Best Denon Receiver

For quite a long time, AV receivers have occupied the position of the leading home media center. They allow you to combine all your equipment into a single multimedia system and get the most out of sound and video. There are many companies in the receiver market, but one of the leaders is Denon. In this review, I will cover the products of this company so you can find and choose your best Denon AV receiver.

Our pick

Denon AVR-X3700H

Best Denon Receiver

Denon AVR-X3700H 9.2 channel 8K AV receiver with 105W per channel that fully supports 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos®, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, DTS:X®, DTS Virtual:X™ and IMAX® Enhanced. Read the full review

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The history of this company is over 100 years. Throughout the entire duration of its activity, the company keeps its principles the same, mainly targeting better sound and reliability. And that’s why I did a detailed top Denon receivers review in order to choose the most appropriate option.

Denon Receivers Comparison Table

Difference between budget and premium Denon AV receivers

Every manufacturer of home theater receivers, and Denon is no exception, offers a wide variety of models that could find their buyer in each range of market prices, offering the best Denon receiver in its scope.

So which receiver should I choose? Budget, medium, or premium model? What is the difference between these devices? Do I need a surround sound receiver? These are the questions unsophisticated buyers have. So please read on to answer them and make an informed choice. Of course, you will not become a professional in this area, but the basic aspects will become clear to you.

I should start with corps and frame. Maybe, the first feature that people look at when buying a new device. The more costly the AVR is, the more exquisite it appears to be. And this can be seen from the plastic of the front panel and other external details of the case. More expensive receivers are also distinguished by a reinforced frame, which serves as a mount for a heavy transformer. It also dampens component vibrations.

The second item to examine, in my opinion, is connection specifications. Premium models always feature a more significant number of digital and analog interfaces. For example, a few budget models are equipped with HDMI 2.1 for 8K video streaming with HDCP 2.3 protection. The same is true for wireless protocols, the more expensive the model, the newer technologies will be used there. Also, more expensive models are equipped with more different ports, making them more versatile than budget options.

Receiver components also have a significant impact on their price. The more powerful the transformer is, the more expensive the device itself, but at the same time, we have better audio specs at the output. However, do not forget about capacitors, resistors, and DACs – all these components also increase in quality as the receiver class increases.

The most recent technology, as well as fantastic sound, are not inexpensive. Keep that in mind, and don’t search for a “great receiver for $100.”

How I picked and tested Denon receivers

The receiver`s tests require adequate preparation to appreciate the devices’ audio and visual properties. So I set up an excellent test environment.

• CD player SACD 30n
• Blu-ray player Sony UBP-X700
• Speaker wire – AudioQuest Type-9
• Speakers for movie – Klipsch RP-8060FA
• Stereo speakers:
  • Klipsch RP-8060FA
  • KEF Q350
  • DALI OBERON 5

I decided to test devices with the “1917” movie, where there are enough talks and colorful battle scenes.

And my music list is:

• Led Zeppelin – Ramble On – Spotify
• Jacky Terrasson – Reach – Tidal
• The Weeknd – The Hills – Deezer
• Bob Marley & The Wailers – Turn Your Lights Down Low – (CD player)
• Radiohead – The National Anthem – (CD player)
• Arctic Monkeys – Do I Wanna Know – (CD player)
• Mark Nauseef – With Space in Mind (CD player)
• Mahler – Symphony No.2 (CD player)

Best Denon Receiver Reviews

Best mid-price Denon AVR Reviews

Denon AVR-X3700H – best overall

Let’s start the review by describing the AVR-X3700H, Denon’s mid-range flagship. This unit can handle 9.2 configurations directly (and handle up to 11.2 through external amplifiers) at 105 W at 8 Ohm or 135 W at 6 Ohm. This means that the AVR-X3700H can be configured to work in Dolby Atmos 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 configuration – or you can add a stereo amplifier to distribute the signal to a 7.2.4-channel system. But even if you don’t have a full set of speakers with upper channels, you can still use the 3D audio supported by this receiver – namely, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Virtualization Technology, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, and IMAX Enhanced.

As for connectors, one of the X3700H’s seven inputs and two of its three outputs are full HDMI 2.1 connectors with support for 8K at 60Hz and 4K at 120Hz. In addition, all of its HDMI connections support HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, and Quick Media Switching, allowing the source to switch resolutions or frame rates to eliminate screen blackout instantly.

If you decide to play music with this 8K receiver, a useful feature of decoding Hi-Res audio files with sample rates up to 24 bits/192 kHz and DSD up to DSD128 will come in handy. All you have to do is download them over the network or via USB input. Thinking of hooking up a vinyl player? This model has a built-in MM phono stage.

HEOS and Apple AirPlay 2 support allow you to do without physical interaction with the receiver if desired. Also, in addition to connecting multi-room functions, these technologies enable Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri.

