Holy Grail of processors

[zepherman]

I had heard that Denon was planning on introducing a hi end dedicated processor with all the newest audio codecs (Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dts HD, Dts HD MA) but I had never seen what this bad boy was going to look like. That is until now. This new Behemoth of an A/V processor is "tentatively" scheduled to be available late February for $7,000 MSRP.

Here are some of the goodies offered:

THX Ultra 2
6 HDMI 1.3 in, 2 out - xxyycc color support and auto lip synch support
Full Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS HD support
Denon Link 3
Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processing
Audyssey MultEQ XT/Pro Room Correction
12 Balanced Outputs
Stereo Balanced Input
4 Coax and 4 Optical Inputs
4 Optical outputs for other zones
Wireless and RJ45 audio streaming
4 Trigger Outputs
2 RS232 connections
Denon Control Link
Ipod Dock Support
Analog to HDMI Conversion and upscaling to 1080p
FLAC/WMA lossless, AAC Lossles, WAV
Windows Media PlaysForSure
HDCD
HD Radio/XM/AM/FM (independent/simultaneous multi-zone capable)
Multi Channel Zone 2 Output for dual surround zones
Zone 4 Digital Audio
Simply HD Certified silicon image approves connectivity and operability
Remote maintenance program

Here's some pix of the processor and the matching multichannel amp.

[zepherman]

Source selector

[zepherman]

Volume control

[zepherman]

Front display

[Pirate]

Silver.

[zepherman]

Back panel

[zepherman]

Balanced XLR's

[Pirate]

I'm sure this thing will be very impressive, but damn is it fugly. It looks like an oven. And, again... silver.

[zepherman]

HDMI's

[zepherman]

Denon POA A1HD Power amplifier

[zepherman]

Under the hood

[Taxi]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

It looks like an oven.

I kinda like it though. (If it were black, that is.)

[zepherman]

More inside pix

[zepherman]

Back of amp

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I'm sure this thing will be very impressive, but damn is it fugly. It looks like an oven. And, again... silver.

That's funny! Yeah it may not be the prettiest processor around but for everything that it does this one may be hard to beat. Like Taxi, I also like the way it looks. And I don't mind Silver, it'll match my TV

[Pirate]

I don't have $7,000 for a receiver, but if I did, it damn sure better be black.

[Taxi]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I don't have $7,000 for a receiver, but if I did, it damn sure better be black.

I wonder how much the amp is...

[Wirehed]

Has Denon ever made seperates before?

I wonder what it will sound like. You can get a lot of reciever for $7k.

[Wirehed]

Looks like the amp will cost the same as the reciever.

[Iguana Man]

Poor poor Denon. They learned nothing from McIntosh when it comes to looking cool. That one pic sadly does look like an oven of sorts. Toast light on the left, eggs over easy in the middle, and bacon semi crispy on the right.

Your's for ONLY 7K! Act now and get a free juicer!

Hehehe..sorry Zeph'

For 7K, I'd probably go Parasound Halo if they finally stepped up to the new formats and their 'needs' functionality-wise.

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

Has Denon ever made seperates before?

I wonder what it will sound like. You can get a lot of reciever for $7k.

Yes, Denon made some very high end separates in the 90's. But many of them were way too expensive ($15,000 pre-amp, $20,000 monoblock amps etc.). Here's a photo of their $40,000 pr. POA-S1 Monoblock amp. Glad to see them back into making separates

Yes one can get one hell of a receiver for less than $7k, but for people that want balanced outputs and balanced digital inputs, a stand alone processor like the AVP-A1HD is the only way to fly.

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

Looks like the amp will cost the same as the reciever.

I believe you are right, the matching 10 channel amp is going to cost around $7k-$8K.

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Poor poor Denon. They learned nothing from McIntosh when it comes to looking cool. That one pic sadly does look like an oven of sorts. Toast light on the left, eggs over easy in the middle, and bacon semi crispy on the right.

Your's for ONLY 7K! Act now and get a free juicer!

Hehehe..sorry Zeph'

For 7K, I'd probably go Parasound Halo if they finally stepped up to the new formats and their 'needs' functionality-wise.

No problem, it's cool Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Personally I like it, maybe not as much as say Classe's designs, but I don't think it's ugly. It is a bit on the HUGE side though, so when I get one I'm going to have to figure out where the heck to put it.

Yeah at one time I considered Parasound's Halo processors. They are nice, but even when they do start offering decoding for the HD audio formats, they still aren't going to do everything that this one will do.


Seth

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I don't have $7,000 for a receiver, but if I did, it damn sure better be black.

Actually I think that I saw a photo online of the AVP-A1HD in black. For me since pretty much every component I have is black, a silver finish is actually welcome. Since this pre-amp/processor will be the centerpiece it will be easy to spot in silver.


Seth

[EM3]

Well I'm lucky since it's in two seperate pieces and I only have room for one.















It's looks like a tank. How much does it weigh in at?

