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Denon AVR-4308CI Preview

by Clint DeBoer — July 03, 2007

Denon AVR-4308CI Receiver

The Denon AVR-4308CI picks up where the AVR-4306CI left off, adding some incredible new features that will make the new "digital" age of audio and high-definition video even easier to use. The AVR-4308CI ramps up HDMI capabilities along with power, Zone 2/3 functionality, Internet streaming features and... wait for it... adds Wi-Fi capability! Now you don't have to run a cable to your receiver to enable streaming of Internet radio or music from a local PC provided you have wireless access in your room.

New DACs allow for even digital audio sources to be routed to all zones and parallel HDMI outputs mean that if you want to run both a flat panel and front projector in the same room, you can. Remote access over the Internet allows custom installer to dial up a client's receiver and perform configuration updates or even firmware updates (if needed) without stepping foot in the home. This receiver is fully 12-bit (per channel) compatible with new Deep Color technology and provides HDMI repeater functions (not just switching) with full upconversion to 480p/720p/1080i/1080p.

Features Breakdown

140W/channel x 7
Newly revised front panel and controls
ALL NEW GUI Setup and control interface (front panel setup possible as well)
Discrete Zone 2 component video output
Integrated Wi-Fi
Zone 4 digital input/output
0.05% THD
3 independent power transformers
6 independent power supply circuits
Dynamic discrete surround circuit-HD (revised for HD audio formats)
Analog Devices SHARC 21366 (1) and 21367 (1) DSP
Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+ decoding
dts-HD Master Audio decoding
Dolby Digital EX, dts ES Discrete/Matrix/Neo:6
XM-HD 5.1 with Neural Surround
Compressed audio restorer for portables/iPods
Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction with eight (8) mic positions
Revised Y/Mold setup microphone
AL24 processing (AL24+ on ALL CHANNELS)
24-bit/192kHz DACs (2/8 ch PCM1791A)
Analog-to-Digital conversion all channels on stereo analogue inputs (24/192 PCM1804)
Variable high/low-pass crossover points (12/24dB) 40-250Hz
Assignable digital inputs
Denon Link 3rd (PCM/DSD compatibility)
8-channel parallel digital inputs (for professional monitoring use)
iPod-ready with Denon D-dock
USB port (front and rear) for portable music players/flash drives/HDD with Command and Control functionality, on-screen data
XM Satellite Radio-ready (Mini-tuner compatible)
Multi-source, multi-zone discrete tuner select function (AM/FM/XM/HD)
HDMI 1.3a repeater inputs/outputs with support for 1080p/24/60 and 12-bit Deep color, xvYCC color space, auto lip sync correction, and 7.1 uncompressed 24-96 audio plus SACD
Analogue to HDMI video conversion/scaling (480p/720p/1080i/1080p)
Faroudja DCDi video processing (FLI-2310)
Audio Inputs/outputs:
3 digital S/PDIF
4 digital optical
2 optical, assignable S/PDIF outputs
Phono input
10 analogue inputs including tuner
2 analogue record outputs (with DAC to allow digital source output)
Video Inputs/outputs
4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
2 HDMI 1.3a outputs
7 composite/s-video video inputs
3 composite/s-video video outputs
3 component video inputs (100MHz)
2 parallel (main zone) component video outputs (100MHz)
Independent video conversion (s-video to composite/component for Zone 2)
Source delete function
Source function rename
Dual surround mode speaker selection
System setup/surround parameters lockout
8-channel external analogue inputs
Pure Direct/Direct/Stereo modes for digital/analogue inputs
6 DSP effect modes
Multi-channel stereo mode
56-station auto-preset memory tuning
RS-232 port with new Denon 2-way remote control and RF/IR base station
RJ-45 Ethernet port (MAC/PC streaming, Internet radio, web browser, enhanced for WMA lossless and AAC)
PC setup and control via Ethernet (with remote off-site diagnosis, correction, update and upgrade capability)
3-zone, 3-source (with DACs for digital audio PCM support and Zone 4 digital I/O)
Composite video output for second zone with OSD for meta-data from iPod/XM/streaming
Discrete IR remote codes (4 for main zone, 2 for multi-zone)
Enhanced power amplifier assign for multi-zone (Zones 2 and/or 3 in split mono) or bi-amping; nine (9) modes in all
8 channel preamp outputs for main zone
Relay-controlled protection circuits
New enhanced multi-zone remote with punch-through commands
Compatible with RC-7000/7001CI IR/RF 2-way remote/base station (optional
40.8 pounds
Dimensions: 17.1" x 7.7" x 17.9"

MSRP is expected to be $2499 and availability is later this month.

