Denon AVR-A1H High-end AVR Review

[Pajamas llama]

I think a at least 7 channel testing would be fair since it is a surround amplifier. Or at minimum 4 channel since that would include the bi-amping function and definitely a real world scenario. I've seen the DENON 8500 perform ridiculously low watt per channel as soon as 7 channels was used. And that's a so called 13x150 watt amp. I find these new "beasts" with extreme power and 13 or 15 channels a bit ridiculous since I've owned the real Denon AVC amps previously including the AVC-A1XVA (AVR 5805) that last one was 10x170 watts but much closer to actual delivering those number with twice the microfarad and a 1200 VA toroidal main transformer. And despite toroidal transformers weighing about 20% less than a similar regular transformer, the amp weighed 99 lbs. Now THAT is worthy of being called a beast.

 

[peng]

And despite toroidal transformers weighing about 20% less than a similar regular transformer, the amp weighed 99 lbs. Now THAT is worthy of being called a beast.

Yes, that's a real best but I think it is better to just compare their tested/measured output under the same load conditions, using weight is a good way for estimation, projection, but often not too accurate/reliable because there are many other factors that affect weight. For example, earlier Emotiva XPA amps are relatively heavy but if you look at their transformer's VA rating and measured output, they weren't beast class vs many lighter weight power amps including Bryston's.

Having said that, the AVR-5805CI for sure was a beast at the time, and it was probably one of very few (may be 2, the other one being a Yamaha one) AVRs that also used the flagship TI DAC IC that has better specs than even the supposedly (based on Gene, Audioholics.com) the world's only fully end to end balanced AVP, ie the AVP-A1HDCI. I would love to grab an AVR-5805 just for ownership pride but believe or not, I would never do that precisely because of the weight concern lol... I am too spoiled now by those widely available high performance, high output class D amps.

 

[Pajamas llama]

It's definitely still a beast today and wipes the floor with AVR-A1H. Back then the big companies would fight to have the best, even if the price was crazy. Denon won that fight. Another great feature of the AVR 5805 is that you can assign any channel as you like. So you can make it a stereo amp with penta amping. Even a 10 channel mono amp if you like. There's no restrictions. Yamaha also made a beast although not quite the same league as the Denon, but still way more impressive than what is produced today.

 

[sask15]

I am really liking my A1H, I don’t use the internal power but it works flawlessly. I am using the McIntosh MC7270 to power my fronts, anthem MCA325 v2 and MCA 225 v2 to power the rest. 2- B&W DB1D subwoofers for bass. 705 s3 signature fronts, HTM 71 s3 signature centre, 706 s3 for rears and AM1 for upper rear speakers. Lg 77” C3 OLED and JVC NP5 projector with motorized screen in front of the OLED. Panasonic 9000 blu ray player, Audio Technica LP7 turntable with VM760xsl cartridge. All sounds great together. No complaints. I bought the A1H for around $5800 plus taxes in Canada before the price jump. Now it’s over $10,000 with taxes so a little crazy.

 

[Pajamas llama]

I am really liking my A1H, I don’t use the internal power but it works flawlessly. I am using the McIntosh MC7270 to power my fronts, anthem MCA325 v2 and MCA 225 v2 to power the rest. 2- B&W DB1D subwoofers for bass. 705 s3 signature fronts, HTM 71 s3 signature centre, 706 s3 for rears and AM1 for upper rear speakers. Lg 77” C3 OLED and JVC NP5 projector with motorized screen in front of the OLED. Panasonic 9000 blu ray player, Audio Technica LP7 turntable with VM760xsl cartridge. All sounds great together. No complaints. I bought the A1H for around $5800 plus taxes in Canada before the price jump. Now it’s over $10,000 with taxes so a little crazy.

Yeah I've thought about buying the x8500 and also just use it as a pre-amp/processor since it was measures really well as that, and still is cheaper than similar quality processors without amplification. Also a great feature that you can actually set it up that way. I have OLED in the bedroom and ISF calibrated JVC in the home cinema. JVC D-I.L.A. projectors are simply the best

 

[JK369]

I am really liking my A1H, I don’t use the internal power but it works flawlessly. I am using the McIntosh MC7270 to power my fronts, anthem MCA325 v2 and MCA 225 v2 to power the rest. 2- B&W DB1D subwoofers for bass. 705 s3 signature fronts, HTM 71 s3 signature centre, 706 s3 for rears and AM1 for upper rear speakers. Lg 77” C3 OLED and JVC NP5 projector with motorized screen in front of the OLED. Panasonic 9000 blu ray player, Audio Technica LP7 turntable with VM760xsl cartridge. All sounds great together. No complaints. I bought the A1H for around $5800 plus taxes in Canada before the price jump. Now it’s over $10,000 with taxes so a little crazy.

