Power and Expandability
The AVR features 9 channel amplification and is also capable of processing up to 11.2 channels to drive a 7.2.4 speaker setup when used alongside external 2-channel amplification. It looks like the power supply of the X3500H and X3600H models are identical between both units, but Denon did beef up the heat sink area and added a cooling fan to accommodate the extra two channels of internal amplification. The power is still shared off the same size power supply but the overall power consumption rating on the back has gone up slightly from 600 watts to 660 watts.
For those just wanting to expand from 9 to 11 channels, a 2CH power amp will be needed. Unlike the Onkyo TX-RZ830, you can reassign the front L/R amplifier channels to the surrounds and use an external 2CH amp for the main channels. Most AV enthusiasts at this level will opt for a good 2CH amp to power the main speakers and use the Denon internal amps for the rest of the home theater. This is a good call.
Here is the procedure for reassigning the front channels to the height surrounds:
- Go to AVR`s setup menu
- Select “Speakers”, enter “Amp Assign”
- Select “11.1ch” for “Assign Mode” setting
- Select “Front” for “Preout” setting. The other option is “Height”.
Connect an external 2CH amplifier to the Front L and R preouts, connect the rest of speakers (9.0) to the remaining receiver`s speaker terminals (C, SL, SR, SLB, SRB and 4 height channels) for a full 7.1.4 speaker configuration.
With the AVR-X3600H configured to reroute the main front L/R internal amplifiers, the preamp is physically disconnected from the power amp. This allows the preamp stage full capability of delivering up to 4Vrms unclipped when connected to external amplification as can be seen in the following output vs distortion plot courtesy of Sound United Engineering.
Editorial Note about Front L/R Channels Preamp Disconnect
Front L/R channel preamp disconnect ONLY happens in a 11CH speaker configuration. If you have simply 9.1 channel configuration (5.1.4) or less, and you want to drive front L/R speakers out of external amplifier, or L/R/C, or L/R/C/SL/SR speakers out of external 5 channel amplifiers, internal amplifiers will not be disconnected. There is no selecting or sensing mechanism to allow that unless you activate 11.1 channel Amp Assign mode and select Front L and R for preouts.
Denon 3600 preout voltage
Denon AVR-X3600H Preamp Output Voltage vs Distortion
The AVR-3600H also has full 11CH preouts if you want to run all external amplifier and use this product as a very cost effective, feature packed pre/pro. We recommend looking at one of the Monolith Monoprice or Outlaw Audio Multi-CH amplifiers.
https://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/denon-avr-x3600h
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