Denon AVR-X4800H AVR Review

[pogo]

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

The biggest weakness at the moment is the amplification and the problem is worsening with ART. But here, too, class-d will certainly be introduced soon.

 

[ban25]

This question came up somewhere, maybe around Cedia, and IIRC Phil Jones said they didn't really see any reason for annual refreshes. So yeah, 18-months to 2-years for the next generation. Probably the differences will be minor, 48 Gbps HDMI chipsets will be out, which should allow 4K144 for those who need it. I'll be curious to see if they drop Audyssey and move to shipping Dirac Live by default.

 

[tjcinnamon]

This question came up somewhere, maybe around Cedia, and IIRC Phil Jones said they didn't really see any reason for annual refreshes. So yeah, 18-months to 2-years for the next generation. Probably the differences will be minor, 48 Gbps HDMI chipsets will be out, which should allow 4K144 for those who need it. I'll be curious to see if they drop Audyssey and move to shipping Dirac Live by default.

My guess is that dropping Audyssey wouldn’t happen because of it being so embedded into the AVR. No requirement for a computer, no requirement for an external USB mic, much easier to use, and I think licensing would be more expensive to their bottom line.

If anything, I bet D&M gets a kickback from Dirac for licensing sales. As opposed to DM paying them.

 

[ban25]

My guess is that dropping Audyssey wouldn’t happen because of it being so embedded into the AVR. No requirement for a computer, no requirement for an external USB mic, much easier to use, and I think licensing would be more expensive to their bottom line.

If anything, I bet D&M gets a kickback from Dirac for licensing sales. As opposed to DM paying them.

Dirac can definitely be calibrated on AVR, as is supported on PAC products with the included puck mic. Is that as good as calibrating on a PC/Mac with a UMIK-1, hell no, but it is possible. D+M would have to implement that with their firmware, but if they pull the plug on Audyssey, I could see that happening.

 

[JBLHD]

I currently have a 3700h with an Emotiva BasX A3 power amp (3*140 watt) for my front stage.

I would like to improve my system with Dirac and the individual management of my two boxes (SB3000) with DLBC.

I still hesitate between the 3800h and the 4800h, even having read all the pages of your very enriching comments on the two models (two evenings of reading...)

The small problem I have with the 3700h is the fact that the amp's heating does not decrease with the addition of the BasX A3. Since the 3700h is not monolithic, the internal amps cannot be deactivated, I think I will have the same problem with the 3800h. The question is, will being able to cut off the power supplies to the three LCR channels radically change the audio quality situation in favor of the 4800h and justify the current €400 difference.

 

[ban25]

I currently have a 3700h with an Emotiva BasX A3 power amp (3*140 watt) for my front stage.

I would like to improve my system with Dirac and the individual management of my two boxes (SB3000) with DLBC.

I still hesitate between the 3800h and the 4800h, even having read all the pages of your very enriching comments on the two models (two evenings of reading...)

The small problem I have with the 3700h is the fact that the amp's heating does not decrease with the addition of the BasX A3. Since the 3700h is not monolithic, the internal amps cannot be deactivated, I think I will have the same problem with the 3800h. The question is, will being able to cut off the power supplies to the three LCR channels radically change the audio quality situation in favor of the 4800h and justify the current €400 difference.

No audible difference between the 3700H and 4800H, beyond Dirac/DLBC, which is significant. The vast majority of the heat is from the HDMI board, so it won't matter whether you use internal amplification or external. The 3800/4800 is a toasty beast, just like the 3700.

 

[graystreet]

No audible difference between the 3700H and 4800H, beyond Dirac/DLBC, which is significant. The vast majority of the heat is from the HDMI board, so it won't matter whether you use internal amplification or external. The 3800/4800 is a toasty beast, just like the 3700.

Getting a AC Infinity AIRCOM fan system made a big difference in my setup. It's nice to know that there are three thermostat controlled fans quietly pulling air through my AVR as needed.