I was going to say, "why didn't you get Marantz AV10", but then I saw how much you paid for it. I have Denon avr-a10h, and I paid as much as you did for it. A1H was around $2k higher.

 

[sask15]

Yes I bought it from Visions Electronics and the manager threw out some really good deals. I could have bought the A10H for around $4600 I think it was plus taxes. I had the cinema 30 before and really liked it but they don’t carry Marantz there. The DB1D’s I bought for I think it was around $4700 a piece, was between them and the JL fathoms but the DB1D’s sound great. Yes the JVC projectors are excellent, really like it.

 

[Pajamas llama]

Also I hate Marantz "new" design with the freakishly small display unless you want to have the front flipped down and looking like shi-itake and yeah the price is ridiculous high. The Denon AVP-A1 was also a freaking beast. But of course it doesn't do atmos plus doesn't have the best room EQ. But that combo with the POA-A1 was amazing. I believe the processor was 60 lbs and the power amp was 135 lbs

 

[Pajamas llama]

Yeah in Denmark we don't get those prices. Everything is freaking expensive here. So looking at what some reviewer in UK or in USA labels a best buy doesn't really carry over here since some manufacturers are twice as expensive in Denmark vs UK, and some are "just" 30 % more expensive.

 

[sask15]

When I had the Marantz Cinema 30 I just left the door flipped open to see the standard display. As you say the small display can’t really be seen typically from where you are sitting.

Canada pricing is high too compared to the US and I couldn’t have looked at the A1H at its list price of $9300 cad but given the discount I went for it. The price of the Marantz separates is a little out of my range for sure.

 

[JK369]

Yes I bought it from Visions Electronics and the manager threw out some really good deals. I could have bought the A10H for around $4600 I think it was plus taxes. I had the cinema 30 before and really liked it but they don’t carry Marantz there. The DB1D’s I bought for I think it was around $4700 a piece, was between them and the JL fathoms but the DB1D’s sound great. Yes the JVC projectors are excellent, really like it.

Single DB1D is like $7200, a bit high end for me. I got four SVS SB17 and Valerion Vision master max.my entire set up is SVS ultra evolution with pinnacle towers, in a 7.4.4 setup. Planning to two more height channels in the future

 

[sask15]

4- SB 17’s would be very nice. I was thinking of doing 4 JL E112’s too. Might add something else down the road.

 

[Sal1950]

Also I hate Marantz "new" design with the freakishly small display unless you want to have the front flipped down and looking like shi-itake and yeah the price is ridiculous high.

Amir's not a fan either.
I like it, it's classic Marantz.

 

[ht_addict]

Yeah I've thought about buying the x8500 and also just use it as a pre-amp/processor since it was measures really well as that, and still is cheaper than similar quality processors without amplification. Also a great feature that you can actually set it up that way. I have OLED in the bedroom and ISF calibrated JVC in the home cinema. JVC D-I.L.A. projectors are simply the best

Excellent receiver. Had one since it came out. Found the 8K HDMI upgrade board on Ebay and installed myself. Use mine as a Prepro..

 

[Oddball]

Amir's not a fan either.
I like it, it's classic Marantz.

Agreed - what's there not to like - except the price?

 

[Oddball]

Yeah I've thought about buying the x8500 and also just use it as a pre-amp/processor since it was measures really well as that, and still is cheaper than similar quality processors without amplification. Also a great feature that you can actually set it up that way. I have OLED in the bedroom and ISF calibrated JVC in the home cinema. JVC D-I.L.A. projectors are simply the best

You seem to be discounting the room EQ advancement that has happened in the mean time. Any current H class Denon, including 3800H, will sound much better with full Dirac pack (ART included) than any beasts of the past. If one needs additional external power for whatever reason, great watts are dime a dozen nowadays.

 

[Sal1950]

Agreed - what's there not to like - except the price?

It would have been nice to make the port-holes just a bit larger so the text could been read across the room.
Maybe it's just my geezer eyes that's the issue ??? LOL

Bottom line is I love my AV20 more each day, what an awesome processor. Pricey yes, but next to Storm or Trinnov they're a bargain. Short of any unforeseen catastrophes this one just might take me to the grave.
I'll need a bigger box for 5.4.2 though, maybe a mausoleum suite with power and some room treatment?

 

[Oddball]

It would have been nice to make the port-holes just a bit larger so the text could been read across the room.
Maybe it's just my geezer eyes that's the issue ??? LOL

Bottom line is I love my AV20 more each day, what an awesome processor. Pricey yes, but next to Storm or Trinnov they're a bargain. Short of any unforeseen catastrophes this one just might take me to the grave.
I'll need a bigger box for 5.4.2 though, maybe a mausoleum suite with power and some room treatment?

That's exactly my thinking. Nice entrance so it does not offend the main house, and spacious lower level for HT that can be repurposed after a series of unfortunate events.