C|Net Review Denon AVR-4306 A/V Receiver

[Suhit Gupta]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://reviews.cnet.com/Denon_AVR_4306_A_V_receiver_black/4505-6466_7-31736750.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MR_Search+Results' target='_blank'>http://reviews.cnet.com/Denon_AVR_4306_A_V_receiver_black/4505-6466_7-31736750.html?subj=fdba&part=rss&tag=MR_Search+Results</a><br /><br /></div><i>"If we had a bone to pick with Denon's hugely popular A/V receiver lineup, it would be the lack of upper-midrange models. So the $1,999 Denon AVR-4306's mission was clear: fill the price and performance gap that existed between the highly acclaimed AVR-3806 ($1,299) and the decidedly high-end AVR-4806 ($3,500) receivers. Visually, the 4306 is a near clone of the 3806, but the connectivity quotient bumps the number of HDMI inputs from two to three, adds upscaling to 480p/720p/1080i, supports connectivity to USB MP3 players and iPods, and tosses in an Ethernet port for streaming digital audio from your PC or from the Internet. Simply put, the Denon AVR-4306 packs in just about every audio and video feature you could possibly want--we actually awarded it a 10 in Features--and it sounds even better than the 3806."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/31736750-2-300-overview-1.gif" /><br /><br />Wow, very cool. When buying my TV, I had actually considered the 3806, but given the amount of money I dropped on my TVs, I figured I would have to wait for some time. Anyways, I know that a friend of mine has the high end 4806 and is extremely happy with it. Just wondering if any of you have played with any Denon equipment?

[Philip Colmer]

We've got the A1SR home cinema amplifier. I love the fact that it does video switching as well as handling the audio - it has really simplified out home cinema setup.

The sound is really sweet - particularly if the audio has got a well-crafted multi-channel mix.

I'm fully intending to stick with Denon when we upgrade to hi-def (probably next year now as I want to find out more about SED). The AVC-A1XV is an absolute powerhouse of a system and looks fantastic if you are going for a multi-room configuration.

I'm probably looking at the AVC-A11XV, although it looks as if it "only" handles up to 1080i ... not 1080p. That might change by the time we get a screen.

One of the key features I'm looking forward to on these models, though, is the auto room setup. I bought a Radio Shack power meter to calibrate my current amp, but these babies have their own mic that you stick in various places around the room and they just set themselves up! Sheer magic!!! :-)

--Philip