Anyone Use A Denon for A Preamp?

cfrizz

My brother just got a Denon 3803 to replace the Rotel. I helped him get everything all set up & configured.

I was wondering what your normal volume for listening was? He has a Parasound 1500A amp powering his LSI 7's but has to turn the volume to almost 0 to hear it.

That shocked me to no end. So I'm curious what the norm is for others. That way I can know if something isn't hooked up right or just how it's supposed to be.

cheddar

Something is definitely not right. I've got an mpa-2250 and an mpa-3250 running off of a 3803. LSis for front stage and surrounds. And I'm pretty loud at -20 after calibration with the test tones. 0 would be bringing down the walls.

Systems

You might check the input sensitivity spec on the Parasound and the pre out level on the Denon.It is possible that the Denons pre out level is a bit lower than standard or the amp is less sensitive therefore needs more output from a preamp to drive it to full output.
btw.Does the amp have adjustable gain pots? if so turn them fully clock wise.

ben62670

Some Parasounds have level adjustments on the back. Make sure they are turned up.
Good luck Cathy
Ben

Bill Ayotte

According to the Parasound site, it has said level controls on the back of the amp.....It also says to turn them all the way up in a normal configuration...

dudeinaroom

my normal listening volume on me 786 is around -20, put it at zero and my neighbors complain.

cfrizz

Ok guys I have passed that message along to Mark. We will see what happens.

mantis

In the Denon avr3803, setup the levels. Conduct a test tone and set all speakers to 75db. this will make sure your output of the denon is not to low which is what I think one of the problems is.

The Denon will pass it's sound onto the amp. Your system will only sound as good as the Denon can be. In many cases this is a good thing. I think most preamps on the market today especally Rotel don't offer half the abilities like Denon does. I wish Denon would make Preamps, I would own one or 3

Dan

cheddar

Just so you know, you may only have to wait until the Fall to get your 3 denon pre-amps. But be prepared to pony up about $21,000 for all three.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=849495

VR3

The first high end CD player I ever saw in person was a 15,000 dollar Denon...

Their higher end gear is super cool.

engtaz

mantis wrote: »

In the Denon avr3803, setup the levels. Conduct a test tone and set all speakers to 75db. this will make sure your output of the denon is not to low which is what I think one of the problems is.

The Denon will pass it's sound onto the amp. Your system will only sound as good as the Denon can be. In many cases this is a good thing. I think most preamps on the market today especally Rotel don't offer half the abilities like Denon does.
Dan

Good advice and well put.

polkatese

It looks like a great Denon pre/pro, for sure.

Explain to me why high-end gears still accomodate row upon row of composite video? It has been a while since I ever use composite for serious video. One would think that if someone can afford this Denon, it would have matching video sources with a minimum of component connectivity, S-Video for an older source (if they are into vintage video source). Even most STBs have component output nowadays.

cheddar

Gotta admit, the more shiny things on a preamp's a$$, the more your jaw hits the floor when you first see it .

polkatese

granted, Cheddar. However, have you ever tried to fish out multi-set RCAs cables when you have a wall unit and can't see the back? Pain in the ****, that's for sure. I usually use my senses to feel and count how far the target RCAs from the left or right, relying solely on the manual's back picture/diagram. I can fathom to fish that many sets of cables if I ever has the use to all of them. It would be an all day event for me.

cheddar

Lol, you got that right. My girlfriend, before she became my wife, used to make fun of the octopus living in my old entertainment center. You could just see the back of the cabinet on an angle from the dinner table...

I don't think anyone with that kind of coin would actually use all of them. But the last thing you want a reviewer to say is that the flagship piece of denon audio equipment was limited on backward compatibility on all but the xx hookups...

Edit: Didn't mean to hijack your thread cfrizz, but I thought an experienced HT nut like yourself had all the info she needed for the moment and we're still waiting on if the info helped your brother or not.

NeilGabriel

polkatese wrote: »

granted, Cheddar. However, have you ever tried to fish out multi-set RCAs cables when you have a wall unit and can't see the back? Pain in the ****, that's for sure. I usually use my senses to feel and count how far the target RCAs from the left or right, relying solely on the manual's back picture/diagram. I can fathom to fish that many sets of cables if I ever has the use to all of them. It would be an all day event for me.

amen......I finally cut most of the back off my HT stand so I could see the cable connections a little better and didn't have to wire in braile (can't spell either)...

billbillw

If the above recommendations don't work, tell your brother to check the individual channel "trim" volumes. He may have his fronts set too low or something.

cfrizz

I'm still waiting to hear from him myself. As soon as I know, you will know!

Thanks fellas.

cfrizz

Well Mark checked the back of the amp & made sure the knobs were fully on & it seems to have made a difference!

Thanks guys from both of us!

louthewiz

:eek:

cheddar wrote: »

Just so you know, you may only have to wait until the Fall to get your 3 denon pre-amps. But be prepared to pony up about $21,000 for all three.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=849495

WOW!!!:eek:

louthewiz

More Eye Candy:eek:
That Bad Boy has 10 channels total.

Bill Ayotte

That amp is sweet!

cheddar

Well, expect to trade in a compact car for both...Denon's 5xxx line of receivers has long had 10 channel capability. Denon's always been big on multi-rooom support or bi-amping the surround channels on their high-end. I'd expect no less on their multi-channel amp. :eek:

It still seems a little cramped compared to say a 3-channel amp:



Good everything seems to have worked out for Mark.

mantis

polkatese wrote: »

It looks like a great Denon pre/pro, for sure.

Explain to me why high-end gears still accomodate row upon row of composite video? It has been a while since I ever use composite for serious video. One would think that if someone can afford this Denon, it would have matching video sources with a minimum of component connectivity, S-Video for an older source (if they are into vintage video source). Even most STBs have component output nowadays.

Composite video is a standard that will be around for awhile man. Some serious video guys still use it. Some older guys don't have HD nothing. It's all about the Audio. You would be shocked on how many of the audio guys don't care about HD. S-Video really doesn't get used that much but it's still around and people are using it. I'd like to see all connections go away and figure out a way to keep HDMI connected. Maybe a re design of that connector with clips or something ....