The inclusion of object-based surround sound capabilities and updated inputs supporting HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 copy protection, mark some the latest advances in a spate of recent audio/video receiver (AVR) unveilings. Targeting retail deliveries this month and into the fall are new models from: Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Pioneer and Yamaha.
For our roundup of some of the latest receivers click on the jump:
Denon recently revealed four AVRs across two series, the entry S and step-up X. All four models offer 7.2- channel surround and ship with built-in support for Dolby Atmos object-based surround sound designed with height channels and the ability to make sound appear to follow on-screen objects around the room. All four models will also support the competing DTS:X object-based surround system later this year through a firmware update.
The X, or IN-Command, series models include the AVR-X1200W ($599) and the AVR-X2200W ($799). The entry S series models include the: AVR-S710W ($479) and AVR-S910W ($580), pictured above.
Denon is including in all four models the latest HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 inputs, with support on all HDMI inputs for forthcoming 4K Ultra HD high dynamic range (HDR) metadata. They will also support an 18Mbps bandwidth, and content carrying 4K/60p frame rates, REC. 2020 color gamut and 4:4:4 chroma sub-sampling.
Other common features in the models include built-in: Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Bluetooth, DLNA, Internet radio, and Spotify Connect, and offer Audyssey MultEQ room correction, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey Volume.
Model AVR-X1200W provides 7×80 watts of power output into 8 ohms from 20Hz-20kHz with 0.08 percent THD. It includes six HDMI 2.0a inputs, Control4 certification, and will decode high-resolution audio file formats including: AIFF, DSD, and FLAC.
Model AVR-X2200W provides 7×95 watts of power and includes eight HDMI inputs, two HDMI outputs, second zone pre-out, upscaling of analog and digital video to Full HD 1080p and 4K Ultra HD, and has ISF certification.
Model AVR-S710W is rated at 7×80 watts into 8 ohms from 20-Hz-20kHz with 0.08 percent THD. It includes six HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 inputs and a HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 output.
The AVR-S910W steps up to offer 7×95-watts of power from 20Hz-20kHz with 0.08 percent THD; eight HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 inputs; two HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 outputs, analog-to-HDMI video conversion, and 4K Ultra HD upscaling.
Marantz has added its first three AVRs that incorporate HDMI 2.0a ports and HDCP 2.2 copy protection, and its first two models to feature Dolby Atmos and DTS:X objected-based surround sound. Models shipping this month and next include the slim-line 5.1-channel NR1506 ($499); the slim-line 7.1-channel NR1606 ($699); and full-size SR5010 ($899).
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The HDMI 2.0a ports on all three AVRs will pass through 4K Ultra HD video with HDR metadata and wide color gamut up to the BT.2020 standard. They will support up to 4K/60p video frame rates and 8-bit RGB/YCbCr 4:4:4 video.
The NR1606 and SR5010 models both incorporate Dolby Atmos and will add support for DTS:X object-based surround decoding through a firmware update later this year.
The NR1506 outputs up to 5×50-watts into 8 ohms with 20Hz-20kHz response and 0.08 percent THD; and features built-in Wi-Fi, AirPlay, DLNA, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, Pandora, SiriusXM, and Internet radio. It also supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio surround, Audyssey MultEQ auto speaker setup and room calibration, Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ, five HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 ports; and HDMI out. It will support high-resolution audio formats including: ALAC with gapless playback, DSD and FLAC 192/24.
The NR1606 outputs 7×50-watts, and supports a 5.1.2 object-based surround set-up and seven HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 outputs, one HDMI, and upscaling to 1080p and 4K 30/24Hz. It includes ISF video calibration, and multi-room/multisource capability.
The SR5010 (pictured above) outputs 7×100 watts, and includes two HDMI 2.0a outputs with HDCP 2.2, 7.2-channel preouts, and RS232 for home-control integration.
Onkyo will ship this summer a pair of AVRs with HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 inputs, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X upgradability.
The $1,152 TX-RZ800 and $1,395 TX-RZ900 Atmos/DTS:X AVRs will join two previously introduced Atmos-equipped AVRs with DTS:X upgradability in the $599 TX-NR646 and $899 TX-NR747.
