Denon AVR-2308CI A/V Receiver Review

[admin]

Denon once again proved they know how to build a better receiver by staying true to their roots and delivering more than advertised power and performance, unparalleled bass management flexibility and an overall solid, time tested platform. The AVR-2308CI is certainly one of the most versatile receivers I have tested at this price range carrying over many of the great features (independent channel trims per mode, independent crossover settings per speaker group, Audyssey MultEQ, HDMI upconversion with OSD support, etc) which until only recently, were found only on their flagship products. I walked away from this review amazed by the fidelity improvement of my parents system for every seat in their theater room thanks to the Audyssey room correction and solid amplification section bestowed upon the Denon AVR-2308CI.




Discuss "Denon AVR-2308CI A/V Receiver Review" here. Read the article.

[Seth=L]

One thing that has me confused in the picture of the inside of the receiver is that I only see 4 output transistors attached to the heatsink. It looks like the put the remaining transistors under the stereo circuit board. Now I have to ask, does this offer some performance advantage for 2 channel listening? I can't imagine that heat will be an issue for those surround and center transistors hiding underneath that board.

[gene]

One thing that has me confused in the picture of the inside of the receiver is that I only see 4 output transistors attached to the heatsink. It looks like the put the remaining transistors under the stereo circuit board. Now I have to ask, does this offer some performance advantage for 2 channel listening? I can't imagine that heat will be an issue for those surround and center transistors hiding underneath that board.

Those are not output devices for the power amp. They are likely used for power regulation somewhere in the receiver. All of the amplifier output devices are on the bottom of the heatsink. I checked it several times and noted different part #s for those 4 devices at the top of the heatsink as at first I thought Denon was double stacking output devices for the two front channels for greater current capability.

[westcott]

It looks like you were very careful not to divulge what receiver your parents had that you replaced but I am dying to know.

Will you spill the beans?

[Seth=L]

Originally Posted by gene

Those are not output devices for the power amp. They are likely used for power regulation somewhere in the receiver. All of the amplifier output devices are on the bottom of the heatsink. I checked it several times and noted different part #s for those 4 devices at the top of the heatsink as at first I thought Denon was double stacking output devices for the two front channels for greater current capability.

You didn't by any chance count the transistors on the under side did you?

Usually the small transistors, like the one I can see centered on the top visible transistors, are regulatory.

[Davemcc]

Excellent review gene, as usual.

I wish they would build one of these without the amp section as a pre/pro and sell it for $6-700.

edit - It does look like a significant improvement over my 2307ci for the same price.

[davidtwotrees]

Originally Posted by Davemcc

Excellent review gene, as usual.

I wish they would build one of these without the amp section as a pre/pro and sell it for $6-700.

Ditto on the review kudos.......understandable and readable.

Ditto on the prepro wishes.....mine was $800 some time ago and I just haven't seen anything in that range that interests me......and I DO NOT WANT TO USE A RECEIVER AS A PREPRO.

[gene]

It looks like you were very careful not to divulge what receiver your parents had that you replaced but I am dying to know.

Will you spill the beans?

Yes it was a Yamaha RV-1105 one of the first DD/DTS receivers which still performs quite admirably but is only 5 channel and has no room correction or even component video switching. That receiver has since then been handed down to one of my brothers where he is finally enjoying the wonders of 5.1 in his own home for the first time

You didn't by any chance count the transistors on the under side did you?

Yep there were a total of 14 (2 per channel in push pull configuration where one was PNP and the other was NPN). This is very standard amp topology found on most receivers today.

[mike c]

too bad the CI models have pre-outs starting at 2808.

over here, our non CI models have pre-outs start at 1908.

[Bluesmoke]

Originally Posted by mike c

too bad the CI models have pre-outs starting at 2808.

over here, our non CI models have pre-outs start at 1908.

Huh? Are you talking about the AVR line? The Denon 788 is the 1908. And it has no preouts. Denon really dropped the ball here. The 788 or 1908 have amazing preamp sections, but you can't add an amp to it.