"Official" Denon AVR 2809CI/989 Thread - Page 15

Can someone take a few pics of the menu system overlayed on HDMI (or any source for that matter)? I'd like a glimpse to see if it fits the bill.

Over HDMI at least, which is what I have tried, it is not overlaid. It blanks for a second, then the manu shows up.

I think someone posted two shots in another thread. I can't post the direct links (because I'm still a newer poster) but just replace the "showthread.php?t=1057392&page=15" part of your browser address with this:

showthread.php?p=14432908#post14432908

you'll see the shots. The OSD on the 2809 model is rather ugly. You gotta go the next step up to the 3808 in order to get the more attractive OSD which (I think) is also supposed to be displayable over an HDMI feed. To see examples of the 3808 OSD, see:

showthread.php?p=14091324#post14091324
showthread.php?p=10575951#post10575951
showthread.php?p=12725017#post12725017

Granted, the 3808 display is much nicer, but is it worth several hundred dollars? Defenders of the 2809 say that you won't need these OSD screens much after you set-up your receiver. Moreover, I think the 3808 does not natively have the Audyssey Dynamic Volume feature that is present in the new 2809; to get that Dynamic Volume feature in the 3808, I think you have to pay Denon another 100 dollars for a firmware upgrade of the 3808. So, I guess it comes down to pretty colors versus dollars.

Wow - those are quite the extremes. I also find the same lack of graphical GUI exists on the sony's unless you go for the $2500 high end 5400ES. I really really want that GUI but this will definitly be hard to justify given the cost and that most features I need/want are on the 2809. Ugh

Trying to understand the Denon product line, but why the two models and what are the differences if any?

Thnaks!

I have narrowed my choices down to this receiver as a pre/pro to an Emotiva LPA-1 with Ascend speakers or the new Emotiva UMC-1 processor when it comes out. WHich would you choose????

I believe the XMC-1 is a better choice (its should be closer in price too the 2809) but of course if A person can buy a Denon 2809 new from ebay for $699 two days ago I think its a no brainer decision

btw, I have lots of Emotiva products (LMC-1, XPA-5, LPA-1, ERM-1, etc). I like the Denon because it has more features so far. The UMC-1 and XMC-1 are not even out and we do not have a release date yet either.

I too am looking at a 2809 as a pre-pro, and the only possible concern I have with the 2809 is the DACs.

Quoting from another thread...



So that means one slightly inferior composite DAC, versus 8 individual superior DACs.

The real question is... how much more transparent will the 3808's pre-amp stage really be?
Especially when married to solid power amps... and very accurate, revealing speakers... reproducing uncompressed PCM... in a 7.0 setup... in an excellent room?

I can easily hear the difference between my NAD T163 and my Creek OBH-22 passive pre-amp.

But between a 3808 and a 2809 ?
That's a tough question. And unfortunately, I'll never be in a position to properly shoot them out.

I wouldn't take it too seriously, except:
* The difference in cost is pretty substantial (especially in Australia).
* This may well be the last pre-pro I buy for several years.

Hhhmmm... anyone???

Yeah, I felt the same thing. I was really disappointed when the 2809 was introduced and a) there was no GUI (there is not, if anything, it is a TUI ) and b) that they kept the same video processor as the last years model.

But, as time went on, I concluded it didn´t matter much. Once you´ve set up the system, you would rarely use the GUI. And most of the content I watch is HD anyways, so the video processor don´t matter that much. (1080P from the PS3)

Have had the 2809 in the house now for a couple of days. I really like it. Tips for those of you who are still waiting, READ THE MANUAL! Some of my experiences while I set it up:

- Spent an hour putting banana plugs on the speaker cables. THEN I realized they did not fit in the sockets of the 2809! What? OK, I seemed to remember something. Google "denon banana plugs". Ah... Use a screw and gently pull the plastic thingies out. Excellent. With the banana plugs and HDMI only connections, it looks super clean compared to my previous setup.

