Denon AVR-885S 7.1-Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver, Silver

Denon AVR-885S 7.1-Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver, Silver Review

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Denon AVR-885S 7.1-Channel A/V Home Theater Receiver, Silver Feature

• 7.1-channel audio/video receiver with high-bandwidth A/V inputs and switching; includes microphone for automatic room configuration
• 90 watts per channel x 7 (into 8 ohms, 20 to 20,000 Hz); 125 wpc x 7 (into 6 ohms at 1 kHz)
• Processes all major surround formats, including Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, and DTS ES Discrete 6.1, DTS Neo:6, more
• True 2-source, 2-zone functionality with discrete power, source select, and volume control for each zone
• Measures 17.1 x 6.7 x 16.9 inches (W x H x D)

Marry the many components of your home theater with this high-power, high-quality audio/video surround receiver. Denon's AVR-885S provides 7 channels of amplification to drive all the primary speakers in a 7.1 surround sound system (front left, center, and right speakers, left/right side speakers, and left/right surround speakers, along with a ".1" low-frequency effects channel for a subwoofer). It's perfectly compatible with 5.1 and 6.1 speaker configurations. Use it as a surround-processing preamplifier with stand-alone power amps or enjoy the receiver's 100 watts per channel amplifier (into 8 ohms from 20 to 20,000 Hz with no more than .05 percent THD), which features high-current, discrete output devices for all channels.

You'll never be at a loss for creative surround algorithms, irrespective of your listening source. The receiver's onboard 7.1-channel surround processing includes Dolby Digital Surround EX, DTS, DTS 96/24 5.1 for DVD-Video, DTS ES Discrete 6/1, ES Matrix 6.1 and Neo: 6 Cinema and Music modes, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx (for cinema, music, and games). Dolby Pro Logic IIx processing is the first technology to offer a choice of processing traditional stereo music and movie content into room-filling 6.1 or 7.1 channels.

The AVR-885S's auto setup and room equalization functions help you achieve ideal sound for your room. With the accompanying microphone placed at your listening position, powerful 32-bit floating-point DSP automatically and accurately analyzes, adjusts and sets the speaker configurations for your system. The microphone is a specially designed, high-performance omnidirectional mic with a heavy-duty base to suppress vibrations for accurate analyses.

Denon's Power Amp Assigned function heightens the AVR-885S's flexibility, letting you enjoy music or video in a fully-powered, discrete 2-channel second zone. You'll wonder how you ever lived without true 2-source, 2-zone functionality with discrete power, source select, and volume control for each zone.

The AVR-885S owes its superlative sound quality to premium digital-audio technologies like SHARC 32-bit floating-point DSP processing from Analog Devices. For simplicity of video connectivity and switching, the AVR-885S includes video up-conversion for composite and/or S-video sources to high-bandwidth component-video with no compromise in video quality.

The receiver performs 24 bit, 96 kHz analog-to-digital conversion on all stereo analog inputs except the multichannel analog jacks, while Analog Devices 24 bit/192 kHz high-resolution DACs on all 8 channels ensures premium playback sound. Adjustable high- and low-pass crossovers (40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 200, and 250 Hz) let you tailor the sound to suit your speakers and your listening space.

The AVR-885S features 3 assignable sets of component-video inputs and 1 set of monitor outputs (all with 100 MHz bandwidth). You get 5 sets each of composite- and S-video inputs, a set of 5.1 external wide-bandwidth (100 kHz) inputs for multichannel formats such as DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD, 5 assignable digital inputs (4 optical, 1 coaxial), 2 optical digital outputs, and a total of 9 analog inputs, including a phono input for your turntable.

The sound from movie sources recorded in Dolby Digital, DTS or other formats emphasizes high-frequencies due to a theater’s front speakers being placed behind the movie screen. If this sound is reproduced in the home theater without correction, the high-frequency range is too strong. The AVR-885 features a Cinema Equalizer to correct these high-frequencies, making the sound more intelligible and easier on the ears.

The receiver uses a digitally regulated volume control with .5 dB increment adjustments and a step range of -80 to +15.

What's in the Box
Receiver, remote control (RC-974), remote batteries, an AM loop antenna, an indoor FM antenna, an omnidirectional microphone, an AC power cord, a warranty card, a service-center list, and a user's manual. Product Comparability

This product is comparable to Denon model number AVR-2105 Dolby Digial Surround EX decoding, including Dolby Pro Logic IIx Cinema, Music and Game modes * DTS Decoding, including DTS 96/24 5.1 for DVD-Video, DTS ES Discrete 6.1, ES Matrix 6.1, and Neo:6 Cinema & Music modes * Analog Devices Melody 100 32 bit DSP processor * Auto Setup with included Microphone * Analog Devices 24 bit, 192kHz DACs * 7 channels equal power amplifier section * 90 watts per channel (8 ohms, 20 - 20kHz, <0.08% THD) * Variable low/high-pass crossover * Assignable, Ultra Wideband (100 MHz) component video switching (3 inputs/1 output) * Video Conversion to Component with On Screen Display * (Composite to S-Video to Component) * Discrete Multi-room, Multi-source Audio outputs * GloKey pre-programmed Remote Control * Silver Finish Only

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Aug 11, 2011 03:17:05

Harman Kardon AVR 240 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver, Silver

Harman Kardon AVR 240 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver, Silver Review

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Harman Kardon AVR 240 7.1-Channel A/V Receiver, Silver Feature