[chlngr1970]

Originally Posted by EM3

Well I'm lucky since it's in two seperate pieces and I only have room for one.

If you only have room for one, does that mean you would only be able to buy the amp? I could see that if you have a less than perfect amp section in your receiver, but if you were considering it for a replacement, you kinda need that amp

j

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by zepherman

so when I get one I'm going to have to figure out where the heck to put it.

Seth

Are you serious? You are?

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by EM3

It's looks like a tank. How much does it weigh in at?

If you have to ask how much it weighs.....well, you do the math!

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Are you serious? You are?

Yes I am totally serious. My Sunfire TGIII, while awesome, is starting to get a bit dated technology wise. It has no HDMI switching, no THX processing, and can't decode the newest audio codecs.

For everything that this new Denon does and then some, it seems like my perfect pre-amp/processor. And knowing that this thing has balanced outputs, 6 HDMI 1.3 inputs, and decoding for all the new HD audio formats, for me it's a no brainer.

But I am still keeping my Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature and Sonance 5150 amplifiers

So hopefully by years end or early next year, this beast will be part of my A/V setup!


Seth

[Iguana Man]

Zeph', I just put myself up for adoption. Okay...."Dad"?

[Pirate]

I wonder some times how much of a difference this type of super high-end gear really makes. I mean, how much better could this 7K Denon sound than a 2K Yamaha or something comparable? At some point, it seems that it might depend on the size of the room.

[Sehnzeleid]

I want to eventually get a "real" processor, but $7k is a way too rich for my blood.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I wonder some times how much of a difference this type of super high-end gear really makes. I mean, how much better could this 7K Denon sound than a 2K Yamaha or something comparable? At some point, it seems that it might depend on the size of the room.

I think it's more about diminishing returns and just how much you want to spend for that extra 10%.

The room is forefront but that too depends on the type of speakers you buy. If your room is cool with type A speakers, then I can see getting that extra 10% out of them with a beast like this. Size is relative to how the speakers interact with said room.

I ain't making sense am I?

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

I ain't making sense am I?

You are, I'm just not convinced that $7K will blow away $2K or even $1200. I guess I need to hear something like this Denon in action. Give me a call later this year, Zeph.

[umainebearman]

MY GOD!!! It's the Original XBOX of audio equipment! So damn big and ugly you just GOTTA HAVE IT!

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

You are,

Give me a few more minutes...hehehe...I'm almost not there.

Obviously you aren't going to buy 14K in gear unless you feel the 10% gain is attainable. If not, then I'll be the first to call Zeph' a wonkers bonkers!

Hehehee!

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Zeph', I just put myself up for adoption. Okay...."Dad"?

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I wonder some times how much of a difference this type of super high-end gear really makes. I mean, how much better could this 7K Denon sound than a 2K Yamaha or something comparable? At some point, it seems that it might depend on the size of the room.

Believe me there is a difference, and most times it's not subtle. Mainstream receivers in the $2k-$3k range while really good sonically just can't match what high end separates can do. And I should know as I have done extensive A/B listening to both top end receivers and high end pre-amp processors/amp(s). Of course a lot will also depend on the speakers used, the room, and the source equipment.

I listened to $3k receivers from Onkyo and Denon, and while the sound quality was very impressive, once the dedicated pre-amp/amp combo was in there the sound difference went from excellent to jaw dropping. The difference wasn't subtle. After living with separates now for a good many years, I will never go back to an all in one receiver.

But one thing , in my case anyway, is that my Martin Logan speakers are "very" revealing. So anything in the chain that is less than pristine will show up. Many factors come into play. With multi thousand dollar pre-amps, the power supplies are very well shielded and separated from the DAC's and video circuitry so there is no interference. The use of balanced output stages further reduce any EMI/RFI interference.

Furthermore since receivers have built in amplification (6 or 7 channels), there is so much more that has to fit in the chassis. With a dedicated pre-amp/processor, only the power supplies and audio/video circuitry is in the chassis. The audio section is really separated from the video section, as is the power supply. All of these factors add up to a better sound presentation. Also while the DAC's used in even top end receivers are excellent, the ones used in high end pre-amps use even better DAC's and processing chips.



Seth

[Pirate]

Thanks for the info. I guess I just need to hear an amp of this caliber to form my own opinion. I heard a $2K Denon in a showroom last year playing a scene from Attack of the Clones. It sounded very good of course, but I thought my $1200 Pioneer sounded better (and that was with my Technics fronts!)

If I heard a receiver replicate actual cinema sound, I’d get a second job.

[zepherman]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Give me a few more minutes...hehehe...I'm almost not there.

Obviously you aren't going to buy 14K in gear unless you feel the 10% gain is attainable. If not, then I'll be the first to call Zeph' a wonkers bonkers!

Hehehee!

You're right, if one isn't going to get an improvement in sound investing that much $$ what's the point? But the fact is with high quality speakers and high end source gear, going with anything less than a pre that will compliment them is wonkers bonkers


Seth