Denon AVR-X5200W AV-receiver
It's been several years since I Have had the chance to "do" a large Denon AV receiver. When a sample arrived of the firm's behemoth AVR-X5200W, among the first receivers that are very able distribute and to decode Dolby Atmos in a home theatre setting, I used to be able to start. Atmos is the San Franciscans' latest, "item-established," scalable-multichannel surround format.
But that aside, the AVR-X5200W is still an impressive receiver, boasting nine channels said to create 140 watts each (total-bandwidth-rated, two channels driven), alongside substantial radio receiver skills (including AirPlay, Bluetooth, and program-streamed Spotify), the latest-gen Audyssey auto-set up applications (including double-subwoofer EQ/coordination possibility), an HD Radio tuner, as well as the list continues (and on). You'll need to consult with the Website of Denon.
Aesthetically, the AVR-X5200W seems a whole lot like just about any other AV receiver black, two knobs that are large, blue fluorescent screen, flip-down door concealing jacks and switches. Denon's metalwork is finished and carefully fashioned, as well as the controls all feel first rate. This new Denon feels like quality, although the style may seem familiar.
Joining and unboxing the receiver went absolutely easily. HDMI jacks are equally as numerous, additionally numbering 11: eight input signals (one to the front panel) and three output signals, one dedicated to some distant Zone 2. Legacy video connections are confined into a set of assignable component video inputs plus one output signal.
I joined my standard package of center station streamlined three way computer screens, and dipole surrounds, initially placing everything to Big in order amplifiers. My loudspeakers are wholly considered weights that were tough, since they therefore are reactive and have fairly low sensitivity, which means it is a test that was pretty reasonable.
These single-driver, breadloaf- sized, up-fire cupboards can be purchased separately but are actually made to match with Def Tech's BP-8060 towers, to that they attach in place of the towers' top panels that were detachable. Since I had been interested in exercising the Atmos skills of the AVR-X5200W with my benchmark loudspeakers that were recognizable, I used temporary rubber feet to maintain the A60s placed alongside my ledge and atop my stand-mounted fronts -mounted encompasses.
The center of the set up procedure of the AVR-X5200W is its self-directing Setup Assistant, which walks you through all the appropriate variants of input parameters, network, and loudspeaker and duties. The onscreen colour images are very substantial; it is all fairly slick.
The onscreen directions were direct and clear, as well as the straightforward but informative images actually helped keep track.
While I am thinking about it, I'd like to make a brief detour here to mention the Denon's treatment of DLNA-networked music driven server, was model. Denon's navigation of its own cueing and the server menu construction, play/stopping, and jumping of tracks were not false and notably faster than that established DLNA clients I have used.
I have struck a few, although most A/V receivers likewise will not.
The Denon made brief work of this at any quantity up to (and beyond) control room-playback amounts, keeping lifelike, transients that were airy and pleasant, DSD-at-its-finest ride cymbals and brushwork.
With one of these bona fides created, I had little concern for the AVR-X5200W's film-audio performance. Cloud Atlas is an ideal exemplar of why it is easier to take your scifi folderol with literary pretensions (I haven't read the novel)) than using a wink along with a nudge (T2, The Fifth Element. Still, it is difficult to contend together with the film's sensible design, make-up, and production. As a sound demonstrator, it wraps up almost every kind of component that is sonic and fashion right into just one DTS-HD Master Audio-encoded Bluray bundle, one that the Denon delivered with gusto. A lot of power was apparent for big-activity content such as the futuristic-city pursuitandfight sequence, while all the dialogue nuance of many silent scenes that are one on one was nicely served.
The marquee mode of the AVR-X5200W class, is Dolby Atmos, and so I fired up the only Atmospheric content accessible in my experience at the time: Dolby's own Bluray demo of the format, an assortment of shorts and previews. The Denon played with these selections, some of which are quite demanding all, at a completely theatre- with no idea of having broken a sweat, like benchmark amount. My pressed-into-service Def Tech Raising Modules additionally received environment-processed content in the Denon's various Dolby Surround styles from both two channel and non-Atmos environment-encoded applications, but I could not ascertain if these contributions included any real height signals or direction; I guess not. Having said that, Bluetooth did make stuff like NFL games seem larger, taller, and more immersive. Atmos-prepared? According to these early yields, I'd say yes I'm.
Today, any AVR over the entry-est of amounts dies or lives by its art that is onscreen, as well as the Denon's is first rate. Menus appear and vanish rapidly, as well as the design is readable and clear. The latter jumps into a submenu using a degree-counterbalance slider for each active channel, a feature that is near and dear to my heart in regular use. (Thanks again, Denon. Having said that, this is not dissimilar to an identically named attribute on Onkyo/Integra layouts. No, I do not understand who stole it.)
Having a full complement of video and wireless attributes, the AVR-X5200W should keep tweakers joyful. AirPlay and Bluetooth are both on board; they worked good from my iPhone. (The Denon does not integrate aptX, at least so far as whom could ascertain.) Video alternatives range from the typical Custom, Vivid styles, and Film, in addition to the ISF/Day and Night presets, but user-accessible controls for brightness, black level, etc are available just on Custom--reasonable enough, within my perspective.
Like every networkable AV receiver now, a iOS/Android program can controls the AVR-X5200W. Denon's is somewhat less instantly intuitive than others I have used but usually useable enough. (It is also possible to control the receiver from any Web browser.) Besides the mentioned vTuner Internet radio, the AVR-X5200W offers Pandora and streaming-Sirius/XM, also it can function as a streaming-playback destination for Spotify programs (there is no Spotify applications resident on board).
The Denon empowers you to select environment modes by pressing committed Film, Music, Game, or Pure keys, all of which cycles through the modes that are related. This scheme resembles that of numerous competing AVRs, but whom found myself wishing the AVR-X5200W had a single, selectable menu that listed all the environment styles that are available in a single spot. The Denon presents no Dolby PLIIx/Movie/Music alternatives, only a single "Dolby Surround" choice under each--this is Dolby's new Atmos-age designation because of its logic-established environment processing. Environment processing is superimposed by activating this option (presumably PLIIzish) onto two channel (or bitstream) signals, but with none of the PLII parameters that are flexible on tap. DTS Neo:X is not absent in each and every flavor, additionally without adjustment alternatives.
The DSX of Audyssey extended-environment processing can also be accessible if non-Atmos height or width loudspeakers can be found in the set up. Because the AVR-X5200W comes with an additional set of speaker jacks beyond a Atmos 5.1.4 set up, it is possible to have both, but the Atmos loudspeakers can not be reassigned for DSX without physically transferring their connections and places in the room.
Overall, Denon has done a pretty great job. Showing once again that the easiest option is definitely the most effective, Denon's Quick Select attribute lets you easily create four macros joining source, volume, environment, Audyssey, and image/scaler settings, jointly with (my favorite) comparative station-degree tweaks, all with one-touch recall from four dedicated remote keys--possibly, an extremely useful feature.
The provided remote, if reasonably compact, is rather functional--though whom do wish the consumer electronics world would powwow to standardize up/down key positioning. (channel and Volume on the left /station towards the right, or vice versa; myself do not care, just be consistent!) The handset can use the standard library that is preset for control of most other-brand equipment, but there is no learning routine for classic or vague parts. Nor is there any distant illumination, a characteristic I'd have anticipated at this price level.
