Denon AVR-5308CI AV Receiver Review
Denon's AVR-5308CI Flagship Receiver
Summary
- Product Name: AVR-5308CI AV Receiver
- Manufacturer: Denon Electronics USA
- Performance Rating:
- Value Rating:
- Review Date: August 08, 2008
- MSRP: $5500
- Specifications
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POWER & PROCESSING
- 150 Watts Per Channel (0.05 THD)
- THX Ultra2-Certified
- Low Impedance Drive Capability
- High-Current/Discrete Amplifiers
- Independent Power Supplies: 8
- Toroidal Power Transformer + 4 EI Type Sub Transformers
- Dolby Digital, dts and DSP Modes – Analog Devices, HammerHead SHARC
- 24-bit/192-kHz DACs – Burr-Brown PCM-1791 PCM-1796 - 2 x 8 Channels
- Analog-to-Digital Conversion - Bit Depth/Sampling Rate 24-bit/192kHz - Burr-Brown PCM-1804 (includes EXT inputs)
- Advanced AL24 Processing Multi Channel
- Processors: 21366 x 1 and 21367 x 2 32-bit Floating Point
- Modes: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital+, dts-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIx – with Cinema, Music, Game Modes, THX Post-Processing – DPL (4.0), DPL2 Cinema, DD/DTS (5.1), ES Discrete (6.1), ES Matrix, Neo:6 Cinema, THX Ultra2 7.1 Cinema, Music and Game Modes, THX Surround EX, Dolby Digital Surround EX, dts ES Discrete/Matrix 6.1, dts Neo:6 Stereo-to-Surround Cinema and Music Modes, dts 96/24, Dolby Headphone, HDCD Decoder, 9 DSP Modes
- Audio Signal Delay (Sync. Audio with Video signal) – By source
- Pure Direct/Direct/Stereo Modes on Digital/Analog inputs
- Stereo/Direct Modes w/Pure Analog Path
- Multi-Channel Stereo Mode (5/6/7; 8/9 with additional amplifiers)
- Auto Surround Mode (Analog or Digital Input Type)
- Active Center Channel In All Surround Modes
- Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit - Digital HD Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit - Digital HD
- MP3/WMA Decoding
- Neural Surround Mode XMHD
- Cinema EQ
- Assignable Digital Inputs: 11
- Digital Inputs: DENON Link 3rd (SACD Ready), Coaxial (4), Optical (5)
- Digital Outputs: Optical (4)
- Digital to Analog REC Out (Main and Multi-Zone)
- Analog Audio Inputs: 15 Incl. tuner, USB/Net, XM, HD & iPod
- Phono Input: MM type
- Source Function Renaming
- Analog Record Outputs: 3
- Composite to S-Video to Component conversion: Main & Zone 2
- Component to S-Video to Composite conversion
- Analog to HDMI conversion with scaling
- HDMI Video Outputs (1080p)
- Composite Video Inputs: 8
- Composite Video Outputs: 6 (includes Monitor/Z2/Z3)
- S-Video Inputs: 8
- S-Video Outputs: 5 (includes Monitor/Z2)
- Component Video Inputs: 6 x 100MHz (1 BNC, all assignable)
- Component Video Outputs 3 (RCA + BNC Main Zone), RCA Second Zone
- 8-Ch. External Analog Input
- High Grade 5-way binding posts
- 56 Station Auto-Preset Memory Tuning
- Radio Data System (RDS)
- XM Satellite Radio 'Connect and Play' Ready (with optional antenna)
- HD Radio Tuner Built-in
GENERAL- RS-232C: 2 ports
- RJ-45 Ethernet Port: New Network Streaming - also DNLA Certified and Remote Maintenance
- PC Setup and Control Capability via Ethernet/Web Browser
- IR Serial Remote In/Out terminals
- +12v Trigger Output: 4 (250mA, assignable)
- Multi-Source/Multi-Zone (*Uses REC OUT) 4 Source/4 Zone Audio (Z4 Digital); 3 Source/3 Zone Video
- Pre-amp Outputs for Multi-Zone
- High Pass Filter for Multi-Zone Outputs
