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Denon AVR-X3800H Review

Rate this AVR

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 89 17.2%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 225 43.6%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 156 30.2%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 46 8.9%

  • Total voters
    516
If the specs hold, it looks like the new price/performance king -- except with an MSRP for $1850, it is up there for 11 channels of processing / 9 of amplification. The real deal might be an X3800H on close-out.
Although, as I think about it, I paid exactly $1850 for a X3700H during covid 5 years ago. So it's not a bad deal, even a discount relative to inflation! Still, we should expect some decent close out pricing on the 3800.
 
Does anyone know how Audyssey handles the front L/R when using the 7.1ch+Front B configuration? Does it apply the same filter when switching between A and B speakers?
 
Does anyone know how Audyssey handles the front L/R when using the 7.1ch+Front B configuration? Does it apply the same filter when switching between A and B speakers?
Haven't tried Audyssey on my x3800h yet, but on x4700h if you don't have a sound from a channel, the calibration will stop with error.
 
I was thinking more after calibration, if you calibrated with it set to Front Speakers A, will it apply the same filter if you later switch to Front Speakers B. I'll run some tests this week.
 
I was thinking more after calibration, if you calibrated with it set to Front Speakers A, will it apply the same filter if you later switch to Front Speakers B. I'll run some tests this week.
It should not use the same filters for two different sets of speakers. I would say you should run two separate calibrations, one using front A and the other front B, and then use the presets to store the different sets of filters.
 
I played a bit with this on the weekend. Interestingly Audyssey cannot (or will not) recognize Front B speakers at all. When I configured amp-assign as 7.1+Front A/B, and set Front to B, not only did Audyssey turn off (expected) but when I re-ran the calibration routine test noise does not get piped to the B terminals at all (the wizard errors out saying it cant hear anything).
 
I played a bit with this on the weekend. Interestingly Audyssey cannot (or will not) recognize Front B speakers at all. When I configured amp-assign as 7.1+Front A/B, and set Front to B, not only did Audyssey turn off (expected) but when I re-ran the calibration routine test noise does not get piped to the B terminals at all (the wizard errors out saying it cant hear anything).
I'm not familiar w/room correction software being applied to more than one set of speakers on the same mass market AVR. Which prior AVR did this in your experience?
 
Guys I think my denon 3800 is broken, here's what happened. I welcome any ideas on trying to fix it
I pulled the AVR out of the cabinet and forgot I had the rear speakers connected, it put a little pressure on the binding posts. Nothing appears physically damaged
But now when I run audyssey there's no pink noise sounds
Even when I go to manual setup and try to set speaker levels, the test tones don't play
I did a factory reset and set it up again but the same thing is happening. tried different speakers and speaker cables, no change.. moved it to another room with different speakers and speaker wires.. still no change. :(
 
Guys I think my denon 3800 is broken, here's what happened. I welcome any ideas on trying to fix it
I pulled the AVR out of the cabinet and forgot I had the rear speakers connected, it put a little pressure on the binding posts. Nothing appears physically damaged
But now when I run audyssey there's no pink noise sounds
Even when I go to manual setup and try to set speaker levels, the test tones don't play
I did a factory reset and set it up again but the same thing is happening. tried different speakers and speaker cables, no change.. moved it to another room with different speakers and speaker wires.. still no change. :(

Instead of running Audyssey, do a factory reset, then just go to Speaker setup, set up the number of speakers you have.

Then go to speaker levels, turn on the test tone, do you hear it a tone coming from each speaker?
 
yes I did a factory reset and set it up again and test tones had no audible output :(
 
Could anyone with a 3800 please take a photo of the bottom? While maneuvering mine one of several small square rubber supports came off and I’m trying to figure out where it goes.
 
yes I did a factory reset and set it up again and test tones had no audible output :(
Not much as a consumer you can do beyond a factory reset. If still no output, something got damaged. Still under warranty?
 
Maybe put Denon in full pre-amp mode with external amps and see it that changes the outcome of the test?
Might be interesting, but unless you want to use it that way, only of limited use otoh.....
 
It would simply be to test if bypassing amp section made any difference. Many times the amp section in the Denon AVR is the first to go.
Or something simple connecting to the amp section? Not my experience with a Denon avr in any case.
 
Guys I think my denon 3800 is broken, here's what happened. I welcome any ideas on trying to fix it
I pulled the AVR out of the cabinet and forgot I had the rear speakers connected, it put a little pressure on the binding posts. Nothing appears physically damaged
But now when I run audyssey there's no pink noise sounds
Even when I go to manual setup and try to set speaker levels, the test tones don't play
I did a factory reset and set it up again but the same thing is happening. tried different speakers and speaker cables, no change.. moved it to another room with different speakers and speaker wires.. still no change. :(

How were they connected? Usually banana plugs just slip out after a certain amount of pressure and it shouldn't cause any permanent damage. Did you have them physically wired in?
 
Hi all - just trying to find something out definitively because the Denon website is vague at best.

In "Pure Direct" mode - assuming you are feeding an analogue signal, would this essentially have zero/negligible latency? (ie: does it pass the signal amplified and without further processing)
I'm asking because I'd be using it as an AV receiver, but also an amplifier for DJing. Latency needs to be as low as possible for beatchmatching purposes.
Thanks in advance for any help :)
 
Hi all - just trying to find something out definitively because the Denon website is vague at best.

In "Pure Direct" mode - assuming you are feeding an analogue signal, would this essentially have zero/negligible latency? (ie: does it pass the signal amplified and without further processing)
I'm asking because I'd be using it as an AV receiver, but also an amplifier for DJing. Latency needs to be as low as possible for beatchmatching purposes.
Thanks in advance for any help :)
I have friends that have used my system for DJing. No latency issues directly to denon even in non pure direct mode.
 
Hi all - just trying to find something out definitively because the Denon website is vague at best.

In "Pure Direct" mode - assuming you are feeding an analogue signal, would this essentially have zero/negligible latency? (ie: does it pass the signal amplified and without further processing)
I'm asking because I'd be using it as an AV receiver, but also an amplifier for DJing. Latency needs to be as low as possible for beatchmatching purposes.
Thanks in advance for any help :)

Direct and Pure Direct bypass and disable all EQ/Tone, Audyssey, surround mode matrix (eg., turning Stereo into Dolby Digital or Multi-Channel Stereo), etc. It also bypasses Bass Management, so speakers are set to Large and no crossover to a subwoofer sending bass from 2-channel stereo to turn it to 2.1 -- only native LFE channel signal froom surround sound content is sent to the subwoofer.

Pure Direct also turns off the front panel display screen and analog video circuits (digital video / HDMI still functions).

From my 3700h manual for Pure Direct:
  • The following circuits are stopped in order to further improve sound quality.
  • Display indicator circuit of the main body (display will go off.)
  • The analog video input/output switcher and processor is disabled.
 
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