Denon AVP-A1HDCI 12CH Home Theater Processor Review
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 2nd 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:
Post Reply
Lordoftherings posts on October 28, 2009 01:20
gene;640161
I really like the sound of the RBH T30s run full range, explosive articulate bass.
**************************
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GENE!
**************************
Franin posts on October 27, 2009 19:26
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.
gene posts on October 27, 2009 13:14
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.
Franin posts on October 24, 2009 05:51
Franin;623741gene;605648Hi Gene did you end up trying it that way??
- simultaneous Audyssey calibration of all 3 sub channels (its usually preferable and beneficial to apply one correction curve to all subs)
You know you can do that. The way I do it with two is:
Assign:
Sub 1 = sub 1
sub 2 = sub 1
so you assign sub 2 as sub 1 also and they both run lfe simutanoesly. I run my system as 7.1 but have 2 subs and coming on the same time.
If you want to run a third all you have to do is :
Sub 3 = Sub 1 also.
Laurent B. posts on October 18, 2009 02:42
Hi there,
A long time ago (june 2008), we listed firmware issues of AVP-A1HD and AVC-A1HD (link to the discussion [forums.audioholics.com]). Then Gene submitted them to Denon.
Some issues have been solved, but some are still here, more than 1 year later!
One of them is :
I made a video that explains the issue : it is here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za6hRPKwz3g [youtube.com]
I have contacted Denon France 2 weeks ago about this issue, unfortunately they havrn’t replied to my email.
May anybody here could contact Denon USA and link them the video?
Thank you very very much.
Denony
A long time ago (june 2008), we listed firmware issues of AVP-A1HD and AVC-A1HD (link to the discussion [forums.audioholics.com]). Then Gene submitted them to Denon.
Some issues have been solved, but some are still here, more than 1 year later!
One of them is :
Receiver continues to display album art image with screen saver turned on and active.
I made a video that explains the issue : it is here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za6hRPKwz3g [youtube.com]
I have contacted Denon France 2 weeks ago about this issue, unfortunately they havrn’t replied to my email.
May anybody here could contact Denon USA and link them the video?
Thank you very very much.
Denony
Post Reply
