Denon Preamp model AVP-A1HDCI Pictures & Info- - Page 40

Originally Posted by lectricman

Ok, I'm going to start something here. I've been reading all about the pro/amp combo and have been working with my dealer on the possible purchase of both pieces. I went to pull the trigger yesterday and was told the reason for the holdup on release to dealers is because Denon(we believe) is requiring ALL purchasers (ie:us) to be THX Ultra2 certified and go through their certification program. We think this might be because of the WIFI capability of the processor but not sure. So, this means that we have to buy these units thru a cert. installer, not directly from the dealer which ads a middle man unless we are able to go through the cert. process ourselves which I'm not sure of. Still awaiting conformation on all of this. Maybe DenonJeff will chime in on this. If this info is correct it's not good!

Originally Posted by lectricman

Apparently the dealers have to be certified to sell these pieces. It's not necessarily training in the AVP but in the THX component of the piece. Mabey it has to do with my dealer inperticularly who is not an audio store but is authorized to sell Denon and is certified. Look, I hope it's BS, better for us.

Originally Posted by Franin

I still cant believe me you and seth don't have one yet, especially you two!

Originally Posted by shamus

Anybody looking to get rid of their 5805CI, or knows where to get one, throw me a PM!

Originally Posted by rudolpht

Was there ever a 5805CI model?

Originally Posted by lectricman

Ok, I'm going to start something here. I've been reading all about the pro/amp combo and have been working with my dealer on the possible purchase of both pieces. I went to pull the trigger yesterday and was told the reason for the holdup on release to dealers is because Denon(we believe) is requiring ALL purchasers (ie:us) to be THX Ultra2 certified and go through their certification program. We think this might be because of the WIFI capability of the processor but not sure. So, this means that we have to buy these units thru a cert. installer, not directly from the dealer which ads a middle man unless we are able to go through the cert. process ourselves which I'm not sure of. Still awaiting conformation on all of this. Maybe DenonJeff will chime in on this. If this info is correct it's not good!

Originally Posted by shamus

Yep!
http://usa.denon.com/ArchivedAVRecei...mageField.y=12

Originally Posted by JlgLaw

(We did have to meet some requirements to be able to calibrate using Audyssey Pro, but that's a different matter.)

Jim

Originally Posted by Dennis Dickerso

Is this really an audiophile pre-amp? I've twice bought the high end Denon receivers (my son has the older one) and two high-end Denon DVD players. I'm sold on their sound quality and was considering this and a Parasound amp as my next step. But when I look at the audio signal-to-noise ratio in the owner's manual it only shows -102 db. While all of the Anthem processors that I can find tests on all have tested out on the bench at least -121 db. That's an enormous difference. You can't argue with the flexibility of the AVP-A1HDC1 or the new 5308CI receiver, but at $7K I would have expected better audio performance. Any idea what's going on here, or did they transpose two digits in the owner's manual?

Originally Posted by Franin

Maybe thats what salesman was confusing it with, audyssey.Remeber some of these salesman don't have a clue and they tend to interpret things wrong.

Originally Posted by Dennis Dickerso

Is this really an audiophile pre-amp? I've twice bought the high end Denon receivers (my son has the older one) and two high-end Denon DVD players. I'm sold on their sound quality and was considering this and a Parasound amp as my next step. But when I look at the audio signal-to-noise ratio in the owner's manual it only shows -102 db. While all of the Anthem processors that I can find tests on all have tested out on the bench at least -121 db. That's an enormous difference. You can't argue with the flexibility of the AVP-A1HDC1 or the new 5308CI receiver, but at $7K I would have expected better audio performance. Any idea what's going on here, or did they transpose two digits in the owner's manual?

