Denon is celebrating its 100th birthday with a present for entry-level home theater enthusiasts, namely their first-ever audio/video receiver under $300, and by a significant margin at that. At a press event in New York City this week, Denon unveiled the AVR-391, dropping this July, which will sell for the bargain price of $249 MSRP. It is the entry level model in Denon's Retail Home Theater Series line, one of seven new models for 2010.
Rather than cut corners, Denon has included many of the most-demanded features in the 5.1-channel AVR-391, starting with four HDMI v1.4a repeater inputs with support for all mandated 3D formats, Audio Return Channel and HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), for compatibility with the latest 3D source components and displays. iPod connectivity is assured with an iPod dock accessory control port (requires purchase of optional Denon iPod dock). A new, easy-to-use graphical user interface/OSD via the HDMI connection combines with Source/Quick Select Power On options on the front panel and remote control to provide users with one-button source and surround mode selection. This simpifies both setup and day-to-day use.
Despite the bargain price tag, the AVR-391 supplies 24-bit/192-kHz Analog Devices DACs, and Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey MultEQ speaker calibration. Got Blu-ray? Not a problem, as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding are onboard. You can even bump it up to a 7.1-channel receiver using the rear surround channel preamp outputs and an external amp. Denon didn't forget Mother Earth, either: Standby power of all these new receivers is below 0.1 watts.
All of these features plus Dolby PLIIz decoding and analog video to HDMI conversion carry over to the rest of Denon's announced 2010 Retail Home Theater Series lineup, which includes the 5.1-channel AVR-591 (SRP: $349, May), and three 7.1 channel models, the AVR-791 ($499, May), AVR-891 ($799, May), AVR-991 (SRP: $999, July). The AVR-591 can be updgraded to 7.1-channel output via a configurable preamp output which can be set for rear surround channels or front height channels. As with the AVR-391, these can be used with an outboard 2-channel amp or a pair of powered speakers.
The AVR-791 and higher models add iPod Digital Direct via USB, which accesses music from iPods in digital format, allowing the Denon receivers to provide digital to analog conversion for superior sound. These models are also ‘Works with iPhone' certified. The AVR-791 and up also bring 12-bit video processing and scaling from Anchor Bay Technologies so you can convert any digital or analog video source to full 1080p resolution over HDMI.
The AVR-991 flagship features Audyssey DSX with Front Height or Width Channels, Sirius Satellite Radio Ready capability, and is the least expensive Denon receiver to add an RJ-45 Ethernet Port for third-party controllers, Mac/PC audio streaming, Internet Radio, Pandora, Flickr, a Web browser function and more. The AVR-991 also features an upgraded ABT video processor for higher performance on upconverted standard definition content.
Two additional models in the line, the step-up seven channel AVR-1611 ($399, June) and AVR-1911 ($599, June) feature dual zone capabilities so you can listen to different sources in a second zone. These are distributed via different channels from the Retail Home Theater models described above, including custom installers and high-end A/V specialty retailers. The AVR-1611 is similar to the AVR-591, but with two additional channels of built-in amplification (for a powered zone two, or for height or rear surround channels). The AVR-1911 resembles the AVR-791 but with the addition of an integrated HD Radio tuner.
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