Denon AVR-3312CI A/V Receiver HT Labs Measures

HT Labs Measures

Two channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 122.9 watts
1% distortion at 143.3 watts

Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 82.9 watts
1% distortion at 103.0 watts

Seven channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 79.5 watts
1% distortion at 96.8 watts

Analog frequency response in Pure Direct mode:
–0.13 dB at 10 Hz
–0.04 dB at 20 Hz
+0.07 dB at 20 kHz
–2.65 dB at 50 kHz

Analog frequency response with signal processing:
–0.40 dB at 10 Hz
–0.14 dB at 20 Hz
–0.20 dB at 20 kHz
–58.93 dB at 50 kHz

This graph shows that the AVR-3312CI’s left channel, from CD input to speaker output with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, reaches 0.1 percent distortion at 122.9 watts and 1 percent distortion at 143.3 watts. Into 4 ohms, the amplifier reaches 0.1 percent distortion at 202.0 watts and 1 percent distortion at 225.5 watts.

There was no multichannel input to measure. THD+N from the CD input to the speaker output was less than 0.005 percent at 1 kHz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load. Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –77.40 dB left to right and –77.93 dB right to left. The signal-to-noise ratio with an 8-ohm load from 10 Hz to 24 kHz with “A” weighting was –108.68 dBrA.

From the Dolby Digital input to the loudspeaker output, the left channel measures –0.09 dB at 20 Hz and –0.19 dB at 20 kHz. The center channel measures –0.09 dB at 20 Hz and –0.18 dB at 20 kHz, and the left surround channel measures –0.09 dB at 20 Hz and –0.11 dB at 20 kHz. From the Dolby Digital input to the line-level output, the LFE channel is –0.01 dB at 20 Hz when referenced to the level at 40 Hz and reaches the upper 3-dB down point at 118 Hz and the upper 6-dB down point at 121 Hz.—MJP

Video Test Bench
The Denon performed extremely well on our video tests, HDMI in to HDMI out. Notably, it passed the 2:2 tests on both HD and SD, with a particularly good showing on this test in SD. A significant percentage of the AVRs we review fail one or both of the 2:2 deinterlacing tests. The Denon’s only failure was on chroma resolution, which showed a major red rolloff on the highest horizontal resolution burst (only blue lines remained visible on that burst). This should not, however, degrade most real-world program material.

The only difficulty I encountered was accessing the somewhat confusing menus for setting up the video- output resolution—and the way this is presented in the (CD-ROM) manual. The latter describes the setup procedure four pages before it tells you how to access the setup menu itself. Hint: You have to access the Input Setup submenu to set the output resolution, and it’s set separately for each input. —TJN

COMPANY INFO
Denon
(201) 762-6500
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
msardo's picture

Just curious as to why there was no "Top Pick" designation for this receiver? Reading the review, it sounds like it met all of the criteria (in my understanding, which could very well be wrong). Please know that I do understand that most products do not get the "Top Pick" designation while at the same time, they remain to be excellent products.

Two other points:

1. I have this unit's predecessor - the AVR-3311CI. Except for the "setup wizard", and the front of the unit, it sounds (pun fully intended) that these are very much the same two products. Can you tell me if the 3311 has the same construction regarding power supply and vibration that was mentioned in this review?

2. I noticed that this week, Denon has started to release its next round of receivers, the xx13 models, starting with the bottom up. I must say, I appreciate, and feel, that it must be tough for you folks to stay on top and review all of these products while they are still current. Thanks for the work.

Mark

Mark Fleischmann's picture
When selecting TPs, I'm not asking myself "why not this?" but rather "why this?" A TP has to be more compelling than a whole bunch of other products, many of them quite good, especially in such a crowded category with so many good choices.

I'm not sure about the build question but I'll put the question to Denon.

