The Denon AVR-4308CI is loaded with connectivity
(Credit: Audioholics)We're slated to attend a Denon press event on July 24, where we'll almost certainly get the details on its new line of receivers, but it looks like the good guys over at Audioholics got on early look at a couple of the new models--the AVR-3808CI and AVR-4308CI. You can check out the full details at Audioholics, but here's the short story:
The AVR-3808CI comes loaded with four HDMI 1.3 inputs and a single HDMI output. It also features a new graphical user interface (GUI), and we're betting it probably looks like the leaked photos we blogged before. Like the new Onkyo receivers, the 3808 has built-in decoding for both Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, although prospective buyers should be aware that currently no Blu-ray or HD DVD player is capable of outputting these soundtracks' formats to the receiver in bitstream format. The 3808 can also upconvert analog signals to HDMI, along with scaling them to 1080p. Some enthusiasts have lamented that Denon decided to use Faroudja video processing on these models instead of HQV (seen on Onkyo's receivers, like the TX-SR875 and TX-NR905), but we'll withhold our judgment until we actually get our hands on it. There's also an Ethernet jack, and you'll be able to stream digital music files and Internet radio to the receiver. The Ethernet jack also enables custom installers to log into your receiver and make adjustments offsite.
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Onkyo TX-SR605: HDMI 1.3 and next-gen surround decoding, for an amazing $600
(Credit: Onkyo USA)For the past 12 to 18 months, astute readers may have noticed an increased bit of hedging in our reviews for AV receivers. Yes, even low-end receivers offer more features and flexibility than $1,500 models did just three or four years ago and yes, there are plenty of great-sounding receivers available out there at great prices. But smart shoppers looking for a no-compromise, future-proof AV receiver have been stymied, even if they've been willing to pay upwards of $2,000.
At least, that was the case--until today. Onkyo has become the first mainstream manufacturer to officially announce an array of home audio products that offer the two big features that have been MIA on home audio products to date: HDMI 1.3; and onboard decoding of Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks found on HD DVD and Blu-ray discs. The news itself wasn't a surprise, as most of the details had been leaked on the Web earlier this month. And there is no doubt that other manufacturers will be announcing similarly equipped receivers in the next few weeks and months. But because specs, pricing, and availability have been confirmed, we can now say authoritatively that Onkyo looks to be offering some of the most exciting--and surprisingly affordable--A/V receivers seen in recent years. ... Read more
There are some very enterprising members on AVS Forum. Poster "Ohgami" did some digging around the Internet to find some new information about Onkyo's upcoming receivers and happened to stumble upon specs for the entire 2007 lineup. Read all the details of his Onkyo receiver search (plus a very detailed post), or we've edited down the most important info below. We're not 100 percent sure this information is correct, and of course Onkyo has the ability to change the specs before the products are actually released, but we'll find out for sure at Onkyo's upcoming press event on April 24. For now, this looks legitimate to our eyes and we're pretty impressed at first glance.
Is this blurry photo really Onkyo's flagship TX-NR905 receiver?
(Credit: CNET Networks)TX-SR505
7.1 A/V receiver
$299, shipping April 16-20
2 HDMI 1.3 inputs
HDMI switching, but no mention of analog upconversion
TX-SR575
7.1 A/V receiver
$399, currently available
2 HDMI 1.3 inputs
HDMI switching
Component video upconversion
XM and Sirius ports
TX-SR605
7.1 A/V receiver
$499, shipping in May
2 HDMI 1.3a inputs, with HDMI upconversion
HDMI switching
Faroudja DCDi video processing
Component video upconversion
On-board decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
TX-SR705
7.1 A/V receiver
$799, shipping in June
3 HDMI 1.3a inputs, with HDMI upconversion
HDMI switching
Component video upconversion
Faroudja DCDi video processing
On-board decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
THX Select2 Certified
TX-SR805
7.1 A/V receiver
$999, shipping in June
3 HDMI 1.3a inputs, with HDMI upconversion
HDMI switching
Component video upconversion
Faroudja DCDi video processing
On-board decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
THX Select2 Certified
Multiroom functionality for three zones
TX-SR875
7.1 A/V receiver
$1599, shipping in July
4 HDMI 1.3a inputs, with HDMI upconversion
HDMI switching
Component video upconversion
HQV Reon-VX Video processing
On-board decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
THX Select2 Certified
Multiroom functionality for three zones
TX-NR905
7.1 A/V receiver
$1999, shipping in August
4 HDMI 1.3a inputs, with HDMI upconversion, plus 2 HDMI outputs
HDMI switching
Component video upconversion
HQV Reon-VX Video processing
On-board decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
THX Select2 Certified
Multiroom functionality for three zones
Networking capabilities for Internet radio and WMA files
This morning Sony rolled out a new line of entry-level A/V receivers with HDMI connectivity. Unfortunately the press release didn't announce many of the details we're interested in--such as the number of HDMI inputs or video upconversion specifics--but we were able to get a broad outline of what the new line will look like.
