planepics wrote:
Quick question - I was just reading an article about the AVR-X3700H and it mentioned listening to a movie at "reference volume" and noting that the chassis was only warm at the end. What does reference volume mean? 1/2 way to full? A numerical value you have to measure?
Reference levels are 105 db's peak in any given channel full range. LFE is 115 db's peak. 85 db's is the average so if you are listening to 75 db's average then you are 10db's lower than reference(THX and DD reference levels).
http://www.acousticfrontiers.com/2013314thx-reference-level/
planepics
Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs
I downloaded a decibel meter on my phone and turn on my stereo and cracked up the volume until it reached around 85 db. Man was it loud (at least louder than I would normally ever listen to a movie or music). I didn't try to figure out if my system could handle the reference amps/watts/sensitivity in the example provided...it likely doesn't come close, but it usually sounds good enough (maybe I'm being defeatist).
planepics
Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs
i was watching more reviews of different AV receivers and checking E-Bay and came across what sounds like a good deal from a company I never heard of but they don't accept returns. It's an Open box Pioneer Elite VSX-LX305 listed as brand new for $870 but you can bid lower if you dare. Any thoughts? Reviews of it sound pretty good. B&H has it for $1,400.
planepics
Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs
Possible change in plans. The Pioneer factory has a refurbished LX305 for the same price as Denon's refurbished X3700 ($999) Retail price of the Denon is $200 more and it has more connections, but I'm not sure if I would need them. If I use HDMI cables do I still need the coaxial or optical connections? Since the Pioneer is apparently in stock and the Denon isn't I might just go ahead with the Pioneer. I haven't physically played with either one in a store, but they both have good reputations in the HT world.
planepics wrote:
Possible change in plans. The Pioneer factory has a refurbished LX305 for the same price as Denon's refurbished X3700 ($999) Retail price of the Denon is $200 more and it has more connections, but I'm not sure if I would need them. If I use HDMI cables do I still need the coaxial or optical connections? Since the Pioneer is apparently in stock and the Denon isn't I might just go ahead with the Pioneer. I haven't physically played with either one in a store, but they both have good reputations in the HT world.
Possible change in plans. The Pioneer factory has... (
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How many input sources, output sources?
planepics
Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs
planepics
Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs
I might chicken out at the end, but to hedge my bets (since someone beat me to the punch and bought the 3700 that I was e-mailed about when I was at the Avatar 3D movie) I also put myself on the waiting list for the AVR-X4700H. It's an extra $500, but it's got more features and more power.
planepics
Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs
Check this out...when I was dead to the world at 11:53 last night Denon another e-mail about a refurbished 3700, which I discovered on my phone about 5 min before heading to work this morning. When I cam home a couple hours ago, it was already snapped up!!! They need to have a firm waiting list where, for example, you're 10th on the list you should have the opportunity to get the 10th available unit...not send bulk e-mails to every Tom, Dick and Harry and letting some guy who works the swing shift or can answer e-mails any time of day get a unit even if he just signed up...just my two cents' worth. That's 2 in a row!!!!
planepics wrote:
Check this out...when I was dead to the world at 11:53 last night Denon another e-mail about a refurbished 3700, which I discovered on my phone about 5 min before heading to work this morning. When I cam home a couple hours ago, it was already snapped up!!! They need to have a firm waiting list where, for example, you're 10th on the list you should have the opportunity to get the 10th available unit...not send bulk e-mails to every Tom, Dick and Harry and letting some guy who works the swing shift or can answer e-mails any time of day get a unit even if he just signed up...just my two cents' worth. That's 2 in a row!!!!
Check this out...when I was dead to the world at 1... (
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As I had said...If you're able to purchase the X4700H, I'd go with that.
planepics
Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs
Technically I could, but I'd have to transfer money out of savings in order to pay the credit card bill when it comes. It's in there thanks to my mom's estate (1932-2022). I probably deserve to treat myself once in a while, but 2 grand is ~ 8-9 paychecks. Denon apparently DOES have new ones in stock..it's just the less expensive refurbs that are hard to get. I'll consider it, though. The warranty on a new model is 3 years vs one form a rebuild, and who knows when it was originally purchased. I got one question, if you have any idea of the answer. One one review of the 4700 it seems to say that although there's a phono hook-up you still need an extra box to make it work...something about pre-amp or whatever, where the 3700's hook-up would work straight away, or am I missing something.
The use of a pre-amp for phono hook up may be due to the differences between moving magnet and moving coil phono cartridges. Moving magnet design can just plug into the phono stage of the AVR. Moving coil cartridge requires a step up transformer to provide enough signal for optimal performance.
Condolences on your mothers passing.
planepics
Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs
I have absolutely no idea what kind of cartridge is in my turntable. It may be the original one that I bought with it/came with it or a replacement I bought years ago. Can you put either type into the arm? If so maybe I should just get a new one and make sure it would do the trick. Just looked up my turntable. They're worth more that I figured....and so are the styluses (but I haven't determined yet what kind I need. I have a Technics SL-5.) The cartridges are so expensive I might just try to see if the one I have works right to begin with.
planepics
Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs
I just used a magnifying glass to discover the model #. It's a moving magnet - yay.
PS thanks for the condolences. She was exactly 90 yrs and 3 months old. Last couple years were kind-of rough. Dementia, multiple trips to the hospital for various reasons, etc. Sometimes she'd talk about who she sat behind in grade school homeroom and at other times she didn't know how to get to the kitchen or bathroom in her own house and she refused to go to a long-term care facility so it was up to me and my dad to take care of ALL her needs.
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