Customer Reviews

Denon ASD-11R iPod Dock for Use with Compatible Denon Receivers

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

Compatiblity:

With Denon receivers - I suspect that all of the later model Denon receivers are compatible with all of the Denon iPod docks. If you're in doubt, contact Denon directly (there's nothing on their website) or check the back of your Denon receiver. If it has an input receptical labeled "Dock Control", you're good to go. Also, your Denon receiver's owner's manual should contain installation/set-up instructions for the iPod dock.

non-Denon receivers - You'll need to contact Denon directly about whether your non-Denon receiver is compatible and, if so, the installation/set-up instructions.

iPods - The Denon website has a chart of compatible iPods which really only lists the newest from Apple. We have 4 iPods in our house...three 2d gen Nano's (which were introduced in Sep06) and a new 120GB classic...and all worked well with the ASD-11R.

Installation:

I have a Denon AVR-888 receiver and using the receiver's owner's manual, installation of the dock took about 5 minutes. All this amounts to is plugging a cable into the back of the dock and receiver. Everything is well-marked and color-coded.

Dock Set-up:

After the dock was installed, I plugged one of our iPods into it and using the our universal remote, turned on our AV system including the tv. Our remote has an ipod menu listed on the remote's main menu screen. I went to that menu, then to "VCR1" (the Denon dock/receiver is apparently pre-programmed for the VCR1 output) and immediately the iPod's screen lit up and the display on the receiver and the tv told me that everything was "loading". Within a couple of seconds, all the lists on the iPod (playlists, artists, videos, etc.) were displayed the tv and the receiver's display. By operating the right-left, up-down, and enter functions on the remote's "wheel", I could do everything with the remote that I could do with the iPod's controls.

Use:

The dock is a sheer joy to use. It is simple, smooth, and does everything it's advertised to do. In addition, it charges the iPod and when you turn off your tv/system, it re-sets the iPod back to the iPod's menu page. I spent alot of $ on my AV system but this dock adds a feature and funtionality that goes well beyond it's $99 price. I consider it a must-have.

I wanted this to work for me. So much so that I disregarded some very recent and well written reviews that told me it wouldn't. I should have listened. I have the Denon 2309 receiver and the thought of controlling the I-pod with either remote sounded so appealing. BUT . . . the menu is, as someone else put it, so DOS like and clunky, that really, you are better off with a simple cable jack. Then you can at least play an album or playlist off your I-pod with fast scrolling and controllability. My components are hidden away anyway! Given how long these music players have been on the market, what could possibly be Denon's excuse for such a low tech product? It is being returned tomorrow. Are you listening Denon??

Bill

After talking with a Denon sales rep, I was assured that this device would work with my Iphone (new 3gs) Although it does play, every time the phone is plugged in it says "this device is not compatible with iphone, so you want airplane mode...etc. You need to acknowledge the error every time before music starts playing. I don't want to neuter my phone when I listen to music, nor do I think that I should for the price. I was also disappointed that the AVR-487 (marked as compatible on their site) could not even advance tracks. I was aware that there is no video playback, but come on is this the best that Denon can do? I've used Denon for 20 years and am very disappointed with a supposedly 'integrated' product. $75 for the same thing a $5 cable from radio shack can do (better!) hmm, I guess I'll try an airport.

I have a Denon 4308 that is attached to this dock. After reading other people's lackluster reviews on the Denon's ipod docks, I didn't know if it would be worth getting. I'm glad that I did. I don't know if it is just that Denon got it right with the docks or the receivers, but it works great.

I love being able to to use the integrated menus on the TV to control the ipod. Other reviews for previous models talked about how slow it worked, but it works fast and great on this set up. The other reviewer has a different model and it works for him to, so I could only assume that Denon has the kinks worked out.

Another word of caution is to check the compatibility chart to make sure you can use this how you want to use this dock with your ipod (and how you want to use it) http://www.usa.denon.com/Denon_Docks_iPod_Compatibility.pdf

Very easy setup. Almost plug and play! Fast menus on your TV work great!

I bought this product with the belief that I could control it from my Denon 3808CI Receiver. I connected it up and tried it out but Video did not play, and the menu options would not work properly. In the package (not on the outside) I then found that due to various updates of Apple's Software that Videos no longer played.

I wag the finger of shame Denon!!!! Put the important information on the OUTSIDE of the box.

Took it back, got a full refund. So, before you buy, check out Denon's Website - the information on this product is just plain wrong.

I tried the ASD-11R with a Denon mini-stereo. Connection was easy, but when I put my iPod Touch (4th generation) on the dock, the iPod Touch displayed a message that the device was not compatible with the iPod Touch. My new-generation iPod Nano works fine with it. But buyer beware -- if you have an iPod Touch, forget this dock.

