Top of the line 2020 Denon A/V receivers offer HDMI 2.1,8K,Auro 3D,HDR10+,DTS X Pro

[HDTV1080P]

For the year 2020 Denon is becoming a leader when it comes to the latest technology in A/V receivers. The new X-Series models support 8K passthrough and upscale HD video and 4K video to 8K. However the big question will be if native 8K streaming programs will be made available around 2023-2026 and if a native 8K format called 8K DVD or 8K Blu-ray will be released around the year 2026. There is a possibility that studios might require a new HDCP format beyond HDCP 2.3 in order to pass 8K signals through a A/V receiver. Therefore these new Denon A/V receivers will be able to use 8K passthrough up to 60Hz as long as the movie studios agree to use the existing HDCP 2.2/2.3 standard. A new HDCP standard for 8K would mean only 8K passthrough of home made movies from a 8K camcorder.

This Denon X-series A/V receivers also have HDMI 2.1 with support for all the most popular HDR formats including HDR10+. I know of no other A/V receiver brand that passes HDR10+ since it appears that HDMI 2.1 is a requirement to pass HDR10+ on a A/V receiver. Auro 3D on the top two models is a nice feature. Imax Enhanced feature is offered. The Denon AVR-X6700H offers DTS: X Pro with a promised future firmware update, this permits true 13 channels of DTS: X processing.

I and my family members that I know have been using Pioneer and Yamaha A/V receivers since 2008. They have worked flawlessly for 12 years (also have some newer model Pioneers from 2011+). Hopefully both Pioneer Elite and Yamaha in 2020 will offer some or all of the features of these Denon A/V receivers like HDR10+, HDMI 2.1, 8K, Auro 3D, and 13 channels of DTS: X processing for up to 13 channels. When it comes time to upgrade I might strongly consider the Denon brand.

Select quotes from article:

““This is a very big year for Denon. Not only are we introducing the first 8K-ready receivers, but we’re also celebrating our 110th anniversary.”

“Support for 8K on X-Series models is made possible via a dedicated input that handles HDMI 2.1 features such as 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through. HDR format support extends to HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dynamic HDR.”

“Denon’s new AVRs provide out-of-box processing support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The top two models, the AVR-X6700H and AVR-X4700H, add Auro-3D, IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization and DTS Virtual:X to the mix, while the AVR-X6700H will add DTS:X Pro via a firmware update that Denon says is coming later this year. DTS:X Pro permits up to 13 channels of DTS:X processing for 7.2.6 or 9.2.4 speaker configurations and can unleash the full capabilities of IMAX Enhanced soundtracks “thanks to newly adopted 13.2 channel processing capabilities with external amplification,” according to Denon.”

https://www.soundandvision.com/conte...-receiver-line

[Robert Zohn]

Just built our Denon 2020 webpage with all of the .pdfs. I'm a big Denon fan as they design and build the best price/performance receivers. Great audio fidelity, top features, excellent build quality and very reasonably priced in every category.

The new flagship model, AVR-X6700H is built in Denon's flagship factory in Japan.

These new receivers are packed with HDMI 2.1 features, eARC, 4K/120Hz pass-through, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT)The HDMI bandwidth is 40Gbps.

All of the 2020 receivers support Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X and Auro-3D.

AVR-X6700H Denon 11.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 140W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $2,499.00

AVR-X4700H Denon 9.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 125W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $1,699.00

AVR-X3700H Denon 9.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 105W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $1,199.00

AVR-X2700H Denon 7.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 95/W/ch AVR with Built-in Heos $849.00

AVR-S960H Denon 7.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 90W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $649.00

The X6700H and X4700H launch the week of June 15th at Value Electronics and later this summer for all other 2020 models.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Just built our Denon 2020 webpage with all of the .pdfs. I'm a big Denon fan as they design and build the best price/performance receivers. Great audio fidelity, top features, excellent build quality and very reasonably priced in every category.

