Amplifiers/Receivers/Stereos News

Denon has been making quality receivers for a long time, and looks like they're continuing that tradition. Here's a two-part review of one of their new 3310 series of AVR's. No 3D but still plenty of other great features.

I’ve lived with the Denon AVR-3310CI for about two and a half weeks now and overall I’m extremely pleased with the purchase, especially pleased when I think about what I saved going with last years model. It was a long overdue addition to my system but a welcome one just the same. Which leads me to the only caveats I can offer before a full-on, 100% recommendation. If the lack of full 3D pass-through, ethernet over HDMI, audio return channel and or 4k support bothers you, then by all means look at the AVR-3311CI or another HDMI 1.4 capable device. If not, this very well may be the best bargain in AVR’s you’ll see in a very long time.

[Home Theater Blog]

Featuring HDMI 1.4a including 3D support, this receiver should be getting some buzz. Looks like it does a solid job all around, and the $800 asking price isn't completely unreasonable.

Speaking of upconversion, the Integra DTR-30.2 utilizes the well known Faroudja DCDi chipset to upconvert and upscale all your sources (including composite, component, and VGA) to 1080p. Additional features include HDMI Audio Return Channel, Dolby Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ & Dynamic Volume, THX Loudness Plus, Burr-Brown (PCM1690) 192K / 24-Bit Audio DACs on all channels, and onscreen GUI. If you are thinking those three in the middle are basically the same thing... you're right. Dolby Volume, Audyssey Dynamic Volume and THX Loundness Plus are all solutions to keep volume steady across time. That way, when those loud commercials come on, your receiver will keep you from blowing a tweeter.

[Audioholics]

 

This is pretty cool from one of the higher end A/V Receiver companies, jumping on the Windows 7 wagon relatively quick. Should help to encourage the other manufacturers as well. I'd love to see this feature in action, but the ability to stream music using PlayTo to the various zones the Denons support sounds awesome.

{joomsay link=http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/windowsexperience/archive/2010/03/09/denon-announces-a-v-receivers-compatible-with-windows-7.aspx [Windows Team Blog]}As you’re building your stereo system at home or looking to update an existing stereo system, you should definitely consider A/V receivers such as Denon’s models that carry the Compatible with Windows 7 logo. That means these receivers work great and can take advantage of Windows 7. For example if one of the Denon receiver models above powers your stereo system at home, you can use Windows 7’s Play To feature to streaming your music to your stereo system over your home network. {/joomsay} 

Did you know your new HDMI 1.3 receiver doesn't support 3D? I think you all know this isn't a huge concern for me...but if you're on the boat, you will be pleased to see this new offering from Sony. And $500 is fairly reasonable for a first gen product IMO.

 

{joomsay link=http://gizmodo.com/5474837/sonys-first-3d+capable-receiver-the-str+dn1010-costs-500?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29&utm_content=Google+Reader [Gizmodo]}The 7.1 channel, 110W STR-DN1010 will be Sony's affordable flagship 3D receiver. Priced at $500 this June, it's the first to support HDMI 1.4 3D pass-through technology over 4 HDMI ports{/joomsay}