AV Receiver Reviews

Denon AVR-1612 A/V Receiver HT Labs Measures

HT Labs Measures

Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 71.5 watts
1% distortion at 79.8 watts

Analog frequency response in Direct mode:
–0.05 dB at 10 Hz
–0.01 dB at 20 Hz
–0.03 dB at 20 kHz
–3.11 dB at 50 kHz.

Analog frequency response with stereo signal processing:
–0.50 dB at 10 Hz
–0.15 dB at 20 Hz
–0.13 dB at 20 kHz
–17.93 dB at 50 kHz.

This graph shows that the AVR-1612's left channel, from DVD input to speaker output with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, reaches 0.1% distortion at 103.9 watts and 1% distortion at 118.5 watts. Into 4 ohms, the amplifier reaches 0.1% distortion at 73.4 watts and 1% distortion at 141.5 watts.

There is no multichannel analog input to measure. THD+N from the DVD input to the speaker output was less than 0.058% at 1 kHz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load. Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –83.11 dB left to right and –90.35 dB right to left. The signal-to-noise ratio with an 8-ohm load from 10 Hz to 24 kHz with "A" weighting was –106.93 dBrA.

From the Dolby Digital input to the loudspeaker output, the left channel measures –0.07 dB at 20 Hz and –0.29 dB at 20 kHz. The center channel measures –0.08 dB at 20 Hz and –0.30 dB at 20 kHz, and the left surround channel measures –0.08 dB at 20 Hz and –0.19 dB at 20 kHz. From the Dolby Digital input to the line-level output, the LFE channel is –0.02 dB at 20 Hz when referenced to the level at 40 Hz and reaches the upper 3-dB down point at 118 Hz and the upper 6-dB down point at 120 Hz.—MJP

Video Test Bench

3:2 HD 2:2 HD MA HD 3:2 SD 2:2 SD MA SD VIDEO CLIPPING LUMA RESOLUTION CHROMA RESOLUTION SCALING
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A FAIL PASS PASS N/A

The AVR-1612 provides no video processor for upscaling or cross-conversion for analog video sources to HDMI, so many of our standard video tests were irrelevant in this case. However, I could still run video tests for resolution and clipping. The Denon passed both the luma and chroma resolution tests, but it clipped above-white and below-black. Ideally, an AVR should not clip this information to ensure that none of the image is crushed at either extreme, especially above-white, but we find this fault increasingly common, even among expensive receivers. This is largely because it's difficult to detect and only becomes evident on certain bright or dark scenes, and not with every display or source component. While the Denon failed this test, clipping wasn't actually visible in the real-world content I watched, and in this case, the result does not warrant denying Top Picks status to an otherwise standout AVR in the budget category.—KW

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COMMENTS
techguy378's picture
Submitted by techguy378 on November 23, 2011 - 11:40am

What is the difference between the AVR-1612 and the AVR-591?

Scott Wilkinson's picture
Submitted by Scott Wilkinson on November 23, 2011 - 2:57pm
From what I can tell, the AVR-1612 and AVR-591 are nearly identical. The only differences seem to be that the 591 can cross-convert analog video to HDMI, and it has one component input. However, these differences are moot, since the 591 is a discontinued product.
iggypop70's picture
Submitted by iggypop70 on November 23, 2011 - 4:49pm

I have the Denon avr2312 with a similar remote but it is not backlit. It has glowing buttons if you hold it under a light.

unisenmedia's picture
Submitted by unisenmedia on November 28, 2011 - 9:59am

Always recommend the AVR-1912 to our customers. Denon is the brand we recommend more than anything and love the Airplay feature.
www.unisenmedia.com

Flynn408's picture
Submitted by Flynn408 on January 15, 2012 - 4:18pm

I wanted to finally get a decent HT system going, since I've got a great 54" tv. So a couple years ago due to budget I bought a HT in a box, it was ok (onkyo) considering the whole thing was 230.00 I think.

After research I made up my mind on the Energy 5.1, love them so far. I can go as much as 500.00 but if I don't need to that would be good. I want to get the best sounding receiver possible, but on somewhat of a budget. This receiver is at the top of the list but Amazon has the Pioneer Elite VSX-30 for 459.00.

How do these two compare to each other, most notably in sound quality and I'd love any advice, want to be done with it this week.

Thanks,
Don

a sethi's picture
Submitted by a sethi on February 3, 2012 - 9:57am

Looking at investing in the Denon AVR 1612, but worried about its lack of streaming options. Can I compensate by picking up another component that has this feature built in, like a blue-ray player? Or maybe a dedicated streaming device?

Is the 1612 future ready without streaming capabilities?

hughellison's picture
Submitted by hughellison on December 11, 2012 - 11:35pm

You made some first rate factors there. I seemed on the internet for the difficulty and found most people will go along with together with your website. ppi

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