Denon AVR-X4800H AVR Review

[tjcinnamon]

Also, can anyone confirm that the delays and trims can be adjusted after Dirac calibration. My speakers need pretty precise distances post calibration.

 

[davidc]

Where has that been confirmed?

Me, directly with Dirac. Via Flavio (flak)who is a Dirac tech support and public relations guy that participates a lot on the audioholics forum. He confirmed it there, as well as through personal conversation with me.

 

[tjcinnamon]

Me, directly with Denon. Via Flavio (flak)who is a Denon tech support and public relations guy that participates a lot on the audio helix forum. He confirmed it there, as well as through personal conversation with me.

I believe you but point of clarification: flak works for Dirac

I’m either looking at the Marantz AV10, Denon X4800, or the Marantz Cinema 40.

 

[ban25]

Also, can anyone confirm that the delays and trims can be adjusted after Dirac calibration. My speakers need pretty precise distances post calibration.

I would not recommend touching the delays after calibrating by Dirac. Dirac will properly time align your speakers. Distance is not involved beyond contributing to that delay as a result of sound propagation.

 

[davidc]

I believe you but point of clarification: flak works for Dirac

I’m either looking at the Marantz AV10, Denon X4800, or the Marantz Cinema 40.

Yes, sorry, that's what I meant. Correction to my earlier post
He answers the customer service emails for Dirac, and participates on the forums

 

[peng]

I believe you but point of clarification: flak works for Dirac

I’m either looking at the Marantz AV10, Denon X4800, or the Marantz Cinema 40.

Gene asked Maimo's Phil Jones in a recent YT video and Phil Jones basically confirmed it, that AVRs that have 4 subouts will be able to do it, he wouldn't comment on the time frame.

 

[davidc]

Gene asked Maimo's Phil Jones in a recent YT video and Phil Jones basically confirmed it, that AVRs that have 4 subouts will be able to do it, he wouldn't comment on the time frame.

yes, he pretty much confirmed it for the flagship AVR's and I tried through the chat to get him to confirm it for the x800 series, but they didn't answer it.

 

[tjcinnamon]

I would not recommend touching the delays after calibrating by Dirac. Dirac will properly time align your speakers. Distance is not involved beyond contributing to that delay as a result of sound propagation.

I agree but

if you’re ever in Wisconsin and you want I hear the result of 7.6ms on the left channel and 8.1ms on the right and the impact to the stereo image in my listening position, DM me and I’ll show you why it needs to happen. My speakers are crazy and highly seating dependent (Polk L800’s with SDA, a selfish speaker).

I agree with subs it can matter for the crossover but it’s very nominal as it relates to flattening

 

[tjcinnamon]

Gene asked Maimo's Phil Jones in a recent YT video and Phil Jones basically confirmed it, that AVRs that have 4 subouts will be able to do it, he wouldn't comment on the time frame.

He said “should”. So basically, yes, but if youre not in a pinch, I’d wait to see how it turns out

 

[davidc]

The SDA series was awesome. A heck of a lot less critical seating position than Carver's original Sonic Holigraphy though. Most people here probably have no idea what I'm talking about with regards to your speakers or carver

 

[peng]

He said “should”. So basically, yes, but if youre not in a pinch, I’d wait to see how it turns out

That's true, he was very cautious when Gene pushed him for answer.

 

[peng]

yes, he pretty much confirmed it for the flagship AVR's and I tried through the chat to get him to confirm it for the x800 series, but they didn't answer it.

You should watch that video yourself, he basically, or sort of, answer it, but was very cautious.., kind of leaving room for error, or just cya.

 

[peng]

yes, he pretty much confirmed it for the flagship AVR's and I tried through the chat to get him to confirm it for the x800 series, but they didn't answer it.

Time mark: 11:35

That's where Gene tried to get him confirm not only the flagship AV10 and A1H, but also any of the AVRs that have 4 subwoofer outputs, and Phil Jones answer was, while not definitive, but sort of confirmed that D+M's committed, so I agree with tjcinnamon, if you can wait, just wait until they officially confirm that even the X3800H through Cinema 40 can do ART and with committed ETA.

 

[tjcinnamon]

The SDA series was awesome. A heck of a lot less critical seating position than Carver's original Sonic Holigraphy though. Most people here probably have no idea what I'm talking about with regards to your speakers or carver

That’s awesome (youre in the know too)! Those L800’s improved on the previous generations. Unreal speakers!

I’ve been monkeying with other ideas for that tech where the speakers can accommodate a large display in the middle. Tim Link on the forum has some techniques. Not sure how well it works.

I’ve tried some of the software and it’s not nearly as effective as the speakers.

 

[tjcinnamon]

That's true, he was very cautious when Gene pushed him for answer.

I paid special attention because I am itching for a new AVR

 

[Miker 1102]

That new Pioneer VSX-LX805 is going to need to fight for its life esp since theyre no longer doing Class D. Denon's packages are still HUGE value both in performance metrics and features. Tho the new Sony ES Flagship lineup is looking very enticing and their spatial processing seems to be plug and play and far more effective than even Dirac. Looking forward to seeing if someone would be willing to send one of those in. Honestly if I were to rec to people AVRs right now it would be the Sony's just for the fact that they are dead simple to setup and no need to tinker w/ all the hours of Dirac measurements and setup.i

I thought this as well.

 

[dave999z]

I have not followed AVRs for very long. Based on Denon's past release cycle, do folks have any sense of when a Denon X4900H may be released? I'm looking at getting a receiver for 7.2.4 Atmos sometime next year and am just curious if a new model may be on the scene by then.

 

[tjcinnamon]

I have not followed AVRs for very long. Based on Denon's past release cycle, do folks have any sense of when a Denon X4900H may be released? I'm looking at getting a receiver for 7.2.4 Atmos sometime next year and am just curious if a new model may be on the scene by then.

Everyone thinks they are on a 3 year cycle. So my guess would be 2 years to 18 months: leaning the former.

 

[NoCoYeti]

Everyone thinks they are on a 3 year cycle. So my guess would be 2 years to 18 months: leaning the former.

Not to mention that I can't really think of any technology it is missing.

 

[tjcinnamon]

Not to mention that I can't really think of any technology it is missing.

Totally. Their old trick was to increase the amps by 10 watts.

But yeah, unless there’s some new version of Dirac down the road then HDMI 2.1 is still under adoption and the audio format space is saturated and the major players have what they need.

I think it’s more profitable for them to just sit with the same boxes, same labels, and just focus on firmware until the next big thing.