Denon AVR-4520CI -> 9.1-Channel Audio/Video Receiver with Audyssey MultEQ XT32 & all that Jazz | Review

I'm still looking for that auto-pilot feature you mentioned. But I've had a 4520 for a over a year in a 7.1 setup.
 
Shadowfax said:
Looks very cool, but out of my price range for HT, which is secondary to Stereo.
Click to expand...

Brian, a Sherwood Newcastle R-972 AV receiver with TRINNOV is only $600 brand new and with a 3-year warranty!
Or you can also find an Onkyo TX-NR818 AV receiver with Audyssey MultiTask and MultEQ XT32 for only $550 brand new!

- Just some value suggestions. :)

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* The Denon AVR-4520CI AV receiver you can get for a thou or so nowadays, I believe.
Me, I would still get one of the two above. ...Better build quality. But that Den is no slouch, according to a vast bunch.
Just don't pay $2,500 for it, but roughly half or so.
 
NorthStar said:
Brian, a Sherwood Newcastle R-972 AV receiver with TRINNOV is only $600 brand new and with a 3-year warranty!
Or you can also find an Onkyo TX-NR818 AV receiver with Audyssey MultiTask and MultEQ XT32 for only $550 brand new!

- Just some value suggestions. :)

______________

* The Denon AVR-4520CI AV receiver you can get for a thou or so nowadays, I believe.
Me, I would still get one of the two above. ...Better build quality. But that Den is no slouch, according to a vast bunch.
Just don't pay $2,500 for it, but roughly half or so.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. I have an Integra 30.3 at the moment which does what I need. It can almost drive my 5 Dynaudios in the setup :)
 
I would love to read the takes from Nuz1 and also Eric on that Den 4520. ...I believe that it is very similar to the latest flagship Marantz AV receiver. ...Perhaps the Marantz has a slightly more sophisticated (richer clarity) sound.
 
Happy to offer what I can. It is my first HT setup and paired with B&W CMs and an REL subwoofer. I've been quite impressed so far with sound for HT use. Featurewise, I think the 4520 and top Marantz AVR are the same. However, just as a point of comparison, my 2 channel system includes a Marantz integrated. Not a direct comparison, but I would offer similar comments to above that Marantz may have a slightly richer (softer?) sound and may be tuned more for a system which is dominated by music. I think the Denon is a little more neutral which is great for movies & TV.

I would also offer that I know I am grossly underutilizing this AVR. It can power multiple zones, stream music, it has airplay, has a built in network switch and can power 9 speakers. I have heard others say that adding wides brings more to the sound than adding heights. But I haven't experimented myself.

I don't typically listen at reference levels. But in a couple of cases where I've had it fairly close to reference, I wondered if it I needed more power. But running B&W CMs and not Diamonds, I'm not sure if it was running out of power or (more likely) running out of speaker. At some point I may bring home a 3 channel amp to power LCR and see if I hear a difference. But I'm making some amp changes to my main stereo, so that will wait for now.

The only hitch I have had with the 4520 relates to firmware updates. It needs a wired connection. I had successfully completed multiple firmware updates over my wireless repeater. But the last time it stalled part way through and I actually had to be sent in for repair to get rid of the corrupted firmware. My fault, wired was recommended and I took the easy way out. Next time I'll string a cable two stories up the stairs so I can plug directly into my modem.

You'll have to tell me if there is something else that you want me to comment on.
 
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