The **OFFICIAL** DENON AVR-4520CI thread - Page 11

Is this a receive thread or a thread about heat.

Please take the heat discussion elswhere and get this thread focused back on AVR-4520

Thanks

Firmware Changelog Update

Post #4 has been updated.

Are these inferior to the HQV in onkyo's?

Not according to flint350 who responded to you the first time you asked .... although also likely depends on the picture quality of the TV/PJ in use.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1430049/the-official-denon-avr-4520ci-thread/200_100#post_22465982

Theoretically, the Onkyo is superior to the Denon. In reality, it depends on how crappy your source material is on whether you will see the difference in real life. Same thing with 1080 vs 4k video - theoretically the 4k look better, but in real life situations they both look the same.

Receivers put out heat - and given that past Onkyo's put out a LOT of heat I can understand why people are talking about heat in a receiver thread.

I see that on page 112 of the manual, you cannot use the HDMI or digital input for zone 2 & 3.

On page 80 though, if you use All Zone Stereo, it says you can select any source.
Does that mean I can use the HDMI or digital input and use the same source over all the zones?

Also, did not see anything listed about zone 4 in the amp assign function. If I wanted to run 2 or 3 channels in the main room, could I assign zone 2, 3 & 4 to use the on board amps?

Thanks

I agree, if it is a specific problem with this particular receiver running unusually hot (and not because of someone insisting on putting it completely enclosed cabinet) then people should be made aware of the specific problem.

However, if it is a general discussion how any receiver or projector contributes heat to a room, then it would more appropriate to have its own thread to discuss heat generation in general.

And this was just a respectful suggestion as the discussion was getting sidetracked to heat generation from any and all receivers, TVs, etc., and had nothing to do with the 4520 specifically.

I think you need to also run analog audio to zone 2 from your HDMI source. If the source does not have analog outs I would consider an audio matrix that downconverts.

On the speaker assign questions, that is my reading of the custom AMP Assign part of the manual -- the flow chart is helpful here.

My 4520 ci is on the way and my question on reading the maual is whether the pre outs can be assigned to allow for more than 2 channels in zone 2 and zone 3 like the on board amps appear to be under custom. It does not look like they can but I appeaciate someone's input here. I am using my 4520ci as a preamp only for several external amps and really want the abilty to have 6 channels in zone 2. I know I could just use Y splitters but then I would not be able to control volume and on/off for the speakers in that zone independently. I could use my old 4308ci for zone 2 but that does not have the pure pre amp mode and I am running out of room in my rack. Thoughts?

1. The manual is a bit misleading on this point; however, AFAIK, this is not like the Yamaha Party mode in which HDMI stereo audio in the main zone will also pass to Zones 2 and 3, rather as noted, an analog cable connection is required in addition to the HDMI cable in order for the audio to pass to Zones 2 and 3.

2. Zone 4 only applies to the Zone 4(HDMI) monitor out.

Correct, it does not appear it can be done. Based on the "Custom" pre-out chart, there is only a direct one-to-one correlation between the physical pre-outs and their corresponding channel assignments.

Thanks -- that is what I thought. Do you think I could I use the "media player" analog output as a 2nd zone 2 pre out as the manual says that outputs zone 2 by default.

Thanks, that is what I was thinking, but the added note had me hoping it was possible only in party mode like the Yamaha.

Yes.

Agreed ... could end up being a nice surprise.

buying my first AVR soon for my theater - question.

If I setup 7.2 and have zone2 use the last 2 amps, I assume I need to have zone3 use the pre-amp outs but can I control the volume remotely? Are they variable pre-amp outs?

Thanks!

Thanks - read through most of the manual but missed that - perfect

Zone 4 not allowing for audio control pushed me to another option. I just decided to go with an HTD MC-66 preamp for 3 zones of AT 8.3e ceiling speakers with a Emotiva UPA-700 providing amplification. My plan has the Denon 4520ci pushing out a 5.2 + 2 main zone set up with a stereo zone in each of zone 2 and 3. The Denon runs as a preamp with 2 Emotiva XPA-5s and 1 Emotiva XPA-1 providing amplification. I have a combo hdmi/audio matrix switch with digital to analog downconversion that ties the sourcing together for both amps. I have an RTI front end on all of this. Just hope that when I get it all set up I don't end up with sound delay in all on party mode as my house is an open floorplan loft where that would be very noticeable.

