Denon unveils AV-Art home cinema range

Denon has taken the wraps off its new 2012 AV-Art home cinema range with the unveiling of its entry-level AVR-1513 (above, £300)/AVR-1713 (£400) models and the midrange AVR-2113 (£550) and AVR-2313 (£800).

The multichannel receivers are joined by a new Blu-ray transport, the £450 Denon DBT-1713UD.

All the 2012 models "embody a whole new product design concept", says Denon, "with the goal of creating a new kind of user experience: intuitive, clear and simple, both in terms of product design and usability".

The result is a cleaner design, fewer buttons on the front panel, and a simpler remote control layout. A large character display makes it easier to read from a distance, and 'quick select' buttones lets users choose their favourite content more easily.

Starting at the bottom, the Denon AVR-1513 uses a fully discrete power amp delivering 110W to all five channels. Features include a front HDMI input for easy connection of digital devices such as tablets, cameras and camcorders, along with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding.

A Compressed Audio Restorer helps improve the sound of compressed MP3 or WMA music files.

Next up is the Denon AVR-1713, which sees power boosted to 120W per channel. It's also AirPlay and network capable, offering access to thousands of internet radio stations, streaming of music stored on a computer or NAS drive, and playback of music from iDevices using AirPlay.

The Denon remote App for iPod, iPhone or iPod Touch allows control of the AVR-1713 fro your Apple portable. An Android app will be reelased later this year.

Full tech specs for both models are as follows:

Denon AVR-1513

* 110W x 5ch (6 ohms)

* High-quality discrete power amplifier

* Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoders

* 3+1 (front input) HDMI inputs with 3D support

* Compressed Audio Restorer

* Quick Select Button for direct access to favourite sources

* GUI for easy operation and setup

* Large character display

* Auto Power Off for energy saving

Denon AVR-1713

* 120W x 5ch (6 ohms) – fully discrete and symmetrical layout power stages

* Audyssey MultEQ XT

* Set-up Assistant and GUI for easy setup and operation

* Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ

* 4+1 (front) HDMI inputs with 3D, ARC and CEC support

* Advanced Network capability

• DLNA1.5 certified

• Audio streaming from Network incl. FLAC HD files

• AirPlay audio streaming

• last.fm music service support

• vTuner internet radio

• Flickr photo streaming

* Front USB input: iPod / iPhone digital compatible

* Denon Remote App

Stepping up the range, the midrange models are the AVR-2113 (above) and AVR-2313. Both feature AirPlay compatibility and 4k video capability, the latter delivering 4k pass-through and 4k scaling through the six HDMI inputs (which also have 3D, Audio Return Channel and CEC functionality).

The AVR-2113 delivers 125W across all seven channels, and the AVR-2313 steps that up to 135W per channel. The pricier model also gets twin HDMI outputs.

Network capability comes as standard on both models, along with a range of Audyssey audio technologies such as Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Audyssey DynamicEQ for enhanced performance.

Full tech specs for both midrange models are as follows:

Denon AVR-2113

* 125W x 7ch (6 ohms) – fully discrete and symmetrical layouted power stages

* 1080p and 4k video scaling, 4k HDMI switching, 4k GUI overlay

* Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio decoders

* Audyssey MultEQ XT with Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ

* Audyssey Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ

* Compressed Audio Restorer

* 5+1 (front) HDMI inputs with 3D, ARC and CEC support

* Advanced Network capability

• DLNA1.5 certified

• Audio streaming from Network incl. FLAC HD files

• AirPlay audio streaming

• last.fm music service support

• vTuner internet radio

• Flickr Photo Streaming

* Front USB input: iPod / iPhone digital compatible

* Front HDMI input

* Quick Select Button for direct access to favourite sources

* Multi language Setup Assistant (7 languages) and Advanced GUI

for easy setup and operation

* Multizone (2 zones)

* Large character display

* Auto Power Off for energy saving

* New Denon Remote App

Denon AVR-2313 additonal features

* 135W x 7ch (6 ohms) – fully discrete and symmetrical layouted power stages

* Audyssey DSX

* Audyssey Pro ready

* 2 x HDMI outputs (simultaneously)

* 7.2ch pre-outs

* Enhanced multizone (2 zone) and RS-232 support

* DSD over HDMI

Finally comes the Denon DBT-1713UD Blu-ray transport designed to work specifically with the new AV receivers. It's a transport only, so plays back DVD-Video, DVD-Audio and SACD discs and delivers the digital signal unaltered through teh HDMI output to the AV receiver.

The Blu-ray transport also supports 3D playback and streaming content such as YouTube or Netflix.

Denon DBT-1713UD

* Universal Blu-ray disc transport that also plays DVD, CD, Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio discs

* Fully shielded mechanism

* Quick response at loading and playback

* 4 independent block construction, for playback of audio and video signals

* Fanless construction for silent operation

* Denon’s high picture quality circuitry, to visually enhance your sources

* DLNA support for Network streaming (audio/video/photo)

* YouTube Leanback streaming and Netflix video on demand support

* Support for DivX Plus HD

* HDMI cable included

All the new AV receivers and Blu-ray transport are available now in a black finish.

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Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.