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More AVRs Arriving With Dolby Atmos, DTS:X

Update! New York – Audio suppliers are expanding their selection of audio/video receivers with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based surround decoding, with Denon, Pioneer, and Yamaha announcing expanded selections.

The models also feature HDCP 2.2 copy-protection, and some feature HDMI 2.0a to pass through high dynamic range (HDR) video.

Here’s what the companies announced:

Denon: Two AVRs in its IN-Command step-up series are expected to be available in July at a suggested $599 and $799 for the AVR-X1200W and AVR-X2200W, respectively. Both 7.2-channel AVRs feature Dolby Atmos and upgradability to add DTS:X as a firmware update later this year.

The two will join two previously announced  7.2-channel AVRs in its opening-price S series with Atmos and upgradability to DTS:X. They are the $479 AVR-S710W and $579 AVR-S910W, both also due in July.

All four new models feature HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 copy protection on all HDMI inputs. Their full-bandwidth 18Mbps HDMI ports deliver 4K Ultra HD at 60Hz and 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling. All four also feature built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, DLNA, Internet radio, and Spotify Connect. All four also feature Audyssey MultEQ room correction, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Audyssey Volume.

The AVR-X1200W is rated at 7×80 watts into 8 ohms from 20Hz-20kHz with 0.08 percent THD. It features  six HDMI 2.0a inputs, Control4 certification, and decoding of high-resolution audio files such as FLAC, AIFF and DSD.

 The $799 AVR-X2200W is rated at 7×95 watts and features eight HDMI inputs, two HDMI outputs, second zone pre-out, upscaling of analog and digital video to 1080p and Ultra HD, and ISF certification.

Yamaha: (Includes corrected information) Six new AVRs in the company’s step-up Aventage series of AVRs range from a suggested $549 to $2,199, with the $999 RX-A850 marking the starting price of Dolby Atmos. The $1,299, $1,699 and $2,199 models offer both Atmos and, via firmware upgrade, DTS:X. Five of the new models will  be available in July, with the $2,199 RX-A3050 arriving in August.

The company already offers Atmos in its current $1,699 and $2,199 Aventage receivers, but five recently announced RX-V series AVRs at $299 to $849 lack Atmos, DTS:X upgradability, and upgradability to HDMI 2.0a from HDMI 2.0. The RX-V AVRs, however, feature HDCP 2.2 copy protection.

All of the new Aventage receivers feature HDCP 2.2, upgradability to HDMI 2.0a from 2.0, 18Mbps full-bandwidth HDMI, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Pandora, and vTuner Internet radio. All but the opening-price 5.1-channel RX-A550 at $549 feature SiriusXM Internet Radio and Rhapsody.

The line goes to 7.2 channels with the $699 RX-A750, which lacks Atmos and DTS:X, and with the $999 RX-A850, which adds Atmos but not DTS:X. The $1,299 RX-A1050 with Atmos and DTS:X  also features 7.2 channels.

The top two models feature 9.2 channels. They are the $1,699 RX-A2050 and the $2,199 RX-A3050, both with Atmos and DTS:X. The RX-A3050 also accepts a two-channel add-on amp to deliver 11.2 channels. The RX-A3050 also steps up to ESS Technology 192 kHz/32-bit Sabre Ultra DAC for the seven main channels as well as a Sabre Premier Audio DAC for the two presence channels.

All Aventage models support more types of high-resolution audio files than before, including 2.6HMz and 5.6MHz DSD and AIFF content in addition to WAV, FLAC and Apple Lossless.

Pioneer: The new $1,100 Elite series AVR is available with Dolby Atmos and is not upgradable to DTS:X. It also supports 18Gbps HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 copy protection. IT wasn’t clear if it could be upgraded to HDMI 2.0a.

The launch follows the April launch of the $399 VSX-830 and $599 VSX-1130 in the Pioneer series and the $450 VSX-45 and $700 VSX-90 in the Elite series. All feature HDCP 2.2 and 18Gbps HDMI 2.0. Dolby Atmos starts at $599 in the Pioneer series and $700 in the Elite series.

None of Pioneer’s previously announced Atmos AVRs is upgradable to DTS:X .

From Pioneer, Atmos had previously been available only on three Elite AVRs at $1,600, $2,000 and $3,000. They were launched last year and continue in the line.

The new Elite AVR is rated at rated at 7×130 watts into 8 ohms at 1kHz with 0.08 percent THD with two channels driven. It also features Sabre ES9006S Premier DAC, 4K/60p/4:4:4 video signal transmission, and playback of high-resolution audio files such as 192kHz/24-bit WAV, FLAC, AIFF, and ALAC as well as 96kHz/24-bit multichannel WAV and  FLAC. It also plays back 2.8 MHz DSD via network or SACD disc.

All 2015 Elite models offer built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

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