Denon New '13 IN-Command Series Receivers Preview

Denon's new IN-Command Series of home theater receivers have caught a lot of attention for their feature set. When Denon revealed that they had three new IN-Command receivers ready to ship, we couldn't wait to take a closer look at them. These receivers are all aimed directly at the enthusiast with a bit of cash to spend. Starting at $650 and topping out at $1200, the new IN-Command offerings are certainly not an impulse buy. But that doesn't mean they won't provide great value for your dollar. We will take a look at the least expensive first and work our way up to the most (adding features along the way).

The AVR-2113CI is the least expensive in the new IN-Command line and will retail for $649.99. Like all the new IN-Command receivers, the AVR-2113CI has Apple AirPlay out of the box along with a new app for control using your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. It has a host of streaming capabilities including Sirius SM, vTuner (for Internet radio), and Pandora. The front panel USB port allows a direct connection to iOS devices as well as other USB drives. It is DLNA 1.5 certified for streaming local content.

The AVR-2113CI is a 7.1 receiver sporting 95 watts per channel. It weighs in at just under 21 pounds. There are six (one on the front) HDMI 1.4a connections (supports Audio Return Channel and 3D), one component video input, and three composite inputs (one on the front) and one output. There is a single input of each digital audio type (coaxial and optical) and a handful of analogue audio inputs. There are seven speaker-level connections with the surround back channels assignable to Zone 2 (RCA outputs also available). RS-232 support is on board (for you custom installers) and there is a single subwoofer output.

Inside, you'll find 24-bit/192-kHz DACs, as well as Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey MultEQ XT. Dolby ProLogic IIz is onboard but, without assignable pre-outs, we're guessing the height channels will have to be powered by the surround back channels. With a complete lack of component video outputs, you'd be correct to assume that the Denon AVR-2113 upcoverts all analogue video to HDMI. It also will scale that video to 1080p. For those with 4k displays (both of you), the AVR-2113 will pass through 4k as well as scale it for you. A GUI is overlayed over the HDMI signal even with 4k scaling enabled.

The AVR-2313 adds $250 to the price of the AVR-2113 bringing the MSRP to $899.99. The AVR-2313 is a 105 watt per channel (seven channels) receiver with dual subwoofer outputs. It clocks in at 24 pounds. It builds on the base of the AVR-2113 but adds a a lot of additional connections.

Other than the wattage and the additional subwoofer output, the AVR-2313 has two HDMI outputs (instead of one), dual component video inputs and an output, and four composite video inputs and two outputs. There are still only seven sets of speaker connections but, again, the surround back speakers can be routed to Zone 2 if you wish (RCA outputs also available). There are now two digital audio inputs of each type (optical and coaxial). The AVR-2313 adds a 12-volt trigger for further supporting custom installers.

Adding a component video output means a much easier time connecting to older displays, but it seems that video conversion only works to HDMI and not composite to component. There is the inclusion of the new Audyssey DSX surround mode but it is unclear exactly how this works. With only seven speaker terminal pairs and no clearly marked assignable pre-outs, it would seem that you would have the option of either surround back speakers or one of the height/width channels of Audyssey DSX. 

The Denon AVR-3313CI is, again, a 7.2 channel receiver but this time sporting 125 watts per channel. It weighs in at 26.5 pounds and will set you back $300 more than the AVR-2313 (MSRP for the AVR-3313CI is $1199.99). While the AVR-2313CI adds mostly number and type of connections over the smaller AVR-2113CI, the AVR-3313CI adds not only connections, but a whole host of functionality.

To start with, the back of the AVR-3313 is much busier than either of the previous models by an order of magnitude. The AVR-3313CI adds an additional Zone of audio (up to three), each able to receive independent sources. It adds an HDMI input (up to seven) and an HDMI output (up to three - two parallel and one discrete). This allows for a output of HDMI to a second zone with all the benefits that entails. This is a big deal, and a feature we have not seen before, particularly at this price. The component video output is also labeled Zone 2 so it seems that you will have options for component video in your second zone (though Zone 3 looks to be simply audio at this point).

On top of that, the number of inputs and outputs has been greatly increased. Instead of having only seven speaker terminal pairs, the AVR-3313 has added four, bringing the total to eleven. Front height channels as well as width channels are labeled. It is unclear if these are assignable or not. Regardless, these extra terminals makes switching configurations on the fly a cinch.

For custom installers, a second 12-volt trigger was added (up to two) as well as an IR in and out for programming universal remotes. There are pre-outs for Zones 2 and 3 as well as a full suite of 7.2 pre-outs for adding external amplification. Analogue to component video conversion is also now supported for those wishing to integrate legacy TVs. 

Conclusion

It is easy to see how Denon has targeted their new '13 IN-Command receivers. The difference in price, rather than adding features that you wanted at all price points, adds additional power and connections. This means that the consumer (or custom installer) can pay for exactly what they need in terms of connections without sacrificing all the cool streaming and upscaling features in the process. We like this idea and hope that it resonates with Denon's customers. If you have an HDMI equipped display (and who doesn't these days) and no real need for multiple zone functionality, the AVR-2113CI will be more than enough for you. If you want many more connections, analogue to component video conversions, and multi-zone support (including two discrete HDMI connections), you'll have to pay more for it and get the AVR-3313CI. At no point, however, are you forced to sacrifice Audyssey's MultEQ XT, Apple AirPlay, DLNA 1.5 certification, 4k upscaling, or tons of other features that are usually dropped with the lack of connections.

For more information, please visit www.denon.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.