In 2022, the manufacturer Denon renews only part of its range of Home Cinema amplifiers, that is, four references. After our presentation of Denon AVC‑A1H in our columns yesterday, make way for the Denon AVR‑X2800HDAB.
In short, the Denon AVR-X2800HDAB of course incorporates all the technical features of the AVR‑X2700H DAB+ that appeared in 2020, plus some important new features, including a greater number of HDMI 2.1 connectors, three inputs in addition to two outputs. We can also mention a new user interface in 1080p quality (compared to 480p) and a new network section (module + antenna). Without forgetting the new Multichannel AL32 Processing Multi Channel.
Main specifications of the Denon AVR-X2800HDAB
Returning to the three HDMI 2.1 inputs and two outputs, these support all the features of the standard: VRR, ALLM, eARC, QMS, QFT, Ultra HD 4K 120 fps up to Ultra HD 8K 60Hz Upscaling (see our news HDMI 2.1 standard, official additions welcome, technical and ergonomic).
For the rest, there is of course the management of HDR10 + signals, the integration of a DAB + tuner, compatibility with DDSC HD or the possibility of applying all available audio processing to a Dolby signal. Therefore, it is now possible to use DTS Virtual:X on a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack.
As the title of this news announces, the Denon AVR‑X2800HDAB is a discreet 7.2 model. In the menu, Dolby Atmos 5.1.2, Dolby Height Virtualization and DTS:X 7.1 processing, Bluetooth TX function to transmit the audio signal to suitable headphones in addition to the speakers. It is therefore possible to enjoy your music on speakers in the living room, but also in the kitchen or bedroom via wireless headphones.
Also present is the possibility of taking advantage of multichannel decoding in the main zone (the living room for example) and simultaneously outputting the downmixed signal in stereo in the Heos 2 and 3 zones, the ability to associate in the main zone with a signal video (that of DTT for example), an audio signal from another source (for example that of an audio CD). Finally, thanks to the built-in Heos multi-room module, the Denon AVR‑X2800HDAB offers the option within a Heos setup to distribute a source to another link in the Heos chain.
Denon AVR-X2800HDAB, other technical characteristics
On the menu again for the Denon AVR‑X2800HDAB, a Texas Instrument PCM5102A Dac (384kHz/32bit, 4ch), Spotify Connect certification, AirPlay 2 features, Dual Band Wi‑Fi and TuneIn web radios, the gateway UPnP audio ( DLNA), Amazon Music, Deezer, Sound Cloud, Tidal compatibility… In addition, Audyssey MultEQ XT automatic calibration, Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Audyssey Dynamic EQ processes, DSD 2.8/5.6 MHz, Flac compatibility, Wav and Alac up to 192 kHz/24 bits as well as MP3, WMA and AAC, and handling of 4 or 8 ohm output impedance. Not to mention support for the paid Audyssey MultiEQ Editor app and two subwoofer outputs (in parallel).
Specifically, Audyssey calibration authorizes this year to store two different configurations in memory, for example 2.0 and 5.1.2, or even the result of Audyssey calibration and a custom MultiEQ curve, with the possibility of selecting one or the other in the fly to compare them.
On the HDR side, of course, there’s support for HDR10, HDR10+, HDR HLG, and HDR Dolby Vision, not to mention BT.2020 gamut management. Pass-Through 4K function is also required. Precision, the Denon AVR‑X2800HDA+ is Roon Tested certified.
Denon AVR-X2800HDAB voice assistants, Alexa, Google and Siri
In 2022, the Denon line of audio and video amplifiers still has many advanced features, including compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri voice assistants.
Denon AVR-X2800HDAB, optimized manufacturing
Model 7.2, the Denon AVR‑X2800HDAB shows a power of 7 x 125 W under 6 ohms (7 x 95 W under 8 ohms). As already mentioned, the OSD, color 1080p (not 480p) changes drastically.
There is now a lot of information available on the screen, in particular about the nature of the input and output signals with, for example, the actually active channels. The same goes for the four quick-select buttons on the front, which always make it quick and easy to access the desired source. Precision, the latter also integrate additional functions and modes (Audyssey or multi-room management) for increasingly complete macros.
Denon AVR-X2800HDAB, connectivity
As for connections, there are six HDMI CEC inputs, three 2.0b and three 2.1, HDCP 2.3 certified and compatible respectively up to Ultra HD 2160p/120 and 4320p/60 in 4:4:4. These are transparent to Deep Color, xvYCC and 3D signal. In the AVR‑X2800HDAB menu again, two HDMI 2.1 outputs.
There are also two optical inputs, four stereo RCAs, one Phono input, one Pre-Out 2.0 (zone 2) output, one headphone output, one front USB Host port, one Ethernet port, and two subwoofer outputs. Control of the Denon AVR‑X2800HDAB is of course possible via the free Heos app.
Availability, only in black, immediate. Indicative price: 999 euros.
Reminder of the key features of the Denon AVR‑X2800HDAB:
• Model: 7.2
• Power: 7 x 125 W down into 6 ohms, 7 x 95 W down into 8 ohms
• Inputs: 6 HDMI inputs (3 2.0b + 3 x 2.1), 2 optical inputs, 4 stereo RCA, 1 Phono input, 1 headphone output, 1 front USB Host port and 1 Ethernet port
• Outputs: 2 HDMI 2.1 outputs, 1 Pre-Out 2.0 output (zone 2), 2 subwoofer outputs, 1 headphone output, 7 pairs of screw terminal blocks
• OSD functions
• UPnP (DLNA) audio gateway functions
• ALLM functions
• VRR functions
• QFT functions
• QMS functions
• Spotify connection features
• 4K/120fps Ultra HD capabilities
• 8K/60fps Ultra HD features
• Compatibility with Flac HD
• Compatibility with Alac
• 2.8/5.6 MHz DSD support
• WAV support
• MP3 compatibility
• WMA compatibility
• AAC compatibility
•Dolby Atmos 3.2.2 sound
• DTS:X audio
•Dolby Atmos 5.2.2 sound
• Dolby Atmos audio height virtualizer function
• Virtual DTS: audio X
• Audio eARC function
• Audyssey Dynamic Volume Audio Processing
• Audyssey Dynamic EQ audio processing
• Audyssey MultEQ XT automatic audio calibration
• Multi-channel processing AL32 Multi-channel processing
• HDR10 video
•HDR HLG video
• Dolby Vision HDR video
• BT.2020 video support
• Audio TI PCM5102A digital-to-analog converter (384 kHz/32-bit, 4 channels)
• Ultra HD video pass-through function
• 3D video ready
• HDR10+ video
• Ultra HD/8K (24/25/30/60) video upscaling function
• Ultra HD/4K (24/25/30/60/120) video upscaling function
• Network Control by IP
• Dual-band Wi‑Fi network (2.4/5 GHz)
• AirPlay 2 network
• Bluetooth transmission network
• Media Google Assistant
• MultimediaAmazon Alexa
• Media Apple Siri
• Hi-Res Audio Streaming via USB/Network: Yes
• Internet Radio(s): TuneIn
• Hi-Res Audio Certification
• HDCP 2.3 certification
• DAB+ tuner
• Headphone output: yes
•Roon tested
• Headphone output: yes
• Other(s): integrated Heos multiroom module
• Dimensions (W x H x D, mm): 434 x 167.6 x 340
• Consumption: 500 W (0.1 W in standby)
• Weight: 10.5kg