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Denon AVR-4308CI

The Denon AVR-4308CI ($2499) is a 7.1 a/v receiver featuring HDMI 1.3 and digital video transcoding/upscaling to 1080p. The AVR-4308CI supports the decoding of the popular high-definition audio formats (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA). It is similar to its predecessor AVR-4306CI, but adds HDMI, more power, Internet streaming and Wi-Fi capabilities. It delivers 140 W of power to each of its 7 audio channels, and features advanced multi-zone audio and video, including the ability to transcode all video sources to a zone 2 component video output. Like the Denon AVR-3808CI ($1599) it features Faroudja DCDi video processing with all input video sources output to HDMI. It supports up to 1080p video, but lower resolution sources like 480i, 480p, 1080i are not upconverted to full HD because of a limitation of the chip.

Where to Buy

Denon AVR-4308CI
MSRP $2,499.00
Release date July, 2007
Brand Denon
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Pros & Cons9
Reviews12
Details
Buy It7
Competitors8
Comments2
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
12 reviews
85
negative
mixed
positive
11 positive
0 mixed
1 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Includes built-in WiFi
+9agreedisagree

•
Internet and network streaming of digital audio (mp3), Internet radio
+7agreedisagree

•
4 x HDMI 1.3a inputs, 2 x HDMI 1.3a outputs
+7agreedisagree

•
Component video output for zone 2 with upconversion from all video sources
+4agreedisagree

•
Little to no audio sync issues
+4agreedisagree

•
Clean and fast source switching
+3agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Cost
+3agreedisagree

•
Mediocre 1080i Deinterlacing
0agreedisagree

•
Problems
-1agreedisagree


12 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

Features

  • 140W/channel x 7
  • Newly revised front panel and controls
  • ALL NEW GUI Setup and control interface (front panel setup possible as well)
  • Discrete Zone 2 component video output
  • Integrated Wi-Fi
  • Zone 4 digital input/output
  • 0.05% THD
  • 3 independent power transformers
  • 6 independent power supply circuits
  • Dynamic discrete surround circuit-HD (revised for HD audio formats)
  • Analog Devices SHARC 21366 (1) and 21367 (1) DSP
  • Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+ decoding
  • DTS-HD Master Audio decoding
  • Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES Discrete/Matrix/Neo:6
  • XM-HD 5.1 with Neural Surround
  • Compressed audio restorer for portables/iPods
  • Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction with eight (8) mic positions
  • Revised Y/Mold setup microphone
  • AL24 processing (AL24+ on ALL CHANNELS)
  • 24-bit/192kHz DACs (2/8 ch PCM1791A)
  • Analog-to-Digital conversion all channels on stereo analogue inputs (24/192 PCM1804)
  • Variable high/low-pass crossover points (12/24dB) 40-250Hz
  • Assignable digital inputs
  • Denon Link 3rd (PCM/DSD compatibility)
  • 8-channel parallel digital inputs (for professional monitoring use)
  • iPod-ready with Denon D-dock
  • USB port (front and rear) for portable music players/flash drives/HDD with Command and Control functionality, on-screen data
  • XM Satellite Radio-ready (Mini-tuner compatible)
  • Multi-source, multi-zone discrete tuner select function (AM/FM/XM/HD)
  • HDMI 1.3a repeater inputs/outputs with support for 1080p/24/60 and 12-bit Deep color, xvYCC color space, auto lip sync correction, and 7.1 uncompressed 24-96 audio plus SACD
  • Analogue to HDMI video conversion/scaling (480p/720p/1080i/1080p)
  • Faroudja DCDi video processing (FLI-2310)
  • Audio Inputs/outputs: 3 digital S/PDIF4 digital optical2 optical, assignable S/PDIF outputsPhono input10 analogue inputs including tuner2 analogue record outputs (with DAC to allow digital source output)
  • Video Inputs/outputs4 HDMI 1.3a inputs2 HDMI 1.3a outputs7 composite/s-video video inputs3 composite/s-video video outputs3 component video inputs (100MHz)2 parallel (main zone) component video outputs (100MHz)
  • Independent video conversion (s-video to composite/component for Zone 2)
  • Source delete function
  • Source function rename
  • Dual surround mode speaker selection
  • System setup/surround parameters lockout
  • 8-channel external analogue inputs
  • Pure Direct/Direct/Stereo modes for digital/analogue inputs
  • 6 DSP effect modes
  • Multi-channel stereo mode
  • 56-station auto-preset memory tuning
  • RS-232 port with new Denon 2-way remote control and RF/IR base station
  • RJ-45 Ethernet port (MAC/PC streaming, Internet radio, web browser, enhanced for WMA lossless and AAC)
  • PC setup and control via Ethernet (with remote off-site diagnosis, correction, update and upgrade capability)
  • 3-zone, 3-source (with DACs for digital audio PCM support and Zone 4 digital I/O)
  • Composite video output for second zone with OSD for meta-data from iPod/XM/streaming
  • Discrete IR remote codes (4 for main zone, 2 for multi-zone)
  • Enhanced power amplifier assign for multi-zone (Zones 2 and/or 3 in split mono) or bi-amping; nine (9) modes in all
  • 8 channel preamp outputs for main zone
  • Relay-controlled protection circuits
  • New enhanced multi-zone remote with punch-through commands
  • Compatible with RC-7000/7001CI IR/RF 2-way remote/base station (optional
  • 40.8 pounds
  • Dimensions: 17.1" x 7.7" x 17.9"

