AVR-2307CI: Build Quality and Setup

When Denon adds the CI suffix to a model number, I fear most users don’t know what to think. CI? It is more expensive so it must be better right? Well, for the most part the CI (Custom Integration) adds advanced connectivity and control features… whatever they are. RS-232? What does that do again? Just remember this; installers are interested in ease of use. They want the receiver to do more switching, more auto sensing, and assignable, renameable, and multiple inputs. Actually, I want that too. And so should you. The AVR-2307CI can convert everything up to HDMI (including composite video) so you theoretically should be able to run one cable to your display (with some caveats – see below). They have dedicated inputs for iPods and it is XM Radio ready. It’s got an auto EQ and auto calibration (not the famed Audyssey but it is something) and a manual EQ. So, while you may be uninterested in the RS-232 port on the back, don’t think that the CI designation isn’t for you. ‘Cause it is.

Build Quality

When looking at receivers, the first thing I look at is the number and types of inputs (no, I don’t put it on a scale and weigh it). The Denon AVR-2307CI has more than enough for most users including two HDMI inputs and one output, three component inputs and one output, and more than enough S-video and composite connections for any normal human to use (does anyone still use these?) There are pre-outs for utilizing external amplification (or for connecting a Velodyne SMS-1 or other bass management system), two 12-volt triggers for controlling amps or other gear, and 7.1 analogue inputs for connecting up a universal player without an HDMI output.

The receiver sports 100 watts per channel and Denon says it is stable to 6-ohms (typical for Denons). More than likely, this receiver will have little problem powering an efficient 4-ohm speaker as long as you give it plenty of ventilation and don’t drive it too hard. Regardless, when you first hook up a receiver, you should test how hot it gets until you are comfortable with the amount of ventilation at different volumes. Heat is one of the biggest enemies to electronics (though having my cell phone dunked in a pool proved that water is no friend either) so better to be wary than to have to replace a new piece of gear. The surround back channels are, of course, assignable to Zone Two if you wish. There are two AC outlets that are perfect for powering external fans (if you need them) or your cable box. I typically don’t plug anything but fans into them. The power cord is removable so you can replace it with an audiophile/hospital/military grade one that costs more than the receiver itself (the perfect upgrade for the audiophile with more money than sense).

The front panel of the AVR-2307CI looks remarkably similar to every other Denon I’ve ever seen – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Receivers are utilitarian devices, having one that is too flashy just wouldn’t be right. The volume readout shrinks up into the top right corner and is nearly illegible from 9 feet though it takes center stage when being manipulated (easily readable from 10-12 feet depending on your eyesight). Additionally, the volume control is visible on the screen (if you wish) with every output but HDMI, so this is even less of an issue. When in use, the display shows the active input (VCR, DVD, etc.) and the audio mode (stereo, Dolby Digital, etc). When you switch inputs, it tells you briefly what audio input is being received and your default audio setting (stereo, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, etc.). This is all pretty standard stuff of those of you familiar with Denon receivers (my AVR-3805 is shockingly similar). My favorite parts of the receiver readout are the input and output indictors. On the left you’ll notice a number of boxes present. The number of boxes illuminated will indicate the number of channels that are being inputted from the selected source. For ease of reading, the boxes are configured in the standard 7.1 configuration. For the most part, you are going to see either 2 (stereo) or 6 (5.1 surround) boxes illuminated. With some older or foreign movies you may see 3 (2.1) though I think the Pixar movie Cars defaults to 2.1 as well (I find that bizarre).

Also present on the front panel are function (input selector) and volume knobs, auxiliary inputs (composite/S-video with either stereo analogue or digital optical audio), headphone jack, zone 2 button, on/off button, user mode buttons (3 buttons that can be programmed to remember input source, surround mode, and input mode – basically good for installers or those that want to have one-button operation without a universal remote), and setup/menu controls. While in some of the higher models, the majority of these buttons are hidden behind a fold-down faceplate, on the AVR-2307CI there is a pop out panel that covers the unsightly inputs and the rest of the controls are exposed. Fortunately, they are innocuous enough not to be too detrimental to the feng shui of the front panel.

Here is a brief look at the internal components:

System Setup

I’m just going to say one thing. This one thing I will not explain nor will I explain the impetus behind. This one thing is the single most important thing you need to remember when you are setting up your receiver or diagnosing problems. This one thing may be the difference between looking like a champ (by having the right answers) or looking like a chump (asking a stupid question then realizing the answer yourself):

Check your connections. Then double check them. Then triple check them. And if you find you are having a weird problem, check them again.

That’s enough about that. The layout of the back of the AVR-2307CI is typical of most receivers – way too many connections way to close together. Of course, I understand that there are plenty of people out there that use analogue audio and composite video… but they shouldn’t. Some part of me wants them to do away with all but two non-digital inputs (7.1 analogue inputs don’t count) to force people to upgrade. But we all know that isn’t going to happen. So, for now, we’ll all just have to deal with it. The speaker terminals only really accept bare wire, pins, and banana plugs and are close enough together that if you aren’t using banana plugs, you’ll wish you were. None of this is all that surprising for receivers these days where back panel real estate is at a premium. Given the number of connections available, the back panel is laid out fairly well. I’d wish for a little more space between the speaker terminals and to relocate the 7.1 analogue inputs to a less busy location but other than that, I’m pretty happy with the layout.

There are two coaxial and four (five if you count the one on the front panel) optical inputs. Together with the two HDMI inputs even a reviewer will have a hard time running out of places to plug things in. The XM terminal and Dock Control jack (for iPods) stand out as recent additions to Denon functionality. Having built-in iPod controls and XM Radio receiving capability should make for an all-in-one receiver package that a custom installer or a gadget freak will drool over. All you need for the XM Radio service is a XM passport system (sold separately). For iPod playback, you need to purchase a Control Dock for iPod (also sold separately). The upside of using one of these systems is that you can control the XM Radio or iPod from the Denon’s remote. Otherwise, you’ll need to connect whatever receiver/docking station to the receiver and utilize its own remote/control system.

If you chose to go with a 5.1 system (rather than 7.1) you have a number of options of what to do with those two unused amplification channels. You can assign them to Zone 2, bi-amp your mains (Front A), or power a separate set of speakers (Front B). I’m not going to get into the debate about whether bi-amping through a receiver is useful – if you’ve got the extra channels and nothing to do with them, try it out and see if you notice a difference. If you have a set of speakers that you prefer for two-channel listening but a different set of speaker for movies, you can use those extra channels to switch between the two to suit your musical tastes. Regardless of the route you choose, it is nice that they provide a number of options. Nothing is worse than having extra channels of amplification and nothing to do with it.

In a move that continues to make me want to beat my head against the wall, Zone 2 will not accept digital input signals. This means that you’ll either have to have a dedicated player for your Zone 2 that is connected via analogue or you’ll have to double connect (if you want to utilize digital outs) anything that you might want to pipe to Zone 2. I understand that the additional DACs required to allow Zone 2 to accept digital inputs would increase the cost of the unit, but who cares? Get cheaper ones. They are most likely for an office or outside or something. In every receiver I’ve used or tested, Zone 2 has been the red-headed-stepchild of the input world so this isn’t as much of a slam against the AVR-2307CI as it is receiver manufacturers in general. This is one feature I'd like to see moved to lower-priced products.