Tuning in to Denon's 2009 line of AV receivers

Denon always unveils its new AV receivers a little later than competitors, and on Monday the company announced its new 2009 lineup. Like other manufacturers, Denon is offering more features at lower price points, including high-resolution audio decoding (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio), Dolby Pro Logic IIz processing, and analog video upconversion on every receiver. Let's take a look at the new lineup.

Denon's 2009 AV receivers--photos

Key features of the Denon AVR-590:

• 5.1 channel AV receiver
• Three HDMI inputs
• Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Pro Logic IIz decoding
• Upconverts analog video signals over HDMI to 480p
• Text-based onscreen display
• Two component video inputs
• No S-Video inputs
• Three digital audio inputs (two optical, one coaxial)
• Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Dynamic Volume
• $350 list price, available in June

Key step-up features of the Denon AVR-1610:

• Custom installer-friendly version of the AVR-590
• $380 list price, available in May

Key step-up features of the Denon AVR-790:

• 7.1 AV receiver
• Four HDMI inputs
• Upconverts analog video signals over HDMI to 1080p
• HDMI-HDMI video scaling
• Three digital audio inputs (two optical, two coaxial)
• 7.1 analog audio inputs
• Sirius-ready
• $500 list price, available in June

Key step-up features of the Denon AVR-1910:

• Custom installer-friendly version of the AVR-790
• $550 list price, available in May

Key step-up features of the Denon AVR-890:

• Five HDMI inputs
• Full graphical user interface (GUI) menu system
• Phono input
• Three AV inputs with S-Video
• Second zone functionality
• $800 list price, available in June

Key step-up features of the AVR-2310CI:

• Custom installer-friendly version of the AVR-890
• $850 list price, available in June

Key step-up features of the Denon AVR-990:

• Networking functionality via Ethernet
• Rhapsody and Napster streaming supported
• Access to over 7,500 internet radio stations
• Stream music from a connected PC
• Built-in HD radio
• USB front input
• $1,500 list price, available in July

Key step-up features of the Denon AVR-3310CI:

• Custom installer-friendly version of the AVR-990
• $1,500 list price, available in June

Key step-up features of the Denon AVR-4310CI:

• Six HDMI inputs, including one front panel input
• Two HDMI outputs
• XM- and Sirius-ready
• First AV receiver with Audyssey DSX processing
• Connect iPod directly via USB
• $2,000 list price, available in May

That's a lot to swallow at once, but here are our big takeaways.

Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, and analog upconversion on all models
Yes, even the entry-level Denon AVR-590 come packed with a full suite of features. While that's obviously a nice bullet point for Denon from a marketing perspective, it also translates into value for consumers as the AVR-590 compares favorably with similarly priced receivers like the Sony STR-DH800 and Onkyo TX-SR507.

No more Faroudja video processing
One of the minor knocks we had against last year's AVR-1909 was that its video processing was only average. Denon is looking to improve on analog upconversion video quality this year, and is dropping Faroudja in favor of Anchor Bay or proprietary video processing chips. We won't know how the new receivers will perform until we get them in for testing, but we're happy to see manufacturers finally addressing subpar video quality from AV receivers.

Same frustrating remotes
We consistently knock Denon for included confusing remotes with its receivers, and there looks to be no major changes this year. That means buyers may want to build in the cost of a quality universal remote when considering a Denon.

[ive_got_issues]

I'm excited to play with the new models of Denons. I'm a custom home installer and I absolutely love Denon. They are by far my favorite amps for both functionality and quality. The thing I do not understand is everyone's beef with Denon's remotes and setup. I was setting up a Pioneer Elite amplifier today and I was very close to letting out a string of profanities at a customer's house. The remotes are super easy to use and the setup is simple if you use the auto-setup mic. The remote are good because once you've set-up your receiver you don't need all the buttons on the reverse side. And obviously they arent as easy to setup as a HTIB but you obviously cant get the same functionality or sound quality. I cringe when I have to listen to a HTIB.

[lorax1284]

I agree: I have the 3808CI and the "touchscreen" remote is no more complicated than any other multi-device remote I've ever used. I have issues with their GUI (as a user interface designer, I'd love to consult with them... for FREE if they'd allow me a free upgrade of my GUI!) but don't blame the remote for the GUI shortcomings.

[kalel130]

Never a HUGE fan of Denon but I have no complaints with the features on these price points. 790 looks pretty good for an average enthusiast.

[acelovesjack]

I agree that the mic is great for setting up the speakers but the remotes that I have seen and tried to use on Denon models are almost impossible to use. It's obvious that the same teams that designed the amps had little or nothing to so with designing the remote. Some great features at really nice price points.

[molotov]

My 9 year old Marantz blows any of these doo-buggers out of the water.

