The "Official" Denon AVR-4311CI/AVR-A100 thread [NO PRICE TALK] - Page 683

Too bad Denon doesn't support at least the CI models with firmware upgrades for 5 years. They have to expect that Installers' clients wouldn't be upgrading every other year, much less us common folks.

 

Well, there was a FW update to the 4311 several weeks ago, to address Pandora issues.  It's not like Denon has completely abandoned the product.

Right, since Denon has not EOL'ed this model they are fixing bugs affecting existing functionality, but just not introducing any new features.

Just an update on this previous post. I RMA'd my first 4311 for another one and the issue is resolved. Something must've been wonky in the first receiver. I've had the new one for over a month and it's fantastic. Sound is very similar to the 3805 without eq and is leaps and bounds more impressive with Audyssey enabled. Still tweaking, but it's getting better and better.

Could the Denon 4311ci/A100 in the future possibly get gapless FLAC as an upgrade for us? I don't plan on getting another AVR in the future and wouldn't mind paying extra for this upgrade. Upgrades seem to be a viable path is these Denons are capable of this. Perhaps Denon would recognize a financial incentive to do so as I am sure many of us dont trade in their older receivers every year or so. Perhaps someone going to the CES would put a bug in someones ear?
Dave

Gapless FLAC will never happen on an AVR or Blu-ray player unless it's being used as external DAC for a devices like a laptop/media receiver that can handle the FLAC decoding internally before pushing it to the AVR or player.

I understand Denon is supporting bug fixes and such, but it would be nice if they also added new features for 3-5 years afterward as well. Sure, it doesn't fit into the "sell a new AVR every year business plan" but it does go a long way in building customer loyalty.

The DNS server information on the 4311 is what's causing the problem. Not sure why it's getting that IP if it's using DHCP. Try changing the DNS server to match what's on your PC (167.206.251.129). That should fix the issue for Internet Radio. Not sure about Airplay though as that's all internal.

You can put the check mark back on both Block Anonymous Internet Requests and Filter Multicast in your router.

Sam S,
Thanks for that info, then I can safely turn my attention elsewhere. Now I am thinking to get JRiver. Never used it so hopefully my cheap laptop with built in soundcard will do. I'll go over to their website and see.
Dave

Thanks, I'll give that a try. Will I have to turn off DHCP and enter everything or can I leave DHCP on and just update just the DNS?

I was looking thru the Airplay FAQ thread and there was some discussion about something called "Bonjour" that has to be enabled/installed on one's router in order for Airplay to work. Might that be the problem? How would I check that?

Then how do the Denon XX13 / 4520 models do it? /confused

You'll have to disable DHCP on the 4311 and manually enter the values, I think. Make sure to pick something high - for example, if your PC is 192.168.1.5, make the 4311 192.168.1.105. This will ensure you won't have any collisions in the future. Also, Bonjour is something you put on your PC, it gets installed automatically with iTunes, so you most likely already have it. However, on Cisco routers, that Filter Multicasting box should be checked.
Edited by blipszyc - 1/7/13 at 11:44am

Hello: Yes, JRiver Media Center does support gapless playback and no, your laptop's soundcard doesn't matter since you will be using(I assume) your laptop as a server to your Denon via your home network, so the DAC in the Denon is what will be converting the digital data from the laptop into the sound you hear. JRiver is a fantastic media player in my experience. The only downside is limited support from the company in fhe form of a user guide or "how to". For tips on how to set it up, you have to either figure it out yourself or go to their user forum(like AVS).
Good luck!
Edit: I forgot that you may simply connect the laptop to the Denon via hdmi or optical if it has that feature. If you do use the optical connection, the laptop may restrict some resolutions that it will play(this is not a restriction of the Denon or JRiver, but the laptop). You could also connect the laptop to a usb dac in which case the dac will govern what resolutions it supports. Normally, dacs then have an analog output, which would unfortunately not allow you to use the Audyyssey in the Denon, but some dacs also have coax digital or optical outputs which would allow you to use the processing in the Denon. Hope all that made sense!
Edited by Redbeemer - 1/7/13 at 2:51pm

I replaced my 3805 with a 4310 and immediately noticed an improved midrange clarity when comparing these AVRs without doing room correction. WITH room correction turned on, the difference is even more audible.