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Sony STR-DG510
(Credit: Sony)The STR-DG510 is a 6.1 channel receiver and is the least featured of the bunch. The release states that it offers 1080i pass-through, which means it probably won't be able to accept 1080p signals. It is XM Connect and Play-ready, so you'll only need to connect a XM Mini-Tuner to get reception--with a subscription, of course. Also included is the Digital Cinema Auto Calibration system, which should assist in setting the levels for your speakers. There's also the Portable Audio Enhancer, which supposedly makes compressed audio files--such as MP3s--sound better, although we haven't had any success with similar features in the past. Sony claims the STR-DG510 will deliver 100 watts to each of the channels. The STR-DG510 will be available in March with a list price of about $200.
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Sony STR-DG710
(Credit: Sony)
Sony STR-DG810
(Credit: Sony)The STR-DG710 and STR-DG810 also are 6.1 receivers and are the step-up models to the STR-DG510. Sony claims the STR-DG710 will deliver 105 watts to each channel, and the STR-DG810 steps it up to 110 watts per channels. The two receivers both offer HDMI "Active Intelligence," which supposedly is capable of detecting incoming signals and optimizing the receiver's settings. They both also offer a step-up to 1080p compatibility and also are capable of accepting up to eight channels of uncompressed digital audio over the HDMI connection. Sony also is touting the new Digital Media Port feature, which allows consumers to interface with any one of four accessories (sold separately) that provide connectivity to iPods, Bluetooth-enabled audio devices (such as Sony Ericsson's Walkman music phones), streaming network audio, or Sony's own Network Walkman portable music player. Also new for 2007 is what Sony calls "Bravia Theater Sync"--that's the company's proprietary name for Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), a feature that lets similarly supported products operate with each other when connected via HDMI. When properly implemented, it allows (for instance) a connected TV to power up and automatically switch to the correct input when the DVD player is selected. Like the DG510, both models will be XM Connect and Play-ready. The STR-DG710 and the STR-DG810 will be released in March with list prices of approximately $300 and $400, respectively.
Sony STR-DG910
(Credit: Sony)The STR-DG910 is a 7.1 AV receiver and is the most fully featured of these new models. It includes the functionality of the step-down models, but also adds onscreen setup. The STR-DG910 will be available in April for about $500.
The Denon AVR-4308CI--maybe
(Credit: Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity)
One of the big surprises at CES 2007 was what we didn't see in the home-theater space. Despite expectations that a slew of next-gen A/V receivers would debut, Sherwood Newcastle was the only brand of note to announce a receiver offering HDMI 1.3 connectivity and built-in support for Blu-ray and HD DVD-friendly Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD decoding. But now that CES is history and the 2007 product cycle is ramping up, details on new receivers are finally starting to leak out: Home Theater Blog posted details on five new Denon receivers that it says will debut in the summer.
According to the site, Denon's "08" model line will be released in two phases: two high-end models in July, followed by three more affordable models in September. Both the $2,500 AVR-4308CI and $1,600 AVR-3808CI are said to include four HDMI 1.3 inputs, support for internal Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio decoding, built-in Ethernet connectivity for digital media steaming (plus Wi-Fi on the AVR-4308CI), and redesigned graphical user interfaces (not unlike the one found on the Sony STR-DA5200ES). Supposedly, they'll be followed two months later by the AVR-1508, the AVR-1708, and the AVR-2808. The 2808 allegedly will offer the same HDMI 1.3 support and internal Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD decoding as the higher-end models. While the 1508 and the 1708 will lose the onboard next-generation audio decoders (like today's receivers, they should accept linear PCM soundtracks via HDMI with no problem), they will retain HDMI 1.3 compatibility.
That sounds like yet another impressive receiver lineup from Denon, but there's a big caveat: The company issued a firm "no comment" when we asked about the rumors. That said, a little creative searching reveals that these details jibe with at least some of the information that Denon revealed behind closed doors at CES. Furthermore, the July to September timetable lines up with the summer/fall release schedule that Denon has adopted in recent years, allowing the company to showcase its refreshed product line at September's CEDIA trade show (note last year's July 26 announcement, for example). Likewise, it's widely believed that the components needed for this new generation of receivers--the chipsets and core electronics that enable HDMI 1.3, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD decoding, and next-generation analog/digital video conversion--won't be available to any manufacturer until spring at the earliest. (It's no coincidence that Sherwood Newcastle's HDMI 1.3 receivers are scheduled for release during that same summer time frame; other brands will be joining the pack as well.)
So while this news remains firmly in the rumor category, it certainly has a strong whiff of verisimilitude. While the details (such as pricing and exact features) are likely to change, we're betting that the new Denons will be pretty close to what's being reported on Home Theater Blog. Each of the alleged models--the AVR-4308CI, the 3808CI, the 2808, the 1708, and the 1508--look to be feasible updates of the existing AVR-4306, AVR-3806, AVR-2807, AVR-1707, and AVR-1507 (two of which are CNET Editors' Choice recipients). At least, we're hoping these rumors turn out to be true. If they're anything close to the leaked specs, these receivers will be the most crave-worthy home audio products in a long time.
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