Hard to believe with all the buzz going on that no-one has bothered to open a thread on what looks to be a killer-receiver (to me at least)...
So here goes!
My first question would be the following:
We already know that this receiver will be 11.2 capable with external amplification, but will the internal amps be assignable?
If not, you'll probably be stuck using the internal amps for your 9.2 setup (including your mains) and adding the external amp for a wide/height/SB channel (whatever Denon decides).
If yes, which I much prefer, the 2 added channels of external amplification could be assignable to the front speakers for instance.
This way you could set-up your system with a quality external amp for your mains and keep the internal amps for the remaining speakers...
I admit, I've been out of the game for quite some time (still the owner of an AVR-3801 currently! Hence the interest in the 4311 ) so apologies in advance if I'm missing the obvious here, but at this point it's the only thing unclear to me.
********************************************************
EDIT:
Batpig suggested it would be a good idea to make a FAQ section in the first post of this thread and who am I to refuse.
So here goes, the first little FAQ trivia, courtesy of batpig.
Special thx goes out to jdsmoothie for keeping me informed on the FW updates!!!
********************************************************
FAQ
Where can I find more info on this behemoth?
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/5414.asp
What is the difference between the 4311ci and the A100?
A100 gets the following over 4311:
- Gloss Finish
- 100th Anniversary badge
- 100th anniversary block condensers
- Gold plated terminals
- Premium upgraded speaker binding posts
- Cast iron feet
- 5 year warranty
- Brand history book
- Inspection sheet
- fancy box
In terms of processing / amps / internals they are otherwise identical.
Which possible combinations of internal and external amps are there?
- You can have ANY combination of internal and external amps. You can power 5 speakers with external amps and 4 with internal... you can power 3 with external and 8 with internal.... you can power 2 with external and 9 with internal.... 9 with external and 2 with internal.... IT'S ALL GOOD. The ONLY thing you can't do is power 11 speakers internally...... because there are only 9 amps built in!
- The ONLY exception is that, because the receiver only has 9 amps built in, when you activate 11 channel mode, the receiver forces you to choose whether the FIRST TWO extra channels will be the heights or the front L/R mains.
How do I activate the preouts?
- You do not need to activate anything. When you are in 11ch mode, ALL THE PREOUTS ARE HOT at all times. You don't have to assign anything or set anything beyond the selection for the first two externally amped channels, the preouts are ALL HOT.
Then what is preamp mode for?
- PREAMP MODE however disconnects the signal from ALL the amps, so you should ONLY use this mode if you are using ONLY external amps for all channels. You cannot "shut off" specific amps internally, so if you will be using any of the internal amps for the main zone, you cannot use PREAMP mode.
A100 Firmware Updates
1. GUI issue fixes and using Party Mode Plus when networking
2. Audio drop out issues (12/22/10)
3. "Blue rain" video issue resolved (1/24/2011)
4. See items added below (7/1/11)
- Last.fm for German. (E2 only)
- It fails in the DPMS update of the firmware when the product is connected with "Control4".
- When Page Up/Down is done in the music list of iRadio, the product is frozen.
- When network connection speed is slow, the error occurs in the display of the FL tube.
- There is a case that the backup data of the parameter etc. initializes.
- There is a case where the network doesn't start.
- When the NSE command of AMX is sent, the data of the answer is wrong.
5. See items below (7/30/11)
- Allow connectivity to new Rhapsody servers
- Improve network connectivity
6. Allow connectivity to Pandora servers (12/19/12)
Note: If you have installed the Airplay firmware upgrade, the firmware version number on your unit will be incremented by 0001.
4311CI Firmware Updates
1. Fixes Party Mode feature, Pop Up menu function, USB functionality and also to the IP/232 controllability.
2. Audio drop out issues (12/22/10)
3. "Blue rain" video issue resolved (1/24/2011)
4. See A100 updates (7/1/11)
5. See A100 updates (7/30/11)
6. See A100 update (12/19/12)
Note: If you have installed the Airplay firmware upgrade, the firmware version number on your unit will be incremented by 0001.