For more information, Visit: Denon USA

Discuss This Article

bsp.co.usa posts on September 08, 2012 06:45

4308 still goin strong - good reference

Are very satisfied 4308 owner since 2009. Still one of the only receivers which plays a concert piano sound just like a life …
Enhanced set with DENON 3930 for SACD via denon link 3rd generation.
For me this combination is still the best in market!
My set is in a 14 inch high cabinet, and the heat generation is fine, although i stripped the back-end and leave the front door open, while playing.
Tip: especially worthwhile if you are new on the market, as second hand, if you don't want to fork out for a better denon 4311

==================
4308CI 7.1
3930CI
speakers:
2x Pioneer SX2 air studio with 100khz tweeters - via bi-amp
5.1 Sony Pascal

PENG posts on May 31, 2008 00:08

Gorschek, post: 418441
Hello.

but the hifi sound is not the best. Therefore I am considering a good 2ch amp with HT passthrough for hifi. My question is is it possible to get e.g. radio, mp3 etc out of the 4308 to my 2ch amp as a raw analog signal? My point is that I would like to use e.g. the turner etc from the denon…

One more thing, in the post here there is a lot of things, but no one has talked about the sound quality of the 4308 in terms of it being used as a processor (not using its amp), anyone?

Thanks.

I am not sure what your first question is but I do believe that in a level matched blind listening test it will be tough for anyone to tell the difference between the 4308 and and a more expensive separate system that is designed to sound neutral, as long as the 4308 is used within it's power limit.

People will talk about the warm sound, harsh sound, neutral sound stuff, but you are going to have to find out for yourself if you can hear or feel the difference. They may be real to some gifted individuals, and simply Placebo effects to others. I went to enough live concerts to know that the real thing typically do not sound all that warm and I personally don't believe in any artificially created (e.g. Sunfire) “warm” sound characteristics. Such artificial warm sounding characteristics may be soothing to our brains but I much rather prefer the real thing. If you do like that “warm”, or “colored” sound then I suggest you stay away from the Denon. I have listened to quite a few nice sounding receivers made by Harman Kardon, Arcam, NAD, B&K, Yamaha and even Sony; I would say they all sounded rather neutral. Years ago, every time after I went to live classical concerts I could not stand my Stereo system for at least a week, because they sounded so different. This is no longer the case as today's mid range audio systems do sound close enough to the real thing. I still enjoy my separate system but I cannot honesty tell you they sound that much better than my 4308 based HT system.

Gorschek posts on May 30, 2008 18:45

4308 as a processor only

Hello.

I have a question or two…
I am thinking about buying the 4308 (I have a 4306). I like the new formats and have a chance to upgrade now. I was considering buying the A1HD mean denon pre-amp but 6K is a little rich. I have an external amp (Earthquake cinenova grande [email protected]) driving my B&W 803Ds and HTM2 center. Now, I like denon since you get all the bells and whistles for a reasonable sum, but the hifi sound is not the best. Therefore I am considering a good 2ch amp with HT passthrough for hifi. My question is is it possible to get e.g. radio, mp3 etc out of the 4308 to my 2ch amp as a raw analog signal? My point is that I would like to use e.g. the turner etc from the denon…

One more thing, in the post here there is a lot of things, but no one has talked about the sound quality of the 4308 in terms of it being used as a processor (not using its amp), anyone?

Thanks.

PENG posts on May 26, 2008 01:36

I couldn't believe I plugged it in the wrong place, it's okay now.

PENG posts on May 25, 2008 23:05

I plugged in the FM antenna that came with the box same way I did with my old 3805 but cannot get any sound out of the tuner selection. Everything else seem to be working fine. Am I missing something?

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About the author:

Clint Deboer was terminated from Audioholics for misconduct on April 4th, 2014. He no longer represents Audioholics in any fashion.

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