiophile hand-wringing over our pathetic 20 kHz signals!

That's what I thought, but I thought I'd run it past the folks here anyways.

The kalis pick up noise on the rca inputs regardless of cable length in my environment. I use rca to xlr cables, and turn off the RCA input, which basically eliminate the noise on the lcr. I haven't done it yet on the two surrounds but I don't anticipate different results. The main drawback is that I seem to lose about 10db of output, but that doesn't bother me

Oof, that's what I was worried about. Looks like I might just try anyways as I already have a pair of speakers and the cables aren't that expensive. Will report back with what I find in a few days when the cables arrive.

 

[ooheadsoo]

Fwiw, my noise seems to be ground loop related, I'm hearing 60hz related harmonics, so I don't think it has anything at all to do with the length of the run.

 

[decryption]

Could it be an issue with the RCA inputs on the speakers themselves? Would be bad luck if it was happening on all 5 of the speakers though.

 

[ooheadsoo]

I've had the hum/hiss on other active and passive speakers in this room. Actually, I'm happy that I have the option to turn off the rcas and kill the noise. I really don't miss the missing 10db in any meaningful way. But back to the issue of wire run length, I don't have any problems to report

 

[marX]

Is the Denon AVCX 3800 still the go to buy?
BTW is the 3800 the same as the 3800H?

Thanks!

 

[peng]

Is the Denon AVCX 3800 still the go to buy?
BTW is the 3800 the same as the 3800H?

Thanks!

No such thing as 3800, only the avr or avc-x3800h, the avc is the same as the avr without the fm/am tuner.

 

[Starl1ght]

Have an opportunity buy a brand new x3800h for 900 Euro (964 USD). To compare - RZ50 costs 1500 eur, and Cinema 50 costs 1700eur.

I think in this price point I wont get anything better, despite that Amir dont recommend to buy x3800h?

 

[ban25]

Have an opportunity buy a brand new x3800h for 900 Euro (964 USD). To compare - RZ50 costs 1500 eur, and Cinema 50 costs 1700eur.

I think in this price point I wont get anything better, despite that Amir dont recommend to buy x3800h?

That's a great price! I'd buy...

 

[Moonbase]

I've had the hum/hiss on other active and passive speakers in this room. Actually, I'm happy that I have the option to turn off the rcas and kill the noise. I really don't miss the missing 10db in any meaningful way. But back to the issue of wire run length, I don't have any problems to report

I think running rca from this avr (or most) runs the risk of low level hiss. The rca only output 1.4 volts far to low for any meaningful cable runs and for sure bad idea with xlr 15v (correct me if I am wrong?)

 

[peng]

I think running rca from this avr (or most) runs the risk of low level hi.ss. The rca only output 1.4 volts far to low for any meaningful cable runs and for sure bad idea with xlr 15v (correct me if I am wrong?)

The rca output can do more than 4 V, not 1.4 V. You probably misunderstood the test results

 

[Moonbase]

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/denon-avr-x3800h-review.38574/ Is the review. Looks like the better performing 3700 only does 2v , do your have a review suggesting 4v?

 

[peng]

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/denon-avr-x3800h-review.38574/ Is the review. Looks like the better performing 3700 only does 2v , do your have a review suggesting 4v?

Yes, Audioholics measured the x3300w, and Amir measured x6700h and a couple other d+n models. Also, D+M's youtube videos.

1.4, 2 v were used as the reviewers standards and were for specific thd+n, not the maximum, if you can't find those info, I can post links later, time permitting. I posted such links, graphs a few times on ASR toi before but may be diffucult to find. 1.4 v for D+N is where one might expect the lowest THD+N, that's what Amir found in his measurements.

One quick example:

The Cinema 40 did 3.6 V when it just started to clip for some reason, so there are going to be some variability, so let's say 3-3.5 V should not be an issue, but should go above 4 V in most cases.

The DRA-800H clip at around 4.4 V, that receiver uses the same volume IC and DAC IC as the AVRs:

You search more, you will find more examples.

 

[Moonbase]

Not sure the relevance of the other AVRs as I am not saying Denon avrs have low pre-outs or clip at 1.4v, It more specifically the 3800 from what I have found. For example this discussion around the 3700 granted.

Matching pre out gain to power amp sensitivity

With regards to choosing an external amp to power the Denon X3700H I've been told that it's very important to get one with a specific sensitivity that will match the Denon's pre-out voltage gain. I had wanted to get the Rotel RMB1585 to pair with the Denon's. The output signal from the 3700 in...

forums.audioholics.com

Denon produce better quality units for more money, it’s just a factor to consider when wanting to add better quality power amps when the really good power amp modules tend to be XLR only

 

[peng]

Not sure the relevance of the other AVRs as I am not saying Denon avrs have low pre-outs or clip at 1.4v, It more specifically the 3800 from what I have found. For example this discussion around the 3700 granted.

Matching pre out gain to power amp sensitivity

With regards to choosing an external amp to power the Denon X3700H I've been told that it's very important to get one with a specific sensitivity that will match the Denon's pre-out voltage gain. I had wanted to get the Rotel RMB1585 to pair with the Denon's. The output signal from the 3700 in...

forums.audioholics.com

Denon produce better quality units for more money, it’s just a factor to consider when wanting to add better quality power amps when the really good power amp modules tend to be XLR only

I know you are not sure but I am sure, because they all use the same volume, dac and opamo ics, and PS as well, cct. are very similar too, that's why they will have simllar max output capability. But if you are not familiar with those things, I understand your concern, or the questions iyou have. You came to the right place though, and ask the right questions. On the power amp side, it is a diiferent story/topic.

 

[Moonbase]

I know you are not sure but I am sure, because they all use the same volume, dac and opamo ics, and PS as well, cct. are very similar too, that's why they will have simllar max output capability. But if you are not familiar with those things, I understand your concern, or the questions iyou have. You came to the right place though, and ask the right questions. On the power amp side, it is a diiferent story/topic.

Posting condescending messages does not help . Further posting information about other AVRs is no help. we all would like a link to the output voltage of Denon 3800 rather than off topic posts, can you do that?

 

[peng]

Posting condescending messages does not help . Further posting information about other AVRs is no help. we all would like a link to the output voltage of Denon 3800 rather than off topic posts, can you do that?

Just to be clear, I am 100% trying to response to your question in a helpful manner and do not know what is condescending about it, but I apologize for it being perceived that way. Regardless, if I could find such a link (highly unlikely that there is one specific to the X3800H), I would post it and then it is up to you to determine if it is relevant or not.

 

[Chromatischism]

Posting condescending messages does not help . Further posting information about other AVRs is no help. we all would like a link to the output voltage of Denon 3800 rather than off topic posts, can you do that?

I did not read anything condescending in peng's posts.

 

[jaakkopetteri]

I did not read anything condescending in peng's posts.

The remark about being unfamiliar was quite unnecessary

 

[antcollinet]

The remark about being unfamiliar was quite unnecessary

I read that remark as justifying the question - that it is OK to be unsure. I think @peng was trying NOT to make the @Moonbase feel he was being talked down to.

@Moonbase - rather than jumping on someone who is trying to help you, perhaps you should consider that it might be you who is misinterpreting what is written. Remember that in written discussion without the intonation and body language of speech, misunderstanding is easy.