 

[ofc]

The 3800/4800 is a toasty beast, just like the 3700.

I find my X4800H much cooler than my previous X6300H.

 

[Steve Dallas]

I find my X4800H much cooler than my previous X6300H.

Agreed. My 4800 runs much cooler than my 4700 did until it died.

 

[GSil]

Today received Fosi ZA3 amplifier to power my rear heights with 11.1.4 setup setup, previously my rear heights were powered by my old behemoth Onkyo AVR TX-SR805. Connected Fosi ZA3 amp with mono 3.5mm trigger cable. When I turn on X4800 the Fosi amp turns on, but X4800 internal amps stay off, no relay click also, speaker setup shows only rear height channels as Pre-Out. Turn off X4800 and the Fosi turns off. The trigger function is working.
Also with connected trigger cable there is humming noise from speakers that are connected to Fosi. Turn everything off, unplug the trigger cable, switch on and the humming noise is gone and the X4800 internal amps are on. The trigger cable is OK, tested with multimeter 0.1 Ohm resistance and no short circuit. Can't figure out what is causing this, ZA3 or X4800

 

[ban25]

Today received Fosi ZA3 amplifier to power my rear heights with 11.1.4 setup setup, previously my rear heights were powered by my old behemoth Onkyo AVR TX-SR805. Connected Fosi ZA3 amp with mono 3.5mm trigger cable. When I turn on X4800 the Fosi amp turns on, but X4800 internal amps stay off, no relay click also, speaker setup shows only rear height channels as Pre-Out. Turn off X4800 and the Fosi turns off. The trigger function is working.
Also with connected trigger cable there is humming noise from speakers that are connected to Fosi. Turn everything off, unplug the trigger cable, switch on and the humming noise is gone and the X4800 internal amps are on. The trigger cable is OK, tested with multimeter 0.1 Ohm resistance and no short circuit. Can't figure out what is causing this, ZA3 or X4800

Not sure about the first issue with the internal amps, however, the hum is caused by a ground loop. You need to run a ground wire from the Fosi to the ground lug on the X4800H (next to the phono input). I checked and the Fosi does not have a lug (what a POS!), so you will need to attach it to a screw on the chassis or otherwise improvise a solution.

 

[GSil]

Found the problem with the 4800X trigger. For Fosi ZA3 trigger input a stereo 3.5mm, jack must be used. Looks like the mono jack caused a short circuit in the 12v power line in the X4800 and the speaker amp relays did not turn on. Changed the trigger cable from mono to stereo, no humm and the X4800 amps turn on.

 

[Miker 1102]

This guy is using C weighting so he can’t measure the increase in bass in the front speakers below 100Hz as the level gets lower. The biggest facepalm moment of my life.

He is not someone I pay any attention to. I like to watch you tube reviewers..but he misses stuff that seems obvious. I always check after watching his videos.

 

[Miker 1102]

1) As you now realize I don't have the 3700, my potential candidates for doing what I want in one of my 2 ch system are:
a) X3600H, X3700H, even X3500H, but I don't thing I can find one new, and am always skeptical of used ones that are out of warranty.
b) MOTU M4, but I am not sure if I spent $400 on the M4, how would I do volume control, to pair it with a 4 channel preamp or 2X2ch preamp is not going to be tricky.
c) Give up on using 2 subs with my BMRs, but just 1, in that case DLBC would seem under utilized, though with the discounts I wouldn't complaining much about it.

Ideally, I would like to use a real 2.2 receiver or integrated amp but there is no such animal that I am aware of. If Dirac has a smart and more risk taking marketing team, they would work with the likes of D+M, NAD, Arcam etc., to market a real 2.2 device instead of settling on the silly subwoofer outputs that are simply connected to the left/right channels no different than using Y-connectors externally.

