Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 18 1 2 3 17 18
Denon 3808CI – one week later
#185353 11/24/07 07:15 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
M
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
M
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
Instead of boring anyone with why I bought this receiver, I’ll just say that I’ve had some ‘issues’ with four other HDMI equipped receivers within the past year. This is number five for me and it was not without reservations when I bought it. My last receiver was a Marantz SR/8001, so I’ll be referencing the Marantz from time to time. Even with all the issues I’ve had with the Marantz, it was the best sounding receiver I’ve had out of the other HDMI units, plus three others I had the year before last. (my total number of receivers I’ve owned within the past 30 months is eight).

My equipment:

M80’s for mains
M22’s (two) for the center channel
M3’s for surround backs
QS8’s for surround
EP 600 sub
Toshiba A35
Sony PS3
Oppo 970
Oppo 981
Dishnet 635 DVR
DVDO VP50pro
Panasonic PT1000U

General observations:

Some people are infatuated with the weight of a receiver and / or amp, and they feel that one has to go through a right of passage and weigh as much as a small car to be considered worthy. The 3808 isn’t a beast, but it does have some heft to it. It weighs about 39 pounds. It doesn’t feel like a playschool toy, but it’s pretty obvious that Denon cut some corners wherever they could to save costs. Whether that affects sound quality or function isn’t something I can speak to. I’d rather have a receiver that works right with cheap binding posts than one that doesn’t work right with gold plated binding posts. All the control knobs work just fine and feel OK to me. I will say that I like the lay out of the inputs and outputs. They are orientated in a logical order. Even the binding posts are arranged in one row at the bottom of the unit, which makes it easier to tie them off to my rack.

One thing this receiver has that I have not seen on many others, is the ability to run two sets of surround speakers. They share the same amp output, but have additional binding posts for 9.1 systems using four surrounds. I wouldn’t suggest using 6 or 4 ohm surrounds like this, but 8 ohm should be just fine. The receiver also has the ability to set up an additional zone (and possibly two, but I haven’t figured out the limitations of the third). I don’t use this, so I can not speak much to this. Also, if you have a 5.1 set up, you can re-assign the surround back channels to the mains for by-amping. And no, I’m not going to get into that debate. Just know you can do it with this receiver. There are four HDMI 1.3 inputs and one, HDMI 1.3 output. If you want / need two HDMI outputs, you need to jump up to the 4808CI. One thing to keep in mind with two outputs, is you will have a hard time finding an audio processor that will output from both at the same time. It’s usually one or the other, so I see little value with having two live HDMI outputs unless they are both live. There are a slew of other inputs/outputs and if you want to know more about them, I’d suggest you download the owner’s manual.

The 3808CI uses a somewhat dated video processor (Faroudja DCDi), but it doesn’t do too badly with up-converting to 1080P. I use an external video processor, so this aspect wasn’t much of a consideration to me and I have the DCDi turned off. I did do some comparisons to it and my DVDO VP50pro, and will briefly discuss that later.

There are also some other unique features worth mentioning. The 3808 has inputs for USB drives that will read pictures and / or audio files. I have not tried these, so I don’t how well it performs with them. This receiver also has networking capabilities via Ethernet, and this is also how you update its firmware (which worked perfectly for me). If you want, you can stream audio from your PC, but again, I have not messed with this function so can’t speak to it. It also has inputs for an XM radio interface, and no, I didn’t try that either. I use this receiver for movies and on rare occasion, music.

Probably the most attractive feature this receiver has, and one that I feel sets the stage for others to compete with, is its GUI. The GUI has to be the best implemented user interface and set up feature I’ve ever seen. If you can navigate Windows Explorer, you can navigate the GUI. It’s set up similarly. You have the main functions, which have a tree hierarchy. You just move the up/down/right/left toggle to navigate. I will say that some of the features are cleverly hidden and take some time using to remember where they are, but it’s pretty intuitive and not something to be afraid of by any means.

Set up:

Set up was quite painless and in truth, I didn’t even use the manual until after I had completed the basic set up and got everything up and running. I have later read the manual and tweaked a few things, but found the basic set up to get everything set up fairly well. As with most receivers, you just go to the auto set up feature and follow the instructions. Every thing in the GUI you highlight has a brief description telling you what it does (although that can be vague at times).

At first, I had all my components routed into my VP50pro, and then used one HDMI cable to connect the Pro to the 3808. I use banana connectors for my speakers, and found the 3808’s speaker posts snug enough, although the aluminum lining was disappointing. I’d have thought Denon could have at least sprung for copper. Oh well, they work….

