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Denon Offers Up New Batch of A/V Receivers for 2022 Including $6500 Flagship, the AVR-A1H

By Chris Boylan

The Japanese AVR maker is back and ready to rock your home theater in 2022

On the eve of the 2022 CEDIA Expo, Denon has just announced a new batch of Audio/Video Receivers (AVRs). They're compatible with the latest 8K video sources and displays and many include support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced and AURO 3D immersive surround sound formats. Also, all new models include HEOS on-board for simplified whole home multi-room music playback. Some will even offer a software update to support Dirac Live room correction, one of the best calibration and room correction tools on the market.

"With our new lineup, Denon has an AVR that is perfect for every consumer and each unique application," said Trip Randall, Denon president. "Leveraging our brand heritage as an industry leader in both home theater and Hi-Fi, Denon has achieved a level of performance, build quality and overall value that simply cannot be matched."

Here's the complete line-up.

A-Series

The AVR-A1H ($6,499) is the company's latest flagship receiver and it looks like a true beast. This 15.4-channel receiver includes fifteen channels of amplification on-board and four independently controlled subwoofer outputs. Inside you'll find Denon's most powerful power transformer, carefully selected parts, and hefty, high-rigidity construction. The AVR-A1H is sure to deliver a professional cinematic experience in your home theater.

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The AVR-A1H is Denon's new flagship receiver.

All of the top immersive surround sound formats are available here including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced, 360 Reality, MPEG H and AURO 3D surround sound. You can configure the system for any speaker layout up to 9.4.6 (nine speakers at ear level, four powered subs and six height speakers). The A1H ships with Audyssey MultEQ XT 32 calibration on-board and will be eligible for an upgrade that includes DIRAC Live support in March of 2023 via an optional software update.

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Denon's flagship AVR-A1H sports a ridiculous number of A/V inputs of all kinds. If you can fill every one, you may need to seek professional help.

For video, the AVR-A1H includes HDMI 2.1 inputs and outputs with HDCP 2.3 support at resolutions up to 8K/60Hz or 4K/120 Hz. There are seven HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs (2 main outputs, and one for a second zone), You'll also find plenty of analog audio and video inputs (including a turntable input) as well as coax and fiberoptic digital inputs for compatibility with older gear. The AVR-A1H receiver supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) signals in HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR formats. It can upconvert incoming video content to 1080p, 4K or 8K.

X-Series

AVR-X4800H ($2,499): This 9.4 channel AV receiver pumps out 125 Watts/channel, with nine channels of amplification and support for up to four independent subwoofers. The on-board processor actually can handle up to 11.4 channels (a 7.4.4 speaker layout), but if you want to max that out, you'll need to add a 2-channel power amp. For surround sound, in addition to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding, the unit supports IMAX Enhanced, 360 Reality, MPEG H and Auro 3D content for maximum compatibility. The unit includes on-board Audyssey MultEQ XT 32 calibration and is eligible for DIRAC Live upgradability with a future software update.

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Denon AVR-X4800H

The X4800H supports 8K sources with HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.3. It includes seven HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs - two main 8k-compatible outputs and a 4K Zone 2 HDMI output for a separate room or zone. It supports all current HDR formats including HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR.

AVR-X3800H ($1,699): With 105 Watts per channel, and nine built in amplifier channels, the Denon AVR-X3800H supports a 9.4 speaker layout (5.4.4 or 7.4.2). Like its big brother, the X3800H can support up to an 11.4 channel configuration (7.4.4 speaker layout) but only if you add a 2-channel power amp for the last two channels. As far as audio codecs, the X3800H supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced, 360 Reality, MPEG H and Auro 3D content. The unit includes on-board Audyssey MultEQ XT32 calibration and is eligible for the Dirac Live upgrade with a future software update (requires separate license fee). This is the most affordable Denon receiver that is eligible for the Dirac upgrade.

> Check Out the Denon AVR-X3800H on Amazon

For video, the X3800H supports 8K sources and displays with HDMI 2.1 and HDCP 2.3. It includes six HDMI inputs and three HDMI outputs: two main 8k-compatible outputs and a 4K-compatible Zone 2 HDMI output for a separate zone or room. The unit handles all of the popular HDR formats: HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR.

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Denon AVR-X3800H

AVR-X2800H ($1,199): With 95 Watts per channel, the Denon AVR-X2800H includes 7 built in amps. For Dolby Atmos, you can do a 5.1.2 speaker layout. If you prefer, you can go with a traditional 7.1 channel layout (no height channels) or a 5.1 channel system with a separate powered zone 2. The X2800H supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive surround but not the more obscure 360 Reality or Auro 3D formats. It does support 8K sources but only on 3 of its 6 HDMI ports. The other 3 HDMI inputs support sources with up to 4K resolution. It offers two HDMI outputs, both with 8K support (HDCP 2.3/HDMI 2.1). It supports all current HDR formats including HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR.

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Denon AVR-X2800H

AVR-X580BT ($399): The Denon AVR-X580BT is a budget-priced entry-level AV receiver for those looking for basic 5.1-channel surround sound. Five amplification channels are built in rated at 70 watts per channel. The unit supports Bluetooth sources, hence the "BT" in its model number. The receiver supports 8K sources with 3 HDCP 2.3-compliant HDMI inputs and one output.

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Denon AVR-X580BT

S-Series

AVR-S970H ($899): Offering 90W per channel power, the Denon AVR-S970H is a 7.2 channel AV receiver with support for DTS:X and Dolby Atmos immersive surround sound with a 5.1.2 layout. Like the AVR-X2800H, the S970H supports 8K sources but only on 3 of its 6 HDMI ports. But that's a step up from its predecessor the 960H, which only supported 8K resolution on one of its inputs. The other 3 HDMI inputs support sources with up to 4K resolution. It offers two HDMI outputs, both with 8K support (HDCP 2.3/HDMI 2.1). And it supports all current HDR formats including HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR. The unit will not be eligible for the DIRAC Live update but it does include Audyssey MultEQ calibration.

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Denon AVR-S970H

AVR-S570BT ($399): Similar to the X580BT, the S570BT puts out 70 Watts per channel, and supports 5.1 channel surround. The unit supports Bluetooth sources, and can accept 8K video sources with 3 HDCP 2.3-compliant HDMI inputs and one output. The Denon AVR-S570BT is available in North America only.

For more information on the entire Denon product line and market availability, visit www.denon.com.

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