Will doing this brick my AVR?

[Stinga]

Hi everyone, I have an old Denon AVR X4000 that has never had a firmware upgrade. Now that I have bought some decent speakers and finally a sub I thought it maybe worthwhile updating so I have the latest Audyssey software also?

I asked Denon support for the firmware but their response concerns me a little as I don't want to upgrade my AVR until the AV30 is potentially released.
Below is a copy of what Denon sent me, your opinions would be much valued !
Thank you
Al

Thank you for reaching out. I do understand that you want your AVR-X4000 up to date. Please take note that we take NO responsibility for the installation of this update, and you should understand that by doing this, you are fully responsible if the unit ever breaks during and after the firmware update.

We will also not provide any support in loading the firmware as is normally done by a qualified technician. If you have any issues, then you should take the unit to an approved service centre to have the update done.

https://we.tl/t-zbpQhSzuBW
Link expiry is 3 days, and it will not be resent.

 

[Weeb Labs]

The Denon CSR is not suggesting that updating the firmware will brick your AVR; they are simply advising you that Denon accepts no responsibility in the event that the flash fails for any reason. So long as the update is performed correctly and you do not experience a power outage during the flash, your AVR will be perfectly fine.

 

[DVDdoug]

Some digital designs keep the original firmware as a permanent backup (in a different memory location) and you can temporally install (or move) a jumper to revert to the original. That's standard on motherboards so you don't have to send it back for reprogramming if you brick the BIOS (or otherwise foul-up).

If there isn't DIY recovery personally, I wouldn't take the risk unless I was willing to send the unit in anyway. If you NEED the update you aren't losing anything trying it yourself first.

 

[Oddball]

I thing that Denon support was fair. There is no way that anyone could know how would the firmware upgrade end up on 13 years old AVR with the original firmware. I do share the optimism that it will likely work, but then I am sure that nobody ever thought of this specific scenario, so odd outcomes are possible.

There might be full hardware reset on your AVR from firmware (i.e. no jumpers needed) so look into that as well to prepare for the worst. Full hardware reset usually works on D&M.

 

[kemmler3D]

Given that they are more or less saying you will void your warranty if you do this, I would at least try to find reports of other users upgrading this unit to a much newer firmware before attempting it.

 

[Laika2]

I have factory reset many denon and marantz receivers. I back up to usb first, if all fails a factory reset always got me back to running and the back put my settings back. Here is how to reset https://www.manualslib.com/manual/566611/Denon-Avr-X4000.html?page=225

Personally I would update, never bricked one, always got my settings back. But that's me. There is always a chance to brick anything with a update and that's all Denon is saying. It's not their fault if your power goes out in the middle of the update, even then you should be able to factory reset it with the front buttons. This update is for your denon model right? If not none of the above applies

 

[kyuu]

Given that they are more or less saying you will void your warranty if you do this, I would at least try to find reports of other users upgrading this unit to a much newer firmware before attempting it.

It seems unlikely that an X4000 would still be under warranty in any case.

 

[respice finem]

I can only say I've updated a Marantz 1608 AVR firmware several times and never encountered any issue.
As long as you don't flash the wrong firmware, the main risk is a power interruption during the update process.
Easily prevented by using a UPS.

 

[Stinga]

Thanks for everyone's reply, sounds like it's worth a shot then, power supply down under is pretty stable and it looks like i can revert back to original worst case. I'll hang off till next month just in case as eofy sales will be on, hopefully not required!
Thank you

 

[Chrispy]

Hopefully you don't expect a firmware upgrade/update will actually do much except fix bugs, and most of the bugs may not even affect your use. What actual issues are you experiencing?

 

[Stinga]

Hi Chrispy,absolutely no bugs, but I thought the Audyssey software may have been updated for the better?
It's not connected to the net so won't be using any additional software just a stock Audyssey run until I upgrade. Not worth it?
Al

 

[Chrispy]

Hi Chrispy,absolutely no bugs, but I thought the Audyssey software may have been updated for the better?
It's not connected to the net so won't be using any additional software just a stock Audyssey run until I upgrade. Not worth it?
Al

Firmware updates of this sort generally only fix existing bugs, not expand the capabilities. While the X4000 does have XT32 version of Audssey, it won't get the added flexibility of the editor app or other features that came along later, let alone via firmware update. I wish my 4520 could get the added functionality of the editor app, but it doesn't.

 

[Stinga]

Nice one man, thanks a heap as this is actually the answer I was chasing - no point....
On ya cobba