Denon has unveiled its new AVC-X8500HA, an upgraded version of its AVC-X8500H flagship AV amplifier, featuring 13 channels of 210W amplification and the latest 3D audio formats including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS:X Pro, IMAX Enhanced and Auro 3D.
Amongst various new updates, the AVC-X8500HA now features 8K/60Hz upscaling and pass-through, 4K/120Hz pass-through, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, HDCP 2.3, as well as other HDMI 2.1 technologies supporting 40Gbps transmission.
The improved ‘A’ spec Av amplifier now includes the latest HDMI technologies to give the best possible home cinema experience. Its 8K HDMI input enables 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through.
Featuring new HDR format support, it includes HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR, as well as a new HDMI feature called Quick Media Switching (QMS) to allow a source to instantly switch frate rate to eliminate screen blackout. Like the previous iteration, the AVC-X8500HA supports HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), and Dolby Vision, as well as 4:4:4 Pure Colour subsampling and BT.2020 pass-through, ensuring it delivers exceptional colour, clarity and contrast.
The upgrades will also benefit gamers, bringing razor-sharp motion clarity with 4K/120Hz pass-through and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to reduce frame tearing and improve overall precision. Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) reduce lag and improve stats.
To ensure viewers always have the best picture, the new amplifier can upscale existing HD and 4K content to 8K. It also continues to support eARC, allowing for lossless and object-based audio transmission like DTS:X and Dolby Atmos from TV apps or connected devices using a single HDMI cable.
For advanced multi-channel home cinema applications, the new amplifier adds support for DTS:X Pro, which will allow users to enjoy up to 13 channels of DTS:X decoding with speaker configuration such as 7.2.6 or 9.2.4. Listeners can also enjoy the latest in IMAX Enhanced films in 7.2.6 or 9.2.4 speaker configurations.
As well as DTS:X Pro, the Denon AVC-X8500HA features several other 3D audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Visualisation Technology, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, IMAX Enhanced, and Auro-3D out of the box. The latest height virtualisation technologies provide immersive audio without height channels, creating virtual height effects in a 7.1, 5.1 or 2.1 speaker arrangement.
This new model will eventually replace all existing Denon AVC-X8500H units, and current owners of the old versions will have the opportunity to upgrade the HDMI/Digital board within their AV amplifiers to obtain the same features as the new ‘A’ components. The upgrade can be booked by contacting an authorised Denon dealer and costs £649/€749/$599.
The new Denon AVC-X8500HA will be available next month priced at £3,699/€3,999/$4,299.