Denon & Marantz deliver a new ‘A’ team

Sound United has released new ‘A’-tagged range-topping AV components for both Denon and Marantz, raising their predecessor models to HDMI 2.1 status along with support for the latest immersive audio formats.

Neither of them is strictly quite an AV receiver, with Denon upgrading its tunerless AVC-X8500H to the “industry’s first 13.2 channel 8K AV amplifier” in the AVC-X8500HA, while the new Marantz component is the 13-channel AV8805A processor/preamplifier, upgrading the previous AV8805 that has been partner to the company’s MM range of separate power amplifiers since its introduction in 2018.

On both models the addition of that extra ‘A’ brings a dedicated 8K input that supports 40Gbps transmission of 8K/60Hz and passthrough of 4K/120Hz, while all rear HDMI ports are HDCP 2.3-rated and can handle the gamut of HDR standards (dynamic and otherwise) as well as gaming features such as VRR, ALLM, QFT and the QMS Quick Media Switching which avoids blank screens when changes between frame rates occur in the signal path.

The major additions on the audio side are out-of-box support for the Dolby Atmos Height Virtualiser as well as including the latest DTS: X Pro which allows 13 channels of DTS:X decoding to cover configurations such as 7.2.6 or 9.2.4.

These units continue to be compatible with Auro-3D layouts, and have the HEOS streaming and multi-room system onboard for all its musical benefits.

It seems a new tack for Sound United to announce both products on the same day, with similar features and press releases; previously Denon and Marantz have been keen to emphasise their own merits as separate brands with differentiated products. One shared benefit that will please existing owners of the original products is that Marantz AV8805 owners have the opportunity to upgrade the HDMI/digital board to AV8805A spec through an approved Marantz dealer, as will owners of the Denon AVCX8500H through an authorised Denon dealer. The upgrade price for either is $1199. We love the idea of upgrade kits for previous purchasers, and asked Sound United if this is an ongoing commitment now — can purchasers of the new models look forward to their own upgrade kit next year or later? The answer was hopeful if not unequivocal: “We’ve always endeavoured to have an upgrade path by means of an upgrade kit for our current flagship models, a promise that we are committed to,” replied Sound United HQ in Australia.

It should be noted that owners of the existing models don’t need the physical upgrade for front wide channel support on Dolby Surround, for Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer or for DTS:X Pro, as all of these are now available via firmware upgrade.

The new releases also avoid two recent issues — the early HDMI 2.1 silicon which had an issue with Microsoft’s implementation of 4K/120 gaming from the new Xbox consoles, and the shortage of AKM DAC chips following the disastrous factory fire at Asahi Kasei in Japan, which has led to a shortage of their DAC chips and running changes in many models to an alternative.

“The new flagship models as well as the upgrade kits have the latest HDMI 2.1 chipsets that are no longer impacted by the 4K120 issue,” Sound United tells us, while also “Both Denon and Marantz ‘A’ versions have an ESS audio DAC chip instead of the AKM DAC chip. Our Sound Masters have tuned these models to get the same signature sound as with the previous DACs.”

The new Marantz AV8805A processor/ preamp retails at $6990, while the Denon AVC-X8500HA retails for $6490. More info: www.marantz.com.au / denon.com.au