Denon's new AVR-4306 A/V Receiver: ethernet streaming, internet radio playing, iPod connecting monster

The new Denon AVR-4306 shows even the old-school audio boys can learn some new tricks. This 7-channel A/V receiver packs in Ethernet so you can setup and control the A/V receiver from your PC and then stream your MP3, WAV, or WMA audio files to it directly via Windows Media Connect or from other devices supporting the open DLNA guidelines. You can also listen to internet radio via a customized vTuner radio station database or attach an optional Connect-and-Play satellite antenna for XM radio goodness. Wait, there's more: a USB port allows "full control of your Rio and Creative MP3 players" while two (!) dedicated iPod connection terminals provide "full iPod (3G and above) integration and control." Not sure if that mean you can control your players via the remote but it sure sounds that way, eh? Oh, and besides all this geekery, you get all the high-end processing you'd expect from Denon including HDMI in/outs with 1080i upscaling, the latest DSPs and codecs, 7 x 130 watts-o-power, and independent audio & video processing capability to setup a 3-room multi-source/multi-zone home entertainment system. Yours for about $2,000. Whew, anyone got a cigarette?

[Via PocketLint]

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Can someone get me a towel? seriously....


Next time I've got that kind of money lying around, this will be the purchase. My Sony receiver recently died, and I've been a little apprehensive about what to get, but with units like this starting to pop up, the temptation is getting greater.

[ronnie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

so is my modded xbox... eat me

[Dignan17 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Classy, ronnie. Classy.

Anyway, this does indeed look very nice. The only receiver I've seen so far that had HDMI or DVI ins/outs was this one:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-ytEj1bCbJsv/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=10420&I=033AV5805B

And I'm not interested in spending six grand on a receiver. Of course, I could care less if it has an ipod port, but the rest of it seems pretty damn cool too.

The one downside is the lack of a DVI port.

[Jokunimi @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

So it does MP3 and WMA but why the h*ll it doesn't support free open source formats like OGG and FLAC? That Denon sure looks like a pretty device, but I'm not going to convert all my music to MP3 (or WMA (yuck!)) for that. Too bad, I just might have bought one...

[Chu Chu @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Jokunimi just a guess but the limitation on codecs is likely a product of the "windows media connect" feature more than the denon unit itself.

[Terry @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

If I was going to spend $6,000 on a new AV receiver (which I will), it better be a McInosh Labs AND have iPod connectors.

[maley @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Wow, this thing is hot. I def would like to have this in the basement. Too bad I'm not rich x_x.

[Jake @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I picked this thing up from Crutchfield a week ago and it definately lives up to expectations. Not only does it have HDMI but it will Up, Down and Cross Convert from any analog format to Digital. I even played my 360 through it and it looked great. The Internet Audio and Network Audio interface is a little clunky but definately works.

[clicclic @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Pioneer's Elite series also has full-on remote control of ipods (but that was no biggie):

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_4155_272584179,00.html

The awesomest: When they showed the demo of it at CEDIA, the standing wave stereo control was amazing. You can program up to 7 different locations in a room, and have the speakers direct perfect stereo sound to that specific location. Very friggin' cool. Pioneer is tits!

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

"Oh, and besides all this geekery, you get all the high-end processing you�d expect from Denon including HDMI in/outs with 1080i upscaling"

Hate to say it, but not good enough anymore!

How long until we start to see 1080p upscaling and HDMI upconversion? I don't give a crap about iPod connectivity (I have an iPod, but a good old "aux" input is enough for me), internet radio, streaming radio or whatever... I care about INPUTS. I want a whole mess of component, composite, and s-video inputs, at least three or four HDMI inputs, and one HDMI output - and I want all those inputs upconverted to 1080p.

Is that too much to ask? I'll forego all these extra BS features just for some nice ins and outs.

[Craig @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

i think it's worth mentioning that the hdmi switch supports 1080p. i'm not sure if it that applies to the upconversion feature or not, but i would imagine it does.

i'm planning buying an hdtv in a year when 1080p is more common/cheaper. i'll be looking at this in a year, hopefully it will be cheaper as well.

[crabby @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Dignan17, the cheaper Denon 3806 also has hdmi in/outs. You should be able to get an inexpensive dvi/hdmi converter if you need dvi.

http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/623.asp

[Marnix @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Hey and what about the Yamaha RX V 4600...

The similarity in specs is scary ;) Although the Yammi has no ethernet or iPod gadgets it is a bit cheaper and on the markted for months now.

[retirement_bound @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Just bought the AVR-3806 and I love it. However, I was hoping somone made a unit that has ethernet, USB/MP3 interface, and HD radio. After seeing this unit's specs all of a sudden I don't feel so great about my recent purchase.

