Denon AVR-1909 7.1 Channels Receiver

Denon's new AVR-1909 is both a technical tour de force and also an affordable Audio/Video 7.1 channel surround receiver.  It is also a terrific value and return on investment.

This model offers the typical compliment of goodies for a modern A/V receiver and a few unexpected surprises as well.  Those extra touches include the ability to supply a second zone of audio completely independent from your main theater, video up-sampling to improve lower resolution sources and a really cool audio calibration system that is perhaps the most technically sophisticated (and accurate) system available in the marketplace today.

Lets hit the feature highlights of this model.  If you are into spec-land, please visit Denon's website for the entire minutia.

Greatest Hits:
1) An ample 90 watts of high current power x 7 channels.
2) Full HDMI switching, along with component/s-video/composite video up-conversion to 1080p HDMI via Faroudja's wonderful DCDi chipset.
3) iPod dock upgrade path (requires an additional purchase).
4) XM and Sirius upgrade path (requires an additional purchase).
5) Can supply power to a conventional 5.1 channel home theater AND also additional stereo audio to a second independent zone (independent volume and source selection from theater zone), OR the receiver can supply power to a 7.1 channel home theater AND a low level (RCA preamp level) signal to an independent amp for your second zone of audio.
6) Infrared codes are discrete, which means that this receiver is much easier to control with all-in-one third party universal remotes like the wonderful lineup of Harmony remotes.
7) Internal Dolby TruHD and dts MasterAudio decoding via HDMI.
8) HDMI v1.3a with support for CEC power control, lip-sync correction, deep color as well as xvYCC color space.
9) Audyssey Dynamic volume control.
10) Audyssey Dynamic EQ
11) Audyssey MultEQ auto setup and room EQ
12) Network streaming of Internet radio stations via an optional (requires an additional purchase) network client w/iPod dock.
13) Faroudja DCDi Video processing for dramatically improved image quality from older lower resolution sources (like DVD players).  Upsamples to 1080p (TV dependant).
14) Rear mini-jack Infrared input, so if you elect to control this receiver from a different location (or hide it inside a cabinet) an infrared repeater system can control it without otherwise having to stick an IR "mouse emitter" on the front of your receiver.
15) FULLY assignable inputs, including component (3x), HDMI (3x) and digital audio (2 optical, 2 coax digital).
16) Optional RF (radio based) two-way remote control (requires an additional purchase).
17) Dedicated separate zone 2 remote control (mini card type).
18) 5.1 (or if you have configured a 7.1 system - 7.1) STEREO.  Typically if you want all your speakers to play MUSIC, you must select a surround mode that sounds somewhere between fake and awful.  5.1/7.1 stereo introduces no DSP surround effects and no echo to the music.  It is a delightful way to listen to music.
19) Fully customizable including: night mode (to decrease neighbor irritation), auto delay (when lips don't match the video - up to 6 frames of adjustment), full or partial audio levels when mute is selected, a "governor" on the volume control to prevent speaker disaster, programmable volume on levels, a programming lock to keep others from mucking with your settings, auto level memory which allows you to adjust input levels for sources that vary in volume levels, and much much more.

Anyway you figure it this model is a veritable Swiss Army knife for an A/V system.

Frankly, if you read through what I briefly detailed above and have concluded that I am speaking a foreign language, then you need to purchase this unit from a SPECIALTY AUDIO DEALER (shameless plug for what I do for a living) or have a friend/family member/neighborhood kid that understands this stuff stop by and do the initial setup.  Just like those car ads with impossible driving feats, if you aren't technical do not attempt setup of this receiver!!!!

If you are technical in nature and love this type of stuff you'll be able to figure out configuration of this piece and have a blast doing it. 

Regardless of your technical prowess, ONCE this unit is setup and configured, operation is a snap ... almost anyone would be able to USE this unit.

History101 - Who the heck is Denon?

Denon - who are these guys?  Formed in 1910, Denon is Japan's OLDEST electronics manufacturer.  Their first product was a wax cylinder style record player that was released to market in 1912.  Denon was involved in the invention of digital PCM recording (precursor of the modern CD) and released the world's first vinyl LP whose source was a digital recording.  For you audiophiles out there, they also invented the direct drive record player and the moving coil phono cartridge. 

My personal experience is that in general Denon builds a superior product.  Superior in sound quality, superior in features that MATTER (not worthless marketing stupid stuff) and superior in build quality/reliability.  I've been selling and installing the brand since 1980, so I've got a pretty good feel for these guys.

The Heart of the matter:

After you open your new toy and become acquainted with the various knobs and rear panel connections, it's time to hook all your goodies into the AVR1909.  Speaker wire connects with a standard red/black thumbscrew terminal.  Incidentally, the backs of each of those terminals can accept single pin banana plugs for easy wire connection of larger gauge speaker wire.

Hook video out (hopefully a single HDMI to your shiny new HDTV) and your various video sources (don't forget the Blu-Ray player).

All menu configurations can be accomplished on-screen via any of the video monitor outputs of your new receiver (most of you will use component or HDMI).  Although the menu system is on-screen, Denon does not superimpose an on-screen volume setting.

