Denon has come out of the digital music network server gate with a bang. The DNP-720AE is a well conceived multifunctional unit that plays just about all digital sources wired or wirelessly, discs excluded. Besides sporting Napster, Rhapsody and Pandora services, the AIrPlay function opens up iTunes libraries, a USB port accesses music storage devices or iPods. There's even a built-in AM/FM tuner for analog fans. i-device owners can also take advantage of the Denon Remote App.
Denon has introduced an unusual piece, the S-5BD, which combines a top-notch Blu-ray player with a high performing A/V Receiver. This "ray-ceiver" acquitted itself well in both viewing and listening tests. A smart solution to home theater systems limited in space and for those desiring simple set up and operation.
Denon unveiled 10 AVRs ranging in price from $249 to $1,999 all featuring HDMI 1.4a at a press event in New York City earlier this week and a host of networking features including Pandora Music Direct, and remote access.
Denon offers up an all-business Blu-ray player. We put it to the test and consider how it stacks up against the performance and slew of features on the newest Blu-ray players.
At CES in Las Vegas today Denon announced it will offer its existing customers the opportunity to experience enhanced audio performance that goes “beyond 5.1-channel surround sound” with an advanced Audyssey DSX Firmware Upgrade on specific models.
Marantz (owned by D&M Holdngs), not to be outdone by US manufacturer Oppo whose BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player (tentatively priced at US$499) is expected sometime this spring in the US and by Denon ( also owned by D&M Holdings) whose DVD-A1UDCI universal Blu-ray player is priced at US$3,800 has been pushed back to later this year, has been working on their own universal player.