Denon AVR-X4700 AVR Review (Updated)

[Steve Dallas]

Since doing a full factory reset and recalibration with Audyssey app on my iPad, my Denon 4700 going into protection mode and making that popping sound has not happened in 3 days and I’ve had the amp running lots in this heatwave in the UK

how can a reset fix the issue?

I was thinking of upgrading to a 4800 model but is that actually worth it? Is it a better sound?

The 4800 on a hardware basis does not sound better than the 4700. I cross-graded because it took a long time to get my 4700 back from the repair center, I wanted to use my home theater in the mean time, and I have never had good luck with repaired electronics. The 4800 comes with bonuses of being made in Japan, supporting Dirac, running cooler, and allowing you to turn off individual amps. I like those features, so I bought a 4800 and sold the 4700 when it finally returned to me.

(What you lose with the 4800 is a front HDMI port, which is rather inconvenient when you like to plug in your laptop to take measurements. I have a 2' pigtail attached to a rear port but should not have to do that.)

 

[Sal1950]

I cross-graded because it took a long time to get my 4700 back from the repair center, I wanted to use my home theater in the mean time, and I have never had good luck with repaired electronics.

You too? My 4700 took months to return from the FL repair center, never got a word about it either when they received it or returned it over 3 months later. Not even a note in the box on what was wrong or repaired. I feel the same way about repaired gear so very shortly after I shipped it off for repair I purchased my Marantz AV20.

 

[amper42]

My Denon 4700 with AKM chip AK4458 is still working well. It's been in full preamp mode since day one and stays amazingly cool.

 

[Hendrixon]

Just got a 4700, that thing is good to fry eggs.
Well not really, but it does get too hot in my view if long and safe life is a goal.

Well, not expecting much, I just thru a125mm usb fan on top right above the output transistors.
I turns very slowly, really just helping the air lift up.
I was amazed, on full 11.1 setup the 4700 is now cool, honestly at room ambient temp.

If you think you need external power amps to offload work from the 4700 just to lower the work temp?
Hmmmm nope, you just need a $10 usb fan.
I'm sure Denon/Marantz engineers know this, guess someone there wants us to cook them amps

 

[DenonMate]

Just got a 4700, that thing is good to fry eggs.
Well not really, but it does get too hot in my view if long and safe life is a goal.

Well, not expecting much, I just thru a125mm usb fan on top right above the output transistors.
I turns very slowly, really just helping the air lift up.
I was amazed, on full 11.1 setup the 4700 is now cool, honestly at room ambient temp.

If you think you need external power amps to offload work from the 4700 just to lower the work temp?
Hmmmm nope, you just need a $10 usb fan.
I'm sure Denon/Marantz engineers know this, guess someone there wants us to cook them amps

I have a noctua NF 20 (20cm) on top of the X4700. Does a good job. At least in my case the external amp is not for temp. alone. It’s for a cleaner signal path (look at amirs measurements); to re-digital the audio channels and …..

 

[Hendrixon]

I'm sorry, re-digital the audio channels?

 

[DenonMate]

I'm sorry, re-digital the audio channels?

Preout denon to ADC bridge to Dante Network.