[Rick @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

clicclic, can you control the volume while you are in those seperate rooms or do you have to be in front of the receiver? I would love to have a receiver that can do that instead of purchasing one from Russound or Speakercraft.

[michael @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Dignan17 -> There's also the Yamaha Rx-v2600. I've just got one and it's rather nice :-), available now, and should be comfortably under $2000 (assuming that's american)

[Rich @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

If you just need HDMI switching in your receiver, that's common and cheap now. JVC has the RX-D402, with HDMI switching for $360 or less.

But what I've been waiting for is something with THREE HDMI inputs. Everything else has only had two except for some $6000 unit, I think.

Now this Denon is finally bringing HDMI x 3 to the $2000 level... hopefully it will filter down to sub-$1000 receivers soon.

I don't understand why it's taking so long. I can't be the only one who wants all-digital connections for my TV/DVR box, DVD (soon to be next-gen disc) player, and media center (or forthcoming MediaMacMini) (with HDMI-DVI adapter).

[Ian Jardine @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Hmm got idea but costly.
Question: Why doesn one of these "Receiver" maufacturers tie up with Slimdevices and license their products and integrate it into a decent reveiver. It would probably add around $150-200 to the MSRP (cheaper than an indivcidual SB) because of the ability to sell in volume.

[JL @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

You know, it would have been nice if you had mentioned in the title that it also supports other media devices besides the iPod.

There are those of us who use Creative and Rio devices..
It's nice that Denon thought of us too..

Just a reminder, there are other digital media devices besides the iPod.

[Dark Moon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Funny how this article poped up. Why just yesterday I was trying to decide between the Onkyo an Pioneer Elite model. I even went as far as taking screen snaps of the back of the units so that I could do a stare and compare. Damn, look at the back of that Onkyo;
http://www.eternal-champions.com/images/OnkPio1k74.jpg

Specs being what they are (for all 3), I�m kinda leaning towards the Onkyo. Besides I don�t have an Ipod (2GB and a PSP is good enough to fill my portable device needs).

[BlackFire @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Why is it so hard for these "Ethernet audio" receives to simply receive raw audio streams, rather than requiring MP3 or some other compressed format? Wake me up when I can play some A/V content in VLC and send the video content to my front projector, and the audio signal over 802.11 to an ethernet jack on my receiver to decode the front channels...

[pete @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

1080p scaling? Jeff, why should we worry about 1080p when there aren't many (if any) true 1080p HDTVs out there. There are some TV's that can receive 1080p but not display it natively.

If we should be worried about the lack of 1080p upconvert then maybe we shouldn't buy a HDTV yet. Up to you.

[Bagle @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

#17,

Don't get your hopes up. Denon isn't thinking of you either.

The 4306 specifically supports the thin interface cable that you plug into the bottom of the iPod. The cable has that same connector on both ends and a matching 'iPod' port on the back of the Denon unit.

Unfortunately, that cable is not included in the box, and at the moment not available anywhere. Of course, you can still use analog to connect any device.

[Chaser7016 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Can this stream my music collection over the net like my Shoutcast radio station that runs over my LAN and the Internet? $2K they have got to be kidding, you can get 3PCs and set up a Shoutcast station for $1.5K.

[avaksi @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

#3, Check the new receivers from Yamaha. They all do HDMI now.

[matt jackson @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

When I first read this I thought Wow. Then I thought, <$400 laptop or box, + $1000 oynko amp (take your pick). You get all that + plus a lappy for surfing when you're using the tv or other standard input...

[brian @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

wow, that is so hot. i just want to rub it all over me. do they have an, um, demo model in a store near me?

[Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Note that the Outlaw doesn't have as much connectivity, but its probably the cheapest receiver to have DVI switching, and has better sound quality than most of the name brand receivers.

[Joe @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

damn apparently my first message didn't go through. I was saying that if you want a good receiver, look at the Outlaw Audio 1070. The only thing against it is that it has 7x65 watts, but this is a rating for all channels driven, and is more conservative an estimate than most receiver manufacturers, and plus, they have also just released the preamp version (the 970) and sell external amplifiers as well.

[Paranoised @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I'd rather buy a 360 to do my streaming and settle for a cheaper but equally capable reciever.

Who are they targeting with this anyway?

[Alex @ Dec 24th 2005 11:20PM]

Wow this looks cool, I will buy one in a month or so.

It's a bit out of my budget but quality always cost money, don't expect to pay 400-500$ for high performance and sound quality.

Even if the prices drop down it will only be 200-300$ in the next 2-3 years so keep waiting.