Denon AVR-X3900H & PURIFI 1ET6525SA a good idea?

[tineared]

Yeah I'm not even sure I need an app this fancy. I was just looking at something to give me back my missing channel if give up on the 6XXX series Denon units and move to a 3XXX series because the 6XXX is another two grand for two more amps. They're 140 Watts versus (I think?) 105 Watts but I don't think I'd get anything out of that. My speakers are nothing fancy and I can't even get below around -40 volume on the X6500H. I just I can't even imagine how people can play lower than that or let alone reference it's just too loud for me.

So it would be nice to put that $2000 towards a three channel amp that would hopefully, weigh less, run cooler and last more than a couple of years like the Denon and or if a better Denon comes out with features I want I can get the cheaper one and continue to use the 3 channel amp for the LRC speakers, that runs cooler and hopefully will last longer.

Maybe I should just give up on the center rear channel or get an even cheaper simpler amp for just that one channel. I don't think I'd ever even notice it missing but I took the time to wire up the speaker and mount it. Plus I had heard Dirac ART was better with more speakers.

I guess the Hypex NCx500 used to be cheaper so maybe that's why folks are wondering why I wouldn't go that route. Otherwise I don't really see any reason to get one versus the other. If I purchase from Buckeye it's actually slightly more expensive, they have the same inputs and outputs, trigger and cases.

There are no compatibility issues with either the Purifi or the Hypex amps. The Purifi amp is a superior design and will run cooler and be more efficient. The only reason to choose the Hypex NCx500 would be if you needed more power. Buy 2 sets of these adapters for your Denon and run xlr cables to the amp. You are overthinking it.

 

[Ruediger]

So it would be nice to put that $2000 towards a three channel amp that would hopefully, weigh less, run cooler and last more than a couple of years like the Denon and or if a better Denon comes out with features I want I can get the cheaper one and continue to use the 3 channel amp for the LRC speakers, that runs cooler and hopefully will last longer.

If the money is no issue these amps are very nice for sure. And comfortable with 3 channels, one box and internal psu. Great addition.

Just to get some channels for the AVR filled I would look at something smaller and way cheaper. 3e A7 stereo and mono f.e.

Personally I'd draw the line where the amp is also used for music directly with the LR speakers, with a DAC/streamer, and not just behind an AVR.

But that's just an opinion. The burden of choice is entirely on you.

 

[Chrispy]

I hadn't done a ton of research but they kept coming up as being decent quality and being lightweight and running cool. Supposed to use a little less power when idling.

Sell me on the NC500x.

Simply because for nearly the same money as the Purifi modules, you get more power. If going external amp I'd get the more powerful amp, more useful down the line in general. That's all.

 

[davidc]

Another option to future proof if your AVR breaks is an extended warranty. You can buy one which will guarantee they will fix/replace/reiimburse you. You can buy a 3-5 yr plan for about $100

 

[Chrispy]

Another option to future proof if your AVR breaks is an extended warranty. You can buy one which will guarantee they will fix/replace/reiimburse you. You can buy a 3-5 yr plan for about $100

Curious, how much will they reimburse you if it can't be repaired because the circuit board(s) needed are no longer available? Some percentage of the price paid depreciated over time?

 

[Tanquen]

Curious, how much will they reimburse you if it can't be repaired because the circuit board(s) needed are no longer available? Some percentage of the price paid depreciated over time?

Yeah, that's what I have seen over the years. Even if you have a valid claim I've seen ones where they just say oh you're right here's your money back because they're not going to pay 500 bucks to fix it or replace it with a new one. They just hope that you never claim it and they keep $100.

 

[Chrispy]

Yeah, that's what I have seen over the years. Even if you have a valid claim I've seen ones where they just say oh you're right here's your money back because they're not going to pay 500 bucks to fix it or replace it with a new one. They just hope that you never claim it and they keep $100.

I'd never buy an extended warranty as the few I reviewed carefully did such. The biggest issue with avr repair is that they don't make a lot of extra boards for repair....

 

[Chrispy]

None have been reliable in my experience. I do use them most every day it's not like I'm just using it when I watch a movie Maybe that makes a difference.

In this specific regard, do you have electrical service issues possibly? I use mine all the time, and not just for movies fwiw.

 

[Tanquen]

If the money is no issue these amps are very nice for sure. And comfortable with 3 channels, one box and internal psu. Great addition.

Just to get some channels for the AVR filled I would look at something smaller and way cheaper. 3e A7 stereo and mono f.e.

Personally I'd draw the line where the amp is also used for music directly with the LR speakers, with a DAC/streamer, and not just behind an AVR.

But that's just an opinion. The burden of choice is entirely on you.

