Denon AVR-A1H High-end AVR Review

[Hart]

Maybe it's better to have a slimmer processor-only coupled with a good class D multichannel amp. If the processor ages out you can replace it and not lose the amp section. Easier to deal with smaller components. My rack won't even fit that Denon. Also most likely the amp will better performing than the amp section in the receiver. Not sure if anyone makes a reasonably priced processor that tests well though. Lastly you can choose the amount of amplification you need, 5, 7 or more without paying for extra amp sections in the receiver you may never use.

 

[Brambo67]

Shouldn't discussions on whether there is a reason why these AVR's exist not being taking place in a different topic. I guess something like 'AVR or separates' or 'Stereo beats multi channel all the time' or even 'PC or AVR' would be perfect to host these conversations. My impression of what Amir is doing is showing how an AVR performs in it's own class rather than against DAC's etc. Of course it would radically reduce posts in this topic because 'in it's class' the A1h is doing great... Yes it's heavy, yes it's big and perhaps even ugly... but I think most black boxes are. Anyway, please enjoy trying to reason why this isn't a good product but 'in it's class' I belief it is, I would say a masterpiece of engineering and construction.

 

[Frank207be]

Shouldn't discussions on whether there is a reason why these AVR's exist not being taking place in a different topic. I guess something like 'AVR or separates' or 'Stereo beats multi channel all the time' or even 'PC or AVR' would be perfect to host these conversations. My impression of what Amir is doing is showing how an AVR performs in it's own class rather than against DAC's etc. Of course it would radically reduce posts in this topic because 'in it's class' the A1h is doing great... Yes it's heavy, yes it's big and perhaps even ugly... but I think most black boxes are. Anyway, please enjoy trying to reason why this isn't a good product but 'in it's class' I belief it is, I would say a masterpiece of engineering and construction.

Couldn't agree more AND you can also buy it in premium silver

 

[Frank207be]

Forgot to mention that the A1H supports MPEG-H, a feature that recently has been added to StormAudio. I play Sony 360 Reality Audio this way.

 

[mglobe]

I think one of the key features is four subwoofer out and lots of channel processing.

And Dirac DLBC with the possibility of Dirac ART down the road, along with Roon Ready, makes it a very interesting product.

 

[peng]

For those interested in the 5 and 7 channel driven outputs, Audiovision.de had the following results:

Denon AVC-A1H (Test)

audiovision.de

Bei den Messungen lieferte der AVC-A1H etwas
mehr Leistung als der A110. So waren es im
7.1-Betrieb an 6-Ohm-Last 153 Watt pro Kanal, 134
Watt beim A110. Mit 5 aktiven Endstufen legte der
AVC-A1H 171 (6 Ohm) bzw. 204 (4 Ohm) Watt pro
Kanal an den Tag und damit 12 respektive 6 Watt
mehr als der A110. Im Stereo-Modus kletterte die
Power auf stolze 287 (4 Ohm) bzw. 222 (6 Ohm)
Watt – um 10 bzw. 9 Watt höher als beim A110.
Unterm Strich reicht das in jeder Mess-Disziplin für
die Höchstwertung. Der durchschnittliche Stromverbrauch
lag bei 388 Watt, im Eco-Modus sank
der Verbrauch auf 189 Watt.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Bei den Messungen lieferte der AVC-A1H etwas
mehr Leistung als der A110. So waren es im
7.1-Betrieb an 6-Ohm-Last 153 Watt pro Kanal, 134
Watt beim A110. Mit 5 aktiven Endstufen legte der
AVC-A1H 171 (6 Ohm) bzw. 204 (4 Ohm) Watt pro
Kanal an den Tag und damit 12 respektive 6 Watt
mehr als der A110. Im Stereo-Modus kletterte die
Power auf stolze 287 (4 Ohm) bzw. 222 (6 Ohm)
Watt – um 10 bzw. 9 Watt höher als beim A110.
Unterm Strich reicht das in jeder Mess-Disziplin für
die Höchstwertung. Der durchschnittliche Stromverbrauch
lag bei 388 Watt, im Eco-Modus sank
der Verbrauch auf 189 Watt.

View attachment 427802

That's impressive.

 

[peng]

That's impressive.

View attachment 427809

Comparable ones would be the Onkyo RZ70 and the equivalent Pioneer, Integra, and the Yamaha RX-A8A. Yes for a 15 channel (power amp) box this is impressive results.

 

[Frank207be]

Comparable ones would be the Onkyo RZ70 and the equivalent Pioneer, Integra, and the Yamaha RX-A8A. Yes for a 15 channel (power amp) box this is impressive results.

Plus it most probably has a great phono stage on par with the AV10. Both my daughters use the A1H to listen to their favourite records when we're away.

 

[zentiques]

Plus it most probably has a great phono stage on par with the AV10. Both my daughters use the A1H to listen to their favourite records when we're away.

All in one stack. 24lb TT, 35lb 4k player, 70lb A1H.

 

[EWL5]

View attachment 427843All in one stack. 24lb TT, 35lb 4k player, 70lb A1H.