Originally Posted by elockett

That's a good point that caught my attention too. Though sound quality really matters to me, I would not make a purchase decision solely on line stage S/N ratio. However, I do use it as a evaluation factor and 102 db does appear a bit low given the price point of the piece. The one prepro I've owned in the past for like-comparison is the Theta Casablanca II with Superior DACs. It was easily the most transparent controller I've ever owned. I could easily hear differences between analog cables, amps, and speakers when changed for evalution purposes. I don't own the Blanca any longer (due to ultimately justified fear that the piece would not be updated in a timely fashion with the latest features), but I was more than satisfied with its sonic performance. An interesting observation: I just checked the Blanca II manual online and the S/N ratio is 105 DB (properly based on the S/N ratio of its superior DACs). Another interesting tidbit: The Blanca II with Xtreme DACs (the best DACs offered for any Blanca version) is also 105 DB. According the more that one Theta rep I've spoken with in the past, the Extreme DAC should sound much better than the Superior DAC I owned. I don't know if this assertion is true or not, but my point is that perhaps S/N in and of itself does not tell the entire story of sonic quality. The build quality of the AVP-A1HDCI shares much with the Blanca conceptually (large, independent, multiple power supplies, fully balanced DACs, etc). Indeed, the AVP-A1HDCI even weighs more than the tank-like blanca (~ 48 pounds) which I suspect is largely due to power supply weight. Given all of this, I'm going to consider the AVP-A1HDCI as a replacement for, and sonic equivilant of, my ex-Blanca (with features I've been waiting for), but I'm going to wait for some opinions of the unit's two/multi-channel music performance first.

Originally Posted by ohyeah32

This is a very good point you brought up. While a very high Signal to Noise ratio may be sought after by some, there are quite a few very high end brands out there (like the Theta CBII that you mentioned) that have values only slightly above or even a bit lower than the Denon AVP. Now does this mean that just because said pre/pro has a S/N of 100 db that it makes it a poor performer? On the contrary, let's take Classe' as an example, their SSP-600 pre/pro has a rated S/N of 100 db according to the manual, and that unit received raves as being one of the best sounding out there.

Even though Anthem may have a very high S/N according to some test bench reviews out there, the manual for the D2 has it listed as 104 db for digital and 107 db for analog. Now those numbers listed by Anthem aren't too much higher than the one Denon listed for its AVP-A1HDCI. Who knows maybe the Denon will have a higher S/N number once the pro reviewers test it. And in all actuality a S/N of 102 db is pretty darn good.

I think we're getting a fantastic audiophile preamp with the Denon AVP.



Seth

Originally Posted by MarkB

My AVP and POA are at the dealers awaiting my collection.

Originally Posted by Franin

What are you waitin for ! Go Go Go

Originally Posted by MarkB

The plan is to go up Saturday and get them- my mate will be available to help me load it and I may have to use my Dad's people carrier as I don't know if the boxes are going to fit in my car!

But I will see... I might go and get them tomorrow morning!

Originally Posted by pentium7

...385LB unpacked and I think 420 packed...

Originally Posted by MarkB

My AVP and POA are at the dealers awaiting my collection.

Originally Posted by pentium7

The weight of the POA is

I don't blame you for getting some help. Just think of what it is going to be like when my Velodyne 1812 arrives, 385LB unpacked and I think 420 packed.

I can't even really understand how it is so heavy. It easily is heavier than my fridge which is a big kitchenaid full stainless!

Originally Posted by ddimberio

Another point...Denon is a very resourceful company when it comes to any audio product or audio/video source products. They, in my opinion, still make some of the very best A/V receivers out there. That said, Denon has contemplated getting back in to the higher-end A/V processor market for several years now. Based on the build quality, features of the AVP, on top of the "experience" I have with some of their highest priced receivers (5800 series) - I seriously doubt Denon is going to introduce their 1st AV processor in years, price it significantly higher than their highest-end receiver, only to not live up to the hype revolving around it. This piece will be phenomenal - guaranteed.

Originally Posted by elockett

I think it's going to deliver the sonic goods as well. I'll keep an eye on this thread for owner impressions. I do have one question: Will the AVP-A1HDCI playback WMA Pro (lossless) music files, or just WMA. I know FLAC is available as an alternative but I'm just curious.

Originally Posted by ohyeah32

Yes, it will definitely playback WMA Lossless. This is what I will be using.

Originally Posted by ailean

Are you sure? Haven't checked the manual but at least the 5308 seems to indicate that the only non lossy bitrate formats are WAV and FLAC.

ohyeah32 - All streaming AVRs and the AVP support MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, AAC and FLAC regardless of the media manager or operating system. iTunes is supported on all the models with the use of Twonky Media software that needs to be installed on any computer with iTunes (Mac/PC). WMP11 must be installed on a Windows machine for streaming, although you don't have to use its as your media manager - it allows us to stream DRM protected material. Also you can store you audio files on any DLNA NAS drive and stream without a PC...