The company also added its first networked stereo receiver with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity in the $499 TX-8160.
The RZ800 and RZ900 are both 7.2-channel networked models that support 5.1.2-channel object-based surround. The new models add Apple AirPlay, updated AccuEQ room calibration, 384kHs/32-bit DACs, and sound reproduction down to 5Hz.
Both models also include seven rear HDMI 2.0a inputs, one front HDMI 2.0a input, and two rear HDMI 2.0a outputs. Five of the HDMI inputs and both outputs feature HDCP 2.2 copy protection.
Also included in both models is THX Select 2 Plus amplifier certification, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, DLNA 1.5, Internet radio and support for subscription services including: Pandora, Spotify, and SiriusXM. The AVRs also decode high-resolution audio formats including 192kHz/24-bit and 2.8/5.6MHz DSD. They include powered-zone 2 and line-out zone three for three-zone audio playback, and include Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry (VLSC), which removes pulse noise generated during D/A conversion for clearer sound.
The RZ-800 model has 7×135 watts of power output with two channels driven into 8 ohms from 20Hz-20kHz with 0.08 percent THD. The RZ-900 (pictured above) offers 7×140 watts of power.
The TX-8160 networked stereo receiver features 2×80-watt output with two channels driven into 8 ohms with 0.1 percent THD. It also adds: Windows 8 certification, DLNA 1.5, AirPlay, playback of 192/24 and 2.8/5.6MHz DSD music files, moving-magnet phono stage, zone-two preouts, Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad USB port, playback of music files stored on USB mass-storage devices.
Pioneer introduced its Elite SC-91 A/V receiver ($1,100 suggested retail), featuring support for HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 copy protection, Dolby Atmos and MCACC Pro. It has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth linking and uses a Class D3 amplifier for simultaneous high-power output on all channels. It will not be updatable to support DTS:X.
The Elite SC-91 AVR is rated at 7×130 watts into 8 ohms at 1kHz with 0.08 percent THD. It also features Sabre ES9006S Premier DAC, support for pass through of 4K/60p/4:4:4 video signals and playback of high-resolution audio files including: 192kHz/24-bit WAV, FLAC, AIFF, and ALAC as well as 96kHz/24-bit multichannel WAV and FLAC. It also plays back 2.8 MHz DSD via network or SACD disc.
Yamaha revealed six AVRs in its step-up Aventage AVR series, with suggested retail prices ranging from $499 to $1,999. Models include the RX-A550 ($499), RX-A750 ($649), RX-A850 ($899), RX-A1050 ($1,199), RX-A2050 ($1,599) and RX-A3050 ($1,999).
Five models will be available starting this month, and the RX-A3050 will follow in August.
All Aventage models feature HDMI 2.0 inputs with HDCP 2.2 content protection, and all but the RX-A550 models will be upgradable to the new HDMI 2.0a standard via a firmware update.
Other features include connectivity via Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and Bluetooth, and support for Spotify Connect, Pandora, and vTuner Internet radio streaming services. All of the Aventage models except the 5.1-channel RX-A550 include support for SiriusXM Internet Radio and Rhapsody, and high-resolution audio formats including: 2.6HMz and 5.6MHz DSD, AIFF, WAV, FLAC and Apple Lossless.
Support for Dolby Atmos begins in the RX-A850 model and extends up the line. The RX-A1050, RX-A2050 and RX-A3050 models will also add support for DTS:X via a firmware upgrade.
The RX-A750 starts support for 7.2-channel surround. The RX-A850 starts support for Dolby Atmos but won’t support DTS:X.
The RX-A1050 starts support for both Atmos and DTS:X, and includes 7.2-channel surround, while the RX-A2050 (pictured at top) and RX-A3050 add 9.2-channels. The latter also accepts a two-channel add-on amp to deliver 11.2-channels. It also adds ESS Technology 192 kHz/32-bit Sabre Ultra DAC for the seven main channels as well as a Sabre Premier Audio DAC for the two presence channels.
By Greg Tarr
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