Hands-on with Denon's super-separates

If the idea of a receiver is just too lowbrow for you, check out Denon's processor/amplifier separates, the AVP/POA-A1HDCI ('AVP' for the processor, 'POA' for the amp). Six HDMI 1.3 inputs, two parallel HDMI outputs and Silicon Optix Realta video processing are some processor highlights; the amp packs in 10 channels at 150-watts. While you're at it, why settle for a Blu-ray player when you can get a dedicated transport? That back panel picture of the DVD-2500BTCI is no prototype unit -- all you get is a power cord, HDMI output, and RS-232. Spin those bits off the Blu-ray disc and send them on to the AVP-A1HDCI for decoding. Pricing is securely in the "if you have to ask..." category: $7k for the AVP-A1HDCI, $7k for the POA-A1HDCI and $1200 for the DVD-2500BTCI.

Gallery: Hands-on with Denon super-separates

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[Josh Warner @ Jan 9th 2008 8:54PM]

Considering my little Denon receiver with only 85 W/channel has strict instructions to leave at least 4 inches on all sides for ventilation... and which does heat up, I don't stack anything on top of it... I wonder if, just maybe, that monster of an amp (1.5 kW! it needs its own circuit!) should be located further from the processor, which seems to be giving it less than 1 cm of clearance.

[Aman Patel @ Jan 9th 2008 9:23PM]

OMG, I actually started drooling...time to upgrade my separates.

-Aman

[Beef Supreme @ Jan 9th 2008 9:38PM]

Holy-ish! I just crapped my separates.

[zargon @ Jan 9th 2008 10:01PM]

It is nice to see more of these companies move into separates, but I think I am going to switch to the Onkyo Integra or marantz.

[kbnguy @ Jan 9th 2008 10:17PM]

Good choice on the Onkyo: http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2007/06/onkyo_professional_debuts_its_first_multichannel_surround_processor.php
I got this beast hooked up to a Sunfire signature amp: 7x405w.
BTW, I dont get those analog inputs though (processor). What can u hook them with now aday. they oughta be clean like the back of Blueray dvd transport

[pquistgard @ Jan 9th 2008 11:10PM]

When am I ever going to be able to aford this stuff? Me likey. Me wanty.

[Z Man @ Jan 10th 2008 2:52AM]

kbnguy,

Actually I think the inclusion of all those analog inputs is a very good thing. There are still a few of us out there who have older model SACD/DVD-A players that only have multichannel analog outs (myself included). If the unit only had digital connections we'd be S.O.L.

Also things like analog tape decks, using the DAC's in one's CD player, thus needing the analog stereo inputs in the pre/pro. There are a number of great reasons to have them and I am very happy to see Denon not exclude us that still need those good 'ol analog inputs. :)

[boe @ Jan 10th 2008 1:43PM]

I have the onkyo 885 seperate and it is a hell of a lot of bang for $1300. That doesn't mean I'm not interested in this beast although I don't think I'm that interested in the amp I am interested in the prepro. Too bad Denon made it so hard to find them at the show - not sure what that was all about. I'm also wondering if they actually have any of these in production yet. Just a month or two ago, they only had two prototypes even though the unit was supposed to be released in November.

[boe @ Jan 10th 2008 1:45PM]

Did I mention while the 2500 BR was easy enough to find, I couldn't spot the 3800? The 2500 is nice and they serve different needs, I have to wonder why the 3800 was so shy or why Denon was so shy.