The new flagship model, AVR-X6700H is built in Denon's flagship factory in Japan.

[Show spoiler]These new receivers are packed with HDMI 2.1 features, eARC, 4K/120Hz pass-through, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT)The HDMI bandwidth is 40Gbps.

All of the 2020 receivers support Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X and Auro-3D.

AVR-X6700H Denon 11.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 140W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $2,499.00

AVR-X4700H Denon 9.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 125W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $1,699.00

AVR-X3700H Denon 9.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 105W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $1,199.00

AVR-X2700H Denon 7.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 95/W/ch AVR with Built-in Heos $849.00

AVR-S960H Denon 7.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 90W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $649.00

The X6700H and X4700H launch the week of June 15th at Value Electronics and later this summer for all other 2020 models.

The 6700H is now the flagship model? The 8500H will not have a successor?

I had been considering the 6500H, but I felt a new model was due to come out. I will have to peruse some product reviews on the 6700H before buying one, but I am partial to Denon. My ancient Denon AVR 4806 is still going strong, but it is a tad outdated.

[Robert Zohn]

Thank you and you are correct, I should have clarified that for now the X6700H is the 2020 flagship model. Not sure when we'll see a successor to the X8500H.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

The 6700H is now the flagship model? The 8500H will not have a successor?

I had been considering the 6500H, but I felt a new model was due to come out. I will have to peruse some product reviews on the 6700H before buying one, but I am partial to Denon. My ancient Denon AVR 4806 is still going strong, but it is a tad outdated.

I was thinking the same thing. Hopefully the 2018 Denon AVR-X8500H flagship model for $4,000 will see a replacement in late 2020. The advantage of that $4,000 Denon AVR-X8500H flagship model is that it has 150 watts with 13 channel amplifiers built in. The Denon AVR-X6700 has 11 channel amplifiers built in (140 watts per channel).

However, that being said, in 2020 the Denon AVR-X6700 is a better A/V receiver for those that want 8K passthrough and upscaling. HDMI 2.1 with HDR 10+ is nice along with other audio enhancements. Also the Denon AVR-X6700 becomes a true 13.2 channel A/V receiver if one adds a two channel external amplifier. The Denon AVR-X6700 is a bargain at $2,499. But I still would like to see a 2020 version of the Denon AVR-X8500H for around $4,000 since having more watts with all 13.2 channels built in would be a nice design.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Thank you and you are correct, I should have clarified that for now the X6700H is the 2020 flagship model. Not sure when we'll see a successor to the X8500H.

Sometimes flagship models can take 3 years to have a replacement cycle. Also if a $4,000 A/V receiver is not selling well there might not be a replacement.

I like that the X6700H can handle up to 13.2 channels with a external 2 channel amp. While I prefer 13.2, it might have raised the price of the A/V receiver $500 to include another two channels. At least Denon made away to upgrade the low cost X6700H from 11.2 channels to 13.2 channels with a external amp.

[Robert Zohn]

Denon will have an upgrade for the X8500 to make it HDMI 2.1 and that will give it all of the latest features of Denon's 2020 receivers.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Denon will have an upgrade for the X8500 to make it HDMI 2.1 and that will give it all of the latest features of Denon's 2020 receivers.

Will this be accomplished via a firmware update?

Also, out of curiosity, I thought that the ultra high speed hdmi cables sold for 8K videos had speeds up to 48 Gbps; you mentioned that the 2020 Denon AVRs will have hdmi 2.1 with a bandwidth of 40 Gbps. Why the 8 Gbps difference?

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Denon will have an upgrade for the X8500 to make it HDMI 2.1 and that will give it all of the latest features of Denon's 2020 receivers.

Then if the hardware from 2018 can be made true HDMI 2.1 with a firmware update. Then features like 8K and HDR10+ will be possible. And with DTS X Pro and Auro 3D the AVR-X8500 will still be the best A/V receiver.

