Denon Preamp model AVP-A1HDCI Pictures & Info-

[Spizz]

The MSRP for the pair will be $15k. $7000-7500 for the pre/pro and $7500-8000 for the amp. Was hoping the Preamp would be smaller and cheaper but so be it.

The pictures are posted here with information on the units-

http://www.areadvd.de/hardware/2007/...t_thcr_1.shtml

[Gary Murrell]

Denon is smoking crack on this one

you can buy serious high-end audio gear for these prices

-Gary

[MSmith83]

Originally Posted by Gary Murrell

Denon is smoking crack on this one

you can buy serious high-end audio gear for these prices

-Gary

I agree. The pre/pro and amp seem to have amazing build quality, but I don't see how these prices can be justified. At the price of the pre/pro, I would expect it to have more features, such as i.Link and about 15 HDMI inputs. I wouldn't doubt for a second though that the audio quality of the pre/pro will be among the best of the best.

[boe]

I agree, I think they'd have a hard time getting any preamp "mass market" for over $5K. At those prices, you could be selecting from all the top names for audiophiles such as Krell, Mark Levinson, Meridian... I'm not saying any of them are better, but the price will make it too difficult to sell to the upper middle class, and the name won't sell to the rich.

Just my opinion of course (nevertheless, I want one but would never pay $7K for any preamp). Plus they might have a hard time selling it if they don't come out with a black unit - too many times I've seen posts from people because they are trying to match one unit to another, black is the common denominator for most but some are looking for nickel or champagne and pissed they can't match the other component so they won't buy it.

[J.H.]

The most ridiculous thing I have seen in years. Denon is insane if they actually try and sellthese things. They are WAY TOO BIG and WAY TOO EXPENSIVE! The whole idea is separates is smaller components not two gigantic components. Really a stupid idea in my opinion. I always hoped they would make separates but at this size and cost I wish they didn't.

[boe]

The sad thing is if they do try to sell it at this price and in only silver, they'll probably get so little demand, they'll say there is no market for preamps and give up on the concept for another 10 years.

[teachsac]

Originally Posted by boe

I agree, I think they'd have a hard time getting any preamp "mass market" for over $5K. At those prices, you could be selecting from all the top names for audiophiles such as Krell, Mark Levinson, Meridian... I'm not saying any of them are better, but the price will make it too difficult to sell to the upper middle class, and the name won't sell to the rich.

Just my opinion of course (nevertheless, I want one but would never pay $7K for any preamp). Plus they might have a hard time selling it if they don't come out with a black unit - too many times I've seen posts from people because they are trying to match one unit to another, black is the common denominator for most but some are looking for nickel or champagne and pissed they can't match the other component so they won't buy it.

The Krell Evolution 707 pre coming out later will supposedly retail for $10-$11K.

S~

[B&W700guy]

If this unit has as good or better sound, video and functionality then the Anthem D2, they will sell. It's not for the mass market, they know that 99% of people in the market place wont buy it. Hopefully they will learn something from this project and we will see some trickle down technology to the lower cost product that people on this forum are more a custom too. Also, they seemed to use all of the area on the back panel for I/O.

[Pete]

I believe the picture is from a European show where silver is the norm. When it is introduced here it will be in black (as shown at CES). Secondly, to dismiss this out of hand as non-viable, too expensive, or not worthy of similarly priced competition is....well...let's just say it's ill-advised. From what I've read and from what I've been told by folks connected to the industry and to Denon, this is going to be a standard-setting reference quality pre/pro. AV snobs may have misgivings about the pedigree, but the proof is always in the puding. In due time after the product has landed and been tested and reviewed, we will have the factual and anecdotal evidence to either exalt or condem this pre/pro. Until then, I would hold off declaring indignantly that Denon is on drugs.

[EC]

A few of the mass market companies once in a while make a statement product which they know won't sell a whole lot if any. I recall Technics doing this with a crazy priced preamp / power amp. Denon has done this in the past with stereo seperates as well.

[jp9]

Actually, the link states a 7000 Euro price for the pre/pro. That would be $9380 .

[J.H.]

Originally Posted by jp9

Actually, the link states a 7000 Euro price for the pre/pro. That would be $9380 .

Well that certainly makes ot better This whole thing is ridiculous.

[dlfromcanada]

Assuming the R&D was not expensive, they won't lose any money at all. With their production facilities, there will be good margins on each unit.

Having said that, personally, if I'm going that big and expensive, I'm going Mcintosh

[avddreamr]

One remember denon owns mcintosh, so you'll just be feeding their pockets.

Although I won't be buying this Pre-Amp, its considerably out of my budget.
Although I hate to say it, it will actually be a value in comparison to the market they are targeting.
But I've heard that performance is going to be word class. They have the resources to pull it off.

I was hoping it would be priced around 5k, so I could replace my Halo C1 with it.
I think like a lot of people I will be heading over to the anthem camp.

I wonder if this includes the typical highend mark up, dealer cost around 3k... time will tell.

Nes

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by avddreamr

One remember denon owns mcintosh, so you'll just be feeding their pockets.

Not quite. They are both individual divisions of D&M Holdings.

