Product Description

Denon AVR-4308CI Next Generation A/V Multi-Source/Zone with Network Streaming Receiver

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10571 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: Denon
• Model: AVR-4308CI
• Dimensions: 45.28 pounds

Features

• 140 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.05% THD
• Dolby True HD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, Pro Logic IIx, and DTS Neo - 6 decoding. WI FI
• XM Satellite Radio Ready with decoding for XM's HD Surround channels (requires XM subscription and optional XM Mini-Tuner package)
• HDCD decoding
• iPod integration (requires optional Denon ASD-1R)

From the Manufacturer
From the Manufacturer

The Denon AVR-4308CI - Taking Surround Sound Receivers to the Next Level

Denon has long been one of the elite names in home theater receivers, offering a combination of advanced technologies and user-friendly features that transform even the most mundane listening rooms into rich, powerful audio environments. Now Denon takes surround receivers to the next level with the AVR-4308CI. In addition to many of the standard features people have come to expect from Denon receivers, the company adds such forward-looking details as custom integration with home networks via Ethernet and Wi-Fi; refined Audyssey audio processing, which produces better sound and room balance even in difficult acoustical conditions; and HDMI v1.3a digital video inputs, which bring with them new surround formats for HD decoding.

Under the Hood: Component Technology

The AVR-4308CI offers a power output of 140 watts per channel, but adds a number of engineering advancements to get the most out of the technology. One of the most significant--7-Channel Equal

With a power output of 140 watts per channel, the AVR-4308CI multizone 7.1 receiver can handle most audio applications (Click the image to view larger)

Power--lets you connect seven speakers independently without connecting individual power amps via pre-outs. That's because the AVR-4308CI comes with a built-in internal amplifier for each speaker in your collection. This makes it possible to do things like connect a second surround back speaker directly off the main amplifier to enjoy 7.1 surround formats. The receiver's Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit (DDSC), meanwhile, optimizes all elements of the surround processor through the use of discrete high-performance components, including separate analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, with sophisticated DSP surround decoding.

The receiver also offers a series of escalating AL24 Processing enhancements. Denon's original AL24 Processing technology was designed to faithfully duplicate some of the delicate nuances of analog music in digital form, a technology that's particularly effective among next-generation media with ultra-high bit and sampling rates. The results sound particularly good when music quietly fades away or starts again following silence, helping the listener detect some of the low-level details. AL24 Processing Plus upped the ante by supporting the 192 kHz sampling frequency of DVD-Audio. Denon followed with Advanced AL24 DSP and AL24 Multi Processing, which further increased the dynamic range and spatial information among high-resolution stereo PCM and multichannel sources.

The receiver also includes High-Definition-Compatible Digital (HDCD), an encoding/decoding technology that encodes with 20 bits of real musical information--as compared with 16 bits for all other CDs--thereby greatly reducing distortion. This creates a better dynamic range, a more-focused three-dimensional soundstage, and extremely natural vocal and musical timbres. And from a video perspective, the AVR-4308CI offers a couple of essentials: progressive scan technology, which processes approximately twice as much video data to produce a sharper, noise-free image with finer details; and DCDi video processing, which employs advanced algorithms to remove the jagged edges that appear when standard interlaced video is viewed on progressive scan displays.

Diverse Sound Modes

As with the best surround receivers, the AVR-4308CI is capable of reproducing a host of 5.1-, 6.1-, and 7.1-channel audio formats, with several processing technologies layered over the top. In addition to providing standard Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro Logic II formats, the receiver also supports Pro Logic IIx, which allows 5.1-channel sources to be played in up to 7.1 channels; the expanded multichannel capabilities of DTS 96/24, Neo:6 Surround, and DTS-ES Extended Surround, all of which improve the digital surround impression for 5.1 or 6.1 channels; and dts-HD and Dolby True HD, which boost the maximum sampling frequency (up to 96 kHz) and faithfully reproduce the sound of the studio master on up to 7.1 channels.

The AVR-4308CI offers 4 HDMI inputs, 2 HDMI outputs, and a host of other connectivity options (Click the image to view larger)

To assist with film soundtracks, the receiver offers a Cinema Equalizer that corrects for the placement of your speakers vs. the way they're placed in the movie theater. Theaters that locate their front speakers behind the movie screen tend to emphasize the high frequencies, which can sound too strong in a home with a conventional surround setup. Denon amplifiers adjust the high-frequency range so that the sound is cleaner and easier to listen to than uncorrected audio. Listeners can also improve the image detail of their audio sources using Neural Surround technology. This audio breakthrough--which is 100-percent compatible with stereo--offers superior spectral resolution and channel separation, thereby drawing the brain's attention to the sonic details in musical instruments, vocals, and ambience that are typically masked by other playback systems. This allows the listener to fully experience the richness and subtleties in recorded performance as never before. Neural Surround is the chosen format for XM satellite radio's XM HD surround programming.