Mark Fleischmann's picture
In response to msardo's question about build, Denon says: "Regarding Power Trans we have made minor improvements for better audio quality such as fixing the trans differently to reduce the leakage but basically both are designed the same and equally good."
Mjpearce023's picture

I just recieved the June issue and I am shocked by the 6006 review. I don't understand how the 3312 received 4 out of 5 stars for audio when the Marantz 6006 received 5 out of 5. This is clearly a case of hearing what you want to hear in my opinion. D&M owns Denon and Marantz and is using the same designs in both these receivers. You can look at the insides of the 6006 and 3312 to see that they are virtually identical. With the same amps and same MultEQ XT I see no way that their can be a difference in audio quality between the two. I also see no reason why the 3312 would get 4 stars for value and the Marantz got 5 stars and it's $100 more expensive. The only difference between the 3312 and 6006 that i know of is the case and the 7.1 analog inputs. The weight is the same and the test bench are pretty much identical so I don't understand the difference in scores.

Mark Fleischmann's picture
The two models differ markedly in power specs and have radically different feature rosters. In addition D&M offers this response: "Denon and Marantz share the same parent company as well as several core AV receiver technologies and features. There are, however, significant differences in the overall design, goals and audio circuitry employed by the two brands. Probably the biggest difference is in the somewhat esoteric nature of the overall audio experience. How you listen to music and what moves you is by definition subjective. While neither brand is 'better' per se than the other, they do vary, and each has its own specific 'audio signature.' This is why we encourage potential owners to audition products side-by-side whenever possible. In addition, in most cases Marantz offers more analog audio and video connectivity to facilitate the use of legacy equipment, which has special appeal for a certain type of consumer."
jdwii's picture

Hey I would like to know when the newer pioneer receivers will be reviewed on would like to know if the Pioneer 522-k is the same as the 521-k in terms of audio quality. I would also like to see a review on their new elite receivers that have class D3 amps. SC-61 is only 1100$ and i'm sure by the end of this year i could probably find one for 800$ and that would be one heck of a deal.

Mark Fleischmann's picture
Michael Fremer reviewed the SC-57 and liked it a lot. I have a review sample of another SC Elite receive coming. It will be a lower price point. Look for it in a few months.
byack's picture

After hearing this compared to my current 3808ci I would have to say that Denon has slowly moved in the wrong direction. The amount of HDMI inputs and processing power is great but the amplifier efficiency isn't what it should be for this price point.

HTM_cushman_23's picture

I see that they list the component video in/outputs as 60MHz. Other AVRs I've seen have a 100MHz bandwidth for them. Is this a real limitation for HD content (I assume 1080i).

Another question: does the 2 HDMI outputs work at the same time (i.e. same input to 2 different TVs) or can you assign them to zones (i.e. zone 1 has HDMI 1 and zone 2 HDMI 2 output)? If they are the same output at same time, can one be 1080i and the other 1080p?

Mjpearce023's picture

"The two models differ markedly in power specs and have radically different feature rosters"

I see a 5 watts or so here and there but it doesn't seem to be much difference with the amps. Also the only feature the Marantz has that the Denon 3312 doesn't is 7.1 analog inputs unless there is something I am missing.

"Denon and Marantz share the same parent company as well as several core AV receiver technologies and features. There are, however, significant differences in the overall design, goals and audio circuitry employed by the two brands"

I would love to see some pictures of the 3312 and 6006 with the case off if that would possible to show what different components the Marantz and Denon are using.

"While neither brand is 'better' per se than the other, they do vary, and each has its own specific 'audio signature.' This is why we encourage potential owners to audition products side-by-side whenever possible."

Both receivers used Audyssey MultEQ XT so I don't see how these can have different sound signatures. Doesn't Audyssey use the same curve for the Denon and Marantz or are you saying Marantz has its own house Curve when running Audyssey?

Also I would love to see some Blind A/B test on your receiver reviews. I think it would be interesting to see what receivers would win in a showdown with the nameplate being visible.

Scott Wilkinson's picture

Blind A/B testing is not necessarily as straightforward or revealing as you might think. See the discussion here:

http://www.hometheater.com/content/are-blind-audio-comparisons-valuable

Mjpearce023's picture

I did some googling and found the pics here of the Marantz 6006 and Denon 3312 with their case off. See post #25 http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1385595

I still haven't figured out where the difference in sound quality would come from between the two.

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