Top rated mid range AVR vs separate prepro

[InTheIndustry]

It has, and I think you can buy the professional kit for all CI models. In the far East region they offer pre-outs for the entry models such as the 2310/2311 but no CI, here in NA they offer CI even for the 231X but no preouts.

Anyway, this thing is so amazing on paper. It is also the first time Denon actually specified 4 ohm capability in their mid range MCH AVR. I really wonder how the 4312 could top the 4311 if they are to keep it at the same price point. There isn't a new feature that they can add right? So may be they can put back some nicer quality components (the look and theoretically speaking) such as better DAC in the 4312, wifi, Advanced AL processing, and good plated connectors, but then it would be in the 481X territory.

Not that it is important but what is still puzzling is whether the 4311 has the Burr Brown 1791A like its predecessors or the AK4358. At launch time Denon's website gave no information on the VP and DAC so people speculated they no longer had the ABT and Burr Brown DAC in it but now the US website (the only one) does mention the 1791A. It could just be an error though. Again, I believe a few dB difference in dynamic range and S/N in the DACs won't make any audible difference as they are not the bottle neck anyway. It is a bit like gold plated terminals/connectors, just nice to have but makes no real world difference.

About a month ago I met witht our Denon rep. He told me about the replacement models that just came out, but said he had not heard of anything coming to replace the 4311Ci & up.

Hmmmm, didn't know the Audyssey kits and licsense were available formend users. If so, I'm glad people can at least use the feature if they want to.

 

[FirstReflection]

From what I've heard, there are really only two feature changes coming to the 4312 over the 4311 - Audyssey LFC and 4K video up-scaling...likely using the Marvell Qdeo chip. As far as I know, it'll be keeping the 9 channels of amplification and the 11.2 channel pre-outs.

If that's all it turns out to be, then there's really zero reason to wait for the 4312. Audyssey LFC is a cute idea, but if you're actually worried about bothering your neighbors, do things right and just decouple your subwoofers and tower speakers from the floor!

As for 4K up-scaling...um...why? I guess you'll be nice a "future proof" for when affordable 4K displays actually start to hit the market. But by the time that happens, I'm sure you'll be ready for a new receiver or pre-pro as well!

There are two things that I would like to see the 4312 offer over the 4311, but I haven't heard a peep about them actually being included. I would like to see ISFccc and (even though it really doesn't matter) I would like to see THX Ultra2 processing. The THX certification means absolutely nothing, but I do, on occassion, appreciate the THX Ultra2 processing modes - the Music mode in particular when you have a traditional 7 speaker setup using di-pole surrounds, but you want to listen to 5.1 SACD or DVD-Audio and glean something closer to the surround speaker placement that is recommended by those formats. The ISFccc I just like to have for DVRs. Most DVRs lack proper calibration controls, so having ISFccc in the receiver is a nice, inexpensive way to get a few picture adjustment capabilities for that particular source.

Sadly, I haven't heard anything to indicate that the 4312 will gain either of these features. I think they're going to try and market Audyssey LFC heavily as the only new "must have" feature.

 

[InTheIndustry]

From what I've heard, there are really only two feature changes coming to the 4312 over the 4311 - Audyssey LFC and 4K video up-scaling...likely using the Marvell Qdeo chip. As far as I know, it'll be keeping the 9 channels of amplification and the 11.2 channel pre-outs.

If that's all it turns out to be, then there's really zero reason to wait for the 4312. Audyssey LFC is a cute idea, but if you're actually worried about bothering your neighbors, do things right and just decouple your subwoofers and tower speakers from the floor!

As for 4K up-scaling...um...why? I guess you'll be nice a "future proof" for when affordable 4K displays actually start to hit the market. But by the time that happens, I'm sure you'll be ready for a new receiver or pre-pro as well!

There are two things that I would like to see the 4312 offer over the 4311, but I haven't heard a peep about them actually being included. I would like to see ISFccc and (even though it really doesn't matter) I would like to see THX Ultra2 processing. The THX certification means absolutely nothing, but I do, on occassion, appreciate the THX Ultra2 processing modes - the Music mode in particular when you have a traditional 7 speaker setup using di-pole surrounds, but you want to listen to 5.1 SACD or DVD-Audio and glean something closer to the surround speaker placement that is recommended by those formats. The ISFccc I just like to have for DVRs. Most DVRs lack proper calibration controls, so having ISFccc in the receiver is a nice, inexpensive way to get a few picture adjustment capabilities for that particular source.

Sadly, I haven't heard anything to indicate that the 4312 will gain either of these features. I think they're going to try and market Audyssey LFC heavily as the only new "must have" feature.

Interesting perspective & ideas. I like that things have gotten to the point where adding formats and features are becoming paramount to things like... Adding another component video or something.

 

[PENG]

I wish Denon would take those 11 discrete amps, the associated heat sinks, two fans, and the ABT2015 out of it, swap out those AK4354 or 1791A with Burr Brown 1796, add in the best HDMI pass through switcher available to them, and then call it something like an AVP-4312. Do the same with the 4810 but also upgrade the HDMI to 1.4a and call it AVP-4812. If they do that they should be able to price them at around $1699 and $2299 and I would trade in my AV7005 for one of them for sure.

As it is now there is not much choices and incentive for people who want to go separates but don't want to give up on the latest features such as 6 or more HDMI rear inputs, dual DSP processors, Audyssey MultiEq XT32 etc., unless they are to spend more ($2199) and get the flag ship Onkyo/Integra models.

 

[RipcordAFF]

So the flagship Onkyo AVRs likely have similar SQ in the preouts to the Onkyo Professional PrePro?

 

[PENG]

So the flagship Onkyo AVRs likely have similar SQ in the preouts to the Onkyo Professional PrePro?

Yes, very likely.