The 3808 uses the latest Audysey room correction EQ software and it is also Audysey Pro ready if you like to pay someone for this service. You can position the supplied mic up to eight different locations. My room is pretty small, but I ended up using seven positions anyway (figured it couldn’t hurt). You place the mic at the main ‘reference’ spot in your room first and take the initial set up readings there. The receiver checks for phase, connections and distances. You then move the mic as many times as you want (up to eight total) and it takes readings again for each location. One thing I found irritating is how long this process took. I didn’t time all this, but I know it took me no less than 30 minutes to complete the audio set up. I’d suggest that you make sure the kids aren’t running around making noise and you do it when no one will interrupt you. If during the set up there is extra ambient noise and you need to re-do a position, you get to start from the beginning again (yes, it happened to me). After the set is complete, you can verify the settings and either accept them for memory storage or start over. When completed, I was amazed at how close everything was. The distances were perfect and the channel adjustments were also perfect. This was a first for me… The X-over settings were also perfect. In the past, Audysey did some very odd things to my set up and I would end up changing settings, but not this time. I’ve left everything as is.

For reference, it set up my speakers as follows:

Mains – Large
Center – small / 40
Surround – small / 90
Surround back – small / 60
LFE – LFE (LFE goes to mains, and sub)

After set up was complete, I used my radio shack digital meter and an Avia HD set up disk and checked the channels. I did not feel the need to change anything. Bass and channels were closer than I’ve ever been able to manually set them in the past.

If you wish, you can tweak anything you want, including the Audysey EQ settings. All you do is go into the manual set up, select copy EQ curve and tweak it however you wish and save it as a manual setting (you can do this differently for each input or surround format). I have not felt the need to do this, but I did play with it any way. It’s painless. You can also select several different EQ curves including; Flat, Audysey, Audysey – L/R, or L/R. You can select different X-over setting for each speaker set in increments of 20 up to 80, and then it’s increments of 10 on up. I’d like to see more options, but can live with these.

After you set up the audio parameters, you then have a gazillion other options available for each surround mode (limited to each surround mode’s capability). For example, you can set up any input differently from any other input. You can set up one input for DTS, another for DDPLIIx and another for Neural surround with each having unique channel levels, X-over’s, lip sync delay and different video settings. There is also some unique center channel options like what Denon calls “Cinema Equalizer” which lowers the front channel high frequencies some (similar to THX). There is also a ‘Decompression” setting for compressed audio which does a fine job at reproducing compressed audio like MP3. I found that SD satellite audio is greatly improved by using this feature. There are three different levels for this too.

One thing I have learned with all these functions is that some are not available depending on the surround format. Some formats do not support them, so you just have to play with each to see what you can do with them. DD+ and DD-True HD allow you tweak the heck out them, while DTS is somewhat limited. I’m still figuring this out, so can’t really comment much more on that.

There are simply too many things this receiver can do to detail each one (plus I’m still trying to figure them all out). Considering that, I’m not going to go over all of them….

Video performance:

As I said earlier, I use an external Video Processor, so I have the DCDi bypassed. But out of curiosity, I did some A/B testing to see how well the DCDi works. The VP50pro is arguably one of the best VP’s on the market, so it’s not really a fair comparison, but I have to admit that the DCDi does an admirable job with SD sources. I think anyone other than die hard videophiles would be satisfied with this receiver. The VP50pro definitely outputs a better looking picture, but when I compared the 3808 to the Oppo 981, the differences in video quality are very hard for me to see. So if you’ve seen what the Oppo 981 can do with SD and find that good enough, the 3808 should be good enough for you too.

Sound quality:

I just hate this topic, but suppose I should jot down my opinion anyway because someone is sure to ask. I hate it because everyone has their own idea of what sounds good to them, and without doing a true blind listening test, I don’t think anyone can objectively compare or even pass judgment on how well any piece of electronic does. Keeping that in mind; in direct stereo, pure direct and 7 channel stereo, I find the Denon to sound very good. In fact, just as well as any other receiver I’ve had in this system. The only noteworthy difference I can pick up on between this receiver and my two channel rig with Rotel separates is with what I call, ‘white noise’. This is when the volume control is maxed out without any source playing and you can hear a hiss. I hear nothing with my two channel rig. The Marantz SR/8001 was also silent. The 3808 however has a very slight and almost non-detectable hiss. It’s very slight, but I can hear it. If this is good or bad, I have no idea. Use your own judgment.

I popped in a couple disks that I like to use when doing these very un-scientific listening tests (Pink Floyd, DSOTM SACD, Alison Kraus and Green Day). All I can say is they all sound excellent and I most definitely did not feel wanting for more.

Where I will comment and express my opinion is in regards to how well a surround receiver does with surround playback. Some have done horribly with this while others do OK and then there are others that just sound great. Only the Marantz, and now this Denon have sounded great to me. I suppose Audysey has something to do with this. If I had to choose between the Marantz and this Denon, my pick is the Denon. The bass is just right and not too over powering or lacking. Sometimes I would feel as if there was too much LFE or not enough when using the Marantz, but I don’t get this feeling with the Denon. With the Marantz, I had to use the EP600’s trim control, but I don’t with the Denon. Plus, there’s very little that a person can not do with the EQ curves to tweak this receiver at will, if needed. The Marantz is somewhat limited in this regard.