- The Audyssey setup failed: "No left back surround speaker." I KNOW, THERE IS ONLY ONE BACK SPEAKER. When you stupid receiver realize there is only one back speaker, you should assume there IS only one back speaker! Run again, same result. OK, read the manual.... Ahh.... "If you only have one surround back speaker, use the left output." Ie. not the right... Switch, run, success.

- No picture when I just connected HDMI cables to the projector. When using S-video, I had a picture. Not sure what happened, but suddenly there was a menu over HDMI too. But it still looks like crap...

- Quick select buttons. Nice. 1. PS3. 2. Satellite 3. Radio. Perfect for the wife (and the kids..)

- Like the RDS info scrolling in the display when listening to the radio. (Another thing I had to read in the manual, how to store stations..)

- After a couple of days I do not miss the GUI, nor do I miss any scaling etc.

- The HDMI cables I got from Monoprice are indeed VERY stiff, as all the reviews mention...

- I wish all the Blu pre-orders I have at Amazon would ship now. I´m ready to watch movies!

- Of course, all I need now is a new projector, new speakers, a new screen, and a 4Gb Drobo x 2 NAS setup. Let me go speak to the wife.. Riiight...

All in all, a happy camper. Sounds great, looks good (NOT the TUI). I´m happy I didn´t go with the 3808, don´t think I would have noticed much difference.

Watched Transformers on Blu. Wow. Very nice. Smiles all over.

Hi Nilsp. Nice post - thanks for that.

How are you finding Dynamic EQ? What sort of differences is it making?

I am looking for suggestions for speaker layouts. I look at the manual and see the 5.1 layout has the surround speakers suggested in a different place than the 7.1 layout. Since I have a 7.1 layout but most movies are in a 5.1 format............. I was wondering what you folks do for speaker layouts for the different soundtracks. On page 70 the manual "recommends installing the speakers for the surround L and R channels a bit forward" when using surround back channels. But on page 71 the manual shows in a 5.1 setup only that the surrounds are positioned quite a ways back.
And then there is the whole Audyssey setup thing. As far as I know Audyssey has only one memory setting when it is set up. I don`t want to move my speakers for ideal positioning everytime I come across more than a 5.1 setup. Suggestions?

No, the 2809 will not down-convert, it can only upconvert. I have a similar situation with an old 1080i RPTV. I have two sets of cables going from my Panasonic DMP-BD30 to the 2809. Componant for video, and HDMI to transmit Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio.

You know, since I set it up, I´ve not had time to touch it. Frustrating, really. Hope to get to spend some time downstairs this coming weekend. Will report.

Here's a stupid question .... where was everyone's 2809 made? Japan? ... Only reason I am asking is because I would really like to stay away from things being made in China ... I was thinking about getting a set of B&W 600 series speakers also ... but found out this series is made in China ... How about Paradigm?

Only reason I feel this way is because my employer is outsourcing my job role to both India & China ...

Does the 2809 support PIP? I have a Pioneer 5080HD and I use PIP for football Saturdays/Sundays. I've ordered the 2809 and am curious to know if I'll be able to use it for PIP. I know I can use it with the coax that is direct to the TV but I was thinking of how I could swing it with a TiVo HD and a Dish Network DVR in the future (without resorting to component video to the TV).

Please do.
Dynamic EQ should make quite a difference, and it's one reason I'm holding out for this puppy...

Firstly, receivers like the 2809 are supposed to be able to convert 5.1 soundtracks to 7.1, by way of Dolby ProLogic IIx or whatever other mode.
This applies regardless of soundtrack, whether it's bitstreamed Dolby TrueHD, DTS-MA, or regular Dolby/DTS. It should also apply to 5.1 PCM tracks.
As, I don't yet own one, could any 2809 owners with a 7.1 setup confirm this?.

I still have an older NAD T163 - which doesn't have HDMI - so I can only convert regular Dolby/DTS tracks to to 7.1. It works beautifully... You simply can't tell the difference between a converted 7.1 track and a specially mixed 7.1 track.


Secondly, what sort of surround speakers do you own?
If you're still yet to buy, I'd put wall-mount dipole or preferably bipole speakers at the top of the list. If you're already using regular speakers for surrounds, then seriously consider changing to bipoles.
Favourites are Paradigm ADP's, Infinity ES-250 (also sold as the JBL P52OWS), and Axiom QS8.

