Denon AVR-X3800H Review

[Rockman2]

I received a Purifi power amp today (Nord Acoustics) and am now running the base layer using this and a Lyngdorf. Subjectively speaking, this has significantly improved atmos performance and dialogue. The X3800H is now powering just the atmos layer.

Can you tell me where to find these Purifi amplifiers? Some have mentioned other Class D amps in these threads that are low cost but good sounding. Can't remember their names.

Thanks

 

[dlaloum]

Can you tell me where to find these Purifi amplifiers? Some have mentioned other Class D amps in these threads that are low cost but good sounding. Can't remember their names.

Thanks

If you are not overly SINAD focused, the pro amps from various brands can provide great value

I use a pair of 10year old Crown XLS2500.... 440W@8ohm, 1200W@2ohm

 

[Trell]

If you are not overly SINAD focused, the pro amps from various brands can provide great value

I use a pair of 10year old Crown XLS2500.... 440W@8ohm, 1200W@2ohm

Some of these pro amps can have loud fans so he should check that as well.

 

[Rockman2]

Can I also ask if the Marantz AV7706 has better DAC's than the 3800 or 4800? I read Reviews saying it had better separation in movies for the different surround channels. As well as better sound musically but that is very subjective to everyone's taste. But input would help.

 

[Fidji]

Can you tell me where to find these Purifi amplifiers? Some have mentioned other Class D amps in these threads that are low cost but good sounding. Can't remember their names.

Thanks

Is very regional - in EU you would probably end here -
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/power-amplifier-c-6306.html you can also go for ICE power modules https://www.soundimports.eu/en/home-audio/amplifiers/?mode=grid&limit=24&sort=popular&max=2000&min=0&filter[]=828597&min=0&max=2000

shipping costs across the continents makes it probably prohibitive in US or Asia/Australia, but there you have local assemblers from Hypex/Purifi/ICEPower. Each has its own pros/cons

purifi for LCR and 2x 4CH Hypex 250W for the rest of 7.x.4 seems like sweet spot from value-for-money perspective (or you can run height plane from your AVR.

 

[armoured_bear]

Disappointing to read.
I'd like to upgrade my TV and Receiver to take advantage of the new gaming advantages with HDMI 2.1 (VRR etc.), I currently use a Denon AVR-X4400H with pre-outs for the front channels to my 2 channel amps (Musical Fidelity A5CR Pre Amp and 2xA3CR Power Amps bi-amping) so I have the best of both worlds for music and HT/Gaming.
However, to replace my receiver I need a new model that has multiple inputs that support 4K 120Hz Passthrough, I'll only be amplifying the centre and 2 rear channels.
I've no idea what to look at with the new Denons being disappointing, maybe the Maranbtz Cinema 50 will be better?
Also the cost of receivers in Europe now is crazy, the starting price of the Denon 3700 here in Switzerland was around 1700, the 3800 starts at 2700!!
So many receivers from a few years ago have barely dropped in price.
I bought my 4400 for 849, 4 years ago.

 

[gew55]

I don't know how they would compare (the Denon AVR-X3800 vs. Rotel RSP-1576 MKII), but the Rotel has a few features that I really like. It is one of the few AV units that still retains the 7.1 multi-channel analog inputs (I have lots of ripped multichannel music discs and a ROON setup for multichannel music streaming), has a balanced stereo input, has Dirac already included, and it comes in silver, which is ideal for my bedroom setup. I knew it had a reputation of being a "musical" preamp, but good to hear that you really like this component. It is either between this Rotel AVP or one of the legacy Sound United AVRs that still has the 7.1 multi-channel inputs.

I am afraid if you want one you have to be quick !
The Rotel website doesn't offer any surround processor's anymore
And because of the huge discount I got on the 1576 that makes sense.
They probably will stop building surround equipment and that's really a pity

 

[buz]

Disappointing to read.
I'd like to upgrade my TV and Receiver to take advantage of the new gaming advantages with HDMI 2.1 (VRR etc.), I currently use a Denon AVR-X4400H with pre-outs for the front channels to my 2 channel amps (Musical Fidelity A5CR Pre Amp and 2xA3CR Power Amps bi-amping) so I have the best of both worlds for music and HT/Gaming.
However, to replace my receiver I need a new model that has multiple inputs that support 4K 120Hz Passthrough, I'll only be amplifying the centre and 2 rear channels.
I've no idea what to look at with the new Denons being disappointing, maybe the Maranbtz Cinema 50 will be better?
Also the cost of receivers in Europe now is crazy, the starting price of the Denon 3700 here in Switzerland was around 1700, the 3800 starts at 2700!!
So many receivers from a few years ago have barely dropped in price.
I bought my 4400 for 849, 4 years ago.

Uh the 3800 sells for 1700? I think that's overpriced already when lx505 go for 1000 but 2700 would be ridiculous

 

[Deleted member 49933]

Could anyone please verify if this X3800H lets you disconnect all amp channels except Center and amplify that alone?

