Is the Denon 3802 a 7.1 amp? (1 Viewer)

[Ryan Cruz]

It says in the website that it has 7 channels excluding the LFE but doesn't say it's 7.1. Comments?

 

[Patrick vdb]

Ryan,

The Denon 3802 has 7 discrete amps on board. For the LFE signal a sub pre-amp output is used. This means that the 3802 will be able to drive 7 speakers and an additional active sub.

best regards,

Patrick

 

[Chuck Kent]

Ryan: As Patrick points out, the 3802 is a true 7.1 receiver (even the external input has 8 inputs.) But...

Don't forget that for now, there is NO consumer format that is true 7.1. Both of DTS's and DD's rear center channel formats are only 6.1. It's just that they recommend using 2 speakers for the rear center output. But the rear center is still 1 channel mono.

 

[Earl Simpson]

I have all 7 channels hooked up as well as the sub woofer. You really don't need the 7th amp unless you have a big family room and proper spacing. The 3802 is a great rcvr(bought mine at 6th ave). There is a dealer that is a member of this forum that will give you a good deal also. Just can't remember his handle. You may be a lucky one who has a local dealer that discounts!

 

[Ryan Cruz]

Ok so if I'm using the 3802 with two rear surround channels, only one will work, or will the two work having the same signal?

Also, what's the possibility of having true discrete 7.1 in the future?

 

[GordonL]

Also, what's the possibility of having true discrete 7.1 in the future?

When the market starts to slow for matrixed 7.1, discrete 7.1 will be introduced, causing all of us to have to upgrade again... It's called milking the cow.

 

[ThomasL]

Ryan, from your receiver's point of view you have two discrete channels. From the source material's point of view, there is only one discrete channel so your receiver will simply take that one channel and duplicate it to both rear speakers. In the case of DTS-ES Discrete, this channel is actually stored in a discrete manner on the disc. In the case of DD-EX or DTS-ES Matrix, this 6th channel is matrixed within the surround left and right channel information. So, your receiver runs an algorithm to extract the matrixed information, creates a 6th rear channel out of it and then pumps it to both your rear channels.
Currently there is no 7.1 source material. As far as I can tell, having Dolby Labs or DTS move to 7.1 discrete channels would require a completely new storage and communication protocol to be defined - one that would make both our dvd players and our receivers obsolete
cheers,
--tom