New Denon Receivers Boast Anchor Bay Upscaling

Denon AVR3311

Denon’s latest high-end a/v receivers, which have just gone on sale here for under $2,500, include Anchor Bay video wizardry.

The AVR-2311 and AVR-3311 are 7.2 channel receivers with HDMI 1.4a for 3D pass-through capability, Deep Color, x.v.Color, Auto Lip Sync and HDMI control functions.

More important, for HD buffs, is their video prowess: they have the Anchor Bay ABT2015 chipset to upscale SD digital and analogue video sources to near-HD resolution.

This and the Audio Return Channel, which re-routes the TV’s audio back to the receiver, allow a single HDMI connection between the receiver and the TV.

The receivers also have full colour on-screen displays that are output via the same HDMI cable (the AVR-2311 has one HDMI output, while the AVR-3311 has two HDMI outputs that can be selected from the remote control).

As well as latest HD audio formats, there’s Dolby Pro Logic IIz for creating three-dimensional sound with the addition of front height speakers.

Both receivers offer Audyssey Dynamic Volume, MultEQ and Auto Setup for room customisation, with the AVR-3311 using the latest MultEQ XT processing for professional-level calibration.

Denon’s also included AL24 Processing Plus on the AVR-3311. Usually found on Denon’s top-of-the-range audio components, it effectively delivers 24 bit sound quality from 16 bit sources, and supports sample frequencies of up to 192 kHz.

Denon says it has equipped these receivers to be the heart of a home entertainment system.

Both are fully multi-zone capable, with the AVR-2311 being 2-source/2-zone, and the AVR-3311 being 3-source/3-zone.

The power amplifiers can be configured so a second zone can be powered by two amplifier channels, leaving five channels for the main theatre room. (The AVR-3311 comes with a second remote control for use in another zone.)

There’s a USB input for iPods and iPhones, and Denon claims the calibre of receivers’ digital to audio converter and their compressed audio restorer circuitry will “breathe new life” into compressed music files by re-instating the harmonics that are lost when music is compressed.

The iPod or iPhone can be played in other zones using the receiver’s remote control, further enhancing the multi-room capabilities of these receivers. (iPad, iPhone and iTouch users can download a free app for controlling the AVR-3311 from the iTunes store.)

The AVR-3311 adds advanced network features, including internet radio streaming with VTuner support; flickr, Napster and Last.fm online support and DLNA Network audio/photo streaming via Ethernet.

Both models are ideal for custom installations because of their RS232 capability with AMX, Control 4 and Crestron support, 12V trigger outputs (x2 on the AVR-3311) and IR remote in/out ports.

The AVR-3311 is IP addressable and has a web interface for remote PC or iPhone-based setup and management so many issues can be resolved without needing to physically visit a customer’s home.

Other notable features offered by the new receivers are: fully discrete, identical power for all channels (AVR-2311: 105W x 7; AVR-3311: 125W x 7, all @ 8 ohms, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, THD 0.05%); newly designed remote control with three quick select buttons; remote setup guidance via on-screen display; and low standby power consumption of only 0.1W.

The receivers are available in black or silver from Denon specialist dealers; the AVR-2311 sells for $1,999 and the AVR-3311 for $2,499.

Each is covered by a two-year warranty with an additional year of warranty provided when consumers register their purchase online with the distributor, Audio Products Group.

Further information is available at www.denon.co.nz.

Denon AVR2311