Denon AVP 8000 ???????
Shawn Broderick
replace the two i have now (one audio, one video).
i'd like to ask a few questions, such as:
the denon is all digital inside like the meridian565, ead theatermaster and
sony ta2000:
- how many AtoD's and DtoA's does it have?
- what type are they
- does it have digital processing on the surround signals like the sony
does?
other questions:
- is the "source direct" really all analog?
- how does it compare to other components on pure music throughput (as
opposed to its DPL et. al. processing).
oh, and i'm sure i can dream up oodles more :-) :-)
it's a quite pricey unit, is it worth it?
any responses appreciated!
shawn
--
Shawn Broderick
sh...@nwo.com
617/557-4574 vox
617/557-4185 fax
Clint Olsen
Shawn Broderick <sh...@nwo.com> wrote:
>anyone out there have one of these? i want to buy a single preamp to
>replace the two i have now (one audio, one video).
>
>i'd like to ask a few questions, such as:
>
>the denon is all digital inside like the meridian565, ead theatermaster and
>sony ta2000:
>- how many AtoD's and DtoA's does it have?
>- what type are they
>- does it have digital processing on the surround signals like the sony
>does?
>
>other questions:
>- is the "source direct" really all analog?
>- how does it compare to other components on pure music throughput (as
>opposed to its DPL et. al. processing).
>
>oh, and i'm sure i can dream up oodles more :-) :-)
>
>it's a quite pricey unit, is it worth it?
I've got the specs at home somewhere. I think AudioFX have the same
document transcribed on the WEB:
http://www.dcn.davis.ca.us:80/go/audiofx/denon/denac3.html
No, I don't think it is worth $3500 (~$2800 mail order?). That is
outrageous, but they can get away with it since there are no products that
can compete with it. Denon did the right thing IMO by heading off the
competition by integrating AC-3 and THX in one preamp chassis (with
tuner!). As far as I know, no other manufacturers are planning on
integrating all this in one preamp any time soon. Marantz is coming out
with a decoder this year. Rotel is supposedly going to have an outboard
decoder as well (May according to AudioFX). Parasound is going to also
have a THX preamp (likely no tuner) that will support an outboard AC-3
decoder. Frankly, I think these are all mediocre and expensive
solutions because the moment you shell out the cash for these separate
components, they'll turn around and put it all in one chassis for the
price of the most expensive individual piece. One blatant thing missing
from this "everything but the kitchen sink" decoder is MAIN IN rca's so
that you can hook up an external decoder and use the Denon's THX 5.1
processing and volume control. What if DTS (or something else) takes
off? Then you'll be screwed unless the external decoder has it's own
volume control and has enough functionality to operate itself as a
preamp. For ~$3000, the thing ought to be more expandable than that!
Personally, I would not pay more than $2000 for a surround preamp, and
it better have a damn tuner if it costs that much! :)
-Clint
SrrndHound
>>One blatant thing missing
from this "everything but the kitchen sink" decoder is MAIN IN rca's so
that you can hook up an external decoder and use the Denon's THX 5.1
processing and volume control.<<
This will probably never happen, as it would require 6 D/A converters be
added. By the way, if you saw the guts of the AVP-8000, you might not be
so quick to say it is overpriced. This caliber of stuff doesn't come
cheap.
Roger Dressler
Dolby Laboratories
Robert Christian
>Clint writes:
>Roger Dressler
>Dolby Laboratories
Roger,
Could you be a little more specific. The owner's manual is rather
short on detail.
I am extremely pleased with my unit. About six months ago I added 5
of the marantz THX mono amps to my system, using my onkyo 717 receiver
as a pre-amp. Although, there was a significant improvement in
detail, I felt like the system had lost musicality and that my sound
stage had broken up. The problem was worse the louder the system was
played. I was kind of dissapointed and hoped that when I upgraded my
pre-amp the problem would go away. Boy, did it. Everything sounds
great on the Denon/Marantz combination. Even the DSP modes are useful
(although I still prefer either "sterio" or "direct" modes for music.