Now it's time to setup the auto calibration of the receiver.  Dig out the supplied Audyssey calibrated microphone and plug it into the front panel of the receiver.  You'll see an on-screen message on your TV asking you if you want to proceed with auto calibration.  Yes, is the correct answer.   Place the microphone AT EAR LEVEL in YOUR preferred seating location (aka, the money spot ... since YOU spent the money, you get the best seat in the house).

Weird calibration tones will be emitted from your speakers.  Audyssey will figure out how many speakers you have, will confirm that you didn't hook anything up wrong (for example, it will detect an out of phase connection - interestingly absolute phase as well as the more common reversed speaker connection) and will detect the bass capabilities of each speaker. 

The Audyssey auto calibration will ask you to move the microphone to another location and the process will repeat.  For absolute best results, you should move this microphone to a total of SIX different locations (three is the minimum to get a decent calibration). 

After everything is measured, allow the circuit to do number crunching and when finished, remember to STORE the results.

Once you complete this process it is fascinating to go back and see what Audyssey concluded.  It will determine bass capabilities of each speaker and when appropriate will set the bass crossover point for a speaker.  It will measure the distance from each speaker to the "money spot" with a typical accuracy of 0.5 inches.  Additionally, it will use an internal 9-band equalizer to EQ EACH speaker (excluding the subwoofer) to YOUR ROOM and will set the volume level of each speaker too. 

Audyssey uses this calibration for a WONDERFUL new for 2008-09 circuit called Audyssey Dynamic Volume.   I don't know about you, but I am driven mad by volume differences between different CD's, TV shows and of course commercials.  Dynamic Volume attacks this problem better than ANY OTHER solution that I have seen to date.  You MUST go into the Denon menu to turn this feature ON ... for whatever reason it defaults off.  There are three different levels of adjustments - Day, Night, Midnight, so experiment and find what works best for you.

I may receive a few jabs for this next comment, but those are the breaks.  Many families have a technical guru and let's just say that most families have those that are somewhat less technical in nature.  If you are in the middle of an out of town business trip and receive an angry telephone call from your significant other asking how to get sound or how to turn the system on, you know what I'm talking about.

Denon has an often-overlooked feature called Quick Select.  There are three Quick Select buttons on the front panel of the receiver.   Those buttons are each capable of memorizing a variety of settings, including input device, surround mode, surround levels and the like.  Assign button one to the satellite dish, button two to the CD changer and button three to the XBox and your problem solving is as simple as telling your partner to turn the receiver on and select button one, two or three.  A Godsend!!

I am particularly fond of the way that Denon accomplishes volume muting.  In the setup menu, you can select a full audio mute, or partial mute.  Once mute is selected, the display on the Denon blinks "MUTE" AND the power button BLINKS GREEN (that power button is a constant green when on and a constant red when off).

One important note - This model does not have a low-level phono input, so if you plan to hookup a record player, you'll need an additional phono stage.  My favorite, moderate priced good sounding device is made by Parasound; or, if you are an occasional record listener, purchase an inexpensive record player that already incorporates a switchable phono stage (Denon, Sony, etc. make them).

Dog features:

Ok, this isn't the perfect AV receiver.  There are two things that aren't ideal.

1) Like EVERY SINGLE AV receiver that I have EVER seen, the remote control (in this case, both of them) sucks.  Given that a "good" quality universal remote from Harmony or Universal Remote Control is $200 to $500, it is certainly understandable that Denon can't package a comparable remote with a $650 MSRP receiver.  The supplied Denon remote does a decent job controlling the Denon receiver, but now that I am post 50 the buttons are difficult to see.  Forget about this remote with other devices - the small sliding device switches will drive you to drink.  If you already partake, you'll double your intake.

Use it if you must, but I advise a decent burial (back to the box in storage) and pony up the funds for a good aftermarket remote.

2) Denon has TWO power buttons on the front of their current crop of AV receivers.  One is an electronic power switch (which the remote control operates), the other is a mechanical switch.  If you want to be electrically "green" this mechanical power switch kills ALL power consumption (there is no standby power usage).  Be warned, if you are unable to turn your receiver on, before yanking all of your wires loose to bring it to a repair facility, double check that the mechanical power switch is ON.  If you elect to use the mechanical power switch, heaven forbid, you'll have to get off your rear-end to turn this guy on.

The stuff that REALLY matters:

Finally, let's talk about sound quality.  Frankly, given the price of this receiver it sounds quite a bit fuller and richer than one should expect.  If you are into multi-thousand dollar amplifiers and preamplifiers, no you won't be satisfied with this piece and Denon didn't design this piece for you - they do make very high dollar separates which you can check out if your wallet allows this level of indulgence.

One note - some of the photos of this unit, show it in Denon's silver/champagne finish.  In North America, Denon provides this unit only in Black.

For the vast bulk of the population, the AVR1909 married with good speakers and a subwoofer will thrill you beyond your imagination.  Short of the experience of a THX certified movie theater, your AVR1909 (again with GOOD speakers) will sound better than the preponderance of theaters in North America ... which is recommendation enough for Denon's AVR-1909 A/V receiver.