2,000 HDMI inputs, 1,000 HDMI outputs... Who cares, people!

[viper396]

People who want to enjoy HD Bluray playback with full Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master sound would care.

Either way, your opinion is irrelevent. You couldn't have listened to or tried out these receivers yet here you are trying to pass off your biased opinion about a 9 year old Marantz. (ancient as far as technology goes)

[jscott418]

I have had a AVR 2106 for a few years and I was not impressed with Denon and it's sound. Coming from a Yamaha system I was not feeling the love for Denon's volume control which through the remote adjusted to fast. It's had two trips to the shop with unusual speaker output failure. One thing I have learned that AV receivers try to do too much with too little. Cheap receivers that do a lot do not do anything real well. I realized this after buying a two channel Yamaha to use while the AVR 2106 was sent out for repairs. I almost kept the Yamaha in the system and stored the Denon because it was a much better sound. Bass was more punchy and sound was cleaner. No doubt this was due to less filtering and electronics. It then became more apparent to me that AV receivers are not the best for sound especially if you do not go for the higher end of their price range. You do compromise with these theatre receivers.

[mustangjoey]

As a guy very interested in buying a new AVR I have never had such a hard time to find a receiver that has most of things that I would like for under $600. USB, dual zone, 4 hdmi input minimum, 100w plus per channel, not have an over heating rep. would be great. I've been holding out for over 2-3 months waiting for the new releases (Sony, Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo). Without more info, it seem that these Denons are either less for less or more for more to me. The AVR 3808 would be perfect, without ethernet and around $600 would be awesome. Any suggestions?

[paulvieth]

I am doing and looking for the same thing. Ive narrowed my search to this new denon 2310($850), the yamaha RX-V765($650), and the pineer VSX-1019 AH-K ($499). Have you come across anything else since you posted this?

[J G M]

No information on power capabilities or amplifier type (discrete or IC)?

Also, someone above refers to the "mic" setup, which does not seem to be mentioned in the article. One thing that has led me to favor Yamaha A/V receivers over Denon is their auto-calibration feature using a microphone at the listening area. Has Denon added this, and how well does it work (that is, does it do speaker volume balancing only or also equalization and delay settings)?

[chrispatrik]

I have a 3 year old Denon AVR 4306 that does everything that you describe, so I suppose it exists on at least some of the newer models.

[lordnykkon]

Is it just me, or does it look like there's an S-Video input next to the anolg video, on the back panel of the Denon AVR-790 (pic 6 of the slideshow)? This would be a nice feature for legacy VCR and DVD players or older pc graphics cards, especially since Yamaha and Sony doesn't seem to offer any S-Video at the same price point. Also, are there 3 or 4 digital audio inputs (slideshow pic is small)? Thoughts?

[blppt]

All else aside, Denon knows how to make a good looking receiver....the one above is very nicely styled.

[MARS2025]

I currently have a Harmon Kardon AVR. I like HK's refined look and sound as opposed to Denon. Over the years I think Denon lost some of its luster when it started making lower end receivers. I think almost any receiver can sound great when viewing movies, but when it comes to music the better AVR's separate themselves from the pack. Maybe these new Denon model's will change my opinion.

[make_or_break]

Meh...

My now ancient (tech) AVR-3805 had served me reasonably well, but I never was in love with its sound performance. When I did an A/V refresh this past Christmas--mostly for connectivity (HDMI) issues--I went downmarket instead with Marantz's SR5003 mostly because of its sonic capabilities over comparably priced Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo and Harmon Kardon units. Side to side against my old Denon (which was actually targeted to a higher price category when new as is its successor 3808CI is now), the cheaper Marantz really does account for itself quite well in almost all aspects, and it really does sound more natural and and "analog" than my Denon. While the AVR-3808CI that now succeeds my old unit is nice-sounding and an improvement over my 3805, it's also now priced at $1700 (ah, inflation and the weak dollar...), and that's too much for me to willingly pay for any RECEIVER, particularly in the tough times we're having now.

I know Marantz is a kissing cousin to Denon (heck, that's what the 'D' and 'M' in D-M Holdings stands for, after all), but as far as my ears are concerned the Marantz side of the house still does audio much sweeter with its A/V receivers than the Denon side.

The reviewer recommends replacing the remote, but doesn't give any alternatives or what would be gained. I'm not crazy about the remote either, but what have other Denon owners used that's better and why? I've got a 2808Ci that has one feature I'm not in love with: with the PS3 connected via HDMI, as soon as I power it on, the receiver automatically switches over to it. Further, if the PS3 is on, no other input can be listened to. Handy sometimes, but not always what I want to do with the setup I have.

[paulvieth]

Anyone heard of when the new AVR-2310 will begin shipping? Denon has been very slow to update their website with specs or any other information ?