*Official* Denon AVR 1909/789 Thread - Page 235

I called the Denon Customer Service line and they had no information regarding the 1910. Not really surprising but I want to pick up a 1909 now but don't want to have buyer's remorse.

you may want to wait, as the new models should be rolling out soon with the 1910 first up. the 1910 may add PLIIz and a 4th HDMI input to keep up with the competition (just speculating), plus an RS-232 port for firmware updates.

worst case scenario -- you decide you don't want to pay extra for a new model and you can pick up a 1909 on closeout for even cheaper than you can get it right now.

it's not like the deals on the 1909 are so smokin' right now, with consumer electronics you don't usually lose by being patient.

Deep down I agree about waiting for the 1910 but my new Energy and PA-120 setup are just staring at me. I just need to show some fortitude....

depending on your personal ethics, you could always "borrow" a receiver from Best Buy for 30 days or less

It would be nice if they would put some pics/specs on their website before they actually hit store shelves. I bet they have a placeholder on amazon before they get put on the denon site.

Really, if they are going to be out next month already, I am pretty suprised that there are not any pics of it leaked on the web yet. Denon trying to keep it top secret?

Great addition! I really think that will help some people get a better understanding of bass management. So now between "taming the bass" and basic "bass management," I think you have the bases (pun intended) pretty well covered.

By the way, when did you add the FAQ, "When I turn on Dynamic EQ, the bass is boomy and constantly rumbling! How do I fix this?" I don't recall seeing it before, but then again I don't read your guide every day.

I added those a couple of months ago. I've been meaning to update it with more thorough explanations and guidance on "taming the bass". Now that I actually own a receiver with Dynamic EQ I think I can add more insight...

Suggestion: call around to the BB's in your area (or any local retailer with this policy), talk to the HT area manager and see if they have any of the units you're interested in as "open box". Or perhaps they will sell you the floor model at "open box" price or lower, as it is a discontinued/unavailable product, right? You have 30 days to return it & noone loses. Just be sure to get that elusive mic!

I walked into a CC store last Oct and I noticed they had mistakenly unpacked 2 789's for display, so they were glad to let me take one home to try out.

If a 1910 overlays over HDMI, I'll have a 789 with all documentation, remote, also including mic., antennas, etc. (just no original box since its DHT-789BA and I'm keeping the speakers) going cheap.

WOW guys ... the Denon is just amazing ... i put in my first uncompressed blu-ray, House of Flying Daggers from netflix, wow just wow ... i am buying this lol. The sound is simply amazing lol.

Per the manual, the Fader function does not affect the Subwoofer. It can be adjusted until the volume of the Front (LCR) speakers or Rear (SL,SR, SBL,SBR) speakers are adjusted to the lowest value of -12.0. For example let's say all front speakers are at +2.0 and all rear speakers are at -2.0. If you adjust Fader to the Front (left arrow) it will reduce the front speakers from +2.0 down to -12.0 depending on how many times you press the left arrow. If you then press the right arrow (ie Fader Rear) it will increase the front speakers upward to a maximum of their original setting (+2.0 in this case). If you continue to press the Rear Fader (right arrow) it will decrease the rear speakers from -2.0 down to -12.0. If you then press the Fader Front again, it will raise the channel level of the rear speakers back to -2.0 before beginning to lower the channel levels of the front speakers. If the speakers are at different levels, they will each be incrementally lowered until they max out at -12.0.

You're a genius, jd. Like bp, the Denon (il)logic defeated my paltry attempts at playing with the fader. I really hadn't tried hard as I really have no need for it since the system "dialed itself in" so well.

Question: I have a Pioneer SACD/DVD-A player hooked up to my Denon 1909 via 5.1 analog. The player itself has settings for channel level and speaker distance that I can set that specifically work with its 5.1 analog outputs. Should I set these? I looked but couldn't find in the manual if the 5.1 external inputs on the 1909 work with the settings that Audyssey create or not.

I think with the multichannel inputs the settings (bass management, tone contorl, etc) need to be made on the player. The receiver (audyssey) does not process the signal other than amplyifing the signal. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I checked all the local BB's online stock and they all show unavailable. I'll have to do some more legwork to see if I can maybe get a demo on the cheap and give it a 30 day test drive. Hell, if the price is right I may just keep it.

Zamps, you are correct.

Diseasedyak - batpig just this morning addressed this issue.

A little long term planning here (way beyond budget right now), I did some research and found that alot of pro recording studios use Mackie HR824s for monitors. I found a blurb on their site suggesting:


My question: these speakers only have provisions for XLR, TRS and RCA plugs. Could they be adapted to a 789 receiver, or does this mean I have to step all the way up to a 5308CI or even worse (for XLR) AVP-A1HDCI? I guess I should also ask, are these too overkill for a 789 even if they could be adapted?

if they have RCA inputs then you just need a receiver with preouts like the 2809/989 model. obviously to use the balanced XLR inputs you need a higher end unit.

Thanks, I forgot about pre-outs. I was staring at the back of all the Denon units on their site looking only at the speaker terminals.