- Multi-Zone Pre-Amp Outputs – Selectable Output Levels
- Discrete Multi-Zone Composite Video Output: Main/Z2 (S-video also)
- Discrete Remote Power On/Off, Source Selection and Volume for Main and Second/Third Zones
- Discrete Remote Source Selection for Zone 3
- Assignable Amplifier Configuration of Surround Back Channels: 9 Modes
- Speaker Time-Delay and Level Controls: L/R, Sub, C, Surr. L/R, Surround Back
- Pre-Amp Outputs: 12 RCA/Configurable
- Internet Radio: MP3 & WMA Compatible
- iPod Dock Control Port (Using optional ASD-1R/3W/3N Denon iDock)
- BNC Digital Audio Inputs: 2
- Input Delete Function
- Variable High/Low Pass Crossover Points (12/24dB) 40/60/80/100/120/150/200/250 F/C/S/SB individual
- Front Panel AV Inputs Inside Panel Composite & S-video * with Optical in
- S-video Down Conversion 2nd Zone
- Video Conversion Analog to HDMI Scaling 480p 720p 1080i 1080p
- Silicon Optix Realta HQV Processing and Scaling
- Built In Time Based Correction (TBC)
- HDMI 1.3a Inputs: 6
- HDMI 1.3a Outputs: 2 (Dual or selectable)
- HDMI Audio/Video Repeater Function
- HDMI Deep Color Support (36Bit)
- HDMI xvYCC Color Space Support
- Built-in WiFi Connectivity: 802.11 b/g
- Network Enabled
- USB Port with HDD Support (Front & Back)
- Automatic Lip Sync (HDMI)
- Auto Setup Calibration
- Auto/Manual Room Equalization
- Auto Setup Microphone Included (Alum DM-A505)
- Dual Surround Mode Spkr. Selector
- Icon-Based On-Screen Display (Main/Zone 2)
- Personal Memory Plus
- Relay-Controlled Protection Circuits
- Microprocessor User Re-set
- Subwoofer Peak-Level Limiter (THX)
- Pre-programmed/Learning EL Remote with Backlighting and Punch Through Commands Y/RC-1067 + Multi zone remote RC-1070; 2-Way remote control ready (with optional RC-7000CI/RC-7001RCI)
- Audyssey Mult EQ Pro CalibrationCompatible/Installer Ready (with Dynamic EQ built-in)
- GUI Menu Support (Main Zone)
- Volume Control Un-muting
- Selectable Muting Levels (Full/-40/-20)
- Weight: 62.7 lbs
- Width (inches) 17.1" W x 8.5" H x 19.25" D
Pros
- Dual HDMI outputs
- Independent control of HQV Realta video processing on each input
- THX Ultra2 Certified
- Assignable amplification
- Digital to analogue conversion for multi-zone outputs
- Component video for Zone 2
Cons
- No anamorphic output scaler for video inputs
- Doesn't make espresso
Introduction
As a reviewer bent on dissecting any important feature and function contained in Denon's new flagship AVR-5803CI receiver I had my work cut out for me. It didn't take long to realize that the best way to conduct this review would be to follow the same steps anyone would take when deciding how best to integrate this product into their listening room. The AVR-5308CI shares nearly all of the same features found on Denon's $7500 AVP-A1HDCI flagship processor. While it lacks the balanced circuitry design, class A audio drivers and several other upgrades which did actually show some measureable results, the AVR-5308CI sells for about $2,000 less than this preamp and has seven respectable built in power amplifiers, I’d say it makes it quite a bargain.
- AVR-5308CI Build Quality and Guts
- AVR-5308CI Overview, Speaker Options and Firmware
- AVR-5308CI Video Processing and Routing
- AVR-5308CI Installation and Setup Menu
- AVR-5308CI Network Audio, USB, Internet Radio and iPod
- AVR-5308CI Listening Tests
- AVR-5308CI Measurements and Conclusion