To be clear, there are no 2.2 or even 2.1 contents for HT, but in my opinion, manufacturers should take a risk and do try marketing such a product if they would bet on room correction such as DL will soon gain popularity.

May be they are smart enough to know that 2 channel audiophiles are too ignorant to know that they could have much better perceptible sound quality by using a mid range gear such as DRA-9000H, NR1200 if such unit can take advantage of DLBC, or the likes of MSO that can integrate the bass of capable tower speakers and multiple subwoofers. It is probably a fact that the 2 channel crowds typically get fixated on the so called sound signature myth, such that they believe for example, there are night and day improvements simply by "upgrading" from their NR1200 to an Anthem STR integrated amp, yet in a DBT they would not be able to perceive much difference if at all, whereas the difference between with and without the use of RC such as DLBC would be much more obvious. In other words, it is likely true that people don't know what they miss, and keep chasing the wrong thing that only work because of their tendency to get easily influenced by marketing information and the price points of the so called high end gear.

I see. I am always wanting this in between solution myself. A better stereo product with a subwoofer that I could use in integration with my multichannel HT. I am not technical enough to build a chain like the ones you are describing. I bought a NAD 3045 D and figured I could just switch speakers and a USB line and have a better solution but it's cheap and had an error light within three months. I have another two channel system but can only use it when thr six other people I live wirh are not home..never.

 

[Rockman2]

Update on my system. The 4800 just does great. As I said before. I had a Marantz SR8015 with my last system and then saved money trying the 4800. I am not disappointed. In fact I think this unit does a better job. I also paired it with a 3 channel amp to run the front 3 channels. I have also added 4 additional speakers to have 7.2.4 setup. Before I had 7.1. This system just blows me away. The scene in James bond Spectre (Day of the dead) At the end of that scene the helicopter in the square is just stunning. The separation and the helicopter circling over head. The 4800 is great!

 

[peng]

Update on my system. The 4800 just does great. As I said before. I had a Marantz SR8015 with my last system and then saved money trying the 4800. I am not disappointed. In fact I think this unit does a better job. I also paired it with a 3 channel amp to run the front 3 channels. I have also added 4 additional speakers to have 7.2.4 setup. Before I had 7.1. This system just blows me away. The scene in James bond Spectre (Day of the dead) At the end of that scene the helicopter in the square is just stunning. The separation and the helicopter circling over head. The 4800 is great!

Are you using Audyssey (with the $200 or $20 app) or Dirac?

 

[Lbstyling]

1) I had the 4700 with MEQX. I spent far more time on setups and measurements than is rational. I would guess I have ran 40 full calibrations and many targets.
There were several speaker/amp/sub improvements over that time.

First run with the 4800 just on the App gave much better results than I ever achieved with the 4700 MEQX or not.

And this is without MEQX.
The bass extension is deeper with MEQX of course.

2) I also seam to be finding that the SQ on Amazon HD audio through HEOS is just 'clearer' than lossless using the other sources. I have tried confirming all settings in both apps are lossless, no volume leveling/Atmos etc. all good. The SPL level is also higher.

I have no explanation for either observation.

My 4700 was an earlier AKM DAC one. The 4800 samples at 96khz rather than 48khz in the 4700. I wouldn't expect either to really factor in the outcome.

Best guess for item 1 is the supplied mic is just a lucky better one or something?

Most speakers are are KEF meta. Would I notice this with a lesser speaker? Don't know.

I like about 1db tilt down from 1khz in both setups regardless.

 

[peng]

The 4800 samples at 96khz rather than 48khz in the 4700. I wouldn't expect either to really factor in the outcome.

Where did you get the info about sampling at 96 kHz when Audyssey is in use?

 

[Lbstyling]

Where did you get the info about sampling at 96 kHz when Audyssey is in use?

Amir's review suggests it no?
Itwouldnt make any audible difference though.

 

[Trdat]

Welcome to the forum. As long as you don't drink the Kool-aid you'll be fine.

Pp pp0