Some people would have purchased the Denon flagship model back in January of 2018 if they would have known this receiver would get all the modern updates by firmware in 2020. I still would like to wait to make sure a firmware update does offer all the features including HDMI 2.1. Sometimes a hardware component on the circuit board has to be changed to make the item true HDMI 2.1. But if Denon already had the hardware for HDMI 2.1 back in Janaury of 2018 and they were waiting for the final software spec to offer HDMI 2.1 with a firmware update that would be awesome. If this is true this will be the very first and possible the only product on the market that went from HDMI version 2.0b to 2.1 with a simple firmware update.

Around the year 2026 we might see some 8K ATSC 3.0 tuners, 8K satellite receivers, 8K cable box, 8K streaming box called something like 8K Roku Ultra, and possible a 8K optical optic disc format with a unknown name.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Will this be accomplished via a firmware update?

Also, out of curiosity, I thought that the ultra high speed hdmi cables sold for 8K videos had speeds up to 48 Gbps; you mentioned that the 2020 Denon AVRs will have hdmi 2.1 with a bandwidth of 40 Gbps. Why the 8 Gbps difference?

I believe that it requires a hardware component on the circuit board to be changed out by a authorized Denon service center to go between HDMI 2.0b to HDMI 2.1. A simple firmware update to accomplish the task would mean Denon had HDMI 2.1 hardware in the A/V receiver back in Jan 2018 and was just waiting on a firmware update to make it true HDMI 2.1 spec.

[Robert Zohn]

The X8500H upgrade requires the receiver to be shipped back for the HDMI 2.1 hardware upgrade.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

The X8500H upgrade requires the receiver to be shipped back for the HDMI 2.1 hardware upgrade.

If it’s a free upgrade or even a paid hardware upgrade, it’s a nice feature that Denon offered its consumers.

In the future I would like to see the consumer electronics industry that includes all the A/V receiver manufactories, develop and release on the market a universal A/V receiver motherboard with universal expansion boards that would plug into several different slots on the motherboard. For example desktop computers have motherboards and components that can be upgraded, why not A/V receivers.

For example if one purchased a A/V receiver for $3,000-$5,000+ that is motherboard based they could remove the 4K HDMI card and for $300+ install a 8K HDMI card. Or if one wants a HD digital AM/FM Radio tuner they would plug in that card and remove the old tuner card. One could then build their own A/V receiver by choosing the motherboard and case they want to use. Instead of the average person waiting 10 years to upgrade their A/V receiver, they would upgrade the boards every 3 to 5 years for the features that they wanted. If a power supply goes bad or one wants a better power supply module, they swap that out for $60-$400+.

If the concept catches on then the between $500-$3,000 price range could be created for universal motherboards for A/V receivers that offer upgraded slots for A/V components. However for this to become successfully all the A/V receiver manufactories must agree on a universal motherboard standard, size, and component board communication protocol. Then one could place a Pioneer board into a Denon motherboard or a Denon HDMI card into a Pioneer A/V receiver.

[RageATL]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

I'm a big Denon fan as they design and build the best price/performance receivers. Great audio fidelity, top features, excellent build quality and very reasonably priced in every category.

I couldn't agree more. In my living room system, I am still using a Denon 3802 (a 2002 model) to this day. Granted, I offboarded the power section to three monoblocks for this stripped down 3.2 system, but still.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

The X8500H upgrade requires the receiver to be shipped back for the HDMI 2.1 hardware upgrade.

Having to ship a receiver that weighs 51.6 pounds to a service center to be upgraded is a major hassle and poses a substantial risk for transit related damage to and from the service center. I bet it is a considerable expense, too.

I will keep my sights on the 6700H unless a true successor to the 8500H materializes.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Having to ship a receiver that weighs 51.6 pounds to a service center to be upgraded is a major hassle and poses a substantial risk for transit related damage to and from the service center. I bet it is a considerable expense, too.

I will keep my sights on the 6700H unless a true successor to the 8500H materializes.