If you're using dipoles for the side-surrounds as some prefer, have them immediately to the sides of the sweet spot. If using bipoles, then have them very slightly behind the sweet spot. Mount them around 1.5 to 2 feet above sitting ear-level in either case.
Bipoles work best for the rear-surrounds. It always depends on your room, but in general have them spaced apart around 2/3rds the width of your rear wall, also around 1.5 to 2 feet above ear level.


I've been stuffing around with different surround speakers and different placements for years - but the above works best without question!
Enjoy!!

Thankyou for the info. I am waiting for a good deal on some good bipoles. I also appreciate the suggestions. I live in an apartment with a good sized room. 20 long 12.5 wide. In the manual on page 70 it shows the surrounds mounted and the back surrounds pointed slightly down toward the listener. I would rather not have to mount my speakers. For the surrounds I could just buy taller stands or set them on top of my current direct speakers I am using now. For the back surrounds I could do the same as well. Would you also recommend pointing the back surrounds down slightly towards the listener?

Well the diagrams that appear in those receiver manuals are always good for a laugh.

As for pointing either side or rear surrounds down?... It really depends how far away you are, how high up you have them, the dispersion of the speakers, the reflectiveness of the room.... as well as a dozen other factors!!

But in general, at up to 2 or even 3 feet above sitting ear level, there's no need to angle them down - especially if you have other people sitting closer to the surround speakers than you'd like.
If you had them mounted around ceiling height, it might be a good idea. But if you're thinking of sitting them on top of existing speakers... how high are they? A metre or so?.... No need to angle down.

I use a PS3 for playback, and I guess it sends audio as 5.1 PCM. I can apply Dolby IIx and by magic there is sound in my back speaker (6.1 setup, for now).

I was interested in purchasing the 2809CI to replace my current 2805. However, looking online and at local stores, the previous model, the 2808CI, can be found for relatively cheap (around $600). That is a steal if you ask me. But I'm worried that there is a reason it's so cheaply priced considering the new model is twice as expensive. As far as I can tell, the only major differences are that the 2808CI only has 2 HDMI inputs (not a big deal for me), doesn't have the Dynamic EQ (wouldn't really use this) and the AMP power is slightly weaker by 5 watts per channel (not that big of a difference). Other than this, is there any reason why I shouldn't go with the more reasonably priced 2808CI?

Setup question, I just ordered this receiver and look for it to arrive near the end of the week.

I have a Comcast HD cable box that I am going to running through the receiver and out to a 720P projector.

My question is, should I hook up the comcast HD box with Component Cables, since I would like the receiver to upscale standard def cable to 720p?

If I hook up the cable box with an HDMI in, then the receiver will just pass the signal out via hdmi to the projector and the standard def cable channels will still look pretty rough, correct?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

I am have bought the receiver for two of your reasons, Audyssey and the HDMI. Have you read up on the benefits of Audyssey? Constant volume/loudness between commercials and soft and loud passages.

well I am finally ready to get this thing hooked up, but I already have newb question number 1 and 2.
I feel pretty pathetic having to even ask this, but I don't see this spelled out per se.
on the back of the 2809 they use "Fronts A" and "Fronts B" instead of right and left.
If I am facing the display should I make the right front be "A" and the left front "B"?
And if I do that then if I am still facing the display is the rear surround to my right the one I should hook up to "Right surround" or do they base it on looking back at the surrounds from the display whereby that surround would be to the left?
I don't even know if this makes a difference with the soundfield off the disc, but I want to hook it up the right way obviously if it does in fact matter.
Also, I read somebody else talking about the terminals having protective caps on them that need to be removed.
Is that correct?
my banana plugs on the center speaker wire seem to fit ok, but maybe I'm missing something.
I'm so embarrassed now

On either side of the "front A" text is an "L" and an "R". To hook up one set of front speakers you just use "Front A".


L&R is always from the frame of reference of the listener. So if you sit in the listening position, facing the front speakers all the right channels are to your right, left to the left.