Convenience Features

Modern A/V receivers are increasingly designed for multi-room listening, and the AVR-4308CI is no exception. The four-zone, multisource system lets you select different audio sources for listening in different locations, letting you simultaneously listen to the DVD player in the main room and the iPod in the bedroom, for example. The AVR-4308CI is also capable of connecting to your PC's wired or wireless network via its built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity. This lets you play back the MP3, WMA, AAC, FLAC, or WAV files stored on your computer's hard drive, access Internet radio stations, or play back JPEG photo slideshows. To make iPod playback easier, you can connect the receiver to Denon's separately sold ASD-1R iPod docking station, which charges and controls your iPod through the receiver's display.

Other user-friendly features include an EL touchpanel remote control, which offers an electroluminescent display similar to the technology employed by LCD backlights; XM satellite radio compatibility (requires a subscription and an optional plug-and-play XM antenna); two-way remote capability; an attractive GUI with an onscreen display; and a night mode for neighbor-friendly listening.

Connectivity and Setup

The AVR-4308CI offers a host of inputs and outputs for connecting to diverse audio and video sources. The most significant is HDMI v1.3a, the digital interface standard for next-generation TV. With the receiver's four HDMI inputs and two HDMI monitor outputs, you can easily connect to such devices as HDTVs, DVD players, video game consoles, and cable and satellite boxes, each through a single cable that handles both high-definition video and multichannel audio signals. HDMI is also compatible with High-bandwidth Digital Contents Protection (HDCP), a technology for protecting copyrights that encrypts digital video signals. If your components don't offer HDMI outputs, you still have plenty of options, however, as the receiver also offers three component inputs, seven S-video and seven composite inputs, seven total digital audio inputs (four optical and three coaxial), an Ethernet port, and two USB ports, among many others.

Audiophiles will dig the Denon Link jack, which is far less susceptible to radiated noise than coaxial or unbalanced cables. The Denon Link interface can transfer high-grade LPCM 24-bit, 192 kHz two-channel and 96 kHz, 24-bit multichannel digital output. The receiver also lets you input multichannel audio signals, whether in high-definition MUSE 3-1, SACD, or DVD-Audio formats, via the eight-channel input. Made using eight standard RCA cables--one each for front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right, surround back left, surround back right, and subwoofer--the eight-channel input receives discrete analog audio signals via a digital source such as a DVD player, creating an immersive multichannel audio performance.

Setting up the AVR-4308CI is easier than ever thanks to Denon's Audyssey technologies. Audyssey Equalized was the first technology to properly measure sound information throughout a listening area, and then combine the information to accurately represent the acoustic problems in the room. Based on these measurements, Audyssey calculates an equalization solution that corrects for both time and frequency response problems. Denon also employs Audyssey MultEQ XT technology, which automatically determines how many loudspeakers are connected, whether they are connected in phase, and whether they are satellites or subwoofers. After processing, it then analyzes all the physical details--speaker level, size, and distance--and determines the correct frequency response for up to eight listener positions simultaneously. It's a must for people who want to get the most out of their surround systems.

AVR-4308CI Accessories

The AVR-4308CI is compatible with the following Denon accessories.

• The Denon ASD-3N iPod/network connectivity dock
• The Denon ASD-3W iPod/network connectivity dock with WiFi
• The Denon AK-HM100 HDMI cable
• The Denon RC-7000CI two-way remote control

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Customer Reviews

EXCEPTIONAL
Written by Dr.LAL,DALLAS, Tx.

The DENON 4308CI is one of the best receivers I've used so far in the past 20 years. Being an audio enthusiast and hobbyist myself, i am an extremely satisfied user of this great product. I believe this is the only receiver which has Satellite radio+HD radio+internet radio in one unit. THe Sound and Vision off this unit is also exceptional. 4 HDMI in and 2 out will handle most of the components. I have a Bluray+PS3 doing 1080P, Sat TV etc all hooked up using HDMIs and it's the perfect setup. Ample audio output (140W/Ch on all channels is also a + point).

Internet Radio is something which made me curious to explore..years back when we were all streaming using our PC's, the sound quality was the real turnoff. So i decided to play around with this unit with the same mind set. I was wrong! the quality of some of the foreign stations received here in the US (like from France, Russia and great Indian music from India and UK) was excellent. This would really help when shortwave radio reception is poor and with access to 100's of stations, you can listen to your taste! HD radio and XM is also great!

