Denon AVR-X3800H Review

[peng]

Pre amp mode, is this with the amplifiers for specific channels turned off or du you need to shut off all channels (global)?

It depends on the model, in the case of the X3800H, you can have any of the power amp channels disconnected (not: not turned off, but disconnected from the pre channel), or "global" if you choose to. It is nice to do, but in reality I do not believe most people would hear the difference either way, as it depends on each use case.

I measured this on one of my front speakers pre out with amplifiers shut off for the fronts. I'm no expert and its a cheap multimeter i used.

50 Hz signal 0dBFS used.

-3dB receiver = 01.4V
0dB receiver = 02.1
+5dB receiver= 03.6
+6dB receievr= 03.5
+7db receiver= 03.4
+8dB receiver=03.2
+10dB recievrer = 02.8
+18 dB receiver(max) = 01.3V

That shows up to 0 dB, the pre out signal is not "clipping", at least now measurable by the cheap meter. I have no idea what you mean by "pre out with amplifiers shut off for the fronts". Regardless, if it is a cheap meter, you won't see a difference whether you use "preamp mode" or not.

 

[Genstruktur]

It depends on the model, in the case of the X3800H, you can have any of the power amp channels disconnected (not: not turned off, but disconnected from the pre channel), or "global" if you choose to. It is nice to do, but in reality I do not believe most people would hear the difference either way, as it depends on each use case.


That shows up to 0 dB, the pre out signal is not "clipping", at least now measurable by the cheap meter. I have no idea what you mean by "pre out with amplifiers shut off for the fronts". Regardless, if it is a cheap meter, you won't see a difference whether you use "preamp mode" or not.

Like this picture, its just my fronts that were in pre amp mode when i did my measurement.

 

[peng]

Like this picture, its just my fronts that were in pre amp mode when i did my measurement.

That's preamp mode alright, for the front R/L channels, thank you.

 

[Negatywny]

Guys, I have a significant problem with my Denon x3800h.
I wanted to create the following setup:
connection 1 (DP) - A PC (Radeon RX 9070XT) connected directly to a PC monitor (Philips something 4k@60Hz)
connection 2 (HDMI) - A PC (Radeon RX 9070XT) connected directly to a Sony KE-85XH9096 TV (4K@120Hz - for playing games).
connection 3 (HDMI) - A PC (Radeon RX 9070XT) connected to a Denon x3800h receiver, which is connected to the TV (4K@60Hz - for watching movies).

However, with the 3 option, with the Denon inside, the TV doesn't enable HDR.
I have all the settings correct, the HDMI inputs are in "enchanced" mode, good cables, etc. When connected directly to the TV, HDR works without a problem.
Windows recognizes that the connection to the Denon supports HDR, but moving the slider doesn't change anything; the TV doesn't switch to HDR mode.
I previously had a Marantz SR5011 and a GeForce 1660Ti, and that combination worked flawlessly.
The question is, what's causing it to not work now? I'd assume this new Denon shouldn't suddenly lose the capabilities of the over-five-year-old Marantz,
so I'd assume the problem is more with the Radon?
I'm willing to fork out a few bucks and upgrade to a GeForce 5070Ti, but I'd really hate to be disappointed that it still doesn't have HDR...

Or is there some other solution?
(I've already reinstalled the system (new drivers, etc.), and the situation remains the same.)

 

[Acapella]

One Question to X3800H owners.

Can you measure how high the feet of the device are?

According to the Denon website, the X3800H is 16.7 cm high, but the front opening of my lowboard is only 13.5 cm high. That's why I'm hoping to be able to fit the X3800H in without the feet.

I would consider the X3800H because of Dirac Bass Control or Art as a replacement for my NAD C658, which is now almost unusable due to broken firmware in the Dirac area.

 

[dlaloum]

One Question to X3800H owners.

Can you measure how high the feet of the device are?

According to the Denon website, the X3800H is 16.7 cm high, but the front opening of my lowboard is only 13.5 cm high. That's why I'm hoping to be able to fit the X3800H in without the feet.

I would consider the X3800H because of Dirac Bass Control or Art as a replacement for my NAD C658, which is now almost unusable due to broken firmware in the Dirac area.

I would strongly advise against that, unless you have a heavily perforated shelf, as the underside is where the air inlets are for cooling, placing it on a normal shelf without space for air circulation underneath, would potentially lead to overheat, shortened life, unreliability....

As someone who has had 2 previous generation AVR's fail due to heat issues - I strongly advise considering cooling, air circulation etc... as part of your planning.... otherwise tears may ensue!

