Denon AVR-2105 Home Theater Receiver with Dolby Digital EX DTS-ES ProLogicIIx Review

Product description

Delivering 90 full-bandwidth-rated watts x 7 channels of ultra-clean power plus a full complement of surround decoding options, this home-theater receiver delivers thrilling sound to TV, DVD and HDTV and more standard sound sources. Change system settings via the on-screen display on your television for easy operation 7-Channel Stereo mode takes 2-channel sources such as CD, tape and stereo radio and transforms them into surround sound for more satisfying audio Preset memory remote controller includes codes to easily operate other components in your home theater system 5.1-channel input / 7.1-channel preamp output Connectivity – Component video switching – 3 in, 1 out / Component video conversion / Digital inputs – 4 optical (including one front-panel), 1 coaxial / Optical digital output / 3 audio (including phono) and 5 A/V (including 5 S-video) inputs On-screen display (requires TV with A/V input) High-current, low-impedance amp design for full bandwidth power and clean sound performance Digital Radio Tuner with up to 56 AM/FM presets 2 sets of main speaker outputs Unit Dimensions – 17-1/8W x 6-3/4H x 17-1/2D Pre-programmed remote control features TV, VCR, DVD codes from other manufacturers

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Denon’s amazingly affordable AVR-2105 7.1-channel audio/video surround receiver combines the superb sound quality for which Denon is revered with all-format surround decoding and expanded AV control capabilities. The receiver’s high-power amplifier is assignable for either 7.1-channel surround operation or 5.1 surround with amplified stereo listening in another room.

The AVR-2105 includes many of the high-end features that distinguish Denon’s higher-priced components, like its 7 discrete channels of amplification to drive all the main loudspeakers in a 7.1 home theater surround system (front left, center, right, mid left/right, and surround left/right): 90 watts per channel into 8 ohms from 20 to 20,000 Hz with less than 0.05 percent THD.

For compatibility with all of today’s advanced surround-sound formats, the AVR-2105 features multichannel-channel decoding of Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS 96/24 (5.1 for DVD-Video), DTS ES Discrete 6/1, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, and DTS NEO:6 (Cinema and Music modes), as well as processing for Dolby Pro Logic IIx (for cinema, music, and games). Dolby Pro Logic IIx generates multichannel surround from any stereo (2-channel source), offering a choice of processing for your music and movie content: either a room-filling 6.1 or 7.1 channels. (The “.1” channel in all cases is a dedicated low-frequency effects channel, a passive signal intended for a stand-alone powered subwoofer.)

The AVR-2105 also includes Denon’s Auto Set-Up calibration, which simplifies the process of tailoring the receiver’s performance for your home theater or listening room. Auto Set-Up analyzes and calibrates 6 critically important speaker settings: connections, phase, size, and frequency response. It also adjusts channel level and time delay. The calibration feature uses high-performance DSP processors and the finest available digital-to-analog converters (DACs). For best results, the company offers an optional, specially designed calibration microphone for use in calibration (model DM-S305). Of course, you can disable Auto Set-Up if you’d prefer to calibrate the receiver in the traditional manner.

Since the majority of home theater speaker systems are built for 5.1, you may find yourself, in the short term, at least, with more amplifier power than your home theater requires. A function called Power Amp Assigned lets you use 2 of the amp’s 7 channels to power a second zone so you can enjoy music, for instance, in the kitchen or bedroom.

The AVR-2105’s derives much of its high sound quality from its premium Analog Devices Hammerhead SHARC 32-bit floating point DSP processing. For exceptional resolution and dynamic range, the receiver uses premium Analog Devices AD-1837 24-bit, 192 kHz audio DACs on all channels.

The AVR-2105 also includes a full complement of audio and video connections, including 3 assignable, high-bandwidth (100 MHz) component-video inputs. Video up-conversion radically simplifies connections to your TV, converting composite- and/or S-video sources to component-video without compromising video quality. If you’re using a component-video-capable TV, you won’t need separate composite- and S-video inputs in order to view composite- and S-video devices. Other versatile features include a high-quality AM/FM tuner with preset memory tuning and a newly designed, multi-line front-panel display that’s easier to read and provides more information than the displays on earlier models.

What’s in the Box
Receiver, remote control, remote batteries, an AM loop antenna, an indoor FM antenna, an AC power cord, a warranty card, a service-center list, and a user’s manual.