However, the manual operation of Denon’s receivers is one significant factor in their enduring charm. The remote control is pretty standard, but it is a pleasure to twist the big round controls with the precisely calibrated resistance of that manipulation. You are going to love it for sure!

After 15-20 minutes spent with the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 auto-calibration system and some manual fine-tuning, the Denon actively got down to business. It instantly grabbed my attention, and held it firmly for the duration of the test. The energy and precision of this receiver’s details delivery are astounding. The combination of outstanding expressive dynamics that highlight each character phrase and make it easy to distinguish one shot from another provides even more immersive on-screen action. Most of my testing was done in Pure Direct mode, which provides the cleanest, clearest, and most accurate signal reproduction. The sound quality was high, and the Denon did not let me down and even exceeded my expectations.

Denon AVR-X4700H – top Denon AVR under 2000 dollars

The Denon AVR-X4700H is a mid-budget receiver that can satisfy even the most demanding music lovers with its sound. However, the X4700H is the transitional link between Denon`s top-end and mid-range receivers and already has a killer sound and feature set.

The AVR-X4700H`s video path is based on the latest HDMI video features such as 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz with both pass-throughs but only works on one input and 8K up-scaling. And like most similar models, it has Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDCP 2.3 support on all HDMI inputs.

With nine power amplifiers (125 W at 8 Ohm or 165 W at 6 Ohm), the AVR-X4700H delivers advanced productivity due to the 11 channel processing and surround decoders Dolby and DTS: X, and Auro-3D.

And I’d like to add to what has already been said. There are IMAX Enhanced-based decoders. Of course, all audio decoders such as Dolby Surround, DTS Neural: X, and Auro-Matic are here too.

When I started testing the unit’s capabilities with a movie, a high-definition sound stage combined with spatial effects immediately surrounded me. Each action on the screen was accompanied by sound with appropriate positioning. Unfortunately, I didn’t leave the feeling that I was watching a video, not at 60Hz, but much lower, at a frequency, somewhere around 30Hz.

Denon handles musical scores confidently: impulse fidelity, excellent coarse dynamics, and high spatial density provide a high perceptual ratio. The 4700H is powerful enough to properly deliver detailed sound in the range from high to low frequencies. This works well in a nearly 30 square meter listening room with no compromise or even can deal with additional rooms in case of a wired multiroom. Otherwise, in order not to burden the device, you can use the HEOS protocol and make a wireless multi-room.

Denon AVR-X2700H – top model under $1000

The Denon AVR-X2700H is a capable 7.2-channel home cinema media unit with HEOS wireless multi-room technology.

The sound quality is genuinely immersive due to the significant performance of 95 W at 8 Ohm or 125 W at 6 Ohm per channel. And I’m talking about both Hi-Fi and home theater with 3D sound. Best of all, this unit is 8K compatible. I have no doubts about its versatility because it is fully compatible with the essential advanced music features by Dolby and DTS.

When I listened to tracks, the X2700H also gave an excellent result. While there is a difference between CD tracks and streaming, the Denon AVR-X2700H does a pretty exciting job. It generates a dense sound “stage” in the room. This also applies to multi-room capabilities. However, the only drawback of this is the control of additional zones only with the help of the receiver’s UI. I would even say that the unit gives the effect of presence. It reproduces the entire frequency range well, from rich bass to squeaky high frequencies. However, the details of the sound are best captured in the middle register.

The impression it made on me during the test is quite positive. It operates with a rich sound without unnecessary details. In the movie test, I was glad to hear a reasonably high-quality transmission of dialogues. They are reproduced with astonishing clarity. All voices are authentic, and when the dialogue falls into the background of the soundtrack, the clarity of the sound is further enhanced. The Denon AVR-X2700H seamlessly divides the sound into different channels and prevents other effects from drowning out the dialogue.

Best Premium Denon AV Receiver Reviews

Denon AVR-X6700H – best premium Denon AVR

The AVR-X6700H is Denon’s top premium 8K unit. The top-of-the-line AVR-X6700H comes with an 11.2-channel amplifier module. The power is 140 W/8 Ohm or 175 W/6 Ohm per channel, and I think such an impressive power will be enough to sound even a large room fully. And if you still use two different sets of speakers, then you can create a set of settings for each of them and switch between them.

And when compared to the previous Denon AVR-X6500H, the X6700H has 8 HDMI input terminals and three output terminals, all certified as HDMI 2.1 standard. Thanks to this, the AVR-X6700H supports 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz, which are complemented by the latest video technologies – Dolby Atmos, DTS: X, and even DTS: X Pro. I’d also like to draw attention to the fact that this device can work with IMAX Enhanced (up to 13 channels in 9.1.2 and 9.1.4 configurations).

