Denon 3801 problems?

[satans worm]

As per a previous post, I was about to bin my Denon 3801 amp as i thought it had died (black and white output on component lead, rear right speaker not working, sub not working.)
Was looking at buying a Okney amp to replace when i thought I should at least take a look at the problem to see if they were just conincedental and not an amp issue.
The rear right speaker easily resolved, one wire hanging lose!
But cannot understand why only black and white from a component lead? I tried hooking it up diect to the dvd player with the same result, so not the amps fault, I cannot check the leads at the TV end as I cant lift the 46inch panny off the wall by myself to look at it. The lead itself is around 8meters in length and plastered into the wall, a faily good make, QED.

Finaly the sub (kef PSW 2000), using the amp for a signal test, cannot get the sub to work, it seems to detect a signal as the led turns from red to green, however it wont make any noise.

So, looks like the amp may be ok (almost disapointed as looked foward to getting a new amp!)
but something wrong with the sub and component lead?

Yout thoughts?

[satans worm]

OldSkoolRS said:

Hello again (from your other thread ). If you are only getting Black and white through the component lead, perhaps there is a setting problem on your player...worth a check anyway. I think if you only plug two out of the three leads in when using component then you'll get a picture, but it will be a weird colour, like pink/green for example. I'm also assuming that this lead has worked correctly at some point?

RE the sub: A quick and easy check (with a spare cable) is to use the centre speaker PRE OUT (NOT THE SPEAKER TERMINAL!!!) socket on the Denon. There is always a signal coming out on the centre (well 99% of the time) so no issues regarding whether the amp's subwoofer setting is correct. If you get a noise from the sub, then that proves the cable and the sub. You could then try your original cable connected to the centre PRE OUT. I have to warn you that there have been some 'issues' with KEF subs of that era (I had the smaller '1000 model years ago and had to bypass the auto switch on relay to get it to work). Either way you should be able to get it down to the sub or the Denon at fault (I'll guess it's not the Denon, so bad luck on the upgrade front ).

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the reply, the component lead is new and never used before, I bought it for the new house build, I will get the wife to give me a hand with the TV tonight and try a different component lead to see if I can prove that one.

I will also have a play with the sub again with your check, I too now think its the sub thats at fault but need to prove it before buying another one. Talking of which, if it is broken, should I just replace like for like? Or is their a better value sub other than Kef that would match the eggs capabilities? I have noticed on ebay a few complete kef egg systems for sale, might be better off getting one of those?

If it makes any difference, the room is around 6m sq and is vaulted, it is also open plan to the dinning room which in turn is open plan to the kitchen, so quite alot of space to fill (not that im bothered about filling the dinner or kitchen with sound), if it makes any difference?

[satans worm]

OK, Got the component lead working, it was the output menu on the DVD player being the culprit.
So only issue left is the sub, which i have just purchased the BK Gemini 2, hope it is powerful enough, the XLS 200 is more powerful, but another GBP100 so ive opted for the lesser 150watt version, is this going to be too small? (as mentioned, home cinema is its main purpose)

[satans worm]

OldSkoolRS said:

That's still way less than a new amp would have cost you; splash on the XLS200. This is coming from someone with the Monolith, so maybe I'm biased. If you have neighbours they might not appreciate the XLS200 though, lucky I'm detached (my house is too ).

Your a bad influence, im now considering upgrading the order.....