Audio Video News

Want to do seven channels the right way? Denon has debuted a new A/V surround sound receiver claimed to bring "new levels of sonic realism to the home theater experience." The AVR-5803 features advanced dual Analog Devices Hammerhead SHARC 32-bit processors and Burr-Brown 24-bit/192kHz audio DACs, as well as THX Ultra2 7.1-channel processing, Dolby Pro Logic II decoding, Dolby Headphone output, built-in video conversion and many other attractive functions.

The AVR-5803 is THX Ultra2 certified, and provides an extensive complement of features and controls, including video conversion capability, which converts composite or S-video sources to component video without compromising video quality. This enables the user to keep all video switching in a high-end home theater system in the component video domain, simplifying hookup and operation in a system using multiple program sources with mixed video connections. The AVR-5803 provides three sets of high-bandwidth HDTV-compatible component video inputs, and it will function as the centerpiece of an integrated Denon system, using the company's proprietary Digital Link as a connection to the new DVD-9000 high-end DVD-Audio/Video player. Denon claims remarkable synergy between the two when combined in a single system.

The new receiver is 7.1-channel ready, but is also compatible with every popular 5.1-and 6.1-channel surround sound format. The THX Ultra2 specification stipulates that the AVR-5803 also include built-in video switching to accommodate all high-bandwidth video sources such as HDTV and progressive scan DVD---with no image degradation. The AVR-5803's DSP circuitry can generate "7.1-channel reproduction from 5.1 and stereo sources in multi-channel systems using two additional surround back loudspeakers, and 7-Channel Stereo mode, in which all seven speakers (front, surround and surround back) reproduce full fidelity unprocessed stereo and the center channel provides an L + R blend. For owners of 5.1-channel home theater systems, the AVR-5803 also includes a 5-Channel Stereo mode," states a January 8 news release.

The AVR-5803 also offers purist performance in two-channel mode, in which the receiver's DACs can be re-configured to provide eight-DAC dual-differential operation, with four DACs per audio channel, with all unnecessary circuitry "to preserve maximum sonic purity." The AVR-5803 delivers 170 watts of high-current power (into 8 ohms, from 20Hz-20kHz, with no more than .05% THD). If desired, the amplifier channels can be reassigned to accommodate system configurations using less than seven main channels, while utilizing the receiver's full amplification capability. The AVR-5803 comes bundled with Denon's AKTIS RC-8000 Programmable LCD Remote Control and companion RC-8001ST Charger Base/RF Relay Station.