Thanks.

 

[da Choge]

The Rotel website doesn't offer any surround processor's anymore

Yes, I saw that, and thought it might be somewhat of a website glitch, especially since it's relatively new. It's still available at the online retailers, but they are asking full retail price. Do you know if it is being discontinued, or might this be a temporary Rotel website issue? Did you get yours at a local B&M audio store? I have no idea what kind of discount you got, but it sounds like it was really great! Oh, and do you know if Rotel ever came through with the Dolby Vision upgrade they promised for this unit?

[Sorry, thread followers - OT, I know, but I didn't think this justified a thread of its own]

 

[ban25]

Disappointing to read.
I'd like to upgrade my TV and Receiver to take advantage of the new gaming advantages with HDMI 2.1 (VRR etc.), I currently use a Denon AVR-X4400H with pre-outs for the front channels to my 2 channel amps (Musical Fidelity A5CR Pre Amp and 2xA3CR Power Amps bi-amping) so I have the best of both worlds for music and HT/Gaming.
However, to replace my receiver I need a new model that has multiple inputs that support 4K 120Hz Passthrough, I'll only be amplifying the centre and 2 rear channels.
I've no idea what to look at with the new Denons being disappointing, maybe the Maranbtz Cinema 50 will be better?
Also the cost of receivers in Europe now is crazy, the starting price of the Denon 3700 here in Switzerland was around 1700, the 3800 starts at 2700!!
So many receivers from a few years ago have barely dropped in price.
I bought my 4400 for 849, 4 years ago.

I wouldn't overemphasize a small reduction in SINAD. I have a 3700 PCM and it sounds great. You know what I miss? Having more than one HDMI 2.1 port. The C50 has the same internals as the 3800, so that decision is really just down to aesthetics (and the Marantz Cinema line looks beautiful IMO). Particularly if reliable 4K120/VRR/ALLM is important to you, you want to have the latest chipsets. The original 2020 models, including the 3700 AKM, were plagued with faulty HDMI 2.1 implementations.

 

[Deleted member 49933]

I have read the manual, but it does not show if what I'm asking is actually possible, so I politely requested any owner of this AVR if it lets disconnect all channels except Center.

Thanks.

 

[rvsixer]

I have read the manual, but it does not show if what I'm asking is actually possible, so I politely requested any owner of this AVR if it lets disconnect all channels except Center.

Thanks.

Already well covered in this thread. For example, the posted Sound United video has a very thorough explanation of the amp disconnect functionality:
#1,321

 

[Music707]

I have read the manual, but it does not show if what I'm asking is actually possible, so I politely requested any owner of this AVR if it lets disconnect all channels except Center.

Thanks.

Of course it does. From the Denon manual:

 

[Trell]

Of course it does. From the Denon manual:

View attachment 246253

Posters not reading the manual is quite common, on the other hand, those manuals are usually crappy. A conundrum for sure.

 

[abdo123]

In almost every ASR review category the Denon 3800 measures considerably worse than the Denon 3700/4700. It's a fact. Linearity degraded, Preamp mode distortion sets in early -15dB, Peak performance 0.8V versus 1.4V on 4700, 3800 DAC a full 10dB lower SINAD rating than 3700/4700, 32 tone test is worse. At every turn, the Denon 3800 is a downgrade from 3700/4700 measurements. If you want to trade performance for things most people don't need then you should buy a Denon 3800. Let's be sure it's not an uninformed choice for buyers.

We have no idea how the 4700 and the 3700 measure after the AKM factory burn, for all we know they all measure the same now.

 

[Trell]

We have no idea how the 4700 and the 3700 measure after the AKM factory burn, for all we know they all measure the same now.

They, D&M, did change the DAC IC and was very cagey (i.e. dishonest) about it, and my guess is that it's very similar to the "new" generation of AVR. You're just repeating D&M marketing.

 

[Music707]

Posters not reading the manual is quite common, on the other hand, those manuals are usually crappy. A conundrum for sure.

In my view the manual of the 3800H does not call for the skills of a riddle-master. (But I am with you on many other examples.)

Assuming that a manual is of good quality, how do you know from a distance whether a poster
a) did not read the manual or
b) did read it, but not with proper care or
c) did read it carefully but did not understand?

Ockham's razor?

 

[Trell]

In my view the manual of the 3800H does not call for the skills of a riddle-master. (But I am with you on many other examples.)

Assuming that a manual is of good quality, how do you know from a distance whether a poster
a) did not read the manual or
b) did read it, but not with proper care or
c) did read it carefully but did not understand?

Ockham's razor?

Option a) sounds just about right.

 

[fluxcapacitor]

Thanks Topping, SMSL and other Chineese dac manufacturers. They offer us very cheap but awesome quality products considering how terrible such a well known Denon brand performed here.