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This report was started August 10, 2007 at 10:51 am by Erik
with the last edit occurring March 9, 2009 at 1:36 pm by Yale
This page has been viewed 10455 times, with 81 edits by 20 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Denon AVR-4308CI

• Denon AVR-4308CI Multizone Home Theater Receiver with Network Streaming and Wi-Fi

• AVR-4308CI Receiver

UPC: 081757508087

EAN: 3725582909820

MPN: AVR-4308CI

Competitors

Denon AVR-4308CI is ranked 6th among it's competitors.  See the top picks in A/V Receivers »
Onkyo TX-NR906

Onkyo TX-NR906

MSRP  $2,299.00    Released  August, 2008
Pros
  • 1080p video uscaling using Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX
  • Burr-Brown DACs
  • Good price when compared to other brands with similar specs and featureset
Cons
  • No iTunes support on the network or did I miss something!
  • Firmware not publicly upgradeable
  • No HDMI upscaling
ProSCORE
13 reviews
78
Vote! (2 votes)
vote Denon AVR-4308CI 0% vs. vote Onkyo TX-NR906 100%
Yamaha RX-V3900

Yamaha RX-V3900

MSRP  $1,899.95    Released  September, 2008
Pros
  • 4 x HDMI inputs + 2 HDMI outputs
  • Internet + network connectivity with Web browser control
  • Anchor Bay VRS Technology + PReP video processing for large displays
Cons
  • Anchor Bay not as good as Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX in Onkyo and Denon
  • No THX certification
  • No HDMI to HDMI upscaling
ProSCORE
13 reviews
95
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Denon AVR-4308CI 0% vs. vote Yamaha RX-V3900 100%
Integra DTR-8.8

Integra DTR-8.8

MSRP  $2,400.00    Released  September, 2007
Pros
  • Lots of power with large toroid - THX Ultra2
  • HQV Reon video upscaling
  • Well engineered with good industrial design
  • Decodes True HD and DTS-HD MA
Cons
  • $600 more expensive than the TX-NR905 with not that many more features
ProSCORE
3 reviews
80
Vote! (7 votes)
vote Denon AVR-4308CI 14% vs. vote Integra DTR-8.8 86%
Onkyo TX-NR905

Onkyo TX-NR905

MSRP  $2,099.00    Released  August, 2007
Pros
  • BTL for powering massive mains with surround amp assistance in 2-channel mode.
  • THX Ultra2 certified
  • Burr-Brown DACs on the new TI architecture.
Cons
  • Runs extremely hot
  • audio processing adds slight delay from video
  • Reon-HQV instead of true top quality Realta
ProSCORE
19 reviews
70
Vote! (8 votes)
vote Denon AVR-4308CI 38% vs. vote Onkyo TX-NR905 62%
Yamaha RX-V3800

