AVR-5308CI Build Quality and Guts

Most people love the idea of getting a new toy to play with. An AV receiver sounds like the perfect way to start off the week, however 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. In fact, reviewing this product entailed a complete reorganization of my entire AV equipment rack. Yeah, I know, poor me. I get it. Bottom line is that 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.

Build Quality

Typically I'd begin with the overview, but since I'm reworking this review around a more procedural format that walks you through every step of the install and configuration process, this is a good time to talk about the build quality of the AVR-5308CI. As you'd expect, the flagship receiver from Denon is built like a tank - however it comes in a bit lighter than the well-regarded (if not ridiculously overbuilt) AVR-5805. I don't know about some users, but I'm actually glad that I'm not stuck inserting an 11-inch tall 97-pound behemoth into my AV equipment rack.

Of course, at 62.7 pounds, the AVR-5308CI is still no lightweight. In fact it's dangerously close to a two-man lift - but true to my Audioholics roots (and fear of being called a pansy) I instead opted for the solo dead-lift to the top shelf in my rack. Of course, before I slotted the unit into my system I tore off the top and had a look.

A toroidal and twin EI transformers… power and then some.

Denon didn't skimp on the power supplies. This flagship receiver comes with three - a massive toroidal, centrally located towards the front of the unit, and twin EI core transformers flanking each side. A couple of 71V, 33,000 uF capacitors are situated just behind and present an imposing look to the central power supply area. The entire chassis is flanked by heat sinks down each side - an efficient, if not standardized, method of heat dissipation. The receiver does tend to run hot, so be sure to provide plenty of ventilation in your final installation (we recommend using perforated racks in addition to providing space around the component. Internally, circuit boards appeared well laid out and were sandwiched together in layers to maximize the use of space throughout the entire enclosure.

The back of the AVR-5308CI looks like a connector factory had a fire sale and Denon was buying. Far be it for me to complain about having more inputs that anyone could possibly need… ah what the heck, I'll go ahead and complain. Why on earth anyone would purchase a $5500 AV receiver and still be using up to 7 composite or S-video connectors is beyond me. I think it's time for the industry to move on. Manufacturers, listen up: Please start making all audio and video inputs assignable on your flagship and near-flagship products and begin backing off on the number of standard definition inputs. Nobody is using them. It really is past time and I think customers will really begin to appreciate getting back to a somewhat cleaner rear panel. And by all means keep composite and S-video aplenty on your lower-end models.

Sure it looks cool, but I've seen Space Shuttles with less cluttered panels