Features
Remote Control
Inputs And Outputs Notes
DDSC-Digital (Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit): The Denon AVR-3806 is equipped with the latest technology in surround audio performance, DDSC-Digital, featuring Analog Devices Hammerhead SHARC 32-bit floating point DSP processor. All elements of the Surround Processor are optimized to the highest standards by the use of selected high performance and discrete components, particularly the A/D and D/A converters and the sophisticated DSP surround decoder.
Surround Modes: This receiver incorporates a wide variety of surround modes to bring you maximum enjoyment from your audio and video software. The surround modes include:
- Dolby Digital
- Dolby Digital Surround EX
- Dolby Pro Logic
- Dolby Pro Logic II
- Cinema
- Music
- Game
- Dolby Pro Logic IIx
- Cinema
- Music
- Game (2-channel sources only)
- DTS Digital Surround
- DTS-ES Extended Surround
- DTS-ES Discrete 6.1
- DTS-ES Matrix 6.1
- DTS Neo:6 Surround
- Neo:6 Cinema
- Neo:6 Music
- DTS 96/24
- Combined Surround Modes: The receiver features several combined modes using existing Dolby and Digital Theater Systems (DTS) surround modes:
- Dolby Digital+Dolby Pro Logic IIx (Cinema and Music)
- DTS+Neo:6
- DTS+Dolby Pro Logic IIx (Cinema and Music)
- Denon Original Surround Modes (DSP)
- Wide Screen
- Super Stadium
- Rock Arena
- Jazz Club
- Classic Concert
- Mono Movie
- Video game
- Matrix
- Virtual
- 7CH Stereo
Surround Parameters: You can adjust the following surround mode parameters:
Turns the effect signals with multi-surround mode speaker effects on and off in the Wide Screen mode. When turned off, the surround back channel signals are equivalent to the surround channels
Dialogue Normalization: The dialogue normalization function is activated automatically when playing Dolby Digital program sources. Dialogue normalization is a basic function of Dolby Digital, which automatically normalizes the dialog level (standard level) of the signals that are recorded at different levels for different program sources, such as DVD, DTV and other future formats that will use Dolby Digital.
CINEMA EQ (Cinema Equalizer): The Cinema EQ function gently decreases the level of the extreme high frequencies, compensating for overly-bright sounding motion picture soundtracks. Select this function if the sound from the front speakers is too bright. This function only works in the Dolby Pro Logic (including PL II and PL IIx), Dolby Digital, DTS Surround, DTS Neo:6, and Wide Screen modes.
D.COMP (Dynamic Range Compression): Motion picture soundtracks have tremendous dynamic range (the contrast between very soft and very loud sounds). For listening late at night, or whenever the maximum sound level is lower than usual, the Dynamic Range Compression allows you to hear all of the sounds in the soundtrack (but with reduced dynamic range). This only works when playing program sources recorded in Dolby Digital or DTS. You can select one of the four settings: "OFF", "LOW", "MID" (middle), or "HI" (high).
Personal Memory Plus: The receiver has a personal memorize function that automatically memorizes the surround modes and input modes selected for the different input sources. When the input source is switched, the modes set for that source last time it was used are automatically recalled. The surround parameters, tone control settings, and playback level balance for the different output channels are memorized for each surround mode.
Two-channel Music Modes: There are three 2-channel playback modes exclusively for music:
- Pure Direct: plays back music with an extremely high level of sound quality. All the video-related circuits are turned off so that music signals are reproduced with high quality. When an analog mode is selected, the digital processing circuits are also turned off to achieve the highest purity.
- Direct: audio signals bypass the tone control circuits, and are transmitted directly, resulting in good quality sound.
- Stereo: allows you to adjust the tone to achieve the desired sound.
HDCD Decoding:The AVR-3806 automatically detects and decodes the digital bitstream from a CD that has been encoded through the special High Definition Compatible Digital (HDCD) process. HDCD discs use 20-bit encoding and other proprietary processing to provide the ultimate in CD listening.