However once the hardware upgrade is released. Any new 8500H receivers in theory from the factory that is shipped should have the hardware upgrade installed. It would not make sense to build a new 8500H receiver in September 2020 if the 8K board is not installed.

Will have to wait and see what happens. Maybe Denon will change the model number a little bit like 8500H-8K to let people know its the latest build with the 8K board installed.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

However once the hardware upgrade is released. Any new 8500H receivers in theory from the factory that is shipped should have the hardware upgrade installed. It would not make sense to build a new 8500H receiver in September 2020 if the 8K board is not installed.

Will have to wait and see what happens. Maybe Denon will change the model number a little bit like 8500H-8K to let people know its the latest build with the 8K board installed.

I would be afraid to order an X8500H without knowing whether or not it already had this hardware upgrade.

Just the thought of disconnecting everything from my AVR and boxing it up for shipment makes me shudder. Spending the next 2-4 weeks wondering if my AVR would survive the round trip shipping would be a steady source of unneeded anxiety. Having to pay to have it all done would be the cherry on top; no thanks.

A HDMI hardware upgrade was once offered for my Denon AVR 4806 and between the expense, the hassle, and the shipping worries, I declined then as I would now.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I would be afraid to order an X8500H without knowing whether or not it already had this hardware upgrade.

Just the thought of disconnecting everything from my AVR and boxing it up for shipment makes me shudder. Spending the next 2-4 weeks wondering if my AVR would survive the round trip shipping would be a steady source of unneeded anxiety. Having to pay to have it all done would be the cherry on top; no thanks.

A HDMI hardware upgrade was once offered for my Denon AVR 4806 and between the expense, the hassle, and the shipping worries, I declined then as I would now.

In theory a new Denon flagship model that replaces the 8500H might be released in Jan of 2021. The 8500H first appeared on Amazon's website in Jan of 2018. So if there is a 3 year cycle for flagship models, Jan 2021 might be the date of the new model for $4,000-$4,500+.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

In theory a new Denon flagship model that replaces the 8500H might be released in Jan of 2021. The 8500H first appeared on Amazon's website in Jan of 2018. So if there is a 3 year cycle for flagship models, Jan 2021 might be the date of the new model for $4,000-$4,500+.

Realistically, the 6700H readily meets all of my needs and then some. Any successor to the 8500H is mostly a matter of curiosity for me. I want there to be one and I would like to see what more it might offer all said and done.

[mutelight]

With two consoles on the horizon that will leverage HDMI 2.1 and the high likelihood that the next GPUs will be HDMI 2.1, I am going to wait until all ports are compliant.

My pre-pro doesn't have eARC so I was really looking forward to these AVRs but I know I will have more than one HDMI 2.1 device in the next 1 - 2 years. Even if it is further out, I don't want to have to replace my whole AVR to have more devices. For now I am just going to go with this and have my devices connected directly to the TV.

[Gretiem]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Just built our Denon 2020 webpage with all of the .pdfs. I'm a big Denon fan as they design and build the best price/performance receivers. Great audio fidelity, top features, excellent build quality and very reasonably priced in every category.

The new flagship model, AVR-X6700H is built in Denon's flagship factory in Japan.

These new receivers are packed with HDMI 2.1 features, eARC, 4K/120Hz pass-through, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT)The HDMI bandwidth is 40Gbps.

All of the 2020 receivers support Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X and Auro-3D.

AVR-X6700H Denon 11.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 140W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $2,499.00

AVR-X4700H Denon 9.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 125W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $1,699.00

AVR-X3700H Denon 9.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 105W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $1,199.00

AVR-X2700H Denon 7.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 95/W/ch AVR with Built-in Heos $849.00

AVR-S960H Denon 7.2 Channel 8K Ultra HD 90W/Ch AVR with Built-In Heos $649.00

The X6700H and X4700H launch the week of June 15th at Value Electronics and later this summer for all other 2020 models.

So will you have preorders or they will just become available to ship that week ? Also do you have a release date for the 3700?