A few of the features that I really like:
1. In addition to AC3-RF, the Denon has four digital inputs - 2 coax
and 2 optical which you can map to various sources for either digital
music or AC-3. I recently brought home a JVC 100 disc changer. After
trying it out with the standard analog connection, I was ready to
return it. It sounded terrible. My laserdisc player did a far better
job of D/A let alone my old CD player. I then connected the changer's
coax out directly Denon, bypassing the JVC controller. WOW! What a
difference. It was like replacing my entire CD collection. I don't
know what kind D/As the Denon uses, but they far surpass anything else
I have. (It does make me want to try some external ones since this
made such a difference.) Also, one of the digitals is an In/out for
connection to a digital vcr.
2. Pro-logic seperation and steering is excellent and the THX mode is
noticeably better yet. Of course, AC-3 is just awesome.
3. The onscreen set-up is really nice. One feature allows you to
figure out at what level your sub distorts. The Denon then remebers
that and will not play the sub at or above that level. (This feature
is totally optional) Your channel level settings are also remembered
by source.
4. The layout of the connections on the back is well thought out and
includes S-Video or composite for all video sources.
5. It has a lot of inputs. VDP, TV/DBS, VCR1, VCR2, VCR3, VAUX
So far, I have found little not to like. One thing that bugs me is
that it doesn't remember the "video select" setting for audio sources.
When listening to CD's you can tell it monitor any of the video
sources, which I like. But it doesn't remember from the last time.
Not a big deal, just mildly irritating.
I am a little concerned about DTS. I hope that Denon has a
contingincy upgrade planned in case this format eventually usurps
AC-3.
Robert Christian
SrrndHound
>>I am a little concerned about DTS. I hope that Denon has a
contingincy upgrade planned in case this format eventually usurps
AC-3.<<
Usurp? You mean like in replace? I don't mean to sound overly confident,
but this is just not plausible. DTS may someday exist if they choose to
introduce it (and if companies choose to adopt it), but since AC-3 is the
standard for digital TV in the US, and one of the mandatory audio types
for DVD, there is no opportunity to usurp. But to answer directly, there
is no way to upgrade the AVP-8000, since the code is permanently embedded,
and there is no provision for additional DSPs. I would not be alarmed. :-)
Roger Dressler
Dolby Laboratories
Paul Harmsen
Personally I think the DTS system isn't totally different. It also makes
use of an encoded bitstream. The only difference is that the DTS system
can recreate 20 bit sound! (unlike the 16 bit sound of AC-3).
Maybe some companies should try to implement their AV/HiFi products in
such a way that upgrading can EASILY be done.
(It's possible: The MicroMega CD-player can be upgraded in 3 stages,
The Meridian Digital Theatre can be upgraded to AC-3
etc.)
So: Don't ignore the DTS system. It has potential!
SrrndHound
use of an encoded bitstream. The only difference is that the DTS system
can recreate 20 bit sound! (unlike the 16 bit sound of AC-3).<<
Where does it say AC-3 is a 16-bit system? In fact it can deliver 20-bit
signals same as DTS. The movie source material is, for now, 16 bit, but it
need not stay that way.
Roger Dressler
Dolby Laboratories
Sandy Duffy
>Roger Dressler
>Dolby Laboratories
If you are worried about updating and keeping the current, for a lot more
money (ie entry level of $2000.00 for processor alone) check out the new
Lexican DC-1. It can be upgraded by software as new formats get released.
But, of course, this luxury comes at a price. The AC-3 version of the DC-1
sells for USD $4500.00.
Sandy
jnie...@uiuc.edu
>Usurp? You mean like in replace? I don't mean to sound overly confident,
>but this is just not plausible. DTS may someday exist if they choose to
>introduce it (and if companies choose to adopt it), but since AC-3 is the
>standard for digital TV in the US, and one of the mandatory audio types
>for DVD, there is no opportunity to usurp. But to answer directly, there
>is no way to upgrade the AVP-8000, since the code is permanently embedded,
>and there is no provision for additional DSPs. I would not be alarmed. :-)
>
As far as I have heard. Denon's new processor is going to have a processor
chip(made by Motorola) that contains Dolby,Ac-3,and even DTS on it. So
you can choose any you want. I think it's comming out in late 96 or early
97.