Just back from my Hol's and STILL debating new AV receiver & DVD after demo'ing! Couldn't resist a "quick" post - a nice fella at a hi-fi shop told me of NEW Denon AV receivers due here very soon; look here?

http://www.audioholics.com/news/editorials/DenonAVR3806AVR4306receiver.php

Well, that REALLY did me! HDMI up-conversion and more!
*sigh*
And I HAD made my mind up ........

What do YOU think?

Can't believe it! Thank you for posting this - the guy in my local shop said there was no chance of 3806 before Christams so I too had almost made my mind up. HDMI switching is definitely worth holding on for though - hope they haven't changed too much else!

Couple of questions though for anyone who likes to speculate - if I link a denon 3910 up to it via denon link, will that carry video signals as well as audio?

And if it's out in September in the states, when do you should we expect it here?

Adam, yes it will carry video as well as audio. As for when ...... well, the latest "gossip" for the Denon AVR3806 says October/November; the Denon AVR4306 (maybe re-named for the U.K.?) a month or so later.

The Denon AVR4806 has just recently been released in the USA; here it's called the AVC-A11XV and it's getting some good reviews.

*sigh*

Ah well, decisions decisions!
Save longer? Sell a kidney? I know, I wonder if .............

We are a Denon dealer, and as yet, have had no confirmation on any new AV Receivers hitting the market this side of Christmas. Then again with Denon, you never know, but my hunch is not this side of Christmas!

All AV Receivers in my opinion, will soon come with DVI/HDMI switching, starting from the top models, and eventually being standard across most manufacturer's range. Pioneer are already due to bring out two before the end of the year, Marantz already have one. Denon, I'm sure will soon follow suit.

One thing to keep in mind, Pioneer's new 436/506XDE plasmas have 2 HDMI input sockets, therefore you are unlike to need to (or want to) use an AV Receiver for video switching duties.

Imagine life as it is now (but without HDMI and DVI) do you switch your video through your AV Receiver? Chances are if your display has enough inputs, the answer will be "NO".

Likewise, in my opinion, like the trendsetting Pioneer 436/506XDE plasmas, it will only be a matter of time before TVs come with two HDMI inputs (one for Sky's new HD service, one for your DVD player, or Blue-Ray/HD-DVD player!). Toshiba's 58 range of LCDs have two HDMI inputs too.

So if you are desperate for 2 HDMI inputs for future proofing (you're not going to need 2 today) then as well as waiting for an AV Receiver which handles hdmi switching, consider a Gefen HDMI switcher, and but the Receiver you want, now!

Avland.co.uk is advertising the 3806 (and are not taking any more orders for the 3805), they say they're expecting it October - and the local guy at sevenoaks actually advised me last week to hold off buying a 3805 for a month or so(a little late, but the thought is appreciated) - thus i'm going to not splash out for now.

I do see what you're saying about the video sockets on the new pioneer, but I am thinking that HDMI is apparantly good for Audio too (although I have not heard this woth my own ears)... I'm not sure but in order to get video and audio to a tv it may have to go via an amp at some point in the future - I'd prefer to be prepared for that if necessary.

And as we have all found out with scart - you always need one more... (and its already happening the PS3 will need one but can out put 2 all on its own)

"I'm not sure but in order to get video and audio to a tv it may have to go via an amp at some point in the future"

Not quite sure what you mean by this... connecting a DVD player to a TV at present with an HDMI cable will give you both video and sound to the TV, without the need to go via an AV Amp.

Using an HDMI cable to go from a DVD player to an AV Amp will take both audio and video, but then you will need a second HDMI cable to go from the AV amp to the TV for video (and audio too). Therefore you will need to HDMI cables in this scenario. Instead, I'd probably use one HDMI cable to go from the DVD player to the TV (video and audio) and continue to use either an optical or digital co-ax cable to carry the sound to the AV Amp. I can't see how digital audio carried by an HDMI cable will be any better than digital audio carried by either an optical or digital co-ax cable.

All AV Receivers in my opinion, will soon come with DVI/HDMI switching, starting from the top models, and eventually being standard across most manufacturer's range. Pioneer are already due to bring out two before the end of the year, Marantz already have one. Denon, I'm sure will soon follow suit.

With regard to the above statement i have just bought the marantz SR9600 (Top of the range Marantz) and it does not upconvert to HDMI but it does to component although as most DVD players are being released with HDMI connections surely this does'nt matter as you play straight through via HDMI.

Been thinking myself about whether to buy a 3805 now, or wait for a 3806. My current Sony Receiver is playing up so needs replacing soon.

It seems like the main benefit of waiting would be for the HDMI switching. Although my TV is HD ready, this is via Component connections. Would I be able to connect an HDMI connection to the Receiver, but output it via component, or can HDMI only be output via HDMI....?

Even if you could, why would you want to? I don't understand this obsession with using an AV Receiver for HDMI switching!

Just take the HDMI connection from your DVD player straight to the TV.. or the component connection straight to your TV. The only time to use an AV receiver for switching duties is when you have a lack of inputs on your TV etc. Otherwise always go direct wherever possible

Thanks CS, and would always choose to go direct where possible. However my TV doesn't have HDMI, only component. I'm concerned that future HD purchases (e.g. Sky HD once they've removed the component connections in later releases) may not be compatible with my current 9 month old screen.

Therefore I just wondered if the Receiver would future-proof this potential issue.

I doubt the receiver will "downgrade" hdmi to component, but will check once the specs have been formally released.

Thanks - those were my initial thoughts too, but I thought I'd check with the experts on here!

I have today seen the specs for the forthcoming 3806. It doesn't appear, as we suspected, that you can go from and HDMI input to a component video output. You can of course go the other way!

Many thanks for having a look for me CS, very much appreciated.

No worries Andy, keep us in mind when/if you decide to purchase a Denon AV Receiver!

I like the look of the 3806. Can anyone help me on the Multi room facility? Does it mean that you can have full Theatre in one room and additionally 3 stereo pairs elsewhere?

Or is it a one or the other scenario?

Thanks

Mike

Mike,

the multi zone works like this. You can set channels 6&7 to be a separate stereo pair (Zone 2) running from a seperate source to the now 5.1 mains (Zone 1). Zone 3 is a pre-amp output only allowing you to listen to any source independent of Zones 1 & 2, you will, however, require a power amp for Zone 3. Interestingly, channels 6 & 7 can be set to be additional FL & FR channels affording the possibility of bi-amping the front main speakers with 2x120w each. I am waiting for the wife to be out for the day before I try this one out.

New...
Te best? 3806 or 2807...
Thanks

Wasn't the 2807 unvieled at CES this year? A such its not really known whether its 'better'. The 3806 is fab though.

Russell

Much appreciate your input here....has the missus gone out yet!!

Cheers

Mike