Redbeemer
Thanks I will use the Denon Audysssey from my DLNA pushed by JRiver. Hope there is no other hardware required.
So I presume JRiver on my PC from (FLAC files) stored on my external bard drives thru DLNA via Netgear 4000 to Oppo connected via HDMi >to Denon via LPCM and active Denon Audyssey. Would there be anu other hardware or software needed?
PS I will be building a new PC after Haswell and I presume a dedicated 5.1 audio chip is needed and not a high priced sound card?

Dave

You're saying these newest Denons support FLAC gapless via their DLNA streaming?

Yup.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1274153/the-official-denon-avr-4311ci-avr-a100-thread-no-price-talk/20400_100#post_22790720

You'll have to give me more details than that.

Gapless FLAC from a "pull" device (e.g. AVR) has never been available on any type of receiver or BD player, to my knowledge. A firmware update to newer models would make them very unique in this capability.

EDIT: Found this link, with the following caveat:

http://denon-uk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1504/~/gapless-playback

Although almost all modern motherboards have pretty decent HD audio capabilities built in, it really is not important if you are sending the audio out wirelessly to your router and then to your Oppo (I have a 93) which can then send the sound to your Denon via HDMI, so you will be using the DAC built into the Denon rather than the DAC in the Oppo or some external DAC. I do essentially the your Android device to select you albums/songs, including album art and send them from your server (pc) to the Oppo. Works great!

Did you rma with Denon or the place you purchased? I am starting to wonder if my 4311ci has similar issue.

Redbeemer,
Thanks - I found a great article on JRiver in detail in computeraudiofile.com. I guesss from laptop to Denon dacs via DLNA will suffice to keep other hardware out of the way.
dave

 

computeraudiofile.com doesn't seem to be a valid web link.....

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest he might have meant computeraudiophile.com

It looks like part of my previous reply was somehow deleted. I was trying to tell you about using the Gizmo app. from JRiver if you have an Android device. With that app you can see and select all of your albums, including the album art. As others have stated above, I think you meant an article on www.computeraudiophile.com. They also have a forum which is an excellent source of information on computer audio and equipment, software, etc.

Yes sorry for the misspelling. just whizzing along from one story to another. Will check out Gizmo also as my wifes favorite toys are OPPO-103, Netflex and her recently acquired Samsung Note II. Sounds like a match and an easy sell!
Dave

Well, after further reading I think I wil boycott all my future AVR purchases from these mega firms who don't keep up with upgraded features for us current owners. Spoon feeding us trivial minutia leaves me hanging in the wind. It has already started this year with better options such as the OPPO 105 and just amps. Samsung Smart Hub TV's and adding features. These alone will get me out of future AVR's and computers - I believe. A Smart TV and a Smart Player, an amp with good speakers is all I'll need for future expenditures. Of course, I would buy firmware upgrades to keep my current AVR's up to date - if they offer them - just sayin!
Dave

Pioneer has promised an imminent FW for the SC-65/67/68 to add that functionality.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Press-Room/Home-Entertainment/Apple+Lossless+and+AIFF+Support+Added+to+Pioneer+SC+Receivers+for+Expanded+Digital+Music+Playback

I tried turning off DHCP and entering the IP address (I changed the last qualifier from 100 to 105) and set the Primary DNS to match the one my PC shows (167.206.251.129). I left the secondary DNS at 0. I left the Gateway unchanged (192.168.1.1, though it might have been .251 while DHCP was on).

It took a while for "Internet Radio" even to appear as a choice when I hit NET/USB. Once it did, and I selected it, it took a while but then got just the same 2 choices. And still no Airplay icon in iTunes.

Is there some other field I need to enter or change? (secondary DNS, Default Gateway, IP address etc.)

Thanks FilmMixer,
Wow-Thankfully I also have an SC-67. I can go back to sleep now
Dave

Marvin - Just set the DNS to your router's local IP address (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) The gateway should also be your router's address.
Your mask will probably be 255.255.255.0

That "last qualifer" is called and "octet". You can set it to anything from 1 - 255 as long as it's outside your router's DHCP range. For example, my router uses .001 through .100 for DHCP, and I assign my Denon and DirecTV boxes static IPs above .200.