Strange Radio-Like Noise (Interference/Hiss) with Denon AVR-X1700H – Only with Audyssey On

[Leilu]

Hi everyone,

I’m experiencing a noticeable interference/hiss issue with my Denon AVR-X1700H, specifically when Audyssey MultEQ XT is enabled (any preset: Reference, Flat). I'm not sure how to describe it properly in English - it sounds like radio static or interference (similar to poor AM radio reception).

Setup:

Speakers: Eltax Monitor III (L/R) + Jamo Sub 210

Main Zone (TV Audio): PC with RTX4070 (HDMI 2.1) ---> LG 42C2 (HDMI eARC) ---> (HDMI OUT) AVR-X1700H

Observations:

The noise disappears when playback is paused or when Audyssey is turned off.

Issue occurs even with Bluetooth sources (ruling out HDMI cables).

Noise is volume-dependent on the AVR (louder at higher volumes, but independent of source volume). The noise becomes particularly apparent with low-level source material (e.g., Windows sound level set to 5-10% and soft music or Twitch streams with speech) when the receiver volume is set relatively high.

Dynamic EQ set to 'On' dramatically amplifies the interference noise, making it unbearable at normal listening volumes.

I've tried tweaking the calibration using the A1 Evo optimization script. It seams better though I'm not entirely sure if it actually reduces the noise or if it's just placebo.

I just purchased this AVR-X1700H (still within return window) and am trying to determine if this is normal behavior or a defect before deciding whether to keep it.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[kyuu]

This sounds very much like you have the AVR turned up so high that you're hearing the noise floor. EQ like Audyssey or the "Dynamic EQ" feature has to reserve headroom, which can exacerbate the issue but would not be the cause.

Do you hear the noise/hiss if you turn the source volume all the way up? You should always be running your sources at max output unless you are hearing distortion or clipping from the AVR's input being overdriven, in which case you back off until that's not happening. Normal volume control should be handled exclusively by the AVR.

 

[Leilu]

Yes, with the windows sound at 100% I can still hear this noise/artifacts, especially on soft music intros and Windows notifications like mail received in Thunderbird, and even more so with Dynamic EQ on.
Sail by Awolnation is a perfect example – I hear interference artifacts on every note in the intro, combined with a constant white noise hiss in the background.

 

[kyuu]

So if I'm understanding correctly it occurs regardless of how high/low the source volume (Windows PC in this case) is set? This also occurs with Bluetooth sources (I'm assuming something like a mobile phone)? If so, that would seem to indicate an inherent issue with the AVR itself. Either something in the settings is messed up or it may be defective. I can only thing of two courses of action from here:

1) Factory-reset the AVR to eliminate any possibility of errant settings.
2) If that doesn't resolve it, contact Denon support. It may need to be RMA'd.

 

[Leilu]

Thank you
I have already contacted Denon and they advised me to do a reset and a new calibration. Which I did.
I could live with the noise when Dynamic EQ is off, but I'd really prefer to use this feature if possible so I think it'll be RMA.

 

[Leilu]

I got a new amp (AVR-X2800H) and I don't have any more problems.