At $3100.00 (plus shipping) for the set from the cheapest un-authorized stores, its more of a pipe dream than anything right now. But having some of the most accurate speakers produced seems like a goal many on this site might sympathize with.

EDIT: Still surprised a little on the XLR thing though. I figured there would be some monoprice part or something to turn those connectors into something accessible to a receiver mere mortals could afford.

Would something on here work?

I did a little research since my last post, it appears that you need an active device to convert the two, for three reasons:
- Balanced signals have two hot leads and a ground, unbalanced only have one hot lead
- Balanced signals are +4 typically, unbalanced signals are typically -10
- Balanced signals are typically 600 ohms, and unbalanced signals
are typically 10-50K ohm

One other thing I just thought of, if I use pre-outs as the ouputs to these speakers, wouldn't I lose the ability to control the volume?

It cracks me up how much people are paying for used 1909 and 789 units on eBay. Seriously, they have issues dropping an extra $75 or $100 for a brand new 1909 from an authorized dealer? Sheesh. I don't get some people.

That said, I've decided to hold off a month or two and see what the 1910 has to offer. Firmware updates would be huge. For now, I'll just stick with the ol' component cables to my HDTV and trusty (and powerful) old Pioneer 1014. Sigh.

Heh. I just got my 1909 and it's replacing a 1014. I just couldn't wait, plus I moved up in price just to get the 6th ave deal on the 1909. And I still went $90 over the max I wanted to spend. I am sure I wouldn't be able to afford the 1910 until it was near EOL.

So I will be happy with the 1909 while probably dreamin' bout the 1910 for quite some time. Maybe I can sell my 1909 at some point and upgrade.

Studio monitors are amped internally and designed to be run off the monitor out (line level) signals out of the mixing board. This is essentally what you get out of the preouts of the 2809, whose volume control affects the preout signal.

Yea i settled on the 789 (i didn't need a zone 2 remote lol) and saw a deal for it on ebay for about 100 less than i got it for but honestly was afraid to jump because of the possibility of the lack of warranty. The 789 turned out to be my most expensive part but it has things that should last me a very long time like DynamicEQ and Volume which really take the hassle out of turn up and down certain parts of the system when you change sources or volumes. 550 shipped. Its a bit more than i wanted to spend. I could have gotten a 606 but glade i got the Denon for the extra features and solid super reliable platform with no HDMI issues (yay).

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on the 1909. After weeks of research I think this the unit for me. I wanted to post this message just in case there is some issue I am missing.

Here is what I am looking for:

-Price - $400-$500
-future proof and decodes all of the latest audio formats
-at least 3 HDMI
-analog to HDMI
-doesnt touch (read "degrade) the HDMI signal when in pass-thru (it seems like the Onkyos have an issue here).

Here is my current home theater system:

Samsung 52" LCD 1080P (LN650)
Xbox 360 via component
5.1 with Speakercraft AIM7 Threes
low-end Blue-ray player via HDMI
standard def cable with a few digital channels (may get HD cable later this year)

Any reason the 1909 would not be for me? I read Batpig's FAQ and portions of his Denon-to-English guide and I understand there could be some issues with the Xbox over compenent but that sounded ok.

Any issues I am missing or should this receiver work well for me?

I also read the CNET review and it sounds like the only issue with this receiver is its "hard to set up" which to me is not an issue. Other than that, it seems like it and the Pioneer 1018 are the ONLY fully functional receivers in this price range with zero issues.

I cannot find the Pioneer 1018 anywhere for other than full retail $600. The best price I can find on the 1909 is $409 for a reconditioned unit at dakmart.com. Good deal or no? Also, any issues with dakmart and buying reconditioned?

Thanks much in advance.

Actually, you left out the most important feature this receiver has, that no other in its price range do: Audyssey. Audyssey MultEQ is amazing, Dynamic EQ is nice too, and Dynamic Volume doesn't suck, but MulltEQ makes this box worth even its retail price if you had to pay it.

EDIT: Don't feel bad if you didn't know what it is. I didn't either when I bought my 789, and it turned out to be the best icing on a cake I have had (except for Harmony).

Thanks. I knew the speakers were internally amp'ed, but good to know that the Denon can control volume of its preouts.

Right, that's how it works with all brands in regards to preouts. Basically it is the same signal that is sent to the AVR's internal amps. This is a great feature for upgrading, for ex., that's how you use an external power amp for 2 or 3 Front channels and simultaneously use the 2809 internal amps for the surrounds, with Audyssey applied to all and overall volume and respective channel volumes all controlled on the AVR.

The way I understand about Dakmart, it sells B-Stock units and they would carry a 90 day Warranty through Denon. Also the additional warranty coverage is offered exclusively through Dakmart and not Denon. ("We offer an exclusive 1 year warranty on these items, unlike others who only offer the standard 90 day warranty"). Denon just warranties for the first 90 days from the date of purchase.
Check out their ratings on resellerratings.com , don't look to good IMO.
For additional $80 if available, get it from 6th ave or JR and get full warranty from Denon.