DENON AVC-X8500HA AND MARANTZ AV8805A FLAGSHIP AV AMPS ANNOUNCED

Denon and Marantz have both announced their new flagship AV amplifiers, the Denon AVC-X8500HA and Marantz AV8805A.

Both brands are offering owners of the previous-generation models an upgrade programme to bring their AV amps up to the same “A” spec of the new Denon AVC-X8500HA and Marantz AV8805A.

Marantz AV8805A AV Amplifier

8K HDMI 2.1

The new models now include a dedicated 8K HDMI 2.1 input, enabling 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through, new HDR format support including HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR, and a new HDMI feature called Quick Media Switching (QMS), which allows a source to instantly switch frame rate to eliminate screen blackout.

Several new features are focused on gamers, including Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to reduce frame tearing and improve overall precision. Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Quick Frame Transport (QFT) are each designed to reduce lag.

Marantz AV8805A AV Amplifier back panel

The Marantz AV8805A and Denon AVC-X8500HA are also capable of upscaling existing HD and 4K content to 8K, improving even the poorest source material. There is continued support for eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), which allows lossless and object-based audio transmission such as DTS:X and Dolby Atmos from TV apps or connected devices using a single HDMI cable.

DTS:X PRO

For advanced multi-channel home cinema audio, the updated flagship components now support DTS:X Pro, allowing up to 13 channels of DTS:X decoding with speaker configurations such as 7.2.6 or 9.2.4.

Denon AVC-X8500HA AV Amp

In addition to DTS:X Pro, the Denon AVC-X8500HA and the Marantz AV8805A feature several other 3D audio formats, including Dolby Atmos®, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, DTS:X®, DTS Virtual:X™, IMAX® Enhanced and Auro-3D®. The latest height virtualization technologies provide immersive audio without height channels, creating virtual height effects in a 7.1, 5.1 or 2.1 speaker arrangement.

Denon AVC-X8500HA back panel

DENON AVC-X8500HA AND MARANTZ AV8805A PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The Denon AVC-X8500HA costs €3999/£3699/US$4299, while the Marantz AV8805A costs €4299/£3899/US$4799, and both are available from June. The upgrade for the previous models can be booked by contacting an authorised Denon or Marantz dealer respectively, and costs €749/£649/US$599.

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