Denon AVR 4520 - quick notes

This will be the first of a few posts on the new Denon AVR 4520.

My in depth review of the HT performance in my system is here:
http://peteswrite.blogspot.sg/2013/01/denon-avr-4520-review-ht-and-audio.html

I will post links to useful info first:

AVS:
AVS Denon 4520 thread

The first page has listed some of the key differences with the 4311

http://www.denon4520.com/index.html

Shifting it into the space left by the 4311, some quick notes:

• no hard copy of manual - it's on a CD
• it's about an inch taller, so make room for it.
• only one remote
• loss of "quick select" buttons on the remote
• single display for input and output channels (default to output)
• lighter by 800 grams
• 22 000 times 2 mF caps for high power delivery - I will try it on my 805, HTM4 setup and when my 804D arrives I will also try it.
• THREE 32 bit processors for a potentially solid HT performance
• built in Airplay! - yeah
• Airplay can be played independently to Zones 2/3 rather than hijacking the main zone as is the case with the 4311.(thanks JDsmoothie)
• plays Apple lossless
•  simple straightforward setup
• got onto the net easily with the ethernet, but there's no wi fi..
• nice higher quality binding posts
• gold plated RCA inputs - nice touch!

• new microphone - looks similar to the old one but has a new designation, so I don't think they are interchangeable
• mic socket fits a little loose..
• build is fine, but it's no References series amp. 
• The metal fit and finish is good, the flap has a smooth silent closure, but the chassis is thin. 
• No copper plating ala Marantz AV 8801.  

--> Airplay has proven to be a boon indeed. With my Macbook Pro Retina as a head unit, I easily connected to my Denon and with lossless recordings, the sound was not too shabby at all.
 
The blurb from Denon Australia:
http://www.audioproducts.com.au/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=AVR4520BK

Product Specification

AVR4520 Premium Quality 9.2 Integrated Network AV Receiver
Performance features

• Made in Japan
• Pure Audio Construction featuring;
  • Fully discrete identical Single Push Pull power output transistors for each channel (not IC power packs)
  • Minimum Signal path for clearest, interference free audio and video signals
  • Direct Mechanical Ground construction for vibration free performance guaranteeing longer life
  • Custom made Block capacitors
  • Very stable power supply for the best possible sound and video reproduction
• DDSC-HD, Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit – High definition
• AL32 Multi Channel Processing for superior PCM audio performance
• Digital Clock Jitter reducer
• Denon Link HD
• Full High Definition audio decoding
  • Dolby TrueHD
  • dts HD Master audio
• Dolby Pro Logic IIz
• dts Neo X processing
• Audyssey DSX processing
• Audyssey MultEQ XT 32 Room & Speaker calibration
• Audyssey LFC, Low Frequency Containment
• Audyssey Sub EQ HT, dual subwoofer calibration
• 7 x HDMI V1.4a inputs
• Front HDMI input MHL (mobile high definition link) compatible
• One cable HD Solution - Analogue video to HDMI conversion
• 4K video pass through
• 4K video scalar
• 3D video pass through
• InstaPrevue, picture in picture technology
• Deep Colour
• “x.v. Colour”
• HDMI control feature
• ARC, audio return channel
• Auto Lip sync
• HDMI Pass through in standby mode
• Compressed Audio Restorer
• FM radio tuner

Network and Digital Media features

• 4 way Ethernet switch built in
• AirPlay audio support
• ALAC, Apple Lossless compatible
• 2 x Direct Digital iPod & Fat 32 compatible USB’s (front and rear panel)
• USB charges iPod/iTouch/iPhone/iPad
• Denon Remote iOS APP available free of charge from iTunes store
• Denon Remote Android APP available free of charge from Google Play
• Ethernet connection
• Spotify Premium serveice support
• DLNA certified for audio & photo streaming
• FLAC HD & WAV 192kHz / 24bit compatible
• IP control via network
• Compatible with Windows 7
• Internet Radio
• Free access to vTuner website via www.radiodenon.com for easy setup of Internet Radio favourites and podcasts.
• Internet radio stations can be saved as a pre-set on remote control
• Firmware updates & upgrades via the Internet or USB

12 modes of amplifier assign

• 9.1ch
• 7.1ch + Zone 2 stereo
• 5.1ch + Zone 2 & 3 stereo
• 7.1ch + Zone 2 & 3 mono
• 7.1ch Biamp
• 5.1ch Biamp + Zone 2 stereo
• 9.1ch / 2ch
• 7.1ch / 2ch Biamp
• 7.1ch + Front B
• Discrete 11.1ch
• PreAmp mode
• Custom

