The Official Denon AVR 3808 Thread :)

[Badas]

I can't believe there isn't a thread started on this fantastic receiver. It is a few years old now, however it is still fairly up to date. HD codecs etc.

I have and am really enjoying this kit. I understand the menu really well. Let the questions begin. Sorry I don't know networking or internet radio parameters (I can't be bothered).

P.S. This was one of the largest selling receivers in it's day.

Let the fun begin.

Denon-3808-bg.jpg

Known bugs and fixes:

1. Occasional HDMI handshake issue with audio. This happens very rarely now. Occasionally the incoming sound will not get recognised. I have only encountered it on start-up. Not during playback.

The fix is to switch to a different input and switch back to the input you are using. The receiver will do it's handshake and then everything will work.

2. Dark City blu-ray audio issue. On old firmware the Denon AVR-3808CI would not decode the DTS-HD-MA soundtrack properly.

Short term fix. Make the player decode the DTS-HD-MA soundtrack and send as a PCM soundtrack.
Long Term fix. Do a firmware update via the Ethernet cable.

3. HDMI connection. When I changed something in my rack. I noticed my HDMI output was very loose and doe's not make a great connection.

The fix, cable tie the HDMI to another cable so it has no slack.

4. Heat. Just like most AVR's the Denon AVR 3808CI gets hot. Mine is not even using the amps. Just the HDMI decoding boards generate a lot of heat.

My fix. I got two Cool Components single blow units placed in the middle. each are set on 6volts, so not much noise is generated. Now mine barely gets warm, even over extended usage.

Quirky settings

1. Manual Setup > HDMI Setup > i/p Scaler. "A to H" or "A to H & H to H" or "off"

Only "A to H" and "off" will support 12 bit colour. e.g Y,Cr,Cb 4:4:4

I turned mine to off. So the Oppo and Denon 3930 signal can pass through untouched.

2. Manual Setup > Speaker Setup > Subwoofer Mode. "LFE" or "LFE+Main"

If using small speakers in Speaker configuration and you are crossing the frequencies over (recommend 80Hz speakers, 200Hz LFE) select "LFE"

If using large speaker in Speaker configuration and you are crossing the frequencies over (recommend 80Hz speakers, 200Hz LFE) selecting "LFE + Main" will give you double base (not a good thing, frequencies can compete in the room). Selecting "LFE" will let only the sub or subs reproduce the lower frequencies (good).

3. Parameter > Audio "DRC" + "D.Comp" + "Night Mode" should all be turned off. Some are active only when certain soundtracks are decoded. "Tone Defeat" should be on. If using Audessey "Cinema EQ" should be off.

Hot Tip

Here is something you guy's might like.

If you don't like the light that can't be dimmed around the standby power button on all modern Denons.
You can get a outside garden hose connector. Take off the black O-Ring washer. This fits perfectly over the button blocking out the light. The button works normally just no light is visible.
I have done this to my AVR 3808 and DVD 3930 because I like the man-cave to have zero lights.

They sell packages of washers (o rings) in most hardware stores like Home Depot/Lowes. Round felt pads over the sources of the lights can also work. You can find them in most stationary stores or Wal-Mart.