Denon AVR-X4800H AVR Review

[raykkho]

As mentioned before, I really doubt it. But as all things in Hi-Fi, if you think it will sound better, it most likely will. LOL
I ran my 4700 in full preamp mode with the 5 Adcom amps I've owned for a long time. The whole idea just made me comfortable.

Very true, we have all gone down that rabbit hole

 

[Steve Dallas]

My LCR (ATC and B&W) are active/powered, have 3 subs so that shouldn't be that much of an issue. Just wonder if introducing an outboard amp to drive the 4 surrounds would bring noticeable benefits.

Certainly not audible benefits. The AVR may run a bit cooler, but the surrounds don't draw much current, so even that benefit will be limited. You are overthinking this.

 

[peng]

My LCR (ATC and B&W) are active/powered, have 3 subs so that shouldn't be that much of an issue. Just wonder if introducing an outboard amp to drive the 4 surrounds would bring noticeable benefits.

Only if the surrounds have low sensitivities and/or seating distance is an issue such as further than the LCR, like > 5 meters etc., and you like it loud.. So, not likely, but still, it depends.

 

[DenonMate]

Yes, already set pre-out mode for LCR.

Incidentally, what do you think about the 3eaudio multi-channel amp you have? I suppose they are branded as Alsozone?

Yes branded as ALSOZONE but sold by 3eaudio. The PAM158 already arrived, I will change my setup this weekend. I think if the PAM158 is an 8 modul version of the 3eaudio A5 you can hardly get a better quality for this price.

 

[amper42]

As mentioned before, I really doubt it. But as all things in Hi-Fi, if you think it will sound better, it most likely will. LOL
I ran my 4700 in full preamp mode with the 5 Adcom amps I've owned for a long time. The whole idea just made me comfortable.

Full pre-amp mode drops energy used by the Denon 4700 from 156W to 200W depending on volume level to a steady 46W in full pre-out mode. In addition, the Denon 4700 stays remarkably cooler in pre-amp mode. It's definitely a win for longevity of the device.

 

[raykkho]

Yes branded as ALSOZONE but sold by 3eaudio. The PAM158 already arrived, I will change my setup this weekend. I think if the PAM158 is an 8 modul version of the 3eaudio A5 you can hardly get a better quality for this price.

Interested to know your thoughts on Alsozone product.

 

[DenonMate]

Interested to know your thoughts on Alsozone product.

Alsozone is just a brandname. Honestly they should fire the person in the marketing department who brought this bad brand up. But at the end if it’s 3eaudio A5/A7 inside who cares.

For now, all I can say is that the build quality looks really good. I'll write how it sounds.

 

[popej]

Full pre-amp mode drops energy used by the Denon 4700 from 156W to 200W depending on volume level to a steady 46W in full pre-out mode. In addition, the Denon 4700 stays remarkably cooler in pre-amp mode. It's definitely a win for longevity of the device.

Set Eco to auto and you should get 46W at low volume too, while using internal amps.

 

[jdbob]

For the past couple of years I've had two presets on my X4800H. Preset 1 for 2.0 for stereo only music, and Preset 2 for 7.1.4 for other stuff (using a cheap TPA3255 box for the rear surrounds). I added a 3 channel Purifi amp for the LCRs about 2 and half months ago. It took me until today to realize I could use Preamplifier mode for amp assign for the 2.0 and shut down all those unused amplifiers. Ended up setting Preset 1 for 3.0 to make the center channel available for stuff like Youtube videos in Preamplifier mode and re-running Dirac. Boy does the AVR run cooler now! I blame being 70 years old for taking so long to figure this out

 

[dwstudeman]

For the past couple of years I've had two presets on my X4800H. Preset 1 for 2.0 for stereo only music, and Preset 2 for 7.1.4 for other stuff (using a cheap TPA3255 box for the rear surrounds). I added a 3 channel Purifi amp for the LCRs about 2 and half months ago. It took me until today to realize I could use Preamplifier mode for amp assign for the 2.0 and shut down all those unused amplifiers. Ended up setting Preset 1 for 3.0 to make the center channel available for stuff like Youtube videos in Preamplifier mode and re-running Dirac. Boy does the AVR run cooler now! I blame being 70 years old for taking so long to figure this out

Please do not blame your age. People overlook things or don't investigate thoroughly at any age. All this does is give people ammunition to discriminate and there are plenty of people your age who are cognitively fine and need to work.