The only drawback was its remote which is cryptic and takes time getting used to. Overall an excellent receiver, sound and vision wise! Great Job Denon

Excellent AV reciever with loads of features
Denon 4308CI Receiver

Strengths: Great quality picture and sound, excellent build quality, nice display, GUI interface, easy to assign/rename imputs, HD radio, 4 HDMI, 140 Watt multizone output, good value for price point.

Weaknesses: Complicated user manual, Useless remote, Faroudja vs. Silicon Optix processor

Price paid: $1,780 (2/08)from a reputable retail store. (Please do not ask which one as I was given an insider price)

Summary: After considerable research I purchased the Denon 4308CI to upgrade a prexisting Sony STRDA555ES receiver. My main desire in upgrading was to obtain HDMI connection capability and take advantage updated sound processing and 1080P upscaling. I ruled out various other comparable recievers for a variety of reasons, including heat generation as my components are enclosed in a audio rack partially recessed into a closed media room.

As a longtime Sony fan and owner of three ES AV recievers, it came down to a choice between the STRDA 5300ES and the Denon 4308CI.

I opted for the Denon over the Sony for a few reasons. The display on the Denon is much larger. It might sound silly but I like to see the information displayed on the receiver from where I'm listing to music. The Sony display was rather small. I also liked the fact that the Denon has internet streaming capability and HD Radio reception. The Sony has more HDMI hookups and a longer warranty (5 years vs. 2 for the Denon) but the Denon has increased power handling and full 1080P upscaling. Pricewise the Denon was a few hundred dollars more then the Sony but I felt that it had a more "modern" feature set.

So far after 4 months of use I have been very pleased with the Denon. Sound is fantastic and the GUI was intuitive. I disagree with some of the other reviews that I have read regarding the ease of setup. It took a little longer then I anticipated to set up but as I previously noted the GUI was fairly intuitive. I really like the fact that you can rename the inputs so when you select them from the function selection dial it will display whatever name you decide on. I prefer optical connections so I had to reassign some of the optical connections. Rear connections seem pretty sturdy. The unit gets warm but not hot after a few hours of use. Still havent taken advantage of the 1080P upscaling as of yet. HD radio signal reception is pretty strong and so far no interference despite living in a New York City Apartment building.

Harmony 880 Universal Remote works better then supplied remotes.

Video processing is excellent. I have however occasionally noted video artifacts. This reciver uses a Faroudja DCDi FLI2310 processor which is simply not as highly regarded by professional reviewers as the Silicon Optix Realta HQV processor used by Denon's flagship 3800BDCI Blu-ray player or the Silicon Optix Reon chipset used by receivers such as the Onkyo TX-NR905 and Integra DTR 8.8. However, overall picture quality on standard 1080i and 720p cable source material is excellent.

3808CI vs.4308CI? The 4308CI appeared to have a slightly more "attractive" build quality and appearance. In comparing the two models side by side before purchasing, the 4308CI simply looked better. However, HD radio, increased power handling and WiFi capability were the primary reasons I opted to spend more to purchase the 4308CI.

4308CI and 3800BDCI blu-ray combo. Have had the 4308CI and the 3800BDCI paired for the last three weeks. The Blu-ray picture is simply amazing. Will never purchase another standard DVD again if available in Blu-ray format.

Conclusion: I've been very happy with the 4308CI. It offers great sound and picture features at an attractive price point. However,if you are interested in better video processing you may want to check out the Onkyo TX-NR905 and Integra DTR 8.8 as well.

Review system components: (used in review)

Panasonic TH-50PZ750U 1080P (limited Ed)
Artcoustic DF-65's
Artcoustic DF-Multi (center)
Denon 3800BDCI (DVD)(used three weeks)
Sony ES 5 Disc changer
Sony SACD player
Monster HPS7000 Signature Series
Monster AVS2000 Signature series
Polk XM Radio Tuner

Denon AVR-4308 improves home theater picture and sound
I have used the Denon AVR-4308ci receiver for about month now and have been impressed with the improvement of the picture quality produced by my 1080p projector using the HDMI switching compared to my previous component switching in the Denon AVR-5800. The clarity and color improvements are easy to see. Also the 4308ci is one of a very few home theater receivers that has two HDMI outputs so it can support a projector and a flat panel display concurrently. Compared with the earlier Denon AVR-5800 the stereo sound quality in the pure direct mode from a SACD source is very much the same - very very good. But in the surround output settings, using the Audyssey automatic room compensation, the sound is much better (especially in clearer dialog) than my previous 7.1 setup. Although the new set-up menus are much better than the AVR-5800, there is a considerable learning curve to get everything set up right with all the many options provided. This is not a receiver for someone who wants to have a casual relationship with their system. Bottom line: very high quality and great flexibility with a somewhat challenging set-up; highly recommended!