• WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!

Denon Replaces AKM AK4458 DAC IC in X4700H and X6700H

Didn’t read all the pages but do we now know what DAC is inside the 6700?

Thanks
 
bplatypus said:
Ok thanks. I checked my SN it’s ending with 7xxxx.

So PCM…
Click to expand...

Those serial numbers are NOT related to the DAC inside, those are related to the HDMI board inside. Below 70000 the HDMI ports are not fully 4K/120Hz then you have to get the SPK618 HDMI Adapter box for free from Denon and above 70000 then those have the updated HDMI board with fully support for 8K and 4K/120Hz.

Denon HDMI Adapters | Denon™

www.denon.com www.denon.com
 
enricoclaudio said:
Those serial numbers are NOT related to the DAC inside, those are related to the HDMI board inside. Below 70000 the HDMI ports are not fully 4K/120Hz then you have to get the SPK618 HDMI Adapter box for free from Denon and above 70000 then those have the updated HDMI board with fully support for 8K and 4K/120Hz.

Denon HDMI Adapters | Denon™

www.denon.com www.denon.com
Click to expand...

The AKM warehouse fire happened around the same time when Denon was fixing the HDMI issues for next batch of receivers. They took this opportunity to also change the DAC's to the PCM ones. In any case, based on this post, this has been confirmed by Denon Germany: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-x4700h-and-x6700h.22798/page-22#post-1047497
 
The New DACs were implemented in the X3700H, X4700H and X6700H by April 2021. The new HDMI board with fully support for 4K/120Hz and 8K was released by August 2021 so I don't see how this match. Yes, after August 2021 all receivers had New HDMI board and New DACs but between April 2021 and August 2021, some receivers with old HDMI board had the new DACs already. AKM factory fire happened back in October 2020.
 
Last edited:
when is akm back to full production? any update on x3800 dac being updated so it can finally be "Recommended" by asr?
 
Unless something exceptional were to happen, I would be very very surprised to see any change in the DAC within this generation.

They will hold onto that change and deploy it in the X3900 I expect
 
There is unlikely to be a change in this generation. They could have easily made better DAC choices for similar money with the current models, but didn’t.
 
Music1969 said:
I don't think the DAC chip itself is limiting performance though right, with Denon AVRs?

Even right now they are not achieving the current DAC chip spec...

Analogue and amp stages, power supply stages need better performance
Click to expand...
According to Amir's X4800H review, they achieve the absolute limit of the TI PCM 5102A according to the datasheet. So it is the limiter in this case. Not that it's anything to worry about, you can't hear a difference between it an an AKM or ESS model.
 
ban25 said:
According to Amir's X4800H review, they achieve the absolute limit of the TI PCM 5102A according to the datasheet. So it is the limiter in this case. Not that it's anything to worry about, you can't hear a difference between it an an AKM or ESS model.
Click to expand...
Mmmm good point, ill delete my post
 
Music1969 said:
Mmmm good point, ill delete my post
Click to expand...

In practical sense, such as audibility, I would agree with you that it is not the limiting factor especially for those who use the Denon's build in power amplifiers. On paper though, that is, audibility aside, I would agree with ban25.
 
ban25 said:
According to Amir's X4800H review, they achieve the absolute limit of the TI PCM 5102A according to the datasheet. So it is the limiter in this case. Not that it's anything to worry about, you can't hear a difference between it an an AKM or ESS model.
Click to expand...
As I have tested with two separate external DAC's in 'sort-of-A-v-B-v-C'-comparison... I was able to source a streaming DAC from Argon (Solo with ESS) and Topping (E30 DAC with AKM) cheap. Both 'high-spec' DAC-chips and connected via analog input to my 4700 (CD analog input with very good SINAD according to Amirm's testing) The argon Solo is connect via toslink to the Topping E30 so I can switch my Apple Music streaming audio to internal 4700 (TI) DAC or to the CD input (and choose whether I use the Topping or Argon DAC) I can tell you; I can't hear any difference... Not while sitting in the sweet-spot (stereo, Wharfedale EV0 4.4) nor while listening close to one speaker (noise...) So I now have two nice small boxes showing an orange and a red light telling me they are doing nothing as I stream via the internal DAC. From spec's perspective it is a step back but in the real world of a home cinema receiver (....) in a living room (?) You can safely choose Denon or Marantz for that matter.

If you really wanna make a difference; invest in room optimization and perhaps proper stereo amp with separate DAC and two very nice stereo speakers (kinda High End-ish I'd suggest) I chose a clean setup with Denon 4700 as central box and Marantz MM7025 to drive my main speakers (L and R) Probably I will buy another 5-channel amp to drive center and surround and leave the Atmos speakers for the Denon to drive. If the wife accepts that is ;-)
 
Last edited:
Brambo67 said:
As I have tested with two separate external DAC's in 'sort-of-A-v-B-v-C'-comparison... I was able to source a streaming DAC from Argon (Solo with ESS) and Topping (E30 DAC with AKM) cheap. Both 'high-spec' DAC-chips and connected via analog input to my 4700 (CD analog input with very good SINAD according to Amirm's testing) The argon Solo is connect via toslink to the Topping E30 so I can switch my Apple Music streaming audio to internal 4700 (TI) DAC or to the CD input (and choose whether I use the Topping or Argon DAC) I can tell you; I can't hear any difference... Not while sitting in the sweet-spot (stereo, Wharfedale EV0 4.4) nor while listening close to one speaker (noise...) So I now have two nice small boxes showing an orange and a red light telling me they are doing nothing as I stream via the internal DAC. From spec's perspective it is a step back but in the real world of a home cinema receiver (....) in a living room (?) You can safely choose Denon or Marantz for that matter.

If you really wanna make a difference; invest in room optimization and perhaps proper stereo amp with separate DAC and two very nice stereo speaker (kinda High End-ish I'd suggest) I chose a clean setup with Denon 400 as central box and Marantz MM7025 to drive my main speakers (L and R) Probably I will buy another 5-channel amp to drive center and surround and leave the Atmos speakers for the Denon to drive. If the wife accepts that is ;-)
Click to expand...
100%. I know the feeling as I have some paperweights too :facepalm:
 
ban25 said:
100%. I know the feeling as I have some paperweights too :facepalm:
Click to expand...

My Emotiva DC-1 makes a great headphone amp.
For that once every 3 months I listen to headphones. LOL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Brambo67
Seeking for confirmation; stick to Denon AVC-X4700h of step up to Marantz SR8015
2 3 4
Replies
76
Views
5K
Miker 1102
M
S
Denon AVR-A10H 13.4-Channel Receiver announced!
2
Replies
30
Views
9K
peng
P
NTTY
Denon DCD-3560 Review (CD Player)
2 3
Replies
49
Views
6K
dualazmak
dualazmak
NTTY
Denon DCD-SA1 Review (CD/SACD Player)
7 8 9
Replies
176
Views
30K
Scytales
Scytales
NTTY
Sony CDP-337ESD Review (CD Player)
2
Replies
29
Views
2K
WDeranged
WDeranged
Back
Top Bottom