Denon AVP-A1HDCI 12CH Home Theater Processor Review

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by Gene DellaSala — last modified August 31, 2008

Summary

Product Name: AVP-A1HDCI 12CH Home Theater Processor
Manufacturer: Denon Electronics
Performance Rating:
Value Rating:
Review Date: June 17, 2008 00:50
MSRP: $ 7,500

Specifications

THX Ultra2 certification
THX Surround EX, Dolby® True HD, DTS-HD™ Master Audio, Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS-HD™ High Resolution Audio, Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES™, Pro Logic® IIx, and DTS Neo:6 decoding, and Dolby Headphone processing
Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processing and scaling
Audyssey MultEQ XT with eight-point auto setup and Dynamic EQ (microphone included, Pro Installer Ready)
Built-in Wi-Fi for music and JPEG streaming from a PC network
PC setup and control capability via Ethernet/web browser
XM Satellite Radio Ready with decoding for XM's HD Surround channels (requires XM subscription and optional XM Mini-Tuner package)
built-in HD Radio tuner with multi-casting reception
Compressed Audio Restorer for better sound with compressed music sources
four-room/four-source capability
Digital audio output for 4th room via optical digital out
Discrete 2nd room theater output (optical digital)
Conversion of optical or coaxial digital signals to analog audio output for 2nd and 3rd rooms (PCM signals only)
Advanced AL24 Processing for all channels
Dolby Headphone mode for surround sound with standard stereo headphones
HDCD decoding
Burr-Brown PCM-1796 digital-to-analog converters in double differential mode (4 per audio channel) on all output channels
Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit - HD construction
Dedicated twin toroidal power transformers for audio section
Learning/multibrand touchscreen electro-luminescent remote
Enhanced remote for 2nd or 3rd listening room (requires remote control extender system, not included)

1080p-compatible HDMI 1.3a digital video switching and audio support with Deep Color and xvYCC capability (6 in, 2 out)
Analog-to-HDMI video upconversion and HDMI to HDMI scaling (up to 1080p output via HDMI)
Component video switching and conversion: 6 in (including 1 BNC), 2 out (including 1 BNC) for main and 2^nd room
Digital audio inputs: 5 optical (including 1 front-panel), 4 coaxial, 2 BNC
Digital audio outputs: 4 optical
8 audio/video inputs, including:
1 front-panel input with composite and S-video
7 rear-panel inputs with composite and S-video
3 audio-only inputs (2 RCA including phono, and 1 XLR)
7.1-channel analog audio preamp input
9.3-channel fully balanced analog audio output (RCA and XLR)
Two USB inputs (one front, one rear)
Two RS-232C ports (for control via PC or automated system)
4 high current (250mA / 12V) triggers assignable to zone, input source, surround mode, HDMI monitor, etc
Denon Link jack (3rd edition)
Ethernet port for music streaming from a PC network, Internet Radio capability (broadband connection required), and control via a PC
Detachable power cord
17-1/8"W x 8-1/2"H x 19-1/4"D
Weight: 59.5 lbs.
Warranty: 2 years

Pros

Unprecedented benchmark level of performance and refinement
Virtually unlimited configurability options
Lacks nothing in features to minimize obsolescence

Cons

Audyssey and other processes can limit max volume
Complex setup
Expensive

Introduction

The Denon AVP-A1HDCI represents bleeding edge technology that only a select few manufacturers can compete with regardless of price. From its sophisticated top notch A/V processing, construction and component usage, you’re getting Mercedes level performance and refinement at Acura prices. Your high end audio snob friends may snicker at this system, especially since they likely spent 2-3 times more for hollow boxes, but I suggest humbling yourself by saying nothing. You don’t want everyone driving the same car you’re driving, do you?

Recent Forum Posts:

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jomark911 posts on December 27, 2009 13:53

Hi guys merry christmas.
Gene do you have any idea if denon is going to do an upgrade on avp , as for audyssey dsx, dolby prologic iix, hdmi 1,4 and so on.

ruxperienced posts on December 21, 2009 06:20

Hi to all,
I apologize for my english but it's not my language.
Last saturday I noticed that in the internet radio menu of my AVP there'a an item strangely named "ID# 0005CD195EA4". It has on the left side the green icon (with the music note inside) as a web radio or a music file. It's an empty link and I can't delete it. I'm almost sure I never seen it before. What can be happened? Have you any idea?
Thx.

Seth V posts on December 01, 2009 19:20

I recently got myself a new PC that uses Windows 7 and came with WMP 12. I got WMP 12 to recognize my AVP right away and streaming music was super easy. But there's a flipide to this, as even though it's streaming my music it doesn't seem like it's doing it correctly.

When I stream a WAV file my AVP's front panel display shows is coming in as an MP3 (MP3 and Digital indicators light up). The PCM and Digital indicators are the ones that it should be showing, not MP3! And when I stream WMA Lossless it shows up as PCM! Everything was correct when I was using WMP 11 (Windows XP) and WAV's displayed on the AVP as PCM and WMA Lossless as WMA.

Does anyone here use WMP 12 to stream music? And if so are you experiencing the same thing? Is WMP 12 transcoding from WAV to MP3? If so I need to find out how to correct this. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

Seth

Lordoftherings posts on October 28, 2009 00:20

gene;640161
I really like the sound of the RBH T30s run full range, explosive articulate bass.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENE!
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Franin posts on October 27, 2009 18:26

gene;640161
Kinda. I grouped 2 of my subs to sub 1 and 2 of my subs to sub 2 and ran Audyssey. I got good results. I plan on running my towers fullrange next instead of treating the bass portions as dedicated subs to see how far I can take it. I really like the sound of the RBH T30s run full range, explosive articulate bass.

Would you say that's a better way than mix ? I was told there was delay issues doing it that way but could not see how.