- Thread Starter
- #21
Okay yes thanks
I'll do this then
I'll come back to say if it works, thanks guys for the help
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Replace my denon x3700h?
- Thread starter Xenio
- Start date
Okay yes thanks
I'll do this then
I'll come back to say if it works, thanks guys for the help
twsecrest
Major Contributor
Buy a used PCI-E X1 sound card, that comes with Dolby Digital Live or DTS-Connect software feature, it will give you 6-channels (5.1) of 24 bit/48K digital sound, using S/PDIF.
Yes, it's 2.0 or AC3 for 5.1 max.
Very nice link for stereo. But if you want more surround formats it's not good.
You could still opt to fix your GPU issues. As an IT guy my bet is 98% on software issue and 2% NVidia card or the Denon.
- Thread Starter
- #25
I'm fine with trying to fix the issue, but as an IT guy myself too I tried everything that I thought of and while it's probably a software issue I don't think I have any control over the software.
As said before I tried :
Changing the GPU (I had a 3080 ti before, now 5080), changing OS (linux nixos/kde), reinstalling windows, installing different nvidia drivers version, updating denon firmware....
I also tried with another PC (laptop on AMD integrated graphics) and no issue there.
I also tried disabling HDR, not running 120Hz, disabling hdmi 2.1, using "sound keep alive" softs, looking at plenty of logs (thanks to linux), changing power profiles for the GPU, running dolby atmos instead of multi in etc etc (I don't remember everything)
Only thing I could try but doubt will help is test with a WHOLE other PC but keep the same GPU, I have the PC just need to move it downstairs. But since it's probably totally related to the GPU + its driver I'm not sure it will help.
Yeah I don't really want something in a PCIe slot considering the 5080 is big and needs good airflow, but I could buy a soundblaster x3/x4, it supports dolby digital live...
FWIW, I haven't seen this behavior with my X3700H. I regularly run Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and multichannel PCM from both an Intel Arc mini PC over HDMI into the Denon without audio dropouts or crackling.
Based on everything you've tested, I don't think the X3700H itself is the primary culprit. The fact that the issue occurs with both a 3080 Ti and 5080, but not with your AMD/Intel-based laptop, makes me suspect some Nvidia HDMI audio, driver, EDID, or handshake interaction specific to that PC chain.
Have you tried PC → LG G5 directly with audio returned via eARC. I do not do this myself I go directly to Denon but worth a shot.
Based on everything you've tested, I don't think the X3700H itself is the primary culprit. The fact that the issue occurs with both a 3080 Ti and 5080, but not with your AMD/Intel-based laptop, makes me suspect some Nvidia HDMI audio, driver, EDID, or handshake interaction specific to that PC chain.
Have you tried PC → LG G5 directly with audio returned via eARC. I do not do this myself I go directly to Denon but worth a shot.
- Thread Starter
- #27
No I haven't tried eARC because the HDMI cable for the TV runs in the wall and there is only one. I literally prefer paying hundreds for a solution than having to deal with 2 cables there lol (yeah i'm dumb)
And yeah, it's not the X3700H alone, but maybe X3700H *with* nvidia. Like nvidia hdmi audio probably also works most of the time. Just feel like it's both of them together that don't.
Also the X3700H seems to be known for having some issues with the HDMI 2.1 chip ... so yeah idk
I'll try a bit more troubleshooting, such as moving the other computer and some other settings combination, but after that I will really need to change some part of the audio chain...
A soundblaster x4 looks somewhat promising but apparently the driver/soft is bugued and garbage from what I saw
And then there is the option of just selling the AVR. Like I said initially.
Either buying a new one or the MiniDSP flex ht with 2 power amps. Which wouldn't cost that much tbh if I sell the Denon
And yeah, it's not the X3700H alone, but maybe X3700H *with* nvidia. Like nvidia hdmi audio probably also works most of the time. Just feel like it's both of them together that don't.
Also the X3700H seems to be known for having some issues with the HDMI 2.1 chip ... so yeah idk
I'll try a bit more troubleshooting, such as moving the other computer and some other settings combination, but after that I will really need to change some part of the audio chain...
A soundblaster x4 looks somewhat promising but apparently the driver/soft is bugued and garbage from what I saw
And then there is the option of just selling the AVR. Like I said initially.
Either buying a new one or the MiniDSP flex ht with 2 power amps. Which wouldn't cost that much tbh if I sell the Denon
- Thread Starter
- #30
It does it at low volume yes and it was doing it before I had the 3e audio and it also does it for every speakers not just the front
Only common factor is :
"nvidia audio + hdmi + x3700h"
It's probably not a loose connection since with an amd integrated graphic I had no issue
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As you see this comes down to either a problem with NVidia cards vs. the Denon or something on that PC is interfering.
I don't think there is a general problem with NVidia cards and the Denon AVR. Or at least it is very unlikely. Also the AVR does not have an issue by itself, as you see with the AMD Vega or similar iGPU from the laptop. So the problem is confined to that PC.
Dropouts, interfering, reduced speed and general performance problems with add-in cards and peripherals on board can happen. In many cases these are L-state issues, which refers to what the peripheral unit will do when it's not currently interacting on the bus. And if it's interacting isn't necessarily a constant state, more things like interrupt moderation come into play. The PC BIOS knows 3 states, simplified: on, soft-off and off. Represented by 3 L-states allowed to the hardware (PCIe slot in this case). These are there for powersaving and efficiency.
On = no powersaving
Soft-off = reduce the link as max. as possible without going away, the usual standard
Off = go away when not needed, max. saving
Coming back from soft-off is rather fast whereas coming back from off is not so fast. Soft-off can already induce problems for certain peripherals with certain boards vs. BIOS and OS.
When an outdated BIOS and settings are ruled out (hence update and load optimized defaults) the switch for PCIe slot is to be made. In the OS this is represented by the power plan. Win: PCIe no powersaving, mediocre powersaving, max. powersaving.
I can't remember all cases that needed tuning in this area. Older Intel NICs are probably the most common cases. RAID controllers, HBA cards, firewire controllers.. lots of stuff that sometimes easily outlasts a Win version and a mainboard.
Linux won't solve it if the change needed is on BIOS level.
You don't have to do this, but I leave this info here in case someone else runs into this. After all (i)GPU to AVR is not that uncommon. It usually works, but... sometimes needs a little help.
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That's 3 factors though, and it does not seem like you've been able to set up enough tests to isolate the problem down to just one thing yet. That's not to say an incompatibility between all three can be ruled out, and it could be at the protocol level.
I have not read the details, but have you tried plugging the amp into a TV with the same HDMI lead and playing the same source material that was coming off the PC?
Try disabling any power saving features in your OS. Not sure for PCIe but in Windows for USB devices you can find some hidden power saving options via the device manager. Right click on the device and check its properties. There may be an option along the lines of allow windows to manage power for this device - disable that.
Also verify that the PSU has significantly higher capability that the GPU needs. Also confirm that the GPU has all aux power inputs connected if present.
Also verify that the PSU has significantly higher capability that the GPU needs. Also confirm that the GPU has all aux power inputs connected if present.
Remind me - what is being played on the PC, what app is playing it, and what is the setup of the internal audio chain? (I'm curious about windows mixer settings, possible exclusive mode, push or event etc etc if applicable to the app and the hardware).
You can contact Denon and request the HDMI module that solves the 2.1 issue. My serial number is newer but yours may have the defective chip
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