*Official* Denon 5308 Thread - Page 156

So I can push the heat out the back of the cabinet.

Hi guys can I run from my DVR, component cable and a coax digital audio cable to the 5308 and then a HDMI cable to the TV.

^^
Yes. The 5308 will upscale and convert the analog signal to HDMI.

Hi guy new problem. Any way to get digital, optical/ coaxal sound out to a headphone or could I just use the analog headphone jack and use a analog to optical converter.

^^
Yes, but you must also input the audio via the OPT2 IN or OPT3 IN jacks in order to output it via the OPT2 OUT or OPT3 OUT jacks.

Do you think a converter will work.

Can I use a toslink analog to optical converter from the headphones jack. to digital headphones

I guess the only way to get Digital optical to a headphone from the 5308 is to run a component cable from my dvr to (dvr-1 port 5( then a optical cable to (dvr-1 port 2) then run a optical cable from ( dvr-1 port 2 out) to the headphone. Now under the GUI how would you set it up. components, and digital. At this time I have a HDMI running from the dvr to the receiver (dvr-1 port 5) with no sound. I am guessing that I need to replace the hdmi with components and an optical cables.

Here's an interesting problem that has only shown up since I did the 3D upgrade on the receiver. When I switch channels on my DVR that have different resolutions, the receiver often doesn't keep up with the resolution change and instead of upconverting everything to 1080p, it will let 720p and even 1080i signals pass through untouched. In addition to not converting the signal, I also lose the volume display as it is no longer shown. However, as soon as I open a menu, the receiver detects that it's not converting the video signal and switches into the correct mode. I've added small script to my remote to quickly open and close the receiver menu whenever I detect the situation (the TV shows the signal format it's receiving).

I wonder if anyone has run into something similar and if there are known work arounds, or if this situation is unique to me and I should have DENON repair/replace the unit. Thanks!

Or just leave the HDMI and connect an optical. Using the default DVR source name for the optical input, to listen to the optical source you would need to change the DVR - INPUT MODE setting to "Digital", otherwise you could also assign the optical input to another source name and select it when you wanted to use the headphones.

Rather than setting the DVR to "native", set it to a specific resolution, eg. 1080i.

(didn't see the reply till now)

But if I set the DVR to 1080i, it will also convert 720p shows. The 5308 has considerably more horsepower for video conversions. For now, I've opted to stay with macro to toggles the on-screen menu off and on with a short delay. It's not optimal, but mostly painless.

^^
Then set the DVR to 720p ... the point being, if it's set to a specific resolution, perhaps this will resolve the issue.

I got that part. It would most likely resolve the issue, but I'd rather live with the current solution than having the DVR do the video conversion. Of course, I'd preferred if it all just worked as before.

^^
That's likely your best solution then until you upgrade the DVR to a newer model or change providers.

Does anyone know where to buy a replacement power cord and an audyssey mic? My power cord got damaged and my mic went missing

Thanks for any help,

Dan

^Dan, see here for authorized parts dealers on the usa.denon website. I think any std power cord of the same configuration would work just fine. But be sure to get the exact correct mic for your model and avoid the counterfeits that have appeared cheap on ebay.

Note: A new model mic comes free with the $1K XT32 upgrade and they'll probably throw in a new pwr cord.

+1

Although if not getting the upgrade which would provide the DM-A409 mic, the current mic is the DM-A405 which can be purchased on eBay if not available at an authorized parts distributor.

