AV Receiver Reviews

The above measurement shows that the AVR-4800's left amplifier channel, with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, began clipping at 0.011% distortion and 153.5 watts. The amp reaches 0.1% distortion at 173.3 watts and 1% distortion at 194.3 watts, as shown above. Into 4 ohms, the amplifier begins clipping at 187.9 watts and reaches 0.1% distortion at 240.1 watts and 1% distortion at 307.5 watts. The analog frequency response was +/-0.36 decibels from 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz. The response dropped to -0.01 dB at 10 Hz and to -1.8 dB at 50 kHz. THD+N from the amplifier was less than 0.022% at 1 kHz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load.

From the Dolby Digital input to the loudspeaker outputs, the left, center, and surround channels are all flat, +/-1.1 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. From the Dolby Digital input to the line-level output, the LFE channel is -2.7 dB at 20 Hz when referenced to the level at 40 Hz and reaches the upper 3-dB down point at 75 Hz and the upper 6-dB down point at 89 Hz.—AJ

For the first time, we were also able to measure the video performance of a receiver. The Denon performed well, with only a 3-IRE gain in luminance level. Lowering your display's contrast control slightly would compensate for this. Chroma gain was slight, being about 2 IRE. Chroma and luminance frequency response was flat within 1 IRE out to 6.5 megahertz. Video-input impedances measure close to 75 ohms. (The coaxial digital audio inputs are 75.9 ohms.) Output impedances vary and may affect relative output levels. The main monitor's output measures 94.2 ohms, with the same y/c output at 104 and 70 ohms, respectively. The y/cb/cr outputs measure 91, 105, and 91.5 ohms, respectively. Overall, these are good measurements. I would route video through this receiver in nearly any system. For a comparison, see our measurements of the Kenwood HTB-503 system's receiver, the VR-407.—RW/MW

HT Labs Measures: Denon POA-5200 Amplifier

The above measurement shows that the POA-5200‘s left amplifier channel, with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, began clipping at 0.003% distortion and 92.6 watts. The amp reaches 0.1% distortion at 121.1 watts and 1% distortion at 138.6 watts, as shown above. Into 4 ohms, the amp begins clipping at 181.2 watts and reaches 0.1% distortion at 211.4 watts and 1% distortion at 230.4 watts. The amplifier's frequency response was +/-0.11 decibels from 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz. The response dropped to -0.03 dB at 10 Hz and to -0.55 dB at 50 kHz. THD+N from the amplifier was less than 0.005% at 1 kHz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load.—AJ

AVR-4800 Receiver $1,999
Denon Electronics
(973) 396-0810
www.del.denon.com
Dealer Locator Code DEN