Hard to believe with all the buzz going on that no-one has bothered to open a thread on what looks to be a killer-receiver (to me at least)...
So here goes!
My first question would be the following:
We already know that this receiver will be 11.2 capable with external amplification, but will the internal amps be assignable?
If not, you'll probably be stuck using the internal amps for your 9.2 setup (including your mains) and adding the external amp for a wide/height/SB channel (whatever Denon decides).
If yes, which I much prefer, the 2 added channels of external amplification could be assignable to the front speakers for instance.
This way you could set-up your system with a quality external amp for your mains and keep the internal amps for the remaining speakers...
I admit, I've been out of the game for quite some time (still the owner of an AVR-3801 currently! Hence the interest in the 4311 ) so apologies in advance if I'm missing the obvious here, but at this point it's the only thing unclear to me.
********************************************************
EDIT:
Batpig suggested it would be a good idea to make a FAQ section in the first post of this thread and who am I to refuse.
So here goes, the first little FAQ trivia, courtesy of batpig.
Special thx goes out to jdsmoothie for keeping me informed on the FW updates!!!
********************************************************
FAQ
Where can I find more info on this behemoth?
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/5414.asp
What is the difference between the 4311ci and the A100?
A100 gets the following over 4311:
- Gloss Finish
- 100th Anniversary badge
- 100th anniversary block condensers
- Gold plated terminals
- Premium upgraded speaker binding posts
- Cast iron feet
- 5 year warranty
- Brand history book
- Inspection sheet
- fancy box
In terms of processing / amps / internals they are otherwise identical.
Which possible combinations of internal and external amps are there?
- You can have ANY combination of internal and external amps. You can power 5 speakers with external amps and 4 with internal... you can power 3 with external and 8 with internal.... you can power 2 with external and 9 with internal.... 9 with external and 2 with internal.... IT'S ALL GOOD. The ONLY thing you can't do is power 11 speakers internally...... because there are only 9 amps built in!
- The ONLY exception is that, because the receiver only has 9 amps built in, when you activate 11 channel mode, the receiver forces you to choose whether the FIRST TWO extra channels will be the heights or the front L/R mains.
How do I activate the preouts?
- You do not need to activate anything. When you are in 11ch mode, ALL THE PREOUTS ARE HOT at all times. You don't have to assign anything or set anything beyond the selection for the first two externally amped channels, the preouts are ALL HOT.
Then what is preamp mode for?
- PREAMP MODE however disconnects the signal from ALL the amps, so you should ONLY use this mode if you are using ONLY external amps for all channels. You cannot "shut off" specific amps internally, so if you will be using any of the internal amps for the main zone, you cannot use PREAMP mode.
A100 Firmware Updates
1. GUI issue fixes and using Party Mode Plus when networking
2. Audio drop out issues (12/22/10)
3. "Blue rain" video issue resolved (1/24/2011)
4. See items added below (7/1/11)
- Last.fm for German. (E2 only)
- It fails in the DPMS update of the firmware when the product is connected with "Control4".
- When Page Up/Down is done in the music list of iRadio, the product is frozen.
- When network connection speed is slow, the error occurs in the display of the FL tube.
- There is a case that the backup data of the parameter etc. initializes.
- There is a case where the network doesn't start.
- When the NSE command of AMX is sent, the data of the answer is wrong.
5. See items below (7/30/11)
- Allow connectivity to new Rhapsody servers
- Improve network connectivity
6. Allow connectivity to Pandora servers (12/19/12)
Note: If you have installed the Airplay firmware upgrade, the firmware version number on your unit will be incremented by 0001.
4311CI Firmware Updates
1. Fixes Party Mode feature, Pop Up menu function, USB functionality and also to the IP/232 controllability.
2. Audio drop out issues (12/22/10)
3. "Blue rain" video issue resolved (1/24/2011)
4. See A100 updates (7/1/11)
5. See A100 updates (7/30/11)
6. See A100 update (12/19/12)
Note: If you have installed the Airplay firmware upgrade, the firmware version number on your unit will be incremented by 0001.