Will post a thread on the project when I start installing all the gear in about a month. Very pumped.

Wowsers !! I just had a little surprise while manual browsing. You can custom assign the pre-amp and amps so I can use my Emotiva XPA-3 for the Fronts and center and then reassign the Denon amps not needed for Zones or something (or I suppose use them for bi-amps).

Is this correct ???

Anyway....the 200W Emotivas sound awfully good now with no bi-amping.....I'm curious as to how it sounds with a little extra help from Denon. I was thinking of running the Denon into the tweeter and the Emotiva into the mid and low connections (I have three) -- not sure how that would work with two different amps on the same speaker.

I've been in the slow process of setting up this new Amp as an upgrade to my older 4306. Love this baby so far...but I am having a few issues that I can't seem to find answers to...

1. Is it possible to Power OFF/ON all Zones in on button press? (Would it have to be a Macro?)

2. My TV has ARC...which I enabled...but even after following all steps...can't seem to get Audio to work through the HDMI ARC channel

3. Is there a way to Unlink USB Power from Network Always ON? (I am trying to run a USB Powered Fan that will only turn OFF/ON with AMP power.)

4. I have a Video only DVI (Converted to HDMI) 1080p Monitor that I want to use as a 3rd HDMI-out running on Zone 4...but when I activate Zone 4 I lose sound on all other Zones...any way around that?

Thanks again guys for any help!!

1. Macro
2. Ensure HDMI-CEC/ARC on the TV is enabled and TV audio set to External speaker/home theater as well as HDMI Control on the AVR must be enabled.
3. AFAIK, no.
4. Likely by selecting a unique source only to Zone 4 or connecting an HDMI display with speakers.
Edited by jdsmoothie - 10/11/12 at 2:51pm

Although the caution note seems to be missing in the 4520CI manual, previous year's manuals generally include the following caution note under the description of the pre-outs ....

Hmmm, who in his/her right mind would do that, i.e. while using an external amp would still connect the speakers to the power output of the AVR?

Well .. as noted above ... knoxtn for one and likely many others as well that are considering bi-amping.

I am in the process of setting up my (second) 4520, and I have encountered something I can't figure out.  First, let me say that the new GUI is not an improvement, IMO, for someone who has had the prior (4311) GUI memorized.  The thing that has me stumped right now is how to select the audio mode.  For example, when I am playing musing from my Sonos, the 4520 select Stereo as the mode.  I can't find in the menu where to change the mode to PLII Music.  There is a row of buttons on the remote under the heading "Sound Mode", with four buttons, Movie, Music, Game, and Pure.  When I press Movie, it changes to PLII Cinema.  When I select Music, it changes to Stereo.  When I select Game, it changes to Neo:X Game.  And when I select Pure, it toggles between Direct and Pure Direct.  Where the heck is PLII Music?  And where are all of the adjustments for things like width?

 

Here are othger things I can't find:

- Surround Parameters screen, allowing changes to Panorama, Dimension, Width, etc.

- Dolby Volume

- Parameter chech screens, especially the EQ graphs

- Screen saver On/Off (I get the Denon logo when I play a non-video source like Sonos)

 

Unless I am missing something, the 4520 setup and configuration options have been "dumbed down" from the 4311.  JD, please tell me I am wrong....

 

Couple of other pieces of info:  Current F/W is 3325-8562-1375.  Audyssey mic is mode ACM1HB.  S/N starts with 208 (2012 August build date). 

 

Temperature:  using an infrared thermometer, the 4520 measures around 130 degrees, which is almost exactly the same as my 4311.  The 4520 is in a open rack with 3 inches of clearance.  All four sides are open for ventilation.

 

Later I will be posting some information regarding the Audyssey calibrations, both Standard and using the Pro Kit.

Just hold down music or movies and a list of all the different sound modes will come up.