Yamaha RX-V3800

MSRP  $1,699.00    Released  September, 2007
Pros
  • LAN-connected - can stream MP3, WMA, WAV
  • 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • Upscales SD sources to 1080p
Cons
  • No HDMI-to-HDMI upscaling
  • Only upconverts 480i/p, and only over analog
  • Uses unproven Anchor Bay Technologies ABT1010 scaler instead of Faroudja or HQV
ProSCORE
10 reviews
74
Vote! (4 votes)
vote Denon AVR-4308CI 75% vs. vote Yamaha RX-V3800 25%
Yamaha RX-Z7

Yamaha RX-Z7

MSRP  $2,699.95    Released  October, 2008
Pros
  • 8-point automatic calibration
  • Internet + network connectivity with Web browser control
  • Anchor Bay VRS Technology + PReP video processing for large displays
Cons
  • The GUI which appears on TV can be improved. The back speaker terminals dont take 10AWG wire hence bannana pugs/ connectors are required.
  • Not many additional features for the price
  • No album art; a feature found on the RX-V3900
ProSCORE
5 reviews
88
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Denon AVR-4308CI   vs. vote Yamaha RX-Z7  
Pioneer Elite SC-07

Pioneer Elite SC-07

MSRP  $2,200.00    Released  August, 2008
Pros
  • Class D power amplifier (allows for a light build, cool and efficient operation)
  • Burr Brown Sampling Rate Converter (SRC) upscales audio to 192 kHz, 24-bit
  • Dual HDMI video output
Cons
  • expensive
  • iPod USB connection is inside the front cover
  • No HD Radio!
ProSCORE
9 reviews
88
Vote! (0 votes)
vote Denon AVR-4308CI   vs. vote Pioneer Elite SC-07  
Yamaha RX-Z9

Yamaha RX-Z9

MSRP  $3,117.50    Released  --

This flagship model goes beyond the capabilities of previous high-end Yamaha models with High-definition CINEMA DSP technology, the ability to automatically optimize sound for the listening room, superior audio and video quality, and the operating ease that Yamaha is famous for.

ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (1 vote)
vote Denon AVR-4308CI 100% vs. vote Yamaha RX-Z9 0%

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Comments

1.  avatar omarbec said:

Not user friendly. Very difficult to setup. Setting change suddenly for no reason. I keep mine locked up all the time.
Sep 04, 2007 8:21pm
2.  avatar LarryB08 said:

I have been a Denon-ophile for years now both with their receivers and DVD players. I am the kind of person that, once I find a brand that gives me all I need and then some, I stick with them.

I am not sure what is not user friendly about the system as, if you are willing to make the effort, you can get the AVR operating as you want. The OSD is so much better than the 4306 and once I make a setting for a specific input mode, it has never once changed.

While I have seen negative comments on some functions, such as video switching/conversion, on the 4308CI, I have seen just as many superlative owner comments on its flexibilty, great sound, tons of useful features, etc. Actually, the only area that I have consistently heard that some receivers such as the Onkyo 905 excels at is video switiching over HDMI given its chip is different, and supposedly better than, the chip in the Denon.

And that may very well be true. But since the video signals from my SD and HD DVDs and SD and HD cable, to my eyes, look very good and even a bit better than through direct connections to my TV, that is all I need. I have also heard that the 905 has problematic lip sync issues and long switching delays. The Denon switches fast and cleanly and the sync is spot on. I know that lips out of sync would drive me crazy even if the 905's overall picture quality is superior.

In short, for me, Denon's 4308CI is well built, reliable, at or near the head of the curve feature wise, and continuously produces the best sound I have ever heard pumping out of my JBLs. Oh, and I don't have to worry about keeping a fire extinguisher nearby the Denon:-)

So if someone is going to ask my opinion or recommendation, I must go with the quality and features that have served me so well for so many years - and that's Denon.
Dec 04, 2007 1:21pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

serratea

avatar
November 23, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it

Pros

  • 4 x HDMI 1.3a inputs, 2 x HDMI 1.3a outputs

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

pmichel

avatar
March 1, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
0 cons

Pros

  • Includes built-in WiFi

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No
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This product is also known as:

AVR, 4308, CI, AVR4308, 4308CI, AVR4308CI