 

[Acapella]

Thanks for the recommendation, but I plan to use the device as preamp only (as far as I know the internal amps can be disabled), cause I want to use my Hypex NC252MP instead of the internal Class A/B amps.

That is the reason why I want to know the height of the feet.
Denon or Marantz AVRs are currently the only affordable solution if for using Dirac ART or BC.

 

[dlaloum]

Thanks for the recommendation, but I plan to use the device as preamp only (as far as I know the internal amps can be disabled), cause I want to use my Hypex NC252MP instead of the internal Class A/B amps.

That is the reason why I want to know the height of the feet.
Denon or Marantz AVRs are currently the only affordable solution if for using Dirac ART or BC.

In previous generations (2008, 2015) the main source of heat was not the amps, but the DSP processor and HDMI chips.

The engineering around the amp section is well understood - the HDMI/DSP chips less so - consider them as computer CPU's (which is what they really are) - in any modern computer, the processing chips have both heatsinks and fans.... but in many AVR's they don't!

There are 2 heatsinks on the top board of the X3800... but there are also a lot of chips without heatsinks.... which are dependent on passive cooling without the benefit of a heatsink. I believe the heartsinks are fitted to the HDMI chips.... but the DSP chips are most likely on the right, and have no heatsinks applied.

Just make sure that your cabinet has decent ventilation.

And I agree... D&M are the only affordable ART solution, and I too am considering the jump to an X3800...
Just be aware of the cooling requirements... and the fact that counter intuitively, todays equipment cooling limitations are more often around the processor chips rather than as in the past, around the power chips.

 

[antcollinet]

Thanks for the recommendation, but I plan to use the device as preamp only (as far as I know the internal amps can be disabled), cause I want to use my Hypex NC252MP instead of the internal Class A/B amps.

That is the reason why I want to know the height of the feet.
Denon or Marantz AVRs are currently the only affordable solution if for using Dirac ART or BC.

Foot height is about 18mm, front panel height about 14.7 - so nowhere near enough. Plus there is a "lowered" area of the bottom panel that reduces this by at least 5mm (as accurate as i can gauge with my fingers - I'm not taking it out of my cabinet to measure it)

But even if there were enough - as @dialoum states - I would not sit it flat on a shelf for the reasons he states.

 

[ban25]

If the X3800H is like the 3700, and I assume it is, it's hot enough to fry an egg even on ECO mode.

Thanks for the recommendation, but I plan to use the device as preamp only (as far as I know the internal amps can be disabled), cause I want to use my Hypex NC252MP instead of the internal Class A/B amps.

That is the reason why I want to know the height of the feet.
Denon or Marantz AVRs are currently the only affordable solution if for using Dirac ART or BC.

 

[Robesini]

I have connected the Samsung tv optical to a Yamaha A-S501 for music and use an additional soundbar with Samsung Q-Symphony. Good for music and nice for movies. It is also a better investement. The receivers tend to be replaced very quickly. Not all mostly the designers only change the HDMI board now for 20 years. Better invest in good stereo sound and accept a soundbar to pair with movies for small living rooms.

 

[dlaloum]

I have connected the Samsung tv optical to a Yamaha A-S501 for music and use an additional soundbar with Samsung Q-Symphony. Good for music and nice for movies. It is also a better investement. The receivers tend to be replaced very quickly. Not all mostly the designers only change the HDMI board now for 20 years. Better invest in good stereo sound and accept a soundbar to pair with movies for small living rooms.

Sadly the limitations of optical (Toslink/SPDIF) means that it does not support all formats - works fine for basic stereo and AC3, but higher bitrate streams such as TrueHD/Atmos won't get passed.

Which is only of import if those are of value to you!

 

[Robesini]

Sadly the limitations of optical (Toslink/SPDIF) means that it does not support all formats - works fine for basic stereo and AC3, but higher bitrate streams such as TrueHD/Atmos won't get passed.

Which is only of import if those are of value to you!

I think you are right. The optical out from the Samsung tv is set to PCM otherwize the stereo amplifier can not decode it. The soudbar is connected with eArc. And I have to choose wich one to use. Due to delays it is not a good to use both. But sometimes I even do a movie in Stereo. I sounds great on the Emotiva towers. A nice touch is that the tv can output eArc and optical PCM both at the same time. I also paired the amplifier with a good media player for flac playback from my network and internet radio. For now i can have quality sound and acceptable surround sound. Maybe in time i will purchase a receiver if the come with a good pre-out for the fronts. Make it cheaper and only take care for an additional good designed front pre-out. For surround i think it should not be difficult to challange the sound of a soundbar even with smaller surround speakers and modest power. And keep the price tag between 600~800. For now i am happy with the sound and compromise on the surround.

