Denon POA-A1HDCI - Manual (Page 10)

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excellently low crosstalk measurements
(>94dB @ 1kHz) with a slight rise at
the frequency extremes due to magnetic
coupling at low frequencies and capacitive
coupling at high frequencies. Considering I
was pumping over 300wpc during this test,
I’d say magnetic coupling isn’t an issue of
concern with this amplifier. Audiophiles
rejoice as this is as close as you’re likely
gonna get to mono block channel separation
performance in a non mono block multi-
channel amplifier design.
Recommendations
If you plan on purchasing the AVP-
A1HDCI pre/pro, then you should also take
a hard look at mating it with this amplifier.
Not only will they both match cosmetically
but the LINK control between the units
really opens up a lot of user and installer
flexibility and they exhibit great working
synergy together.
If you’re in a situation where you listen to
highly dynamic two-channel music at loud
listening levels you may wish to consider
bridging the front two channels. On the
flip side, this amp does commendably well
configured for normal operation and the
unused channels may be better served in
a home theater installation for bi-amping
your front speakers if your using their
bass portions as active subwoofers or feed
them to other speakers in multi zone audio
duties. Make sure you have plenty of shelf
space to house this unit so it gets enough
ventilation as there are no internal cooling
fans. The amp ran warm but not hot to the
touch when positioned in free space and
only really heated up during continuous
power testing which is a non real world lab
condition.
Conclusions
The Denon POA-A1HDCI is a monster
(or maybe I should say “beast” to avoid a
Monster Cable lawsuit). It’s as powerful as
it is heavy but most importantly it exhibits
ultra low noise and distortion to handle the
subtle nuances of music with great finesses
and clarity. The POA-A1HDCI revitalizes
Denon’s high end stigma that it earned
over the years but also puts itself into an
elitist price category that only the very
wealthiest audiophiles would dare tread.
There are certainly cheaper alternatives
that will perform similarly good but will
also require more rack space to achieve 10
channels of amplification and won't have the
cool connection link with the mating Denon
pre/pro for easier channel configurability.
While I wasn’t initially in total awe at the
cosmetics of this product, it does have a
tendency to grow on you over time. It will
most certainly serve as a conversational
piece when people visit and see the sheer
mass of this mega multi-channel amplifier.
You can rest assured that its size is backed
by legendary performance one would
expect from Denon flagship pieces. The
POA-A1HDCI delivers respectable high and
most importantly clean dynamic power and
provides enough channels to handle even
the largest scale home theater installations
with a few to spare for specialized needs and
installations. Coupled with the matching
AVP-A1HDCI processor, you’ve got a state
of the art A/V separates solution that can
run toe to toe with any of its peers in this
price class.
By Gene DellaSala
Email - [email protected]
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Denon Electronics
100 Corporate Drive • Mahwah,
N.J. 07430-2041
www.usa.denon.com
The scoring below is based on each piece of equipment doing the duty it is designed for.
The numbers are weighed heavily with respect to the individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating
roughly equal to: Performance x Price Factor/Value = Rating
Audioholics.com Note: The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective
testing of the product in question. The rating scale is based on performance/value ratio. If you notice better
performing products in future reviews that have lower numbers in certain areas, be aware that the value
factor is most likely the culprit. Other Audioholics reviewers may rate products solely based on performance,
and each reviewer has his/her own system for ratings.
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Above Average
Average
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score card
METRIC RATINg
Build Quality 1 /
2
Ergonomics/User Interface 1 /
2
Features 1 /
2
Television Performance 1 /
2
Video Performance 1 /
2
Overall 1 /
2
Value 1 /
2
METRIC RATINg
Frequency Response Linearity
SNR
Output Impedance
Measured Power (8-ohms)
Measured Power (4-ohms)
Audio Performance
Build Quality
Fit and Finish
Ergonomics & Usability
Features
Performance
Value
METRIC RATINg