Denon AVR-X8500H AVR Review

[peng]

Electrician came over, looks like circuit breaker had an issue. Swapped it out and things are looking much more stable and I don't think damage was done. Thank you all for all of the ideas! What a relief. He also measured the draw and it was maybe 2.8 amps on a 20 amp circuit so I am nowhere near overloading that circuit even with lots of purifi amps and subwoofers. That was nice to see.

That's encouraging news. When you mentioned the Alexa was doing the same in your last post, I started to suspect a defective breaker could be the issue but those kind of breakers don't/won't itself automatically. So, such a failure (in that it wouldn't actually trip, but might have contact issue, such as bad connections/high resistance/weakened closing mechanism etc.) would be rare, but it is of course possible. Let's hope that's it. The 8500 is a truly flagship class avr that should have a long life.

 

[Kefref]

Hey everyone, new member here.

Impressed with the detail in your review of the x8500h (not that I completely understand it all) , I am considering buying one as an upgrade for my x3600h

I am currently running the 3600 7.1.4 (All Kef Q Series, Q550x2 Q350x4 Q650C ci160.2cr ceiling x 4, svs pro1000pb) with an additional tibo power amp driving fronts. Looking to go 7.1.6 possibility eliminating the extra amp and adding another ceiling pair.

I see there are some areas where the x3600 appears superior to the 8500, and vice versa.

Would anyone think this an unwise upgrade path, I know the x3600 is very capable. I can get the x8500 new for £2000

Anyone followed a similar upgrade, and if so was it worth the investment?

Would be great if someone else has experience in a similar upgrade.

Many Thanks

 

[Acerun]

Hey everyone, new member here.

Impressed with the detail in your review of the x8500h (not that I completely understand it all) , I am considering buying one as an upgrade for my x3600h

I am currently running the 3600 7.1.4 (All Kef Q Series, Q550x2 Q350x4 Q650C ci160.2cr ceiling x 4, svs pro1000pb) with an additional tibo power amp driving fronts. Looking to go 7.1.6 possibility eliminating the extra amp and adding another ceiling pair.

I see there are some areas where the x3600 appears superior to the 8500, and vice versa.

Would anyone think this an unwise upgrade path, I know the x3600 is very capable. I can get the x8500 new for £2000

Anyone followed a similar upgrade, and if so was it worth the investment?

Would be great if someone else has experience in a similar upgrade.

Many Thanks

I had a 3700 and upgraded to an 8500. The DAC is excellent measuring 104 SINAD I believe with the internal amps turned off. This is how I run my 5.1.2, with Purifi external amps. I highly recommend buying the $200 MultiEQ app as well as using REW. I'm very pleased.

 

[GXAlan]

Looking to go 7.1.6 possibility eliminating the extra amp and adding another ceiling pair.

Those 5W SINAD measurements showing differences between the more powerful x8500h and x3600h are going to be very subtle but the improvement you get with more speakers is real and the X8500H definitely has the power to support your 13.1 channels.

If you have a buyer for your X3600 and can make a quick switch, it’s probably worth it. The A10H hadn’t been tested/measured but it’s the only option you have at $4700 US. Even at 30% off it’s still another $1000 higher than what you can get the X8500H for.

That said, since you have quad subwoofers, the Dirac DLBC and “potential” of Dirac ART makes something like the X6800H another good option to run 11.4 and staying with 4 Atmos speakers instead of 6.

How big is your room?

 

[Kefref]

Thanks both for the response. Unfortunately I am a little limited for space for additional power amp(s) so was hoping to go a very good 1 box solution.

Bought the £20 Audyssey App, but haven't tried it yet, read good things about it. Should get £400-50 for the x3600 so looking at approx £1500 upgrade.

I did also consider the Marantz Cinema 30, however the price is very high at the moment. And 2 channels less than the 8500 so would still mean a 2 channel amp if I add the additional 2 height speakers.

I am only running 1 subwoofer, apologies, I see that wasnt made clear, the x 4 is for the Kef ci160.2cr ceiling speakers.

The room is around 6.5m long x 4m wide x 2.4m high, I have space to add a rear ceiling pair so that was the plan. (The screen is on the 4m wall).

 

[peng]

Thanks both for the response. Unfortunately I am a little limited for space for additional power amp(s) so was hoping to go a very good 1 box solution.

Bought the £20 Audyssey App, but haven't tried it yet, read good things about it. Should get £400-50 for the x3600 so looking at approx £1500 upgrade.

I did also consider the Marantz Cinema 30, however the price is very high at the moment. And 2 channels less than the 8500 so would still mean a 2 channel amp if I add the additional 2 height speakers.

I am only running 1 subwoofer, apologies, I see that wasnt made clear, the x 4 is for the Kef ci160.2cr ceiling speakers.

The room is around 6.5m long x 4m wide x 2.4m high, I have space to add a rear ceiling pair so that was the plan. (The screen is on the 4m wall).

The AVC-X6800H is on sale in the US for $2,799, so I wonder if you could get similar deal in your location?

As GXAlan pointed out, it has the ability to use DLBC, potentially ART down the road, 4 subs may be overkill for many but it is a good feature some some. The X6800H plus a 3 channel Hypex based amp may cost a little more than the X8500H option, but you only need to do it once and you will have significantly more output for your LCR speakers, and much lower THD+N.

Your Q series don't need much to sound their best, but having more output capability would give the flexibility and more options in your future speaker upgrades.

 

[Sal1950]

Would anyone think this an unwise upgrade path, I know the x3600 is very capable. I can get the x8500 new for £2000

That sounds like an incredible deal for a NEW 8500?
I'd double check on it's provenance, if genuine and not refurb or such, I don't see how you can go wrong.

