Official Denon AVP-A1HD/AVP-A1HDCI and POA-A1HD/POA-A1HDCI owners thread. - Page 806

The on!ly reason to switch from my AVP would be higher quality audio. I did forget the 4k video support, upscaling and passthrough. So that was why I asked if this AV was equal to or better. Don't believe 4k video tv is within reach yet, so it's all about the audio. Are 32bit /192 worth it vs 24-bit/192-kHz DACs.
Edited by dahlgren - 1/2/13 at 8:30pm

When this new Marantz pre/pro was announced my interest was piqued and I was intrigued. It's the damn upgraditus I tell you... and there's no cure. Well, there's always more cowbell, but that's just a band aid. I admit I was contemplating, however briefly, replacing my AVP with the 8801. But it appears it's nothing more than a dressed up 4520. Think I'll go give my AVP a hug. Hope she forgives me.

I can't answer the last part for sure, but my gut tells me it's beyond our abilities to hear.
Besides, there's more to it than just the DAC's, there's also the analog output stage, and I have a feeling that's where the rubber hits the road and puts the AVP in a different class.

Agreed also keep in mind the AVP uses 4 dacs (well 2 in diff mode) per channel instead of 1 the 4520/8801 does.

I have been following the 8801 thread and its nice but more and more you see where the AVP shines its mega flexible in ways the new models aint (from pre outs to subs to pure-direct settings) and the basic analog parts are much better. The power supply setup for example inside the AVP is probably bigger than the whole inside of the 8801.

Marantz never had and imho never will have a AVP replacement, it looks like the design concept is different. They will take a shared design AVR platform (for now from denon) and replace amps and add some analog parts probably aiming to the same price point. Not a bad way i think it will be very popular since its very good value compared to other pre/pro's. The AVP was designed as a statement product from the ground up in combi with the 5308 where they probably had a price limit (defined by the lexicon 12HD i bet) but within that limit they designed the best they could, it showed what a mainstream brand could do with its production and buying power.

Just my 2 euro cents,

Daniel.

+1 to Danielo's great reply.

A replacement AVP (from any of the D&M holding Co's) will need to be a $5 ~ $8K product that surpasses the current AVP in all the processing departments, and provides what small room there is for improvement on Analog sections.

The 8801 is a step up in DSP, but not dramatic enough to be a reference design. My bet is a new flagship will be a clean-slate architecture. Or, at least I hope it is.

BTW- the 4250 is a nice receiver, I'm getting one for the second system in the spring. Since I already have an Audyssey Pro kit, will also be able to see just how good one can tweak XT32.

Welcome back Seth. Thought we lost you when you decided against the 3D/XT upgrade.

+1

There is no way I'd consider the 8801 as an upgrade to my (upgraded!) AVP.

The design layout and quality of internal components used in the AVP is clearly a step above the 8801, even though there is 4+ years separating the two devices.

With the upgraded AVP, you now have 3 new modern decoder chips. I'm only running 5.1, so going from 9.3 to 11.x has zero appeal to me. I am somewhat intrigued by 4K, but I think it will be 2-3 years before they whole 4K thing is sorted. Remember how much trouble we had ~8 years ago with 1080p? Those crappy Faroudja de-interlacers on some of the Denon receivers? Took a while to get the quality of 1080p processing to match up with the hype behind the numbers.

Well, to my way of thinking 4K is a video issue and I'll find a way to send the video to the display and the audio to the AVP when the day comes. All the years of going through the HDMI/1080p kafuffle led me to the conclusion the best location in the chain for the video processor is in the display itself.

The "upgrade" question still boils down to useage as far as I'm concerned. There might be a value for some in getting what the 8801 offers over the AVP. I think the front end is more and more becoming a computer than an audio device so there's an appeal to having a one-box solution on that front. The four port ethernet is a nice touch since most components are now network capable.

Bah, built in 4 port hub is junk. You can get a high quality Gigabit 5-port switch for <$20 shipped.