[B&W700guy]

My migration path will be a Mcintosh C-2200, 2 channel, Tube Preamp that has an HT Bypass for my 2 channel music. Then I'll purchase a sub-flagship receiver for HT and multi-channel audio. This should run me around 6k. I am more of a 2 channel person, but this will also give me a decent HT/Media Room experience.

I didn't know that Denon owned McIntosh. I new they owned Marantz. Wow.... I am impressed. The haven't f*@ked up the aquired companies. That is very impressive.

[B&W700guy]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Not quite. They are both individual divisions of D&M Holdings.

Well....thats impressive that D&M Holdings haven't screwed up all of the companies

[Sam S]

Originally Posted by Gary Murrell

Denon is smoking crack on this one

you can buy serious high-end audio gear for these prices

-Gary

What is the point of a comment like this? Do you say the same thing when Levinson, Lexicon or McIntosh introduces a pre-amp for the same (or more!) money?

Any why would you not consider this "serious high end audio gear"? Based on features, quality and performance, I can't imagine any argument against these particular products being on the bleeding edge for both technology and sound quality, i.e. the definition of "serious" high end gear.

[Sam S]

Originally Posted by boe

The sad thing is if they do try to sell it at this price and in only silver, they'll probably get so little demand, they'll say there is no market for preamps and give up on the concept for another 10 years.

The silver/gold tone products are typically for Europe only, where these products were shown and introduced. Expect black for the US.

[B&W700guy]

Originally Posted by Sam S

What is the point of a comment like this? Do you say the same thing when Levinson, Lexicon or McIntosh introduces a pre-amp for the same (or more!) money?

Any why would you not consider this "serious high end audio gear"? Based on features, quality and performance, I can't imagine any argument against these particular products being on the bleeding edge for both technology and sound quality, i.e. the definition of "serious" high end gear.

Most of the people that post on this website believe that anything way over their price range is a waist of money. This new Pre/pro for Denon could be a great product for the higher end user, and endup helping their lower end lines. The same way Honda or Ford is a player in F-1, their development trickles down to the cars that they sell to the public.

[soundlovr]

It's a pity that Denon didn't include a more price-friendly set of separates as part of their return to that market. I think separates in the 3806-4806 price range would be big sellers for them. Time will tell how these behemoths turn out

[boe]

I guess I'm curious what it has that their top of the line receiver won't to justify the price difference.

[B&W700guy]

Originally Posted by boe

I guess I'm curious what it has that their top of the line receiver won't to justify the price difference.

say again.......

[DefiantGSR]

With those two separates combined, it will rival the size of your big screen TV.

At least it looks expensive.

[Digital2004]

Originally Posted by J.H.

The most ridiculous thing I have seen in years. Denon is insane if they actually try and sellthese things. They are WAY TOO BIG and WAY TOO EXPENSIVE! The whole idea is separates is smaller components not two gigantic components. Really a stupid idea in my opinion. I always hoped they would make separates but at this size and cost I wish they didn't.

i disagree on the size ! lots of people will crave about these beasts.
they look beautiful except the front panel of the power amp. ain't McIntosch

but the price is a bit too high. and in Europe it will in euros ! ($1.35/1 Euro)

the price should be imho fairly priced at EUR 4999 preamp and power amp at
4999 too (it's a 10 channels!!!). something like that. think like processor (2500 ?) + video scaler (2200)
+ hdmi swticher (300).

i wonder if the preamp will have an extended AUDISSEY eq as in the stand alone AUDISSEY system. and a better mic also than Denon usual mics.

[Digital2004]

Denon didnt sell well their preamp at the time they had also the POA THX stereo and 3ch amps (which sold "well" i think, or not bad, still a micro market).

if they come up with these beasts, they must have conducted studies that confirm them there is a market for these.
Methinks however they will sell more preamps than power amps... there's lot of 5--7ch power amps of quality in the $2000-3000 range (NAD ROTEL SHERBOURN etc)

[boe]

Hopefully now that they at least exposed the new unit in Europe we'll get to see some specs on the new line so we can find out how it differs from the top of the line receiver.

I think they could sell an unbelievable amount of units if they came out with one nearly identical to the 4308 but without the built in amp and for the same price as the 4308.

[Digital2004]

i think their only previous preamp was sold in Europe MSPR for EUR 3000, i remember. or so. it was THX certified. AVPA1 or something. didnt sell a lot.

I think I'll buy this new preamp processor though (of course not at MSRP )
The thinking that some consumers might have is however using a 3808 as preamp and having a good scaler:
3808 EUR 1600 (tbc)
VANTAGE HD EUR 2500
total:4100
Another reason they "should" price this preamp lower than EUR 7000..... (aside from MINTOSH ROTEL MERIDIAN ANTHEM etc)

i think they also miscalculated their hifi amps: the POA2000 and S1: EUR 1800 and EUR 7500
it should have been EUR 2500 and EUR 3999..... (people flock on the POA2000, too cheap)

[dbacksfan51]

If one of these companies would start selling a $1K preamp, they would make a killing. Does not need to have 100 DSP modes that most people will never use, but just decent quality. 2-3 HDMI ports with audio/video, nice build and it would sell. If I had $14000 to spend on a preamp and amp, it would not be a Denon.

[boe]

Denon does make a $1K preamp. I would also expect Sherwood to have one out that should be around $1500 as well.