Denon AVR 2803

Denon kept us waiting since last January : Six months ago, the Japanese brand presented two very exciting new Home-Theater products during the CES in Vegas: The AVR 2803, a middle-range amplifier meant to fill the gap between the AVR 1803 and 3803 ; and the very first Universal DVD-Audio and SACD player crafted by Denon: the DVD 2900.

But let?s just start with a brief technical description of the AVR 2803?s specificities, which, as noted earlier, will find its place between the currently available AVR 1803 and AVR 3803 amplifiers.

Audio by Analogue Devices:
Although the AVR 2803 uses the same design and is also built around the same frame as its predecessors, it also features some exclusive new tricks: The adjunction of an amplification section, offering an absolutely identical rendering for each of the 7 channels, all of them delivering 90 watts under 8 ohms, with a THD reaching only 0,005% max.
As for the treatment of the multi-channel audio streams, we find an internal decoder managing all the usual audio standards currently existing: DTS 96/24, ES, NEO, Dolby Digital EX, DP2?
Furthermore, we discover a new Dsp 32 bits processor, used to manage the various audio modes. This new processor, created by Analogue Devices, offers a more detailed treatment of the audio signal. Denon insists on the fact that, with the adjunction of this processor, this device greatly gains in dynamic and feedback reply.
As a matter of conclusion for the audio part, we shall note that Denon has integrated a Matrixed Mode (mode 5/7 ch) on this device, as well as on the others models of this audio line. This Matrixed audio mode allows a stereo audio source (CD, VHS, Game board, ?) to be recreated on a 5 or 7 channels sonic space.

The video part:
Like most amplifiers of the new generation, the AVR 2803 is equipped by the most complete connection panel (Composing, S-video) and also by very efficient built-in electronic components.
We first find a video switch on both composite outputs, which allows video signals sequenced at 100 Mhz to be handled without any quality loss.
As for the transfer, the AVR 2803 is equipped by a video panel that is compatible with High Definition formats, allowing the connection with an HDTV source or a DVD player (featuring a progressive scan mode).
As a matter of conclusion, we shall note that, like the other devices of this collection, the AVR 2803 offers an OSD mode for a more easy configuration of your system.

Connections:
As indicated earlier, this new model is equipped by virtually each and every connection in existence (obviously excepted any sort of Pro connectors?):
-11 analog audio inputs / 11 analog outputs
- 8 digital audio inputs / 1 optical output
-1 Ext 8 Channel input.
- 2 component inputs / 1 component output.
- 7 S-Video inputs / 3 S-Video outputs.
- 7 composite inputs / 3 composite outputs
- 1 AMX / Crestron input.

Conclusion
Despite his so-called ?middle range? position, the AVR 2803 is a strong and powerful device, which will allow the user to enjoy a multi-room mode [zone 2], an RDS tuner with 40 pre-selections, and a programmable remote-control.
This device is already available, for a suggested retail price of 1150 euros.