Remote and discrete commands:

I use a programmable remote, so I haven’t taken the time to mess with the 3808’s remote(s) much, but from the little I have, I think it sucks. Where I am impressed is with all the discrete commands that are available for this receiver. There are so many, that my MX 850 does not have enough panels for all the commands (and it has a bunch). For example; there are discrete commands for adjusting every channel up or down, commands for selecting every surround format, tone controls, EQ controls and so forth. For custom installers, I’m guessing this receiver will be pretty fun for them to set up and I am going to buy a new programmable remote just so I can populate it with all these commands. Way cool….

4 ohm load:

Seeing how I’ve got 4 ohm R, L and center channels, plus 6 ohm surrounds, I need a receiver with some ‘oomph’. The Denon is rated at 130 WPC, and I don’t doubt that it has every bit of that. I tend to watch movies at reference levels, and I’ve shut down a few receivers before. So far, I’ve not had any problems driving my system with this receiver nor have I felt the need to add external amplification. When playing around with multi channel stereo, my SPL meter was bouncing above 100 db’s at a – 10 db on the volume control (it goes to a +18). I didn’t pin the volume or feel the need to do so. It does not get hot to the touch either.

HD audio formats and M-channel PCM:

As with all these new HDMI receivers and using HD/BR players, there always seams to be some limitation to what they will do. I’m almost hesitant to say this, but so far, I have not found any limitations with this receiver. It will accept Multi-channel PCM from my PS3 and A35, including 6.1 and 7.1 discrete sources. It will apply PLIIx to 5.1 sources. You can also adjust the channels at will with these formats and save them to any input. The 3808 will also accept DD +, DD-TruHD, DTS-HD:HR and DTS-HD:Master bitstream formats. If you have a 5.1 source of any of these formats, it will apply either DTS-Neo6 or PLIIx. If you have a 7.1 source of any of these formats it recognizes the formats as discrete and will even light up a little box telling you it is discrete.


I could go on and on, but this is already too long of a report, so if you have any additional questions, just ask and I’ll find the answer.

Pictures to follow.

Re: Denon 3808CI – one week later
michael_d #185354 11/24/07 07:26 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
M
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
M
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
These are hand held without flash using my Olympus 510 and in RAW format without any post processing. A little blury, but I was in a hurry.

Marantz on top / Denon on bottom





The DVDO's



The GUI with volume control



GUI over a 1080P/24 image



No GUI



EQ / Right / Left



Re: Denon 3808CI – one week later
michael_d #185357 11/24/07 07:48 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463
Likes: 1
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,463
Likes: 1
Excellent, Mike! I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your equipment reviews. From the new HD players to receivers you have helped a bunch of us sort out the technology.


***********
"Nothin' up my sleeve. . ." --Bullwinkle J. Moose
Re: Denon 3808CI – one week later
St_PatGuy #185359 11/24/07 08:16 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
sounds great! Looks like this thing will drive my epic 80 system with no problem.

One question I do have, what settings did you have on your 600 before your ran the auto set up?


-David
Re: Denon 3808CI – one week later
terzaghi #185361 11/24/07 08:38 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 92
M
old hand
Offline
old hand
M
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 92
Thanks for the review. Sounds like a great match for the axiom's

Re: Denon 3808CI – one week later
terzaghi #185362 11/24/07 08:51 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 116
M
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
M
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 116
Mike,

Thanks for the review. I look forward to getting a new receiver with advanced features such as this one someday.


House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
Re: Denon 3808CI – one week later
terzaghi #185369 11/24/07 09:13 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
M
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
M
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
 Originally Posted By: terzaghi


One question I do have, what settings did you have on your 600 before your ran the auto set up?


I have the volume control set at 50% and trim to off. I'm going off memory, but I think that is the "FLAT" position. After setup, the sub was set to a -9 DB.

No problem with doing these reports guys..... I try to pay back when I can for all the questions I ask here.

Re: Denon 3808CI – one week later
michael_d #185371 11/24/07 09:31 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 24
G
hobbyist
Offline
hobbyist
G
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 24
Mike, thanks for the great review. Do you know how the Denon compares to the Yamaha RXV2700 or 3800?

Re: Denon 3808CI – one week later
Gumbini #185379 11/24/07 11:00 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
M
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
M
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
Not in depth. I have used a Yamaha before (661), and while I found it to be an OK receiver, I did not like Yamaha's room EQ and find Audysey to be vastly superior. For that reason I decided to not buy another one.

The only other receiver I gave serious thought towards buying was the Onkyo 905 or its sibling, the Integra 8.8. I decided against it because of too many user complaints and the fact that it runs hot to the touch. Plus its VP is altering the color space from 4.2.2 to 4.4.4. I find it troubling for any electronic gear to run hot to the touch because heat kills electronic components. If I really needed a good on board Video Chip, the Onkyo would have been harder to pass up, even with its quirks.

Re: Denon 3808CI – one week later
michael_d #185387 11/24/07 11:36 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745
Likes: 17
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,745
Likes: 17
Mother of Pearl that's long.
This will take some time.


"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
Page 1 of 18 1 2 3 17 18

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 145 guests, and 4 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4