Denon's AVR-5308CI receiver reviewed, price and value high

by Steven Kim posted Aug 12th 2008 at 11:41AM

For most folks, it's hard to think of any $5,500 receiver as a "value purchase," but as we've seen before, "value" can get pretty slippery at the high end. Audioholics has put up a very detailed review of Denon's flagship AVR-5308CI receiver, just to test the value of the unit. If you ~~want~~ need a reference-quality centerpiece to your HT setup, we'd be hard-pressed to disagree with the analysis. First, think of the unit as a top-of-the-line Denon AVP-A1HDCI preamp/processor and a seven-channel amplifier that share a power cord, all in one tidy (and massive) chassis. Now consider the $7,500 price tag on that AVP-A1HDCI -- that's $2,000 more than the receiver, and you still have to shell out for an amplifier (or seven). Of course, maybe after the first $5,500, you won't feel the additional $2,000. Somehow we don't think that's true -- check your bank balance and hit the link for the review, not necessarily in that order.

Filed under: Reviews, Receivers

Tags: audioholics, avr-5308ci, denon

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Clint @ Aug 17th 2008 6:34PM

Hey, don't forget the integrated $2000 video processor! That brings the price down to around... oh, $3500... um, sort of... lol.

Neutral

why not the LS2LS7? @ Aug 12th 2008 1:10PM

Just because it's slightly less overpriced and more featured than another overpriced piece of gear doesn't make it a value proposition.

I note it also lacks HDMI->HDMI upscaling. This is very common since HDMI usually comes with HDCP, which makes upscaling impossible. HDCP is bad for the consumer.

My far cheaper Sony has HDMI->HDMI upscaling, but due to vagaries of how my TV works, I keep it turned off.

I applaud Denon for (apparently) sticking to analog amplifiers. They know their core audience well. I and many other less demanding people find a lot of advantage to digital amps though, even with their currently reduced performance.

Highly Ranked

TrentD @ Aug 12th 2008 3:43PM

"HDMI usually comes with HDCP, which makes upscaling impossible."

You are completely and totally incorrect - HDCP sources get scaled through receivers, video processors, and video displays all the time.

Neutral

why not the LS2LS7? @ Aug 12th 2008 10:33PM

HDCP can be upscaled by displays but not by amps. HDCP provides BY DEFINITION end-to-end protection. That means no one in the middle (like an amp) can decode it. And you cannot upscale it without decoding it.

TrentD, you need to get an understanding before you call others out.

Neutral

Clint @ Aug 17th 2008 6:39PM

That is absolutely incorrect and the AVR-5308CI can, and does, scale HDMI input to other resolutions - as do many other receivers.

Neutral

Ken @ Aug 13th 2008 12:49AM

Lets be honest, you will buy this receiver to complement your THX-certified Atlantic Technology package and go with your $1000 Denon BD player and 1080p projo. This is not a unit for some 13 year old punk responding to blogs (not accusing you guys, you are making valid points, but realize this unit is designed for people who don't mind paying a lot more for a little more).

I have sold a few of these, and the buyers are usually 30-50, know this hobby well, and have very good jobs (or have a lot of money working hard in their name, those lucky SOB's). They will use the piss out of this thing for 5 years and then get whatever comes along next.

Neutral

RogueAgent @ Aug 13th 2008 4:26AM

@LS2LS7

I don't claim to know everything about HDCP, but if what you say is true, how does this footnote to the videoprocessing test in the review in this story fit in?

"Source component was the Denon DVD-3930CI set to 480i via HDMI output upscaled by the AVR-5308CI to 1080p and fed to a Marantz VP-15S1 1080p DLP Projector."

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