And as usual, I started the review by watching a movie. I should note that switching from Blu-ray player to TV caused unpleasant picture jerks. The testing unit produced a delightful, clean, and understandable sound, and the dynamics and detail were impeccable. However, as I can tell, the bass could have been a little more intense. And, of course, the best Denon receiver cannot sound bad.

With tracks, I got similar results. The output is accurate and detailed sound, and I had a realistic perception of the sound stage. The bass ranges were also slightly underestimated here, but the subwoofer made up for this trifle.

Denon AVR-X8500H

The Denon AVR-X8500H is a particularly fantastic model because of its 13 power levels. This unit develops a 150 W/8 Ohm or 190 W/6 Ohm power per channel. In addition, I must say that in single-channel mode. The functionality is excellent when the device produces an impressive 260 W with an impedance of 6 Ohm. It can be used with major immersive audio standards such as Dolby Atmos, DTS: X, and Auro-3D. With the last, you can configure a 7.1.6 or 9.1.4 surround speaker set by adding a maximum of six additional height speakers.

With HDMI connectivity and HDCP 2.2 protection, I was able to extract the most from an available 4K source. In addition, I note that there is support for HDR, Dolby Vision, HLG, offering the highest image quality not only from modern digital video sources but also from old analog ones.

I heard detailed, light, and spacious sounds during the movie test. The audio of the battle scenes seemed so realistic that I almost became a spectator of the story. I felt a real immersive experience. In terms of Hi-Fi listening, I also got more than satisfactory results. I clearly separated instruments and vocals. Frequencies ranging from high to low sounded nice and clear. I was surrounded by soft and mesmerizing music. I can summarize that Denon also excelled in music.

Best Budget Denon Receiver Reviews

Denon AVR-X1600H – best budget Denon receiver

The Denon AVR-X1600H is an affordable classic 7.2 receiver with surround sound capabilities. It has all the valuable features and connections and offers enough power (80 W with 8 Ohm impedance or 120 W with 6 Ohm) to meet modern standards. In addition, a powerful amplifier unit provides another function that is not available to some budget receivers – this is biamping. And besides this, the receiver can work with a vinyl player.

Let’s start with video capabilities. On the back of the Denon AVR-X1600H, there are five more HDMI ports (only 6 in total) and an ARC output. All HDMI inputs accept 4K/60Hz, HDCP 2.2, HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG. And thanks to this set, I have not experienced problems with compatibility with UHD TVs, as well as Blu-ray players that already support higher resolutions compared to classic Full HD.

When it comes to music, the functionality is excellent – listening to Hi-Fi on the Denon AVR-X1600H and listening to streaming music work very well. However, as soon as I increased the volume above average, distortion appeared and detail was lost. The sound is just as fantastic, crisp but less loaded with low frequencies than before. The vocal parts sound distinct, and the high frequencies of the strings sound very natural. This all gave me the impression of a rich sound stage around me.

To get excellent results from the test, I have tuned the entire audio system using the auto-calibration system. And as I expected, the sound was delightful, and the movie soundtrack reproduction was crystal clear and amazingly detailed. The sound is expressive and agile, with good bass reproduction.

Denon DRA-800H – good stereo receiver

Denon DRA-800H is specially designed for stereo music lovers. And with FM and DAB + radio tuners, dedicated headphone terminals, Wi-Fi, and multiple digital inputs, including HDMI, I got excellent stereo sound with preamp support and home cinema functionality.

The DRA-800H offers five HDMI inputs and one HDMI output supporting 60Hz Full 4K Ultra HD video resolution with support for all the latest video technologies. There is also HDMI ARC, which ensures smooth sound transmission directly from the Smart TV to the receiver via a single HDMI cable.

I can note that this model develops the power declared by the Denon company – 100 W/8 Ohm or 120 W/6 Ohm per channel using proprietary audiophile-grade resistors and capacitors. It also uses AKM AK4458 DACs. And I checked it out and can say that DRA-800H decodes HD signals from a wide range of lossless file formats, including ALAC, FLAC, and WAV, up to 24-bit / 192 kHz.

I started my Denon DRA-800H test by playing a movie on a 4K TV. Only the receiver had to be set up manually. Despite the stereo configuration, the sound was smooth, low frequencies pushed, and the sound stage was excellent and comprehensive. Dialogues were quite naturally separated from the background.

However, where it really stops is listening to Hi-Fi music. I was pretty impressed with the naturalness of the sound. The sound stage was quite broad, and the instruments sounded “authentic.”

And I was also not disappointed when listening to wireless audio from streaming services, despite the compression of the audio stream. The sound sometimes lacked clarity and nuance, but it was still relatively smooth and pleasant. It appears that the Japanese receiver does not accentuate compression defects.