The ASD-11R does work, but only so-so. I can watch my videos on my TV from my iPod. I can listen to music from my iPod. HOWEVER, the docking station works with the Denon remote control and creates a very DOS-like menu which replaces your iPod menu. In other words, it is cumbersome and frustrating trying to find your music because the docking station does not reflect the same menu on your iPod, rather it creates a DOS-like menu which it seems to organize itself in no particular order. The docking station does not recognize my playlists fully and it takes a LONG time to find what you want. This makes it very frustrating trying to use the Denon amp remote to control the iPod. For nearly $90 bucks you would think Denon would be able to map the iPod menus over to the TV through the S-video. Denon supposedly has addressed this issue, but they are historically terrible for documentation and making sense of menus. I'm not willing to pay the nearly $300 they want for the upgrade model, ASD-51N. If you want VERY basic functionality to go with your Denon amp, this will work, but not as you might think. The dock control menu simply does not work properly in any sense. You will need to create specialized playlists for it to recognize, or sit there and search and search and search to play what you want. If you click an artist in their video menu, it takes you to all videos on your iPod. That is only one glitch. So save you money unless you have a lot of patience and are willing to interpret the Denon take on iPod menus and organization. Severely limited and frustrating.

I have a new Denon AVR-790 receiver (which is fairly upscale) and I have a new iPod Classic 160GB. The ASD-11R provides very few features for the Classic. I can't pull anything up on my Sony XBR LCD TV screen and the dock does not support the shuffle function. I am left with the consolation that at least the dock re-charges the iPod and will play music through my sound system. I can use my receiver remote for very basic functions. That's it. Not nearly what I expected from this product. Don't expect much. I spent four hours trying to get this thing to integrate with my TV, to no avail. It is the first Denon product to disappoint me (although the issues are probably explained by incompatibility with this particular model iPod). I may return it....

I bought this for use with my iPod 4gTouch. The design of the device prevents and adequate connection to the iPod and it just does not work without modification. I found a post that explains how to mod the dock so it will work.


From Sanderson14: [...]
[quote]

Here is what is happening. The 4g touch is not making a sufficient connection with the dock. If you feel minimally handy, here is how to adapt the dock...

1) disconnect all cords from the Denon ASD11R
2) take out the four screws holding the bottom panel in place
3) take out the 2 screws holding the circuit board in place - be careful not to touch any of the electrical connections
4) remove the circuit board, set aside
5) on the top case, looking down from the top where the itouch sits, you'll notice a small ridge on the top of the case next to the opening. (This blocks the itouch from full seating on the plug.) You will need to file down the edge toward the front only. No need to file off the back ridge. File it down flush with the surrounding area.
6) put it back together.
7) caveat - I am not a computer guru, nor do I work for Denon or Apple - just sharing what I figured out.

[/quote]

Be aware this procedure will likely void your warranty and any chance of return,

The dock works great if paired with a compatible Denon receiver. I use the 30 Gig 5th Gen iPod. Sync with the receiver is accomplished in just a few seconds after placing ipod on dock. Two dock modes can be toggled by holding down the "search" key on the receiver remote for two seconds. The "browse" mode allows you to navigate the iPod on the TV, while disabling the iPod from direct control. On-screen menu is very intuitive and simulates the menu system of the iPod. Browse mode requires connection through the iPod port in the back of the receiver. The "remote" mode allows you to navigate using either the docked iPod's control pad as it sits in the dock or the remote control; in this mode, you use the iPod's own screen and not the TV. Navigation in either mode seems lighting quick and responsive.

Sound quality is very good. Some might complain that audio-out is limited to L/R analog connection; no digital output is provided.

The dock does not come with a remote; you must use the remote with your Denon receiver. Dock functions are not found on the main remote, but are on the secondary remote at least for the 3310ci receiver. The following remote commands are available: play, pause, skip fwd and back, ffd, rwd, random play (songs or albums); repeat (song or album); dock mode toggle; directional navigation and enter. Best option is to learn the commands to a universal remote because Denon remotes are not real great.

The dock's manual is barebones. In order to understand the dock's functioning with your particular receiver and its remote, you need to refer to the relevant pages of the receiver manual, which is a bit counter-intuitive.

Connection was simple. The dock comes with a combined cable for l/r audio, s-video, and Denon dock control. Dock charges the iPod. There is no off switch. The dock remains in standby mode drawing 1 watt when not in use.

For those with a networked receiver and media server, the dock might add little functionality, but it's a nice option to have.