Man, that's a whole other can of worms. Op amps and changing the sound profile, soundstage, with just a hint of oak etc. I don't think I really believe any of that but it's just yet another thing. I just want to add another amp, I don't want to figure out a warm sound or a harsh sound or a fatiguing sound. Again I think most of that's nonsense but that doesn't make me wonder. And another reason to get an all in one AVR that just has all the amps internally and they're all just the same.

 

[Tanquen]

In this specific regard, do you have electrical service issues possibly? I use mine all the time, and not just for movies fwiw.

Anything's possible but there's something magical about AVR's versus my Tivo, DVD Players and TV in the living room and TV in the office the various monitors and computers and other components that are all fine with my theoretical dirty or bad electrical service.

This last one I did use it basically every day for many hours but had a fan on it from day one and I don't listen to stuff very loud at all.

 

[Chrispy]

Anything's possible but there's something magical about AVR's versus my Tivo, DVD Players and TV in the living room and TV in the office the various monitors and computers and other components that are all fine with my theoretical dirty or bad electrical service.

This last one I did use it basically every day for many hours but had a fan on it from day one and I don't listen to stuff very loud at all.

Bad luck? They definitely aren't built to last a (human's) lifetime otoh.

 

[Ruediger]

Man, that's a whole other can of worms. Op amps and changing the sound profile, soundstage, with just a hint of oak etc. I don't think I really believe any of that but it's just yet another thing. I just want to add another amp, I don't want to figure out a warm sound or a harsh sound or a fatiguing sound. Again I think most of that's nonsense but that doesn't make me wonder. And another reason to get an all in one AVR that just has all the amps internally and they're all just the same.

You can disregard that completely. It's snakeoil. It's also not exclusive to these amps, although you probably won't find less YTubbers doing that to their $2k amps I guess.

 

[masopa]

Why would you not be able to use the 3900H for games? I think it is equipped for that.

A poweramp sure makes it run cooler. But the effect is gradual with some channels going to pre-out and amps still on. This is afaik again a all-or-nothing setting, unlike the 4x00H or higher.

The Purifi is a great amp with a lot of power. It doesn't sound like you need that. Unless you simply want that Purifi for it's sound quality level. It's going to cost as much as the AVR, roughly. For that budget it's possible to get simple poweramps to take over all channels.

For a small room I would just use the AVR though.

I am still in the speccing out stage of my upgrade project, but I'm most likely looking at the X3900H as I don't need extra channels or W that the 6x00 models offer. I will need a decent 3ch power amp to drive 3x Arendal 1528s though. My concern about the 3900 is your comment about voltage out levels and the pre-amp setting being "all or nothing". I thought (looking at the manual online) that each speaker has a manual setup option that allows for its amp channel to be turned off, individually? In the manual here: https://manuals.denon.com/AVRX3900H/na/en/DRDZSYyfgvveow.php it suggests there is a Connection setting for each speaker that has a "Pre-out only" option (rather than the global "Pre-amp" setting for the whole AVR"?

Moreover, can anyone who has, or has had, an X3900H confirm whether setting the pre-out only for a channel lifts the voltage up from 2V towards the 4V I'm going to need without gain adjustment?

My power amp options become slightly more limited (and potentially a touch more expensive) if I am looking for 450W/channel minimum *and* an adjustable gain.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ruediger]

I think you will be fine with any poweramp in the standard gain region of 25-30db.

But dont trust me, try to find out the actual output voltages for the X3900H in either mode and calculate the numbers. Because if you want to be absolutely sure about being able to max. out the poweramp, that's the only way.

And if you decide 25db gain is not enough for you, you need those 29db - chose your amp accordingly.

 

[Mark609]

Hard to beat Anthem MRX740 or their flagship 1140. Reliable with a pre-amp that Audioholics rated one of the best, if not the best in the industry. I'm using a 1140 driving the rear surrounds and 4 Atmos with the D section. No distortion on any movies. Am crossing them over to subs which raises the headroom a lot. Buckeye NCx500 3 channel will drive LCR, as soon as it's built/shipped.

Had enough of Denon and Onkyo.

 

[masopa]

Hard to beat Anthem MRX740 or their flagship 1140. Reliable with a pre-amp that Audioholics rated one of the best, if not the best in the industry. I'm using a 1140 driving the rear surrounds and 4 Atmos with the D section. No distortion on any movies. Am crossing them over to subs which raises the headroom a lot. Buckeye NCx500 3 channel will drive LCR, as soon as it's built/shipped.

Had enough of Denon and Onkyo.

Unfortunately, I'm after only getting power amps for the front 3 channels, so that leaves the other 8 needing the AVR. I think that rules out the 740. And then the lack of 4 subs (independent for Dirac purposes) rules them both out anyway...

Apart from the frustrations that are apparent with the Denon, it's basically the perfect AVR otherwise. Just need to work out the gain/pre-amp voltage situation. And yes, buying one and measuring it would be the definitive test!