 

[ThELiZ]

Sorry if this has already been asked, but I’m hoping someone can tell me if this thing is suitable for a 2ch hifi setup? I want to use the ART features. No 2 channel pre or integrated offers this.

As in, are the measurements indicative that this thing will give me the same audible performance of a better performing 2ch amp?

 

[popej]

The receivers tend to be replaced very quickly. Not all mostly the designers only change the HDMI board now for 20 years.

IMHO 20 years is a whole era, if you compare audio processing capabilities of an AVR.

 

[peng]

Sorry if this has already been asked, but I’m hoping someone can tell me if this thing is suitable for a 2ch hifi setup? I want to use the ART features. No 2 channel pre or integrated offers this.

As in, are the measurements indicative that this thing will give me the same audible performance of a better performing 2ch amp?

In my opinion, yes. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it for 2 ch stereo if the price is right such as <$1,200.

 

[antcollinet]

In my opinion, yes. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it for 2 ch stereo if the price is right such as <$1,200.

I use it both for 2.1 and 9.1 It is fine on both - also obviously 2.0 if you don't use a sub.

 

[Oddball]

If the X3800H is like the 3700, and I assume it is, it's hot enough to fry an egg even on ECO mode.

Lol, I was using the same analogy for 6700H, which admittedly has some more heat to put out. 3 min with a pan on the top and your eggs are done, could be 5 in preamp mode.

These things run hot so you either acknowledge that or live with the consequences. Not having sufficient space for cooling will drive these units into thermal shutdown. There are external fans and one could/should consider that.

 

[FrantzM]

Sorry if this has already been asked, but I’m hoping someone can tell me if this thing is suitable for a 2ch hifi setup? I want to use the ART features. No 2 channel pre or integrated offers this.

As in, are the measurements indicative that this thing will give me the same audible performance of a better performing 2ch amp?

Hi

This is coming from a Denon owner who, a few years ago was a 2-Ch die-hard "separates" only mentality, 2 channel, plus specialty (read expensive) cables + heavy subjectivist bias...

The best hub for your audio system , be it 2 or multi channel, is an AVR with serious DSP capabilities. On that front, and the bias is showing up : Denon/Marantz reign supreme. If you need better performances or DSP capabilities then you will spend multiple that asking price to match or surpass the AVRs from Denon/Marantz ...

IMHO, this AVR provide an astonishingly high Performance to price ratio. It is beyond "suitable". If you have the money, acquire it. The potential of great sound from this AVR, yes, AVR (and many others AVRs) is order of magnitude greater than what , any High End Preamplifiers. Integrated, regardless of price (YES!) can provide. Period.

The why's, in another post if you need convincing.

Peace.

 

[kawauso]

Guys, I have a significant problem with my Denon x3800h.
I wanted to create the following setup:
connection 1 (DP) - A PC (Radeon RX 9070XT) connected directly to a PC monitor (Philips something 4k@60Hz)
connection 2 (HDMI) - A PC (Radeon RX 9070XT) connected directly to a Sony KE-85XH9096 TV (4K@120Hz - for playing games).
connection 3 (HDMI) - A PC (Radeon RX 9070XT) connected to a Denon x3800h receiver, which is connected to the TV (4K@60Hz - for watching movies).

However, with the 3 option, with the Denon inside, the TV doesn't enable HDR.
I have all the settings correct, the HDMI inputs are in "enchanced" mode, good cables, etc. When connected directly to the TV, HDR works without a problem.
Windows recognizes that the connection to the Denon supports HDR, but moving the slider doesn't change anything; the TV doesn't switch to HDR mode.
I previously had a Marantz SR5011 and a GeForce 1660Ti, and that combination worked flawlessly.
The question is, what's causing it to not work now? I'd assume this new Denon shouldn't suddenly lose the capabilities of the over-five-year-old Marantz,
so I'd assume the problem is more with the Radon?
I'm willing to fork out a few bucks and upgrade to a GeForce 5070Ti, but I'd really hate to be disappointed that it still doesn't have HDR...

Or is there some other solution?
(I've already reinstalled the system (new drivers, etc.), and the situation remains the same.)

What happens if you disable FreeSync on the Radeon?
The Radeon → AVR → TV chain is known to cause various issues.
In my case, I connect the Radeon directly to the TV to avoid such problems.
With Nvidia cards, features like HDR and G-Sync usually work fine even when passing through an AVR.