Denon AVR-X4800H AVR Review

[RickyC34]

Separates are fine too, but again, to do 2.2, we would need basically a 4 channel device, that that's hard to find. Again, currently all those 2.2, except some of those Pogo mentioned, are not really 2.2, not in my book, as those are just internally connected with the main channels so you can really use them to do DLBC, and that's why I mentioned the AVR option, because they in fact can be configure for 2.2 with DL.

I will order the M4 as soon as I got the volume control figured out. @Tafelberg probably is the person to ask for help

Motu M4 Audio Interface Review

This is a review of Motu M4 4x4 audio interface (DAC and ADC). It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $220. The enclosure is heavy gauge metal and sturdy: The front inputs are for microphones with higher gain. For my testing I used the Line in (and out) in the back: For testing I...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Motu M4 Audio Interface Review

Thanks! The MIDI thing thrown me off, as this is completely unrelated to MIDI… It’s Audio/MIDI. Use the Window menu to open the audio device configuration.

www.audiosciencereview.com

This has been my volume control for 5+ years running either a pc or mac as my source to my living room tv. Batteries last forever. I think I've changed them 3-4 times over 5 years. Wireless Keyboard.
There are also usb dongle volume controls that you can program to a remote. Flirc
Would an old harmony remote work? or maybe the sofabaton? Sofabaton

 

[soerenssen]

I will order the M4 as soon as I got the volume control figured out.

What do you mean? A solution for the lack of remote volume control or the manual volume control not adjusting the volume for all the 4 channels (only ch 1/2)?

 

[peng]

What do you mean? A solution for the lack of remote volume control or the manual volume control not adjusting the volume for all the 4 channels (only ch 1/2)?

Manual volume control is good enough for me.

 

[soerenssen]

Manual volume control is good enough for me.

Is it the lack of main volume control that the Mk5 has (for all channels)? If yes, can you set both the DLBC volume level and the M4's volume level to the max safest level and then use one of those Harmony-replacements suggested by @RickyC34 with a Macro to control the media volume in Jriver?

 

[Deckard71]

They share the EXACT same hardware—the only differences are cosmetics, FW (software), and GUI. However, sonically, the Cinema 40 may appeal to audiophools who prefer a "warm" more analog sound. This is attributed to FW-based artificially added digital distortion (harmonics) aimed to create a psychoacoustic effect on the Marantz line.

No, it is not achieved via "FW-based artificially added digital distortion", it is due to HDAM preamp modules (hardware). And they sound great. You are not a microphone, you are a human being (I hope) and that "distortion" harmonics are pleasant to our brains

 

[peng]

Is it the lack of main volume control that the Mk5 has (for all channels)? If yes, can you set both the DLBC volume level and the M4's volume level to the max safest level and then use one of those Harmony-replacements suggested by @RickyC34 with a Macro to control the media volume in Jriver?

Thanks, so you can confirm that M4 has volume control? I may pull the trigger soon as I paid for my DLBC license already. Initially I will use just one sub, the 2nd one has to wait after spending a lot lately.

 

[peng]

No, it is not achieved via "FW-based artificially added digital distortion", it is due to HDAM preamp modules (hardware). And they sound great. You are not a microphone, you are a human being (I hope) and that "distortion" harmonics are pleasant to our brains

I think Marantz has admitted indirectly that it wasn't the HDAMs doing the trick but the DAC filters. That's based on the following facts:

1) The AV10 has vanishingly low distortions, as you said "You are not a microphone, you are a human being....", so I hope as human beings you can't really appreciate harmonics at such low level even if they are in fact pleasant to your brains (please don't use "our brains" because people's brains don't necessarily find the same harmonics pleasing, you can read Nelson Pass's article on that, and Nelson Pass is a believer in some harmonics can be pleasing).

2) In the AV10 manual, as well as Masimo's YT video, it clearly cited the DAC filters were affecting the "Marantz sound".

Below has been posted multiple times on the internet by various people:

And, below shows how low the AV10's distortions are:

 

[Rednaxela]

Below has been posted multiple times on the internet by various people:

View attachment 331649

That looks like a meme.

 

[soerenssen]

Thanks, so you can confirm that M4 has volume control?

It has, but outputs 3-4 on the M4 are not controlled by the master volume knob as far as I remember. I'll find the post for you in a minute.

Edit: I found this: https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/motu-m4-knobs.45185/post-1616255

 

[peng]

That looks like a meme.

Sure, but some people will believe such things.

 

[broncogr]

DLBC shows as available for Cinema 40 on Dirac page.
Marantz CINEMA 40 – Dirac
I am sure all other eligible D&M AVRs and AVPs will follow soon

 

[evert]

New firmware and DLBC license out!

 

[CapMan]

30% off

 

[CapMan]

The software upgrade applied on my 4800. Will have a play over the weekend

 

[David_Alexander]

Great value if you want DLBC (spoiler- I do)

I'm UK but will convert to $ for illustration. The x4800 can be had here for $1849 and both Dirac and DLBC (multi) came to $604 (BF and Intro deals).
So that's $2453.

Other than Marantz the only other 'budget-friendly' AVR options with the DLBC (UK) are Onkyo RZ70 and Pioneer VSA LX805 with both retail at $3950 and you still have to buy the DLBC licence on top.

 

[ban25]

Great value if you want DLBC (spoiler- I do)

I'm UK but will convert to $ for illustration. The x4800 can be had here for $1849 and both Dirac and DLBC (multi) came to $604 (BF and Intro deals).
So that's $2453.

Other than Marantz the only other 'budget-friendly' AVR options with the DLBC (UK) are Onkyo RZ70 and Pioneer VSA LX805 with both retail at $3950 and you still have to buy the DLBC licence on top.

Not sure where you saw that price for the RZ70, but it's $2800 on Amazon, which is the MSRP. You still have to spend at least $350 for DLBC on top of that ($500 for multi-sub). The Denon AVRs are a tremendous value for Dirac/DLBC indeed.

 

[Steve Dallas]

Is there any consensus on whether Dirac DLBC is worth the $350 (sale price) upgrade? Reviews and other online commentary are mixed in terms of results and value.

For example, I already have these results, which can be further improved using tools I already own (crossover at 80Hz) and already sounds great:

 

[CapMan]

Hi Steve - My F206s have arrived so I will be able to try DLBC over the holiday period. Different room so mileage may vary!

 

[ban25]

Is there any consensus on whether Dirac DLBC is worth the $350 (sale price) upgrade? Reviews and other online commentary are mixed in terms of results and value.

Will it make a big difference in terms of what you hear? Not necessarily. The 30% discount is nice and you will need a DLBC license if you intend to upgrade to ART down the line. You can also run DL-only and DL+DLBC on separate slots and A/B them. If you don't like it or hear any notable difference, you can email Dirac to ask for a refund.

 

[David_Alexander]

Not sure where you saw that price for the RZ70, but it's $2800 on Amazon, which is the MSRP. You still have to spend at least $350 for DLBC on top of that ($500 for multi-sub). The Denon AVRs are a tremendous value for Dirac/DLBC indeed.

Literally just googled the availabilty of the unit in UK, then converted to USD. You'll find other rates in US.