 

[famasfilms]

Bought the £20 Audyssey App, but haven't tried it yet, read good things about it.

Make sure to optimise your audyssey calibration with Audyssey One

 

[Acerun]

There is a huge difference between the $20 app and the $200 app. The $200 app was built and maintained by Audyssey. The other is a third party. Gene from audioholics has a video explaining how bad the $20 app actually is compared to the $200 app. I have posted it on the forum before maybe you could find it via search.

 

[Kefref]

I did consider the x6800h as well, definitely a strong candidate.

Planning to use the app shortly, just been busy lately, just ran the full 8 position Audyssey calibration and then realised had to run again for the app, seems strange you can access the current calibration set.

The 8500 is brand new, and from a shop I have used many times, should almost be wearing a mask

Think I am convinced, can't see how I can go wrong for that price

 

[Acerun]

I did consider the x6800h as well, definitely a strong candidate.

Planning to use the app shortly, just been busy lately, just ran the full 8 position Audyssey calibration and then realised had to run again for the app, seems strange you can access the current calibration set.

The 8500 is brand new, and from a shop I have used many times, should almost be wearing a mask

Think I am convinced, can't see how I can go wrong for that price

For sure. That's a great price. I paid $2,800 for mine used.. although mine does have the AKM chip.

 

[Kefref]

I am still pretty stuck on this one, can't decide between the extra grunt and channels of the 8500 and the newer features of the 6800.

Does anyone have first hand experience of the 2 models that can offer some insight into which would be the better option for now (7.1.4) and my future addition of another 2 channels?

I am looking for sound quality over volume, never really listen at loud volumes.

Would more grunt and more channels also equate to better quality overall.

I was wondering if upgrading to an older model receiver (even although it's the flagship 8500) and has another 2 channels may be a mistake.

 

[peng]

I am still pretty stuck on this one, can't decide between the extra grunt and channels of the 8500 and the newer features of the 6800.

Does anyone have first hand experience of the 2 models that can offer some insight into which would be the better option for now (7.1.4) and my future addition of another 2 channels?

I am looking for sound quality over volume, never really listen at loud volumes.

Would more grunt and more channels also equate to better quality overall.

I was wondering if upgrading to an older model receiver (even although it's the flagship 8500) and has another 2 channels may be a mistake.

If you use it as preamp/dac, the 8500 has slightly better DAC IC but on the bench both will likely measure about the same, that is around 100 dB SINAD. If use as AVR, the 8500 has two more channels of power amp but the preamps of both offer 13 channels, in fact the 6800 offers 2 more for the subwoofer channels.

So for one who is going to use the AVR as a one box solutions and only use 2 subwoofers, the 8500 is the one if both costs about the same, otherwise I would say the 6800 is the better choice, especially if you believe in the benefits of DLBC. It is also much easier to move, or ship (if case of repair).

 

[john11]

Seperates are the best, always go for seperates. I even had a soundblaster soundcard, got a good review from amir here on this website.
I used the soundcard as a dac, eq and volume control, fed to several power amps - brilliant sound, beats integrated any day, i can't listen to integrated anymore
A pc is good because you can upgrade anything any everything whenever you feel like, plus use the pc as word processor, internet surfer etc It's good to keep clutter down to a minimum. Upgrade to atmos or whatever the latest format is whenever you want.
I can unplug the dac and just slot in a new one if i don't like the sound of it, can't do that with integrated.
I can shove in a bigger power supply with more current, can't do that with integrated
I can give my soundcard and video cards each it's own dedicated psu, can't do that with integrated
If any component breaks down i can just shove in a new one, can't do that with integrated

 

[Kefref]

Decision made. I ordered a 6800 today.

Thanks for the assistance everyone.

Ended up getting it for £2600.with a free audioquest carbon 1.5m hdmi cable and 6 year warranty.

 

[JRR]

I don’t understand the point in reviewing this AVR reciever with the amplifier section turned off. Clearly the primary use case is with the amplifier on and thus the measurements should be done accordingly. As an added comment you could state that the pre section measured noticeably better with the amplifier section turned off. However, the information we are given is academic at best with an added side note that it measures poorly when used as intended.

 

[JRR]

Decision made. I ordered a 6800 today.

Thanks for the assistance everyone.

Ended up getting it for £2600.with a free audioquest carbon 1.5m hdmi cable and 6 year warranty.

Congratulations on your new receiver. You paid too much for the Audioquest however…

 

[peng]

I don’t understand the point in reviewing this AVR reciever with the amplifier section turned off. Clearly the primary use case is with the amplifier on and thus the measurements should be done accordingly. As an added comment you could state that the pre section measured noticeably better with the amplifier section turned off. However, the information we are given is academic at best with an added side note that it measures poorly when used as intended.

The funny thing is, at that time, some people who wanted an avp might prefer it to the more expensive AV8805! because..

 

[RichB]

I don’t understand the point in reviewing this AVR reciever with the amplifier section turned off. Clearly the primary use case is with the amplifier on and thus the measurements should be done accordingly. As an added comment you could state that the pre section measured noticeably better with the amplifier section turned off. However, the information we are given is academic at best with an added side note that it measures poorly when used as intended.

I bought a 3700H turned off the amps and use an ATI AT525NC amplifier. Why? because it is far cheaper than an AVP.
I think the better question is why you cannot buy a version without amps for hundreds less....

- Rich

 

[pmar4015]

I bought a 3700H turned off the amps and use an ATI AT525NC amplifier. Why? because it is far cheaper than an AVP.
I think the better question is why you cannot buy a version without amps for hundreds less....

- Rich

No one knows for sure but many speculate it is because ‘separates’ are considered a low production enthusiast type product and therefore prone to higher production costs on a per model basis (and I am quite sure there is some (or rather a lot) price gouging going on).