Video Conversion: The AVR-3806 is equipped with a flexible video switching system that converts video signals in an effort to only require one video connection from receiver to TV. Unlike most other conversion circuits, this receiver will convert analog signals from composite video, S-Video, and component video to HDMI.
- Composite Video: can be converted to S-Video, component video, or HDMI
- S-Video: can be converted to composite video, component video, or HDMI
- Component Video: can be converted to composite video, S-Video, or HDMI (480i signals only when down converting)
Denon Link: This receiver features the Denon Link (3rd edition), an RJ-45 jack on the back panel, which allows a one-cable connection to a compatible Denon DVD player equipped with a Denon Link connector. This digital connection allows the input of uncompressed Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio digital signals with jitter-less data transfer and ultra-low noise.
24-Bit, 192 kHz D/A Converters: The AVR-3806 uses highly accurate Burr Brown PCM-1791 Digital-to-Analog converters, two for each channel, for a total of 16. The 192kHz sampling and 24-bit word length capabilities of the DACs allows you to play high-resolution recordings and hear the increased clarity, detail and dynamic range of those recordings.
AL24 Processing Plus: Denon has further developed its propriety AL24 Processing to support the 192 kHz sampling frequency of DVD-Audio. AL24 Processing Plus thoroughly suppresses quantization noise associated with D/A conversion of LPCM signals to reproduce the low-level signals with optimum clarity that will bring out all the nuances of the music. AL24 Processing Plus is applied to not only the front left and right channels, but also the surround left and right, center and subwoofer channels.
Auto Setup: The receiver is equipped with an Auto Setup and Room Equalization function, to achieve the most ideal sound field for your room. The AVR-3806's Audyssey MultEQ XT function is designed to optimize the sound quality at each listening position in the room. The included DM-S205 microphone is used to measure test tones at each listening position. This measured data is then analyzed using a program to improve acoustic characteristics in the listening area. For best results at least six positions should be measured, including a main position. The main position is given more weight in the calculations. The Audyssey function adjusts the following measurements automatically: Speaker Configuration, Distance, Channel Level, Crossover Frequency, and Room EQ.
Room EQ: The Room EQ function offers three correction curves:
- Audyssey: adjusts the frequency response of all speakers to correct the effects of room acoustics
- Front: adjusts the characteristics of each speaker to match the front speakers
- Flat: frequency response of all speakers are flat
Subwoofer Crossover Frequency: You can adjust the cutoff frequency of the subwoofer output from 40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 100Hz, 110Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz, 200Hz or 250Hz.
Audio Delay: The audio signal can be delayed, from 0-200ms, to match the video signal.
Muting Level Adjustment: You can set the amount of attenuation for the audio muting circuit from -40dB or -20dB from the present volume level.
XM Ready: With the optional XMMini Tuner and Mini Tuner Home Dock, you can enjoy the variety and sound quality of XM Satellite radio. XM offers over 150 channels of music, news, sports, and talk radio and even has weather and traffic information in several major markets. The channel number, channel name, artist name, and song title are listed on the AVR-3806's display and on the connected TV monitor. XM stations are stored as presets and recalled in the same way AM and FM stations are. A subscription to XM Satellite Radio is required.
Amplifier Assign: There are seven amplifier channels built into the receiver. These channels are typically used for 7.1 channel surround in the main room, but the amplifier assign function gives you the option of configuring the system differently if you prefer (see the descriptions of bi-amp, dual surround, and multi-zone).
Bi-Amp: Four of the seven amplifier channels can be used to bi-amp the front speakers, leaving three to power other channels.
Dual Surround Speaker Mode: The AVR-3806 provides the ability to connect two different sets of surround speakers, and place them in the appropriate locations in your home theater room, so that you can enjoy both movie soundtracks and music listening, with optimum results and no compromise. If you play one pair of surround speakers at a time (Surround A or B), the minimum impedance of the connected speakers is 6 ohms. If you play both pairs of speakers simultaneously (Surround A + B), the minimum impedance of the connected speakers is 8 ohms.