 

[Steve Dallas]

For the past couple of years I've had two presets on my X4800H. Preset 1 for 2.0 for stereo only music, and Preset 2 for 7.1.4 for other stuff (using a cheap TPA3255 box for the rear surrounds). I added a 3 channel Purifi amp for the LCRs about 2 and half months ago. It took me until today to realize I could use Preamplifier mode for amp assign for the 2.0 and shut down all those unused amplifiers. Ended up setting Preset 1 for 3.0 to make the center channel available for stuff like Youtube videos in Preamplifier mode and re-running Dirac. Boy does the AVR run cooler now! I blame being 70 years old for taking so long to figure this out

I run external amps on my LCR and it is remarkable how much cooler the 4800 runs with those amps turned off. Otherwise I am 7.2.2 and the internal amps run only the surround speakers.

I also use the presets to switch between home theater and 2.0 mode with different Dirac profiles loaded. Sometimes I just want to listen to the LR speakers with no subs or anything else. It runs really cool with all the amps turned off.

 

[amper42]

I run external amps on my LCR and it is remarkable how much cooler the 4800 runs with those amps turned off. Otherwise I am 7.2.2 and the internal amps run only the surround speakers.

I also use the presets to switch between home theater and 2.0 mode with different Dirac profiles loaded. Sometimes I just want to listen to the LR speakers with no subs or anything else.

Absolutely true, the Denon 4700 runs much cooler in preamp mode. Energy use on the Denon 4700 drops as well as temperature in full preamp mode. I measure 47W in full preamp mode on the Denon AVR while using external amps and the power use jumps up to 150W idle with internal amps.

 

[Svend P]

Absolutely true, the Denon 4800 runs much cooler in preamp mode. Energy use on the Denon 4800 drops as well as temperature in full preamp mode. I measure 47W in full preamp mode on the Denon AVR while using external amps and the power use jumps up to 150W idle with internal amps.

Are you sure about those numbers? I get around 70 W with internal amps on and 65 W in preamp mode

in preamp mode:

 

[amper42]

Are you sure about those numbers? I get around 70 W with internal amps on and 65 W in preamp mode.

My measurements were completed with Denon 4700.
Thanks for the heads up. I never would have guessed power management was so different on Denon 4800.
What is the power usage measurement on Kill-a-watt with the Denon 4800 reaching 75dB playback levels with internal amps? Thank you!

 

[Tanquen]

Absolutely true, the Denon 4700 runs much cooler in preamp mode. Energy use on the Denon 4700 drops as well as temperature in full preamp mode. I measure 47W in full preamp mode on the Denon AVR while using external amps and the power use jumps up to 150W idle with internal amps.

If you're gonna use external amps is there any reason to get a 4800 or 6800, wouldn't a 3800 give you the same functionality?

 

[EWL5]

If you're gonna use external amps is there any reason to get a 4800 or 6800, wouldn't a 3800 give you the same functionality?

Only if you're chasing SINAD. Otherwise, the 3900 might be the better bet w/the improved (on paper) SINAD (pending Amir's much anticipated review).

 

[Steve Dallas]

If you're gonna use external amps is there any reason to get a 4800 or 6800, wouldn't a 3800 give you the same functionality?

The 4800 has ~10dB better SINAD, where 85dB is my floor for acceptability, but 95dB makes me happier for no particular reason. The 4800 is also made in Japan which matters to me after my Indonesia-made 4700 died twice.

 

[amper42]

If you're gonna use external amps is there any reason to get a 4800 or 6800, wouldn't a 3800 give you the same functionality?

Denon 4800 offers:
1. Dual line display and aluminum front panel vs plastic.
2. Proprietary Denon technology that upsamples digital audio signals up to 32 bits before digital-to-analog conversion.
3. Includes discrete circuitry to clean up digital timing errors across digital inputs.
4. Includes 7 rear HDMI 2.1 inputs instead of 6.
5. Provides 3 trigger outputs instead of just 1.
6. Features dedicated discrete pre-outs and matrix options to support a fully independent audio/video Zone 3.
7. Retains composite and component video inputs/outputs alongside video upscaling to HDMI.
8. Designed and manufactured in Japan at Denon's premium Shirakawa audio facility.

 

[Tanquen]

The 4800 has ~10dB better SINAD, where 85dB is my floor for acceptability, but 95dB makes me happier for no particular reason. The 4800 is also made in Japan which matters to me after my Indonesia-made 4700 died twice.

I guess I keep them too long, every AVR I've had has died on me.
The 6500 just died a couple of months ago I've sent it in for service and we'll see what happens. This was the first one where I had a fan on it and it was on there from day one and I never go above like -40, as my ears just can't take anything close to reference.
They can put whatever label they want on the box or suggest it's manufactured or designed wherever they want but if it's got a one or two year or three year warranty I don't care. Impress me with 10+ year warranty.

 

[jdbob]

I have a power meter on the whole system and with a black screen on the telly I got 157 watts with internal amps on and 119 with amps off. 38 watts doesn't seem like much of a difference but the temperature difference is significant. There was a small change in power factor from 0.80 amps on to 0.82 amps off.