Denon PrePro

[russ_l]

Does anyone have any info on the upcoming Denon preamp processor? The introduction date? Thanks.

Russ

 

[Duffinator]

Bump

Any new info out there on release dates?

 

[Seth V]

Does anyone have any info on the upcoming Denon preamp processor? The introduction date? Thanks.

Russ

I also am very interested in the new Denon AVP-A1HD pre/pro. From everything that I have heard and read, It's supposed to be available by December. While pricing has yet to be officially announced, It's expected to be between $7,000-$8,000 USD.

Here's just some of what this thing will have:

THX Ultra 2
6 HDMI 1.3 in, 2 out - xxyycc color support and auto lip synch support
Full Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD support
Denon Link 3
Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processing
Audyssey Room Correction
9 Balanced Outputs (7.1 + 2 additional subs - interchangeable for zone 2 I expect)
Stereo Balanced Input
2 XLR Digital Inputs
4 Coax and 4 Optical Inputs
4 Optical outputs for other zones
Wireless and RJ45 audio streaming
4 Trigger Outputs
2 RS232 connections
Denon Control Link
Ipod Dock Support
Analog to HDMI Conversion and upscaling to 1080p
FLAC/WMA lossless
Windows Media PlaysForSure
HD Radio/XM/AM/FM (independent/simultaneous multi-zone capable)
Multi Channel Zone 2 Output for dual surround zones
Zone 4 Digital Audio
Simply HD Certified silicon image approves connectivity and operability
Remote maintenance program

 

[Davemcc]

Man that thing is crazy. It looks cool, but I can't imagine in my wildest dreams ever needing one.

Why can't the mainstream companies go the other way of monstrous pre/pros. I want a selection of small simple pre/pros with three or four digital A/V inputs and some dolby processing. If you can buy a receiver with these basic features for $250, you should be able to buy a similar pre/pro without the amp section for the same or less.

 

[Seth=L]

Man that thing is crazy. It looks cool, but I can't imagine in my wildest dreams ever needing one.

Why can't the mainstream companies go the other way of monstrous pre/pros. I want a selection of small simple pre/pros with three or four digital A/V inputs and some dolby processing. If you can buy a receiver with these basic features for $250, you should be able to buy a similar pre/pro without the amp section for the same or less.

It would seem there would be a market for it. I have seen them pop up every once in a blue moon. In the earlier days of home Dolby Digital there where quite a few inexpensive Dolby Digital Processors, Technics had one. Maybe the reason we don't see much of it is because the market either wants expensive seperates or cheap receivers.

 

[Davemcc]

There's a market niche. Selling pre/pros with a la carte feature selection.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Man that thing is crazy. It looks cool, but I can't imagine in my wildest dreams ever needing one.Why can't the mainstream companies go the other way of monstrous pre/pros. I want a selection of small simple pre/pros with three or four digital A/V inputs and some dolby processing....

I am with you 110% Davemcc! Part of the reason I went with Audio Refinement's prepro was the fact that it was simple with a commitment to sound.
And even that unit does waywayway more than I want! I don't use any video switching, and don't care about which formats it can play. It needs to sound good. My tv and my dvd player do just fine for video.
Give Me Simple and Functional! I'm not launching the Space Shuttle....

 

[Seth V]

I am with you 110% Davemcc! Part of the reason I went with Audio Refinement's prepro was the fact that it was simple with a commitment to sound.
And even that unit does waywayway more than I want! I don't use any video switching, and don't care about which formats it can play. It needs to sound good. My tv and my dvd player do just fine for video.
Give Me Simple and Functional! I'm not launching the Space Shuttle....

For my setup I need the connectivity options that the AVP-A1HD has for both video and audio. The AVP-A1HD has everything I need right now (ie. HDMI 1080p switching, Component switching, S Video switching, Silicon Optix Realta HQV processing,THX Ultra 2 processing, Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD, Audyssey room correction, Wi-Fi streaming from my PC) or might need in the future.

I know that $7k is a good chunk of change, but if it does what the company says it will and sounds as good as I think it will, this pre/pro is going to be perfect for my needs.

The only thing I'm hoping is that Denon doesn't decide to sell this product for more than $7k. If anything I hope that it will retail for around $6k, now that would be sweet. For the moment being, the only pre/pro that will come anywhere near the AVP-A1HD is Krell's 707 Evolution. And for its $16,500 retail price it still doesn't have everything that the AVP-A1HD has.

For now the AVP-A1HD is going to be hard to beat for the high end market. Theta, Meridian, Classe', and Lexicon, are going to have some catching up to do.


Seth

 

[TRT]

Man that thing is crazy. It looks cool, but I can't imagine in my wildest dreams ever needing one.

Why can't the mainstream companies go the other way of monstrous pre/pros. I want a selection of small simple pre/pros with three or four digital A/V inputs and some dolby processing. If you can buy a receiver with these basic features for $250, you should be able to buy a similar pre/pro without the amp section for the same or less.

Integra is certainly headed in the right direction with the feature loaded DTC-9.8 ($1,600 msrp). Beats 7.5K thats for sure.

 

[TRT]

For my setup I need the connectivity options that the AVP-A1HD has for both video and audio. The AVP-A1HD has everything I need right now (ie. HDMI 1080p switching, Component switching, S Video switching, Silicon Optix Realta HQV processing,THX Ultra 2 processing, Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD, Audyssey room correction, Wi-Fi streaming from my PC) or might need in the future.

I know that $7k is a good chunk of change, but if it does what the company says it will and sounds as good as I think it will, this pre/pro is going to be perfect for my needs.

The only thing I'm hoping is that Denon doesn't decide to sell this product for more than $7k. If anything I hope that it will retail for around $6k, now that would be sweet. For the moment being, the only pre/pro that will come anywhere near the AVP-A1HD is Krell's 707 Evolution. And for its $16,500 retail price it still doesn't have everything that the AVP-A1HD has.

For now the AVP-A1HD is going to be hard to beat for the high end market. Theta, Meridian, Classe', and Lexicon, are going to have some catching up to do.



Seth

But not Anthem. The D2 may not have the new codec's, but it is a killer pre-pro. If the Denon sound's as good as the D2, it wins product of the year for certain.

 

[Seth V]

Yes Anthem is definitely one of the best out there right now. It's been receiving raves from the videophile/audiophile community. If their D2 processor happens to offer TrueHD and DTS HD by years end, it will be another that I will seriously consider.

You're right, if the Denon proves it's audio prowess when compared to the D2, it probably will win product of the year. We'll see.