Denon AVR-3808CI: An Overview - Page 5

Adam Gregorich · 01-17-2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

I think I remember reading that someone paid $300 for the license (key) for Audyssey Pro.

That is the retail cost for the license, but it requires a calibration kit that the dealers have, so I'm not sure what one would charge to calibrate it for you. You may need to upgrade your FW first (free). The process involves hooking a computer up to the RS232 port on the back, and hooking a mic to the front. There is a key that is activated through SW on the PC. The room measurements are passed onto the PC which does the number crunching. When you are finished, unplug the PC (it gives you some nice before and after graphs) and you are good to go. Here is more info: Audyssey Installer Program

Adam Gregorich · 01-17-2008, 01:53 PM

Here is a pic of what you see when you change sources. The HDMI 1 at the top left is my Samsung TV. The black box is the Denon. Please note that I believe you can disable on-screen displays

Here is the link if you can't see the pic: http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...23622.imgcache

Here is what the volume bar looks like. If you mute it, it shows mute on/off inthe same black box:

Here is the link: http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/...23623.imgcache

Adam Gregorich · 01-17-2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

am saving for the 3808ci but have I been considering stepping up to the 4308ci. The biggest reasons are the 3808 basically does what I need it to do and the extra cost of the 4308. And by not getting the 4308 I could take that money and put that down on a DVD-2500 BTci Blu-ray transport.

The differences between the 3808 and 4308 are pretty minor. Here are all of them. The 4308 adds:
10 WPC
two more Audyssey room calibration points (irrelivent if you get the upgrade)
AL24 processing for all channels (as opposed to FL and FR on 3080)
HD Radio tuner
2 HDMI outputs (parallel)
Zone 2 component output
Wi-Fi
Can show jpeg images over ethernet port
Zone 4 digital in/out
more AMP flexability (9 modes vs 4) when using multiple zones (means nothing if you are using it for 7.1)
weights 5 lbs more

It's up to you if these are worth almost $900.

Jay*Man · 01-17-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Gregorich

Here is a pic of what you see when you change sources. The HDMI 1 at the top left is my Samsung TV. The black box is the Denon. Please note that I believe you can disable on-screen displays

(pic removed)

Here is what the volume bar looks like. If you mute it, it shows mute on/off inthe same black box:

(pic removed)

Thanks Adam, that is exactly what I was looking for.
But now I have 2 more questions:
1) Is there a way to display the input/surround info without changing the input. Ex, if you were watching something on broadcast TV and wanted to know if it was Dolby Digital (5.1) or Pro Logic?
2) When you press mute, will Mute stay on screen until you press mute again, or will the volume/mute eventually not show? - does that make sense?

Adam Gregorich · 01-17-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

1) Is there a way to display the input/surround info without changing the input. Ex, if you were watching something on broadcast TV and wanted to know if it was Dolby Digital (5.1) or Pro Logic?
2) When you press mute, will Mute stay on screen until you press mute again, or will the volume/mute eventually not show? - does that make sense?

1) Not sure. None of the "obvious" buttons put anything onscreen. The front panel give you all sorts of easy to read info, and there may be another way to display it on screen.
2) If you have on screen display turned on, the screen says Mute On as long as the mute is on (or at least the 10 seconds that I waited before I turned the must off. The volume bar disappears quickly when you stop hitting the button. The green ring around the power button also blinks so it is easy to tell even if the on screen display is turned off.

Dave Moritz · 01-18-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Why/How did the Denon win out? I'm looking at this and the Pioneer Elite and having a difficult time making a decision.

It was no easy decision by any means. It took me over a month to make the decision. They both sound great and I could only imagine how much better they would sound with external high end amplifiers.

Audyssey MultiEQ
Ethernet Network
Denon Link

Like I said it was a tough choice and I am sure I would be just as happy with the Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH. I have been wanting a Denon for years now and even more so after going to the CES show in 03' & 04'. If I come into some cash I would most likely end up with the Pioneer Elite as well and set up a second HT system.

If I had the cash this is what I would most likely do.

Main HT:

Denon AVP-A1HDCI Preamp
McIntosh MC207 7 Channel Power Amplifier
McIntosh MC1201 Monoblock Amplifier (Subwoofer) 1200 Watt RMS
McIntosh MS750 750 Gig Music Server/CD Player
McIntosh MCD-201 CD/SACD Player
McIntosh MLD-7020 Laserdisc Player
Denon DVD-3800 BDci Blu-ray Player
Toshiba HD-A35 HD-DVD Player
Pioneer DVL-919 Laserdisc Player
Denon DTR-2000 DAT Recorder
Clearaudio Master Reference Turntable w/Goldfinger Cartridge
Runco Signature Cinema SC-1 1080p Projector
Stewart Film Screen 120" Firehawk Screen
Direct TV HD Satellite Receiver
7 JBL K2-S9800 Loudspeakers
Dual Custom JBL 18" Subwoofers

Now the optional version would use 8 McIntosh MC1200 monoblock 1200 watt amps.

And the question of how much power does the system have? Enough power to shame the space shuttle!

2nd HT setup:

Denon AVR-4308ci Receiver
Denon DVD-2500 BTci Blu-ray Transport
Toshiba HD-A35 HD-DVD Player
Denon DVD-5910ci DVD Audio/Video & SACD Player
Sony SCD-XA9000ES CD/SACD Single Disc Player
Pioneer Elite Kuro Pro-110FD 50" 1080p Flat Panel
Paradigm Studio 60's (Main), StudioCC590 (Center), Studio ADP-590 (Rear)
SVS Subwoofer PB13 Ultra

3rd HT setup:

Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH Receiver
Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD Blu-ray Player
Toshiba HD-A35 HD-DVD Player
Pioneer Elite PD-F27 301 disc CD Changer
Pioneer Elite Kuro Pro-110FD 50" 1080p Flat Panel
Paradigm Studio 60's (Main), StudioCC590 (Center), Studio ADP-590 (Rear)
SVS Subwoofer PB13 Ultra

Thanks for the information Adam, very much appreciated.

Am looking forward to getting my 3808ci asap! The back up to that will end up being the VSX-94TXH if for some reason I do not get the Denon. My Yamaha RX-V995 will end up being used for my PC all I need is a pair of bookshelf speakers and a nice sub to go with it. And my Sony DVP-S9000 ES will most likely get moved to the PC setup just for CD/SACD playback, for when I am surfing the web or using applications.

Jeff Kelley · 01-21-2008, 08:14 PM

When using up Auto setup with my Denon AVR 3808 it tells me to defeat my volume and crossover, does that mean set them both to the lowest possible settings?

Mike_J_D · 01-21-2008, 08:30 PM

Just got mine setup....doing the firmware update now. It gave me weird settings for my speakers when I did the Audyssey before; so I'm going to redo it after the firmware is complete. Seems like my sub level is a little low for it - it ended up placing my sub 25' away from the sitting position, when it is only 10-12' away. I'm going to turn up my sub amp before I run Audyssey to see if that helps, then adjust from there. It did well with my speakers, although it set them to large, but I want to do it one more time for safe measure.

Then I'm throwing in The Rock for some lossless audio.