An Evolution of Sound
BPBS Editor Chris Boylan and I enjoyed the irony behind the naming of Denon's new AVR-2112CI AVR (apparently Denon's sister company, Marantz, is overrun with Rush fanatics), and while we were quite tempted by that new AVR for pure nostalgia (Rush has become a twisted fetish for us), it was the new flagship IN-Command AVR-3312CI ($999, expected in May) that raised some really serious interest. Denon has done something for 2011 that companies rarely do; they have packed more features into the box and lowered the price. The AVR-3311 was priced at $1199 plus $50 for the AirPlay upgrade, so its replacement is a full $250 less expensive. Chanukah is coming early this year.
Why would Denon do this? For starters, their AVRs are #1 in the marketplace (and not by a small margin) and the overall demand for AVRs was up close to eight percent in 2010. Secondly, Denon was ahead of the curve when they were the first AVR manufacturer to offer Apple's AirPlay and they clearly understand that millions of consumers are using the iPod Touch, iPhone, and the iPad as media streaming devices. But being early did cost some money in R&D and engineering which can now be absorbed.
Not surprisingly, physical iPod docks are quickly losing their appeal. Why plug it in when you can go wireless? AirPlay continues to be a strong feature for Denon, available at no additional charge on select "IN-Command" series receivers, including the AVR-3312CI but even on some of its less expensive brethren (all the way down to $599 list for the AVR-2112).
Network streaming capabilities are no longer optional; either you offer them or nobody buys your product. You don't require an MBA to figure that one out. Denon also realizes that not everyone on Earth has taken a sip from the jug of Apple Kool-Aid, and that there are tens of millions of Android and Windows 7 users who want to stream from their smartphones, PCs and tablets as well, so they've put DLNA compatibility on-board to allow your DLNA compatible device to stream music and photos to your main audio/video rig. According to Denon, DLNA (which has to be the worst marketing name for a feature in history) is quite important to networking savvy users and custom installers, and Denon has done an excellent job making it easier to network their AVRs with your hard drives, mobile devices and home networks.
Company rep Jeff Talmadge demonstrated the DLNA feature live by playing tunes on his Android phone through the receiver wirelessly with pretty album art and other meta data appearing on the big screen. To beef up Android-friendliness even more, Denon tells us an Android control app is coming in June - which means an end to Apple's hegemony.
The new IN-Command series AVRs are not only easier to use, but easier to install and set-up. The AVR-3312CI is not a revolutionary product; it is really more of an evolution in sound and function. The cosmetics of the AVR-3312CI are certainly different from the 2010 CI line-up which had big and chunky written all over it. Denon has streamlined the front panel with fewer buttons, removed all of those annoying insignias (all of the features are now on the top panel), and given the product a sleeker look; which will no doubt please installers who always kvetch about the tight squeeze. AVRs have become powered media hubs (I've already instructed my attorney to copyright that) and the AVR-3312CI is no slouch in that department.
For $999, that is a ridiculous list of features; if you need even more power, the AVR-3312CI has preamp level outputs for all channels. As such, it has to be on your short-list as the giant-killing processor/control center of the year.
The AVR-3312CI also features enhanced network capability; everything from Airplay to Pandora to Rhapsody, in addition to the afore-mentioned DLNA 1.5 support. There are currently 12,000 internet radio stations which are accessible via the Denon AVR and can be neatly programmed in as "tuner" presets; leading many of us to wonder - how soon before traditional AM/FM tuner sections disappear altogether from AVRs? It may be a little early to say goodbye entirely to terrestrial radio broadcasts because the AVR-3312CI also has an HD Radio tuner on board.
One of the coolest features for 2011 is the Denon Remote App; which now has the Apple iPod/iPhone app built-in. The ability to control your AVR via your iPhone/iPad is most certainly useful, but the ability to stream audio from those devices via Airplay and to multiple systems in the house (which obviously have to use Airplay as well) is quite remarkable. Mr Talmadge also led us through the Denon Remote App and demonstrated how it would work with iTunes via a connected laptop, an iPhone, and a DLNA-connected server device. AirPlay is a major game changer, boys and girls.
Denon made an interesting admission during the presentation; consumers look at the print manual for about two seconds before it ends up in Mr. Tibble's cage. Denon has ditched the print manual for an interactive CD-R saving millions of trees in the process.
More impressive, is the new set-up wizard that automatically engages when you connect the AVR for the first time. Set-up menus don't usually elicit low pitched moans from the audio press; those are saved for the free lunch buffet, but Denon has created a gorgeous and intuitive interface that will be of great value to novices and experienced users alike.
Denon's In-Command AVR-3312CI looks to be the AVR to beat in 2011 with its outstanding array of features and sound quality, but what really makes it stand out in a very crowded segment is its $999 asking price. Whatever Denon is putting in its Kool-Aid is starting to taste really, really good.
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Denon Puts Web Browser and AirPlay into IN-Command Receiver Series
Denon's 2112 (AVR-2112CI): Rush Fans, Your Home Theater Receiver Has Arrived
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