Custom Install features

• 4 Zone / 4 Source Multi Room
• Zone 2 & 3 pre outs
• Independent HDMI video and Audio in Zone 4
• Component video in Zone 2
• RS232C
• Remote control in and output
• 2 x 12 volt trigger output / max 150mA
• Assignable SB amps for zones
• Independent speaker terminals for Front Height & Front Width channels
• ELAN, RTI, Control 4 certified integration partners
• AMX Discovery partner
• Crestron integration partner
• Audyssey Installer program ready

Convenience features

• New Easy Set-up assistant
• GUI (Graphic User Interface) overlay on HDMI source
• Audyssey Dynamic Volume to level out TV volume levels
• Audyssey Dynamic EQ for great surround sound effects even at low volume levels
• 4 Quick select buttons
• Phono input
• New simple to use remote control handset with pre-set codes and learn function
• Sleep timer function
• Audio level memory of individual input adjustments
• Audio delay adjustments for each input (6 frames or 200ms)
• Adjustable muting levels
• Dual subwoofer outputs
• Variable subwoofer crossover frequencies
• Lower power consumption of 0.1w in standby mode

Connections
Inputs

• 7 x HDMI (including front MHL x 1)
• 7.1ch External Input
• 3 x Component video
• 4 x Composite video (including front x 1)
• 7 x Analogue audio (including front x 1)
• 2 x Digital Coaxial
• 2 x Digital Optical
• 1 x Denon Link HD

Outputs

• 2 x HDMI monitor with simultaneous signals in main Zone
• 1 x HDMI for Zone 4
• 1 x Component video for Main Zone or Zone 2
• 3 x Composite video
• 11.2 Audio pre-outs
• 2 x Zone pre-outs
• 1 x L&R Media player audio outs
• 1 x Headphone socket

Other

• 4 x Ethernet
• 2 x USB
• 1 x Microphone port
• 1 x FM antenna
• 1 x Remote Control in & out
• 1 x RS232C
• 2 x 12 volt / 150mA trigger out

Main specifications

• All THD (total harmonic distortion) levels are measured at power amp section levels (not pre-amp)
• 9 channels x 190 watts @ 6 ohms, 1kHz, 0.7%THD
• 9 channels x 150 watts @ 8 ohms, 20Hz to 20kHz, 0.05% THD
• Dimensions (W x H x D) 434 x 194.5 x 422.7
• Weight 16.5kgs

 

Another feature of the new network enabled Denons is the save settings function. Got this off AVS:

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http://www.avsforum.com/t/1430049/the-official-denon-avr-4520ci-thread/330#post_22487485

Network Save and Load

This topic has been thoroughly discussed in other Denon threads, but I want to repeat it here in case we have any new Denon users.  The data in this post was collected during the recent setup of my 4520, so it is fresh.

Why use network load/save?  Because this functionality protects you from an inadvertent loss of your configuration information (including the Audyssey calibration) in the event of an anomaly such as a power glitch.  It also allows you to experiment with different configurations, always with the option to return to a previous know state.  Always save your configuration.

The network load/save functionality is accessed from the web interface.  Prior to doing a load or a save, open the 4520 menu, and then the network menu.  Change the network configuration from the default “Always On” to “Off in Standby”.  You can change this back later.

While in the network configuration menu, click Information and note the 4520’s network IP address.  Then go to your computer, open a browser window, and type in the 4520’s IP address.  When the web GUI appears, select “Setup”, and then “General”.  On the left side, click either “Load” or “Save”.

Network Save

15 seconds after clicking “Save” the 4520 will power down and display “Saving” on the front panel.  The save takes approximately 10 minutes, after which a message is returned to the browser window prompting you to save the configuration file to your local disk. Save the file, giving it a descriptive name, e.g. Config_mm-dd-yy.dat.  Once the configuration file has been saved, the 4520 will power back on.  One last step before you are finished:  check to see if the saved configuration file is a “good one”.  To do this, download a Hex editor program from the web (HxD is a good one, free at http://hxd.en.softonic.com/).  Using the hex editor, open the configuration file.  If it is a good save, you will see hex code in the file.  If it is a bad save, the file will be nothing but zeros.  Note:  leaving the network setting as “Always On” seems to increase the likelihood of a bad save.

Network Load

After clicking “Load”, browse your local hard drive to the saved configuration file, and then click “Load”.  The 4520 will power down with “Loading” displayed on the front panel.  A typical network load takes approximately 6.5 minutes.  After the load completed, the 4520 will power back on, and “Load Completed” will be displayed on the web screen.  Note:  if you get the web message “Load unsuccessful”, it’s probably because the network setting is “Always On”.

I have no financial interest or other interests in any of the items / events I write about.