*Official* Denon AVR-1911/791 & AVR-2311CI/891 Owner's Thread - Page 5

Bestbuy.com has them for sale online...

No reason to as neither is enabled on the HDMI 1.4 boards in the new Denon AVRs. Bottom line is if you don't expect to use a 3D TV in the near future, there's no reason to get an HDMI 1.4 AVR.

Does the 891/2311 show album art when an IPod is directly attached via USB? Or, does it only do the music?

the manual doesn't say anything about album art with the USB connection... I think we won't know until someone tries it out!

Will the 791 or 891 upscale HDMI video sources, or just analog?

A friend of mine just got the 791, which does not show album art using the USB port. I'm not sure about the 891 - I would guess not.

In order to see video on the 791, you have to buy the Denon Dock. I assume album art would show up too, but this is untested.

Thanks! From the manual, that is what I assumed, but I was hoping someone with an actual unit could verify. I will take the word of your friend.

the 891/2311 has a different GUI though so the behavior of the 791 model doesn't really prove much... that being said, my gut is that you won't get album arm until you get to the nicer GUI of the 43xx model...

Can't find very much user feedback on the 891. I'm thinking of trading in my Pioneer VSX-920 for this because I'm having some issues with it. What's the general consensus out there? Is this a good receiver? I was also considering the Onkyo 608.

batpig, thanks for the reply. Does denon (or pioneer/onkyo if you have opinions about them) have any models that would be suitable? I would like to at least move to an hdmi receiver, even if its v 1.3a for now, since I dont have a 3d TV. Perhaps that would get me a good price on the non hdmi 1.4a models...

There is no evidence that the current 1.4a receivers actually support 2 or 4. My understanding is that 1 & 3 is all you get, and 2 & 4 will require another upgrade (new receiver).

I wouldn't trust any Denon AVR below the 43xx level in the current lineup to power 4-ohm speakers to theater type volume.

This thread may be useful: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1255137

The THX-certified Onkyos may be a good bet for you, you can probably find a nice deal on a Onkyo 807.

I have been using a 2310CI since it was released, I recently got rid of it since I was going to upgrade to a newer unit. I thought I could get by without a receiver in the media room for a month or so, but that was not the case. So I decided to buy a 891 until other models are released.

After about a week of use, IMO the 891 is a setup down from last years 2310. Now I understand the 891 has hdmi 1.4, in my setup it's not needed, therefore I can't comment on it. I can say for some reason I am having random handshake issues with the exact same components I used with the 2310, a slim ps3 and a Dish 722 DVR.

A couple of things that disappointed me coming from the 2310 are no led that displays dynamic volume/eq, it's only displayed on the OSD or quickly scrolls on the AVR display. The GUI is the same style, I thought I read through some pre release material that stated a new GUI was going to be implemented. Another thing I quickly noticed was the lack of a switched plug for my external fans.

I can safely say, this AVR is going back. I paid MSRP for the 891, and it does NOT have any improvements over the 2310 for me.

I will test the album art with an ipod via USB before I send it back.

Hi!

I need some advice. I just finished my basement, and I will be installing a 52-inch hdtv. I had my contractor place two bose speakers in the ceiling. I just bought the Denon AVR 791 receiver. I now need to buy a speaker system to go with that receiver, and need some help choosing one. I am planning to use two of the speakers from whatever system I purchase in an adjoining home gym room, since I already have the bose speakers. I could use either a 5.1 system or 7.1 system. I do want a good quality speaker set, but I really don't want to spend more than $350 (even less if possible). The home theater is not a separate enclosed room, but will be in the large main area of the basement (I have 9 ft. ceilings).

Any suggestions?

you should really head to the speaker forum as there is no need to buy something specific for your Denon. Your budget will make it very difficult to get a quality 5.1 system though.... keep your expectations in line . You cannot buy 5 speakers and a subwoofer for $350 and have it be "good quality" unless you buy used, or are OK with a small sub/sat speaker setup.

the Energy RC-Micro setup is probably the best 5.1 package deal right now for around $350-400 but they are tiny speakers are you aren't going to get huge, theater-like sound for a little sub/sat setup. If you won't ever listen super loud and aren't expecting giant theater sound then you will probably be OK.

are the Bose in-ceiling speakers going to be surrounds? where are they mounted relative to the display?

You should post your question in the speakers section to get better answers, however, entry level speakers (<$500) that folks generally like to pair with the lower level Denon AVRs are either the Energy Take Classic or Jamo.

good suggestion on the Jamo, you could probably get a decent setup with the C400 speakers:
http://search.vanns.com/sitesearch/s...=jamo+speakers

I would up the budget slightly though to make sure you don't end up getting a garbage subwoofer...

I returned my Pioneer VSX-920-K tonight for an AVR-891 and I can already tell that this is a superior product. Maybe that's to be expected considering the price difference but I think it's worth commenting on anyway. Setup has so far been a breeze. The on screen menu is a pleasure to use and your audio and video setup is very customizable. The video upscaled to 1080p looks fantastic (big difference here compared to the Pioneer). The Pioneer sounded good but i'm pretty sure this is sounding better. I haven't had a chance to pump it yet because the kids are upstairs sleeping. The system and the setup seem much more straightforward and logical compared to the Pioneer. One big reason I switched was for the Audio Return Channel and some hdmi/resolution handshake issues I was experiencing. Anyway, if anybody is thinking of buying one, my first impressions are very positive.

