Denon AVR-5803 Home Theater Receiver Review
Denon AVR-5803
Summary
- Product Name: AVR-5803 AV Receiver
- Manufacturer: Denon Electronics USA
- Performance Rating:
- Value Rating:
- Review Date: August 31, 2003 20:00
- MSRP: $ 4300
- Specifications
-
HX Ultra2 Certified
THX Surround EX; DTS Extended Surround Discrete 6.1; DTS ES Matrix 6.1; DTS Neo:6 Cinema & Neo:6 Music Matrix Decoding; Dolby Digital EX; Dolby Pro Logic II; Dolby Headphone; DTS
Ultra2 7.1 Cinema and Music modes
Lucasfilm Home THX Cinema 4.0, 5.1 and 6.1ES post-processing
DVD-Audio decoding with Adjustable Digital Bass Management, Delay, Channel Levels and Tone Controls, through DENON Link or External Analog Inputs
DDSC-Digital featuring New dual Analog Devices HammerHead SHARC 32-bit floating point DSP processors
7 Channels equal power amplifier section
170 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, <.05%THD)
200 watts per channel (6 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, <.05%THD)
24 bit, 192 kHz A/D conversion (Burr-Brown PCM-1804 x 4) on all analog inputs, including External 7.1 inputs
16 Burr-Brown PCM-1738E 24-bit, 192-kHz highest resolution DACs, with DSD compatibility - each audio channel operating in differential mode
Pure Audio mode, features 4 DACs per audio channel in dual-differential mode
ALPHA 24 Processing Plus in Stereo/Direct/Pure Direct modes (left/right channels)
4 24 bit,192 kHz Digital Interface Receivers
3 sets component video inputs, compatible with wideband (480p, 720p, 1080i)
8 sets composite and "S" video inputs
Video Conversion of Composite to S-Video and/or to Component
1 AC-3 RF digital input for laser disc
TWO sets of 7.1 external wide bandwidth (100 kHz) inputs for multi-channel formats with full Bass Management(defeatable)
11(5 Coax, 6 Opt.) assignable digital inputs
8 Channel Digital External Inputs
13 analog inputs including built-in AM/FM tuner
Multi-Zone 1 stereo pre-amp outputs with video output
Multi-Zone 2 outputs, pre-amp outputs or speaker outputs
RS-232C port for external controllers
12 and 5 volt triggers
DENON Link, for connection to DVD-9000
Variable high/low pass Crossover 40/60/80/100/120
Audio Delay adjustment Digitally regulated volume control with .5dB increment adjustments AKTIS RC-8000 LCD touchpanel remote with IR and RF transmission Dimensions: 17.1"w x 8.5"h x 19.1"d
Pros
- Benchmark performance in all modes of operation.
- Endless configurability and tweaking options.
- Excellent craftsmanship.
- Component video up conversion on all video sources with OSD
Cons
- Poorly written user manual.
- Difficult set-up for neophyte.
- Low current trigger output cannot drive many power relay boxes.
Introduction
In the beginning of modern audio reproduction there was mono. Consumers were complacent with listening to AM broadcasts and their phono recordings on their large floorstanding tube based radios. Life was good. Shortly after, stereo was introduced and raised the bar on fidelity and consumer expectations of their audio systems. With the advent of the computer age (thanks to the invention of a tiny device called the transistor) we soon discovered an almost limitless frontier of multi channel audio which now seems to be evolving almost as quickly. Denon's latest super receiver appears to more than satisfy the criteria of delivering the goods, perhaps more so than much of their competition both presently and dare I say for future formats and/or digital transmission standards.
