Denon AVC-X6700H
After taking a year off, the 6000-series home cinema amplifiers are back with an almighty bang
Despite the protestations of those who take them, a gap year rarely results in any kind of self-improvement. At least they generally tend to be harmless, other than perhaps awakening a dormant level of narcissism within the backpacker. But that's where the Denon AVC-X6700H home cinema amplifier differs: it has been away for a year and come back more interesting than it was before.
Triumphant return
The 6000 lineage was one of those that Denon decided not to upgrade in 2019, waiting until this year to double down on those usually annual improvements. Returning, it has managed to eke out yet more performance and reassess – if not exactly redefine – what is achievable with a two-grand home cinema amp.
The release of these new models is rooted more in the adoption of new technologies than any attempt to dramatically improve an already class-leading audio performance.
The AVC-X6700H has certainly stocked up on those new technologies. The headline is the new HDMI section, with one of the AVC-X6700H’S eight inputs being dedicated to 8K playback, enabling up to 8K/60HZ video passthrough. Along with the others that cater for up to 4K/120HZ, all of the HDMI connections add HDR10+, Dynamic HDR and Quick Media Switching – which allows a source to switch resolution or frame rate instantly to eliminate screen blackout – to last season’s suite of HDR 10, HLG and Dolby Vision.
Gamers are also well served, with Variable Refresh Rate now added to reduce frame tearing and improve overall precision, while Auto Low Latency Mode and Quick Frame Transport are there, designed to reduce lag and improve stats.
As well as its 11 channels of power amplification (at a claimed 205W per channel) – and processing for 13, which means you can extend your speaker package with an outboard power amplifier – the AVC-X6700H affords 13 channels of DTS:X decoding thanks to DTS:X Pro technology.
It shores up an audio arsenal that already supported most 3D formats, including Dolby Atmos, Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:x, IMAX Enhanced and Auro-3d. There is also a new Pre-amplifier mode that clears the signal path when using outside amplification.
Hi-res playback
In terms of music playback, Denon has kept Bluetooth and Apple Airplay 2 connectivity, and multi-room is made easy within the company’s HEOS eco-system. The AVC-X6700H is also Roon Tested and sports a USB port on its front panel that allows physical playback of hi-res music files.
It’s worth noting that we are testing here the AVC-X6700H, rather than the AVR-X6700H that is available in the US; the difference is the addition of an FM tuner in the States, with all other features remaining the same.
But if bringing the AVC-X6700H’S feature set up to date is a safe and easy win for Denon, it seemingly has more to lose than gain by tweaking an already Award-winning sound. At some point it might all go wrong, but that point certainly hasn’t arrived yet.
With our test sample already run-in, in 15 minutes it is out of the box and set up
using the in-box microphone and Audyssey software, which can now accommodate two separate speaker set-ups. Immediately, we are left in no doubt as to the scale and authority of this 2020 Denon amplifier.
It is a more powerful presentation than two years ago – not by a huge amount, but enough to notice when you’ve used the AVC-X6500H as much as we have – and this Denon wields that power with great verve and precision.
Gaining bass weight
The balance is more bass-heavy than in previous generations too, and some might want to dial a little of that bass out from time to time; but any extra weight does not slow the AVC-X6700H down. It just makes this feel like a more controlled and grown-up performance, with that extra low end working to deliver full and realistic voices as much as it is able to box you around the room when allowed.
But most impressive is how Denon has been able to make this a more expressive and engaging version of a 6000-series amplifier. While the power and punch will grab your attention, it is the detail and dynamic expression that will lock it in for hours at a time. Dialogue is delivered with intensity and emotion at times when necessary, and allowed to lilt lyrically at others.
As ever, this is most easily appreciated using Denon’s Pure Direct mode, but not all is lost when using those 3D audio virtualisation modes. They are integrated well, adding height to the sound field and wrapping effects around the listening position; if you are happy trading in a little clarity and low-level dynamics, it can be fun with certain films.
The AVC-X6700H’S musical delivery also translates well to stereo music performance. Don’t expect anywhere near the level of playback available from a stereo integrated amp at this price, but considering everything on board the Denon, it is an interesting enough recital.
Once again, this is a step forward rather than any great leap for Denon’s 6000-series amp, so we wouldn’t expect many to be trading in their AVC-X6500H model, even with the extra year between releases. But it does cement the company’s position at the top of the class for home cinema amps at this price, as far as we’ve heard.
Future-proofing your set-up
With big wins for gamers, and those wanting to future-proof their set-ups for the 8K content due to arrive within the five or ten year lifespan of your next amp, Denon was onto a winner even if it had kept audio quality at the same level as its last effort. That it has continued to improve is a welcome bonus to anyone currently in the market for a top AV amp.