Good to hear! Keep us posted with further observations. I'm having a tough time deciding to get the 891 now, or wait for the 2311 or Pio 1120 later. Waiting sucks

only Best Buy's with a Magnolia location will sell the 4-digit versions.

I'm looking to purchase my first Denon and have been watching these boards carefully. I have the following concern about the lack of connections on the 1911 model -

Since my TV, bluray, and CD player do not support HDMI 1.4, I believe I will need a discreet digital connection for the audio. I currently have an optical connection from my TV and bluray player to my old Sony receiver, with a red/white RCA connection for my CD player.

Obviously I'd like the cleanest connection possible to a new Denon receiver and would like to hook up all three components with optical cables. Won't the single optical input on the 1911 be limiting or I am missing something?

I like the HD radio option on the 1911 but the lack of inputs has me leaning towards the 1910. I don't care about 3D - no TV upgrade for me anytime soon.

Thanks in advance.

yes.

this statement: "Since my TV, bluray, and CD player do not support HDMI 1.4, I believe I will need a discreet digital connection for the audio" is false! (and not just because you said "discreet" instead of "discrete" )

HDMI is backward-compatible. Just because the AVR is HDMI 1.4 doesn't mean that you can't hook up HDMI for audio+video with your standard HDMI devices. Otherwise, it would be pretty stupid of them to have a receive with all HDMI inputs and few other inputs, wouldn't it?

now, if you are concerned about legacy input flexibility and/or don't care about 3D, nothing wrong with grabbing the 1910 model from last year, or if you can afford it and want to be a little more "future proof" step up to the 891/2311 model from this year.

Hi Batpig -

This was actually my first time ever writing in a forum of any kind, and I really didn't know what section I was in. Thank you so much for your advice. I did realize that my budget is extremely limited, but maybe "good quality" is somewhat subjective. I am very new to all of this and I am definitely entry-level. The basement set-up is basically for my teenage kids, and they will be happy with whatever I put in, I'm sure, since this basement has been unfinished for 11 years, and now it is a really nice space. So, I guess I'm looking for something not high quality, but adequate, solid, etc. Yes, the Bose ceiling speakers will be the rear surrounds. I will check into the Jamo C400 speakers, as you (and JDSmoothie) suggested (thanks, JDSmoothie!!!). I'll also look into the Energy Take Classic set. I really appreciate both you taking the time to answer a total newbie in this AVR world!!!
EricaJay

I am thinking of getting Denon's 1910.

What would be the main difference between the 1910 and the 1911???

have you read the thread? you would only have to get to the FAQ in post #4

Batpig - I did a little research about HDMI and found the answer to my question. Please correct me if I am mistaken.

The problem lies in which component is "upstream" or "downstream" from the receiver. HDMI 1.3 can only send audio information downstream (in one direction) while HDMI 1.4 can send audio in both directions.

When I watch bluray, the bluray send information downstream to the receiver, and the receiver then sends information downstream to the TV, so HDMI 1.3 is fine. No problem so far.

The change comes when I watch TV because I have a digital antenna (that's right, I don't pay for cable or a dish. I invest instead!). The digital signal comes from the antenna to the TV, and if I want to use 5.1 surround sound through the receiver I would need to send the audio information from the TV to the receiver. In this case the receiver is downstream from the TV, so if I don't have a HDMI 1.4 capable TV, I would need a separate audio path to the receiver.

This means I'll need two discrete audio connections - one for my CD player (which doesn't have HDMI, I'll use an optical cable for that) and one for my TV.

What confuses me is why the Denon 1911 has only red/white component inputs for CD and no optical. All modern CD players have an optical out, so why drop the two optical ins on the 1910 for only one optical in on the 1911 but keep the inferior component ins?

Thanks for your great guides by the way, I've read them and they are incredibly useful. One of the reasons I have only posted a handful of times on these forums is due to members like you who go above and beyond helping everyone out - your Denon guide answered most of my questions and was the reason I decided to go forward with this model. THANKS!

It's doubtful you could tell the difference between using analog cables vs. using an optical cable with your CD player. Also, few folks actually need to connect the audio from their TV as the vast majority have a cable/sat box. Although based on what you've said, there's no reason to get the 1911, as the 1910 will meet your needs as well as providing the additional optical you need.

Also, keep in mind that in order for the "audio return channel" feature to work, both the TV and the AVR must be HDMI 1.4. So if you're not buying a new HDMI 1.4 TV, the HDMI 1.4 1911 isn't going to do anything for you.

New 791 owner, just bought it yesterday.

The FM tuner won't pick up any of the stations i listen to in Stereo. It does pick up a classical/jazz station (90.1 philly) in stereo, but thats not my kind of music.

Is there anything funny with the FM stereo reception on denon receivers?


Also, dumb question, but i couldn't find it in the manual.

How do i reset the audio mode to default/auto after ive been playing with the different stereo/direct/etc modes?

Although there shouldn't be any issue with the Tuner, the 791 is new, so ....

Have you connected the FM antenna? Perhaps you're just in an an area that gets weak FM reception? You may need a stronger FM antenna.

The "regular" surround mode is the STANDARD mode which you can return to by pressing the "STANDARD" button on the remote.