Just buy an Oppo my friend

Haven't you upgraded your AVP jonfo? With the upgrade your able to use your pro kit to tweak the XT32 on the AVP.

I apologize for this lame, basic question but I haven't touched the configuration on my AVP in a few years....

I'm trying to hook up a Wii U....

1. I'm running the HDMI cable out of the Wii U to HDMI 5 on the AVP.

2. I thought I would run Monitor 2 OUT on the AVP to a dedicated HDMI port (HDMI4) on the TV (all my other HDMI stuff was running to HDMI 5). Does this even make sense...if so should I set monitor out to DUAL?


To route the HMI signal from the Wii U you have to first tell it that you are using HDMI and then tell it the output (e.g. 1080P)


So my question is what configuration settings in the AVP do I need to set? How do I tell the AVP where to look for the Wii U output.

I know that this is very basic buy I have played around a bit and can't get it to work...

Yes, set it to dual if you want to use both outputs, if it's going to the same TV I don't know why you would though..
When it dual if you're using two different resolution TV's (i.e., 1080p on one and 720p on the other) both outputs will default to the lower resolution (720p in the example.)

HDMI 5 is DVR-1 in the source select menu, go there then go to video & select HDMI and anything else you want on/off.

Ha, yeah, I know it's not a deal-maker. But getting rid of another component (and wall-wart to boot) could be a significant feature for the right user, that's all I was saying.

Plus I'd need a 4K display first wouldn't I? Heck I don't even have 3D yet!

I don't care for 3D. But iff you ever decided to go 4K there will be no need to upgrade pre amp.

That's also what I'm thinking about. Replacing my Sunfire TG4 that we use in our family room. Will keep my Sunfire amp for the main channels, but I like that I can drive Zone 2 and 3 from the internal amp.... SJ

Hello guys. A question for the upgraded avp owners.
After running xt32 and storing the results. If check eq graph is selected does the xt 32 show the eq graph for the sub(s) as well , or shows only the other graphs for the rest of the speakers?
How well does xt 32 handle subs?

XT32 does an amazing job on the subs. The only way to see the graph for the subs is by getting a pro kit jomark. Definitely a worthwhile investment.

OR using an external measurement system (OmniMic, REW, XTZ). The pro graphs are "approximations" and actually, not very close to reality, and in my opinion, misleading.

While I am a huge fan of Audyssey Pro, the graphs produced are totally worthless to me. OmniMic on the other hand ....................

Ok so it"s no visible. What will i have to buy to get the pro kit? just the license? or there is something more to it?

Buy this: http://shop.perfecthometheater.com/Audyssey-MultEQ-Pro-Calibration-Kit-Audyssey-Kit.htm

Once you get the pro kit you buy the licensce once for the AVP and then use it many times.

As Sam S noted above Jomark, also go to Installer website and see if there is a distributor in your area/country ( could be cheaper )

So that kit is stated as being for the MultiEQ XT.... is there a separe "PRO" kit for the newer XT32? I am completely happy with my AVP just as it is, however Im not opposed to tweaking things. If I've already added some room acoustic treatments, played with positioning of my subs and upgraded all of my equipment including having my AVP upgraded, would it be fair to say that my only improvement left would be to buy the "PRO" kit and tweak the set up using that?

There is no distinction for XT or XT32 when it comes to the Pro kit. You are basically buying the mic (and associated gear) and a software license. Neither knows (or cares) if your devices are regular XT vs. XT32. You could have two licenses, one for an XT32 unit, one for a older XT unit.... same kit/software handles each.

Oh, the AVP will passthrough/switch 4K video?

I think the answer to this depends on the room and number of listening positions. I had the Pro kit before I bought the AVP so I never tried the on-board version. My thoughts would be if XT32 makes a difference in your current room, getting a bigger sample size of measrurements for it to work with, can't hurt and likely would help.