Denon AVR-3808CI Preview

We were able to get some advance info on the upcoming Denon AVR-3808CI product being released later this month and are now able to show that info to our readers. The primary advances of the new -08 CI series is the addition of HDMI 1.3a and support for 1080p/24 as well as 1080p/60. DVD-Audio and SACD are supported as is 12-bit Deep Color per channel. Both Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio support is provided natively through the receiver (no more PCM conversion required from the HD-DVD player). 7.1 channels of PCM 24-bit/192kHz audio is supported as well for any legacy device requirements.

The four HDMI inputs can not only handle all the new features of the advanced specification, but are coupled with a Faroudja DCDi (FLI-2310) chipset to allow for analogue 480i source content upconversion and scaling to 480p/720p/1080i and even 1080p.

The new receiver supports a more advanced Audyssey setup system with 8 microphone calibration positions. There is also a 2-way IR/RF system with optional base station and the new AVR-3808CI has some tremendous new streaming and command and control functionality that allows for advanced iTunes, streaming media and Internet radio control.

Custom installers will rejoice in the new off-site Internet connectivity that allows integrators to update, upgrade and fix configuration issues remotely, without ever having to set foot in the client's home. Those using Zones 2 and 3 will rejoice to know that the AVR-3808CI has digital to analogue converters to allow all digital audio sources to be sent over the analogue multi-zone outputs.

Features Breakdown

• 130W/channel x 7
  
• Newly revised front panel and controls
• ALL NEW GUI Setup and control interface (front panel setup possible as well)
  
• 0.05% THD
• 3 independent power transformers
• 6 independent power supply circuits
• Dynamic discrete surround circuit-HD (revised for HD audio formats)
• Analog Devices SHARC 21366 (1) and 21367 (1) DSP
  
• Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+ decoding
• dts-HD Master Audio decoding
• Dolby Digital EX, dts ES Discrete/Matrix/Neo:6
• XM-HD 5.1 with Neural Surround
• Compressed audio restorer for portables/iPods
• Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction with eight (8) mic positions
• Revised Y/Mold setup microphone
• AL24 processing (AL24+ front left/front right)
• 24-bit/192kHz DACs (2/8 ch PCM1791A)
• Analog-to-Digital conversion all channels on stereo analogue inputs (24/192 PCM1804)
• Variable high/low-pass crossover points (12/24dB) 40-250Hz
• Assignable digital inputs
• Denon Link 3rd (PCM/DSD compatibility)
• 8-channel parallel digital inputs (for professional monitoring use)
• iPod-ready with Denon D-dock
• USB port (front and rear) for portable music players/flash drives/HDD with Command and Control functionality, on-screen data
• XM Satellite Radio-ready (Mini-tuner compatible)
• Multi-source, multi-zone discrete tuner select function (AM/FM/XM/HD)
• HDMI 1.3a repeater inputs/outputs with support for 1080p/24/60 and 12-bit Deep color, xvYCC color space, auto lip sync correction, and 7.1 uncompressed 24-96 audio plus SACD
• Analogue to HDMI video conversion/scaling (480p/720p/1080i/1080p)
• Faroudja DCDi video processing (FLI-2310)
• Audio Inputs/outputs:
  3 digital S/PDIF
  4 digital optical
  2 optical, assignable S/PDIF outputs
  Phono input
  10 analogue inputs including tuner
  2 analogue record outputs (with DAC to allow digital source output)
• Video Inputs/outputs
  4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  1 HDMI 1.3a output
  7 composite/s-video video inputs
  3 composite/s-video video outputs
  3 component video inputs (100MHz)
  2 parallel (main zone) component video outputs (100MHz)
• Independent video conversion (s-video to composite for Zone 2)
• Source delete function
• Source function rename
• Dual surround mode speaker selection
• System setup/surround parameters lockout
• 8-channel external analogue inputs
• Pure Direct/Direct/Stereo modes for digital/analogue inputs
• 7 DSP effect modes
• Multi-channel stereo mode
• 56-station auto-preset memory tuning
• RS-232 port with new Denon 2-way remote control and RF/IR base station
• RJ-45 Ethernet port (MAC/PC streaming, Internet radio, web browser, enhanced for WMA lossless and AAC)
• PC setup and control via Ethernet (with remote off-site diagnosis, correction, update and upgrade capability)
  
• 3-zone, 3-source (with DACs for digital audio PCM support)
  
• Composite video output for second zone with OSD for meta-data from iPod/XM/streaming
• Discrete IR remote codes (4 for main zone, 2 for multi-zone)
• Enhanced power amplifier assign for multi-zone (Zones 2 and/or 3 in split mono) or bi-amping; four (4) modes in all
  
• 8 channel preamp outputs for main zone
• Relay-controlled protection circuits
• New enhanced multi-zone remote with punch-through commands
• Compatible with RC-7000/7001CI IR/RF 2-way remote/base station (optional
• 35.6 pounds
• Dimensions: 17.1" x 6.7" x 16.9"
  

MSRP is expected to be $1599 and availability is later this month.