• 7.1-channel A/V surround sound receiver with quadruple crossover digital bass management system
• Built-in Dolby Digital EX, Pro Logic IIx, and DTS (including Discrete, Matrix, Neo:6, and 96/24) decoding
• High-bandwidth HD-compatible component video switching; proprietary Logic 7 enhanced audio reproduction
• Compatible with the Harman Kardon Bridge, which offers iPod navigation using AVR 240's preprogrammed remote control
• 50 watts x 7 high-current amplification; measures 17.3 x 5.9 x 13.8 inches (W x H x D); 2-year warranty

Harman Kardon's AVR 240 7.1-channel A/V surround receiver is among the best receivers in its class, as it harnesses many of the company's latest features and technologies to go with its near-universal surround-format compatibility. Internally, the receiver is engineered for extraordinary sonic performance, with an amplifier section that delivers seven channels of high-current (+/-35 amps), wide-bandwidth amplification--50 watts into 8 ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, with less than 0.07 percent total harmonic distortion--in addition to employing state-of-the-art 192 kHz/24-bit audio digital-to-analog converters.

Take a closer look at the AVR 240's connections. You can also view the unit's front panel in detail.

The receiver also offers a wide range of digital and matrix surround modes, including Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx (which provides an expansive, full-range 7.1-channel program from any stereo or 5.1-channel source), DTS, DTS ES Discrete and Matrix, DTS 96/24, and DTS Neo:6. Listeners will also delight in the Virtual Speaker mode, which creates an enveloping sound field when fewer than six speakers are available, and Dolby Headphone, which provides a much more open and realistic presentation through a pair of ordinary headphones.

Adding to the receiver's versatility are such sound-enhancing features as Harman International's exclusive Logic 7 processing in both 5.1 and 7.1 versions, which creates a wider, more enveloping field environment and more defined fly-overs and pans; and VMAx, which uses proprietary processing to create an open, spacious sound field even when only two front speakers are available. The receiver's extensive bass management options, meanwhile, include four separate crossover groupings.

Other receiver essentials include high-bandwidth, HDTV-compatible component video switching with assignable inputs, an onscreen menu and display system with the choice of a blue or black background screen, and compatibility with the Bridge, a Harman Kardon device that works with most iPod models. The Bridge lets you operate your iPod from across the room using the AVR 240's remote control, which has been preprogrammed with several iPod control codes. As a result, listeners can select tracks and navigate most iPod functions, charge the unit, or even view track information on the AVR 240's LED display or onscreen menu.

The receiver's variety of audio and video connections include three wide-bandwidth, HDTV-compatible component video inputs, five S-video and five composite video inputs, and two analog audio inputs. Digital audio options, meanwhile, include three coaxial and three optical audio inputs, including one of each on the front panel. Other jacks range from 6- and 8-channel direct audio inputs to 7.1-channel preamp outputs that accommodate a DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, or universal player.

Anyone that's ever suffered from technology overload when setting up his or her audio/video system can rest easy with the AVR 240. The unit's intuitive onscreen menus coordinate with the system's EzSet/EQ function to provide automated system calibration and room equalization, thus greatly simplifying installation. The resulting speaker output compensates for the effects of a room's acoustics to improve the overall system performance. In tandem with EzSet/EQ--which comes with its own microphone--the AVR 240 also includes a full set of manual configuration settings for those who wish to custom-trim their system even further.

Lastly, the AVR 240 comes with an AM/FM tuner with 30 station presets. The AVR 240 measures 17.3 by 5.9 by 13.8 inches (W x H x D) and carries a two-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
AVR 240 receiver, remote control, power cord, AM and FM antennas, EzSet/EQ microphone, user's manual. 7.1 Channel Audio/Video Receiver that can hook up to your Ipod for Audio Playback, Control, and Charging.

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Customer Review

Aug 10, 2011 02:57:04

Cambridge - 640P Outboard Audiophile MM/MC Phono Stage - Silver

Cambridge - 640P Outboard Audiophile MM/MC Phono Stage - Silver Review

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Cambridge - 640P Outboard Audiophile MM/MC Phono Stage - Silver Feature

• For (MM) moving magnet and (MC) moving coil cartridges
• Single-ended 'Class A' gain stages; Multi-parallel capacitors
• Discrete transistor circuitry design; Defeatable subsonic filter
• Active RIAA equalization system
• RIAA accuracy of only 0.3 dB up to 50 kHz

Cambridge Audio's flagship model Azur 640P phono preamplifier employs a comprehensively specified (MM) Moving Magnet stage, as well as the higher gain needed for compatibility with high-end (MC) Moving Coil cartridges. An impressive raft of onboard technologies combines to offer a hugely dynamic, involving and open sound. In this age of music file downloads and portable MP3 devices, the trusty turntable is currently enjoying a renaissance. True to form, Cambridge Audio is answering the demands of audiophile vinyl lovers with the Azur 540P compact phono preamplifier. The Azur 640P uses superior amplification circuitry for its MM and MC stages to provide the lowest possible distortion and noise. The multi-parallel capacitors achieve exceptional RIAA accuracy of only 0.3 dB up to 50 kHz and feature a defeatable subsonic filter. "The sound of the 640P moves away from the cheerful but somewhat oppressed NAD style, leaning more towards the taut, well controlled precision of the Dynavecto," reports AudioEnz magazine. "There?s a sense of realism that will raise goosebumps with good recordings. This is a remarkable achievement for a product that retails for less than half the price of the Dynavector." The 640P's design features single-ended 'Class A' gain stages and discrete transistors instead of the more common integrated circuits. This gives less crosstalk and interference across the signal path. Topping off the features list is the superior Azur acoustically damped steel chassis and a robust anodized aluminum front plate. The rear panel benefits from gold-plated input connectors to minimize signal path interference and reduce surface degradation. An external power supply comes standard.

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Jul 11, 2011 16:38:58