Is that a custom audio stand?

 

[zentiques]

Is that a custom audio stand?

Basic Salamander Designs Synergy pieced together, nothing fancy. Retail is high, but good used deals turn up. Very flexible, plenty of options. Strong, good air flow.

 

[ban25]

View attachment 427843All in one stack. 24lb TT, 35lb 4k player, 70lb A1H.

Those Salamander "shelf pins" are triggering me. So annoying to work with!

 

[zentiques]

They can be a PIA, learned tricks over the years dealing with a stack of mono amps and processors. Not sure when they switched from asymmetric to the universal pin design. Newer shelf surface is also better and less suseptible to scratches. With the A1H, the key was proper planning. Surprisingly, it easily fit with good clearances, even in the rear. Floor jack was ready, just in case.

 

[zentiques]

Couldn't agree more AND you can also buy it in premium silver

Silver and Sopras, beautiful

 

[beagleman]

I have always look for the worst since day one, but the most important factor is, as you mentioned, where the transition point is. It is likely a range, in order to cover the different point for different people. For distortions, it may be -40 dB to -90 dB? I, like many other ASR members have taken those Klippel tests, and I did much better than the average scores even though I have hear loss in the around 4 kHz like most older people so. Better than Amir's iirc, he's honest enough to tell his score lol..

Do you have links to studies with test results on the "audibility" topics that you think are reliable and highly credible?

Back to the A1H, of all the measurements Amir has taken, I couldn't find a single one that indicated this thing should not be considered transparent. It also measured better than many so called separates, yes stereo separates included.

I think you have to realize, there are members in the forum that live and die on the actual measurements that Amir gets, and the numbers are all they care about or at least their primary concern.

Actual audibility or even having tried products with more '"mediocre" results are not what they are caring about.
I have gotten into pissing matches about so so numbers and what the actual Real world usage would be, and some are just numbers driven and that is it.

 

[Golfx]

I think the numbers help them stay grounded and allows them the safety of not have to make any real purchase decisions.

 

[Aventador_SVJ]

I think you have to realize, there are members in the forum that live and die on the actual measurements that Amir gets, and the numbers are all they care about or at least their primary concern.

Actual audibility or even having tried products with more '"mediocre" results are not what they are caring about.
I have gotten into pissing matches about so so numbers and what the actual Real world usage would be, and some are just numbers driven and that is it.

But Electronics Engineering is numbers driven. Great maths and objective measurement obviously means great sound.

I suppose if you do not work in this area, you might not understand this. This reply is not intended to upset anybody.

What is really interesting is that it is obvious even at this level of engineering, there does not seem to be the components available within Denon's cost remit to be able to bring an AV based amplifier anywhere near a DAC/stereo amp. Perhaps, we will get D class amplifiers, such as Purifi or similar in the next generation, which will assist the energy efficiency, in addition to helping with the sound quality of the analogue based amplifier stage.

Even so, in the Denon's price/feature category, it seems to be the best product available for sound quality. I think for most people though, the Denon avc-x4800h is the best value overall. Law of diminishing returns.

 

[Golfx]

But Electronics Engineering is numbers driven. Great maths and objective measurement obviously means great sound.

I suppose if you do not work in this area, you might not understand this. This reply is not intended to upset anybody.

What is really interesting is that it is obvious even at this level of engineering, there does not seem to be the components available within Denon's cost remit to be able to bring an AV based amplifier anywhere near a DAC/stereo amp. Perhaps, we will get D class amplifiers, such as Purifi or similar in the next generation, which will assist the energy efficiency, in addition to helping with the sound quality of the analogue based amplifier stage.

Even so, in the Denon's price/feature category, it seems to be the best product available for sound quality. I think for most people though, the Denon avc-x4800h is the best value overall. Law of diminishing returns.

Well it is kind of a condescending answer.

Most of us realize math delivers predictability.

There is also math that describes the ability of humans to hear sound. It is that math that we are suggesting can modify/limit the audible limits of electronics.

 

[zentiques]

For those interested in the 5 and 7 channel driven outputs, Audiovision.de had the following results:

Denon AVC-A1H (Test)

audiovision.de

Bei den Messungen lieferte der AVC-A1H etwas
mehr Leistung als der A110. So waren es im
7.1-Betrieb an 6-Ohm-Last 153 Watt pro Kanal, 134
Watt beim A110. Mit 5 aktiven Endstufen legte der
AVC-A1H 171 (6 Ohm) bzw. 204 (4 Ohm) Watt pro
Kanal an den Tag und damit 12 respektive 6 Watt
mehr als der A110. Im Stereo-Modus kletterte die
Power auf stolze 287 (4 Ohm) bzw. 222 (6 Ohm)
Watt – um 10 bzw. 9 Watt höher als beim A110.
Unterm Strich reicht das in jeder Mess-Disziplin für
die Höchstwertung. Der durchschnittliche Stromverbrauch
lag bei 388 Watt, im Eco-Modus sank
der Verbrauch auf 189 Watt.

View attachment 427802

Any idea how these specs would translate to all channels driven ?