Need some help with Auto Setup using Audyssey. Few questions.
Receiver is upgraded.
I have a external amplifier Harmon Kardon PA 5800 - powering my front wides and zone 2 speakers (i am using the pre-out on the devon for the front wides and zone 2 to connect tot the external amp)
My question what should i select for Amp Assign what option? (currently, i am using "free assign") when in auto setup for the Audyssey? (i have the 2 front wides and zone 2 connected to the external amp and all other speakers are connected to the denon receiver)
My second questions is i have 4 subwoofers ( 2 x Emotiva ultra 12" and 2 x build in subwoofers on my front wides…i am using subwoofer cable for all four subwoofers - for for the built in subwoofers i am using SW 3 connection on the receiver and splitting it to two).
So, i have the SW1 and SW2 connections connected to the 2 emotiva subwoofers and the sw3 connected to the 2 subwoofers on the front wides - is this right (i read in manual the sw1 is only for subwoofer with powered amplifier)?
And in Auto setup which option should be selected for the channel select for subwoofer ( 3SP Mix mode or …?)
Lastly, what setting should i set the emotive subwoofers (crossover frequency, volume, phase, low pass filter - on or bypass?)
I played around little with the auto setup but couldn't get it all properly setup and sounded terrible; specially the bass?
thank you Mac



My setup:
Denon 5308ci
Amp: PA 5800
Main Room Speakers:
Front Speakers - Dali MK 800
Subwoofer - 2 x Emotiva 12" Ultra 12
Center - Looking to buy the Pardigm cc690
Surround - klipsch CDT-2800-C Celing
Surround Back - Klipsch CDT-2800-C
Front Wides - Acoustic Research AR-5 speakers with 10" built in subwoofers

Zone 2 Speakers
have 10 pair of speakers connected to Audio Plex MS speaker selector

can't you run those main speakers without running a sub cable to it? if so, do it that way. for your other 2 subs you'll have to read the manual and decide if you gave a front back or left right configuration or most people just leave it on mix.

subs: low pass to off, phase to 0, crossover all the to the right, volume should be set with an spl meter so all are equal. refer to your subwoofer manual to make sure. manual will tell you

The main speakers don't have built in subs (Dali 800's). The one's that have a sub are the front wides - i do have speaker wire going in those for the front left and right. And they also have rca subwoofer input; so i am running those two built in subwoofers - from the SW3 connections from the receiver, as well - using a splitter .

and 3SP Mix mode is correct?



cool, so crossover all the way to the right (looking at it) will be at 150, sounds right?

I would lose the Subwoofer cable being used for the wides. Use 2sp mix option but experiment with front/back (if one sub is in th the front and one in the back of room) or left/right (if one is on left and the other on right). Crossover all the way up but should be disabled if low pass is off.

I came across this thread while looking for something else, but I have a question maybe someone can answer. Does anyone know where or if I can get the 5308 upgraded for less than $1100? Is it possible to get the upgrade kit outside an authorized repair center or something like that?

I had the upgrade. I drove 45 minutes across Houston to one of the "better" Denon places, where I discovered that Denon had not taught them anything about this. How bad does it get? Well, they installed the hardware, put some stickers on the front of the unit, then forgot to flash the memory in either the unit or remote. So of course the unit wouldn't work. This is not a simple firmware upgrade. This is a mechanical upgrade. Bigtime. I can't honestly say I hear any difference, but it did do one thing that makes this receiver still the king: it added 3D. The new (included) sound test microphone and its purported ability to sense height as well as other old spatial things, well, it's bigger. the cord is too short so forget about using it in a big room. Which is a problem. But frankly no you cannot do this yourself unless you are a stereo repair person. Frankly you have to do it if you have 3D source material you want to see and hear without buying a new stereo. I would still say that this was a dubious purchase. I long for my old, old separates and new, high-tech decoder. The sound is no more smooth or accurate than before. Despite pictures that suggest the contrary in websites, the onscreen menu is still cumbersome and it looks exactly the same in almost every component. And now I can't get the ethernet jack to connect. Who knows, maybe Bubba disconnected it. Ultimately this is a very interesting upgrade. Big but horribly written manual, lots of stickers -- for either 5308 or its replacement -- and even a CD, which I suspect contained the firmware but who knows. Either way, I'd say this thing is still worth (at market) perhaps 1/5th what we paid for it. I used to have a Sony ES9000, the super model of that BIG COMPANY. It was HUGE, and its amps were marvelous, and its sound quite nice. But of course it went out of date with HDMI. Maybe we get another 2 years out of the Denon now. But this is the first time their upgrade has actually been what they promised - "future-proofing" a $XXXX purchase. And it is disappointing. I'd love to see what an upgraded unit sells for on eBay. I'd trade my Denon 5308 with upgrade for some tube amps and a processor any day of the week including Sunday. FWIW.

