Denon's New Home Theater Receivers Are Designed with Audio and Video Performance in Mind
By Chris Boylan
At CEDIA Expo in Denver this year, Denon introduced five new home theater receivers, including the latest iteration of their behemoth flagship model, the AVR-5805CI ($7200, November), as well as a mid-tier model, the AVR-2307CI ($799). Both models include 1080P HDMI switching, analog video to digital (HDMI) upconversion and Audyssey's automatic calibration system.
Also available on many of the new models is built-in networking via Windows Media Connect - connect the receiver's ethernet connection to your PC network and you'll be able to playback WMA and MP3 files stored on your computer directly through the receiver. These new receivers also support HD Radio and XM Radio Connect-and-Play technology (with XM 5.1 Neural Surround support). Three models even include built-in Web browsers so you can surf the internet from the comfort of your couch using the Denon system remote.
Denon's AVR-5805CI is their latest assault on the state of the art.in audio and video performance.
The newest enhancement to the flagship 5805CI receiver is a new front-panel DIN input to support Audyssey's MultEQ Pro calibration system. The MultEQ Pro is the professional version of Adyssey's automatic calibration package and it is available as a separate product from Audyssey dealers. By plugging the MultEQ Pro into the 5805CI, custom installers can measure frequency response and time delay in up to 32 points in the room in order to create the smoothest, most accurate frequency response curve in multiple listening positions. The 5805CI also includes the basic version of Audyssey's calibration technology on-board.
Denon's Jeff Talmadge points out the new Audyssey MultEQ Pro support, which will allow custom installers to optimize the home theater's acoustics electronically with minimal effort.
The AVR-5805CI offers control for up to four independent zones or rooms with 22 output channels and 10 fully assignable 170-watt THX Ultra2 certified amplifiers. This allows you to control and power two entirely independent 5.1-channel systems with plenty of room to grow. It features a total of 5 HDMI inputs that support any resolutions up to 1080p. It can also scale any analog or digital video source up to 1080p resolution and output it via HDMI. So no matter what video sources you're using: laserdisc players with composite output, DVD with component and VCRs with S-Video, you'll only need one HDMI cable between the receiver and the display.
The AVR-2307CI includes many of the features of its more expensive brethren, including Audyssey's automatic calibration system.
The mid-tier 7-channel Denon AVR-2307CI receiver ($799) includes many of the same features that distinguish Denon's higher-priced units. It supports HDMI 1.1, with two HDMI inputs that include support for multi-channel PCM (24-bit/192-kHz 2 channel and 24-bit/96-Hz 7.1 compatible) so you can take advantage of the high-quality surround sound capabilities of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray Disc players.
In addition, like the 5805CI, the AVR-2307CI upconverts all incoming analog video signals (composite, component and S-Video) to HDMI output, providing a simple one-cable connection between receiver and display. It also features 8-channel analog input (in case you'd like to do the surround decoding in your player), as well as traditional coaxial and optical digital audio and stereo analog inputs.
The AVR-2307CI (along with all four new Denon receivers) features a dedicated Apple iPod control port, first introduced in the AVR-2807 earlier this year. By connecting the optional Denon iPod docking station ($129), users can control their iPod remotely with the Denon receiver remote while streaming music, photos and video from their iPods through their home entertainment system. The iPod docking station is available in a black or white finish.
Like all new Denon receivers, the 100-watt/channel AVR-2307CI features XM Satellite Radio's "Connect-and-Play" technology, enabling owners to add XM Satellite Radio functionality with the addition of an optional XM Satellite Radio antenna or the XM Mini tuner with XM Mini-Tuner Home Dock. The AVR-2307CI supports the recently introduced XM-HD 5.1 content via Neural Surround decoding for multi-channel enjoyment of select XM Radio stations.
Denon's five new A/V receivers include the AVR-5805CI ($7200), AVR-2307CI (SRP: $799), AVR-1907 (SRP: $549), AVR-1707 (SRP: $449) and AVR-1507 (SRP: $329),
