"Official" Denon AVR 2809CI/989 Thread - Page 27

Tal, you are doing a great job finding the answers to your own questions before anyone can reply. You have even found the secret panel! As such you have passed the first test and may enter the first circle of Denon owner initiation. LOL. Welcome.

Just ordered ..... NYC sales tax applied (bummer) but only cost me $812 ...

Thanks kepople

It's amusing. 6ave uses UPS for shipping; the link in the order history goes to DHL instead with UPS tracking number .

$840 at Amazon.

I just ordered my 2809 and have a quick question about the upscaling. When running my HD Cable through the 2809 to my tv, will it upscale the non HD channels? Not sure if I understand how that works.

Thanks, so would it be best to just run the hdmi from the hd cable box straight through the 2809 and use it as I normally would, or run the hd cable box via component or such through the 2809 so that it is all upscaled (HD and standard programming). Or, would this downgrade the HD cable picture for the channels that are already HD (1080i)?

You may have to try it out to see, but I am getting very good results with cable box-component/optical-Denon-HDMI-HDTV. It doesn't hurt the quality of HD at all and you have the option of the Denon scaling or not on component. Eliminates HDMI handshake issues as well.

I'm looking to replace my old Pioneer VSX-D811S receiver, and have been considering both the 2809 and the Onkyo 906. I primarily will be using the setup for movies and games, and very rarely music. I need at least three HDMI inputs and the ability to decode newer HD audio formats. I am all but settled on the 2809, but was looking for any feedback users might have on other models I may want to consider.

Higher or lower models? What are your other specifics, your setup? Big room, big speakers, HT, bedroom, etc?

batpig has recently commented that unless you need all the xtra features (preouts,etc) and that xtra good SQ, a 889/2309 may be just right and save you money. Many are very pleased with 789/1909, even less $.

I'm thinking lower models. The room I'm currently using is roughly 20x12, but that may change to a larger room in the next year with the purchase of a new house. I'm using the new BIC VK-12 sub (first of the planned upgrades) and it is paired with four large MF750H Sony speakers (next on the list to go) and a matching CN550H center speaker.

I was thinking that the Onkyo 706 might even suit my needs.

I did the black friday sale at sixth avenue too. Smokin' deal! I was long overdue for an upgrade of my 2802.

You could search the Onkyo models in question vs Denon and you will find several threads, if you have not done so already. You could also search 1909 vs 2309, then vs 2809for more details on model differences on these threads. I think it comes down to anticipating your needs for the next few years (those new speakers, bigger room, etc.) vs saving some $ now. IMHO, I would not buy an AVR without Audyssey, period. I predict you will be happy with any of the 3 Denons, but then I am biased.

Hard to answer that question as it ends up being your personal preference actually. You've got three components that can do the upscaling to 1080i/p ... the HD Cable box, the Denon, and of course your TV. Try connecting an HDMI cable directly to the TV from the HD Cable box and you might find that it does as good a job as the Denon.

Thanks, I have been running the HD cable box right to the TV for a while, and the picture is very darn good. I have an older Panasonic 50" Plasma right now, but about to order either the Panny 58 or the Pioneer Kuro 60 to replace it with. I will play with it and see if the 2809 upscales it any better than what it does now.

On another note, what front, center and subs does everyone like using the 2809? My current speaker setup is about 5 years old and thinking of upgrading them as well. I have a set of Polk RT800i's for the fronts (250w), a JBL S-Center (150w) and a JBL 12" 250w sub, and 2 ceiling mounted rears (can't remember the brand). They still sound great (Kenwood VR-6070 receiver) and plan on seeing how much better they sound with the 2809, but curious what everyone else is using now days. If I replace them it will only be the two front towers, a center and a sub as I am fine with the ceiling mounted rear speakers.

well it doesnt really matter what speakers everyone uses since everyone has different tastes, but i use my 2809 with Vienna Acoustic Mozart Grands(mains), Maestro Grand (center) and Emotiva ERD-1's (surroudns). But i use a separate amp to power everything since they are all 4ohms.

I use a Denon 2809 with a Monitor GS LCR & 10 and a SVS PB 12+ and a Velodyne MiniVee but I also power them with a Marantz SR 12 as a power amp and I alternate that with a ATI 2505.

I only use it as the 'brains'. Good for HT.

^ lol is your setup always that messy? nice speakers though!

When the lights go out... all you see is a screen which has the same viewing angle as the middle seat in the local cinema... and with my 7.2 setup, you won't miss lining up for your tickets anymore...

Cheers

.2 ???

You still only have a 7.1 setup......the .2 isnt the number of subs you have....I would have a 7.4 if that was true

If you're considering the 58PZ800/850 (as I'm guessing you are since you're looking at the Kuro), you most likely will be very impressed with the audio quality from the upgraded Panny's 4 speakers. I've got the Panny 50PZ750 and the surround sound quality from the 4 speakers is so good I have no reason to run HDMI to the Denon for any regular TV broadcast viewing (especially as the Denon does no better a job of upscaling than the DirecTV HD DVR), merely running an optical cable to the Denon for watching HD movies. Additionally, there is no additional lag when changing channels since the video bypasses the Denon.


If you haven't read the Audyssey thread yet, ceiling mounted speakers can cause some issues with Audyssey depending on their actual placement and the position the mic is placed. Much more helpful information though in that thread.

Very true, it refers to the number of unique LFE outputs, however, some folks still mistakenly refer to a 2 sub system as .2 especially when the AVR has 2 LFE outputs putting out the same LFE signal.

I have the same fronts as you, same vintage-RT800i towers, with all Polk for my 5.1 set up:
matching CS 400 Center (same tweeter and drivers as the 800's), PSW 350 sub and Fx 300i surrounds (a flush in-wall installation model).

Gotta tell ya-once I hooked my Polks up to the Denon 2809all thoughts of needing new speakers vanished! Audysey is great!

The Center, sonically matched to the Fronts, provides a seemless soundstage with very good clarity and localization and lots of punch. The sub can shake the room for movie effects. Yet blends very well & is musical-and the front speakers with those passive radiators allow for very good localization to the front of the room for kick drum & bass guitar. The surrounds have absolutely come alive and are now providing an actual "surround" experience.

So there's hope for the Polk towers...enjoy!

Thanks for the replys, I think I am going to go with a PA CSI A6 for the center and keep my rt800i's as they still sound awesome, and should be even better with the 2809 opposed to my older kenwood receiver I am running now.

I'm having problems with the S-vIdeo slots on this receiver -- the cables do not stay in snugly and they fall out rather easy. (Yeah, I know that S-video is pretty inferior, but the Mrs. is obsessed with her series 2 TiVo -- long story). At first, I was ready to blame the cables, but the cables fit snugly into my TV, my cablebox, and my TiVo. But, none of the Denon S-Video slots hold the cable snugly. I've tried switching them around, and yet the Denon remains loose while all others are snug. I even tried taking pliers to the S-Video cable and bending the rounded jacket in order to make a tighter fit, but to no avail. Any ideas?

P.S. I bought this receiver from an authorized dealer, so I don't think it is an issue of it being a cheaply made piece of gear.

P.P.S. the cables are from monoprice.

I have searched this thread and found no reference to HD radio. I thought I had seen that there was an add-on for that.

I am also wondering if anyone has had some significant experience with using the ipod adapter for Ethernet connection.

Me thinks its the cables...
I have 2 pairs of QED and Ixos cables and I can almost dangle the amp by them - exageratting of course.
Tried another nameless cable, no issues and my ASD 3W dock is also a S-video, no issues.

Cheers