Denon AVR 2311

If you're looking for something less expensive than the 3312 (not much more than half the street cost!), consider Denon's AVR 2311.  You won't get the network connection for internet radio, but you'll still get a HD radio receiver (as well as AM and FM, of course) and great sound.

Aside from networking and a bit less power (105 watts per channel, 735 watts total) the specs and features for the 2311 are largely the same as for the 3312.  There's a long list of Dolby capabilities, including TrueHD, Digital Surround EX, ProLogic IIz, and more.  The AVR-2311 also includes Audyssey DynamicEQ and MultiEQ.  So this receiver can also automatically equalize it's response to get the best out of your speakers and your room acoustics.  You'll also get enhanced surround-sound and bass at low volume levels.

For video you have 6 HDMI 1.4a inputs, as well as a couple of analog inputs.  All sources are upscaled to 1080p and converted from interlaced to progressive scan.  Plus all the digital video capabilities are 3D compatible.

Owners are generally very happy they chose this receiver, and many independent reviewers claim better sound quality than similarly priced receivers from Yamaha and Onkyo.

Denon AVR 3312

The Denon AVR 3312 has been out for almost half a year now.  It appears the growing pains may have been worked out.  What pains?  The 3312 was starting to get a reputation for crashing during lenghty internet firmware updates.  And that meant having to send it in for "repairs."  Although covered by the warranty, most people were still stuck with some $25 in shipping charges.

With that fixed, the 3312 is a nice improvement over the 3311 by including Airplay at no charge.  That was previously a $50 upgrade.  That plus the iPod-compatible USB interface and the ability to control this receiver with any device with an internet browser makes it super-flexible.  The trade-off is that the new model no longer has an optical digital audio output.  But very few people use that.  Other than that, the new model has all the quality and feature-rich goodness of the old one.  Another nice feature is the quick-set buttons as shown below.

Update

After being out for nearly a year, the Denon 3312 is finally being discounted.  At around 1/4 off the list price, it's now just about exactly the same street price as the 3311 with the AirPlay adder.  This new model adds FLAC compatability and a 7th HDMI input.  But you loose the 2nd zone remote, dedicated satellite radio input, and optical audio output.  But for me the AVR 3312 is a clear winner over its predecessor.

Denon Home Entertainment Receivers are Packed with High-Tech Capabilities

Maybe you have seen many Denon receivers in big-box and other discount retailers. If you are interested inlooking for high-quality sound, do not count them out. Denon is actually renowned for the excellent sound along with a lot of capabilities you may well anticipate paying far more to get. Evaluating audio quality is subjective - you have to consider customer evaluations and if at all possible listen closely oneself so that you can really be certain. This will be especially true pertaining to music listening. So instead let's look at some specific features..

Most Denon equipment is able to select from 4 to 6 HDMI 1.4a ports. This means it can serve as the switching hub for your entier audio-video system.  You can connect your high-definition TV to a blu-ray player, DVD/CD player, cable box, and game system.  All with only a single cable each. Newer mocels feature compatibility with Windows 7 Media which lets you to stream sound from a laptop or PC. Some products come with a “learning” remote control. In many instances this enables you to replace all your hand-held remotes with just the particular one from Denon.

Dolby surround-sound audio processing occurs in quite a few different versions, and Denon receivers incorporate practically all of them. Low-cost products supply 5.1 channel surround sound (a pair of front side loudspeakers, 2 backside speakers, a center-front speaker plus a sub-woofer). Other products add another pair of audio speakers plus up to two sub-woofers to supply 7.2 channel audio. The extra loudspeakers may be placed in front to provide a vertical-dimension of sound, or alternatively utilized in order to supply stereo audio in a separate room. Dolby audio processing, at one time restricted to hiss plus noise reduction, today decodes supplemental sound channels to get a stunning home-cinema experience.

Audyssey digital audio processing improves quality of sound in a number of techniques for several models.  DynamicEQ modifies both tone as well as surround-sound at low volumes. Without it you may well miss much of the bass for lower volume, and may perhaps not notice any surround-sound effects whatsoever. Receivers having Audyssey multiEQ accomplish substantially more. Using the included mike, your receiver will determine the room's response on multiple frequencies as well as locations. Using this data it can then adjust dozens of tone settings to get the best audio possible. Even better than what you would probably have after paying for professional set-up. You can often avoid a new speaker upgrade by letting this automatic equalization get the most out of your existing speakers.

Home network interfaces are built in  some products, linking your home-entertainment system into the home network and also the web. With that feature it is possible to listen to internet radio, which includes Pandora, Napster, and more, with out any sort of laptop or computer directly connected. You may in addition access stored digital audio data files. Some of the latest models even will let you manage the receiver from almost any networked device which has a internet browser.

Denon additionally listens to Apple buffs, especially in receivers like the Denon AVR 3312. Many models incorporate a USB interface that will work with Apple iPods as well as iPhones. Some receivers can work with a cost-free Denon application that will allows you control on/off, volume, and source selection via your iPhone. A few the latest products actually have Airplay wireless streaming built-in.

Current a/v equipment incorporate a number of wonderful features in order to deliver superior audio and also hook up your entertainment center to your home network and also the World Wide Web. Unless you happen to be among those rare individuals having “golden ears” there's really no reason to shell out much more than a 1000 bucks for a home theater receiver. And a lot of people are going to be happy with a Denon home theater receiver costing half or maybe even a third of that.