Celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, Denon has introduced the first 8K-ready AV receivers to launch a new generation of home cinema, music and gaming.
Adding to its renowned line of X-Series AVRs, Denon has announced the AVC-X6700H, AVC-X4700H, AVC-X3700H, and AVR-X2700H to prepare home theatres for the future 8K formats.
Taking advantage of the latest HDMI technologies, the new Denon X-Series AV amplifiers and receivers have a dedicated 8K HDMI input to enable 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through, new HDR format support including HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR, and a new HDMI feature called Quick Media Switching (QMS), which allows a source to instantly switch the resolution or frame rate to eliminate screen blackout.
The latest models in the X-Series still also support HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) and Dolby vision, as well as 4:4:4 Pure Colour subsampling and BT.2020 pass-through.
Not only for the future of home cinema, the new AV amplifiers and receivers are ideal for gaming, introducing several new features to give gamers an edge, including sharp motion clarity with 4K/120Hz pass-through and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to reduce frame tearing and improve overall precision.
The Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) are features designed to reduce lag and improve stats.
When gaming on an 8K-ready TV, the Denon X-Series can also upscale existing HD and 4K content to 8K.
Denon's AVC-X4700H
In order to replicate the best home cinema experience, the new AVR models continue to support eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel), which delivers uncompressed and object-based audio from the TV to the receiver via a single HDMI cable. TVs play video directly from TV apps at best available picture quality – either 4K or 8K – while the receiver identifies the best available surround format for decoding.
On the audio side, Denon’s AVC-X6700H and AVC-X4700H supports virtually all 3D audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualisation Technology, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, IMAX Enhanced and Auro-3D out-of-box.
The AVC-X6700H also supports DTS:X Pro, allowing users to have up to 13 channels of DTS:X decoding with speaker configurations such as 7.2.6 or 9.2.4. Thanks to newly adopted 13.2 channel processing capabilities with external amplification, users can also enjoy the latest in IMAX Enhanced films in 7.2.6 or 9.2.4 speaker configurations. The DTS:X Pro feature will be delivered via firmware update later this year.
The AVC-X6700H supports 11 channels of amplification with 13.2 channel processing, while both the AVC-X4700H and the AVC-X3700H support up to nine channels of amplification and 11.2 channel processing. The AVR-X2700H supports up to seven channels of amplification.
Denon’s AVC-X6700H and the AVC-X4700H both support Auro-3D engine. Both receivers and the AVC-X3700H also support IMAX Enhanced decoding.
Denon's AVC-X3700H
Previously only found on Denon’s flagship AVC-X8500H, Denon has added support for a new Pre-Amplifier mode for the AVC-X3700H, AVC-X4700H and AVC-X6700H. This provides a clear signal path and more tolerance in clipping levels by disconnecting internal amplifiers when the receiver is used as an AV processor and all speakers are powered by external amplifiers.
For music lovers, the X-Series AVRs have music streaming capabilities thanks to built-in HEOS, meaning they can stream wirelessly across compatible HEOS components from a variety of streaming services.
It also allows wireless multiroom listening, enabling users to play the same song in all connected rooms or a different song in each room. By adding Denon Home speakers throughout the house, homeowners can use the HEOS app to control music playing. As well as the built-in HEOS, Apple AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth are also supported. Apple Music can be streamed through AirPlay 2.
Denon’s new X-Series models are Roon Tested certified, enabling owners can use the advanced Roon music interface on their PCs and smart devices. The Roon Tested AVRs can be found and set up by Roon via AirPlay 2 or hardwired into a Roon Core device.
As well as hi-res network audio streaming, each receiver also features a front-panel USB port that offers convenient audio playback of MP3 and high-resolution audio formats (WAV, FLAC, ALAC, and DSD 2.8/5.6MHz files).
Denon's AVR-X2700H
Homeowners can also connect the X-Series AVRs up to their Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple Siri to control using voice commands. Amazon Alexa users have a variety of commands, including switching inputs for different media players, while the Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri can be used to adjust the volume, skip to the next track, and more.
Denon’s award-winning Setup Assistant visually guides users through each step in the setup process. Denon then uses room calibration technology from Audyssey that automatically takes precise measurements and optimises the receiver’s performance, providing a 3D audio experience uniquely tailored to the acoustic properties of the space.
The AVR-X2700H supports Audyssey MultEQ XT while the rest of the models supports Audyssey MultEQ XT32, as well as subEQ HT for independent subwoofer calibration for more balanced and controlled bass performance. The Audyssey MultEQ Editor app is available for purchase for customers who want more customisation options.
Supporting the newly adopted Dual Speaker Setup Preset function, the 2020 X-Series models can store and instantly switch between two speaker configurations. For example, users can store both the Audyssey calibration result straight from the receiver and a customised MultEQ curve or frequency range made through the Audyssey MultEQ editor app on the receiver simultaneously, allowing users to easily compare differences and select their preference. Listeners can also perform Audyssey measurements for two different speaker settings, including 2.0 for music listening and 5.1.4 for movie surround.
Denon’s AVR-X2700H is available now, priced at £599 / €729. The AVC-X3700H will be available in August for £999 / €1099, while the AVC-X4700H and the AVC-X6700H will both be available in July, priced at £1,399 / €1699 and £2,299 / €2799 respectively.