^Hi, welcome El. This is a complex upgrade involving HW and FW that is performed in an authorized Denon service center. The work is warrantied and AFAIK the price is the price. Even if the kit was available outside that route, and AFAIK it is not, I would never consider submitting such a fine and valuable AVR to such a procedure outside an authorized Denon service center.

I did the upgrade about a month ago. It's nice to have the additional height/width speaker options for future convenience, but 3D was the primary driver. Similarly to glennmcgee, I can't say that there is a noticeable difference. Furthermore, the 3D Bluray I picked up (Sony S790 ~$250 MSPR) has dual HDMI output so that one cable can carry sound for a receiver and the other video going straight to the TV. Had I known that was an option, I may not have done the upgrade and kept the $1,100 for something else.

By the way, this is the second time Denon has done such an upgrade for their high-end units. The 5800 (iirc) also had an upgrade option and with its 180W per channel, it was a beast of a receiver. In the end, it did make the unit last until I switch to the 5308.

there is no room for a discount. When we signed up to do the upgrade for a fixed $1000 price we though this might be good business. We had no idea the kit cost to us would be $850.

The installation of the hardware takes less than an hour, but the three software updates take a couple of hours and three different cables. Plus you have to test it before and after to make sure all is good.

So obviously we cant stock a kit we cant return. We can make it easy for you, call ahead and order the kit before shipping it in. Then we can turn it around in a few days.

Take away for other 5308 owners considering the upgrade -

1. Call around to local authorized repair centers first to see which one has the most experience with the upgrade as the newbies are prone to mistakes as noted above. Also numerous AVP owners have posted about such issues when using repair facilities with no prior experience.

2. Most owners prefer not to have the stickers placed on the front panel, so request they not do this when you drop off the AVR for the upgrade.

3. The new DM-A409 mic (replaced the DM-A405 mic starting on XX09 and newer models) should look the same as the DM-A405 mic issued with the 5308. Note that as with the DM-A405 mic you can add a mono 25' 3.5mm cable extension to extend the mic's 25' cable length to a maximum of 50' (Audyssey does not recommend longer lengths). Note that the mic used with the Audyssey Pro kit ($700) has it's own pre-amp and as such does not have the 50' limitation.

4. Denon no longer supplies Owner manuals in hardcopy form, rather on CD so the Upgrade Manual in .pdf format is what you'll find on the CD.

5. Prices on eBay of course vary from sale to sale. I've seen the 5308 offered for $3500 and the 3D 5308 offered for $1000 more at $4500. Careful though as some sellers are listing the non-upgraded 5308 as a 3D 5308 as they are unaware of the features of the unit as well as the upgrade required to bring it 3D.

Well, I no one told me what I wanted to hear, which is disappointing. I literally spent all the money I had to buy the receiver, and then to find out that it couldn't transfer 3D save for a $1000 upgrade was very, very disappointing. I posted here because I was basically just handed $1000 to get the upgrade with, but I would prefer to have more info. Before I found this thread, I read somewhere else that the upgrade is essentially just a daughterboard that plugs into a slot already open on the motherboard, and then it's just the flashing. Somewhere else, someone mentioned with the kit in hand, they had the unit upgraded and out the door same day. The idea of not having my receiver for several days doesn't even make sense to me, I literally can't wrap my head around it. The money I have is FOR the upgrade, and so I need to use it for that, but I would be very happy to hear from more people who have had it done. Beyond the 3D and the new mic thing, does it change anything else? I think I remember reading somewhere that it adds a couple new surround modes, are those any good? And just to clarify once again, can I not go any lower than $1100 plus tax?