Multi Zone/Multi Source Operation: This unit provides a Multi-Zone Output function and a Select function that let you output different sources to multiple zones. Multi-room Zone 2 can have a pre-amp output along with a composite video and an S-video feed. You can make the Zone 2 Pre-amp output variable or set to -40dB or 0dB. Multi-room Zone 3 can have an independently selected audio source output with a fixed pre-amp output. The receiver's Power Amplifier Assign function lets you assign the 2 Surround Back amplifier channels to instead drive a pair of speakers in Multi-room Zone 2 or 3 with 120 watts per channel. When the amplifier channels are assigned to Zone 2 or 3, the receiver can still provide 5 discrete amplifier channels to drive all speakers in a 5.1-channel surround configuration.
Last Function Memory: This unit is equipped with a last function memory, which stores the input and output setting conditions as they were immediately before the power was switched off.
Back-Up Memory: The unit is also equipped with a back-up memory. This function provides approximately one week of memory storage when the main unit's power switch is off and the power cord is disconnected.
On-Screen Display (OSD): An OSD can be displayed on your television for easy system setup. The OSD is sent through all monitor outputs (composite video, S-video, component video, and HDMI).
RC-1024 Remote Control: The AVR-3806 comes with a unique EL backlight touch panel remote control that can operate the receiver as well as other remote control capable Denon components. In addition, the remote is pre-programmed with control signals for other brands of products, including CD players, CD recorders, Cassette decks, DVD players, DVD recorders, satellite tuners, cable boxes, VCRs, and TVs. The RC-1024 is also a learning remote. The remote features a large touch panel with Electro-Luminescent backlit touch buttons.
System Call: The remote control is equipped with "System Call" functions, allowing a series of remote control signals to be transmitted by pressing a single button. Up to 32 sequential signals can be stored in each of the 3 System Call buttons.
XM: This proprietary terminal allows you to connect an optional XM Mini Tuner and Mini Tuner Home Dock.
HDMI Inputs/Output: This unit has 2 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output. The HDMI inputs are assignable to different input sources. The HDMI jacks support HDCP copyright protection.
Assignable Digital Inputs: The AVR-3806 features 5 optical digital (Toslink) inputs and 2 coaxial digital inputs. Each input can be assigned to any of the different input sources except Phono and Tuner. Optical Digital Inputs 3 and 4 also have corresponding Optical Digital outputs for use with a CD, MD or other digital recording device.
7.1 Multi-Channel Input: The AVR-3806 is equipped with a 7.1-channel input to accommodate present and future multi-channel formats.
Speaker Terminals: All of the receiver's speaker terminals are binding posts. They are not 5-way binding posts because a plastic collar prevents their use with spade lugs and they are positioned too far apart to be used with dual banana plugs.
RS-232C Port: The AVR-3806 includes an RS-232C port for connection to external whole-house control systems, from companies such as AMX, Crestron, and others, and provides a software/firmware upgrade pathway.
Room-to-Room Remote Jacks: The receiver has a mini-jack input for use with an optional Denon RC-616, 617, or 618 IR re-transmitter. The adjacent room-to-room output is for future use.
12V Trigger Outputs: The AVR-3806 has 2 mini-jack outputs to send a 12-Volt DC "turn-on" signal to another component that accepts a 12V trigger, such as a power amplifier. These trigger outputs can be assigned to the Main Zone, Zone 2 or Zone 3.
Front Panel Inputs: This unit features stereo audio, composite video and S-Video, and an optical digital input on the front panel for conveniently connecting a game console or camcorder. These inputs are covered by a fold-down panel.
Headphone Jack: The receiver has a standard 1/4" headphone jack on the front panel, positioned behind the fold-down panel.
