The dust barely had time to settle after reviewing Denon's AVC-A1H when I got word that the AVC-A10H was on its way. The newest of Denon's A Series flagship AV amplifiers, this is the successor to the AVC-X8500H. While it shares the same channel count and power ratings similar to the now-superseded AVC-X8500H, it's part of Denon's new breed of flagship A Series AV amplifiers. As such, it has much in common with the AVC-A1H. The AVC-A10H is also touted as having the same power as the much more expensive AVC-A1H, albeit with two fewer channels.

It utilises the A-Class 'rigid construction' philosophy. Based on a three-layered bottom chassis, centrally mounted power transformer, symmetrical amplifier blocks, and a monolithic amplifier design, it's claimed to deliver superior channel separation. It also adds a copper plate between the heatsink and transistors for optimum heat dissipation. The amp also comes equipped with a large 8.1kg EI power transformer with OFC winding, and a leakage flux separator has been added, which reduces the potential for transformer noise to enter the signal path, says the manufacturer. Denon's High-Current Transistors (DHCT) incorporate inbuilt thermal sensing, which maintains an optimal operation range and provides faster current adjustment.

The dual 22,000µF power supply capacitors are a big step up from the dual 15,000µF caps of the AVC-X6800H but less than the dual 33,000µF items fitted to the AVC-A1H. However, it's important to note that the AVC-A10H is a 13.4-channel AV amplifier, as opposed to the 15.4-channel AVC-A1H. Like the AVC-A1H, its capacitors have been built for fast transients. Rated at 150 watts with two channels driven (20Hz—20kHz, 0.05% THD), with Denon's 70% power guarantee, we'd expect the AVC-A10H to be closer to 105W with 5 to 7 channels driven.

The preamp section of the AVC-A10H is largely identical to that of the AVC-A1H, with a quad-layered circuit board to reduce noise. It's equipped with premium-grade 32-bit ESS DACs and shares the same dedicated power supply as the AVC-A1H. Denon claims it reduces ground noise and increases clarity with virtually no crosstalk between channels. The AVC-A10H shares the same DSP as the AVC-A1H, namely the ADSP21593 Griffin Lite XP.

In true Denon and Marantz fashion, the AVC-A10 is compatible with a raft of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Imax Enhanced, Auro 3D, 360 Reality Audio, and MPEG-H Audio. It is also compatible with high-resolution and lossy formats such as MP3, WMA, WAV, MPEG—4/AAC, FLAC, DSD, and ALAC. The HDMI/digital board supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) on all seven of its 48 GB HDMI inputs. HEOS is also built in for wireless music streaming, and additional HEOS-compatible speakers can be added for wireless multi-room audio. Wired speakers can also be added in an additional zone.

Four independent subwoofer outputs are provided, with the fourth input doubling as a dedicated tactile transducer input, bypassing any Audyssey or Dirac Room Correction filters. Voice control is available, with support for Apple HomePod and Google Assistant. The AVC-A10H is also Bluetooth-compatible and offers wireless and wired network connectivity. It's also equipped with Audyssey's Premium MULTEQ XT32 Room Correction Software. Audyssey Pro and Dirac Live (including Bass Control) are also available for an extra fee. With the exception of the centre channel, users can freely assign channels within the AVC-A10H. It also features a dedicated preamp mode, which, unlike the AVC-X8500H, can be used on a per-channel basis.

Like many of Denon's higher-tier receivers, the AVC-A10H was designed, manufactured, and tuned at the Denon & Marantz Shirakawa Audio Works. It was voiced under the watchful eye of Denon Sound Master Shin-Ichi Yamauchi to provide the company's signature sound.

UP CLOSE

The AVC-A10H and AVC-A1H are virtually indistinguishable. Unlike the Marantz lineup, which has undergone significant cosmetic changes over the years, the Denon lineup has – for better or worse – remained largely unchanged, retaining a more traditional AV aesthetic. Nonetheless, the AVC-A10H keeps clutter to a minimum. Save for two large dials and a power button, its controls are hidden behind an aluminium pull-down door. Opening this reveals a headphone jack, USB, the Audyssey microphone input, and a suite of controls for the AVC-A10H.

The AVC-A10H exudes quality and shows outstanding attention to detail. For instance, you'll find some of the sturdiest speaker terminals in the business, gold-plated and finished in black-clear resin with the Denon logo. Looking at it from the top down, you'll notice the same level of detail has gone into the interior, right down to the Denon Logo on the power supply.

There are seven assignable HDMI inputs (8K/HDCP 2.3) and three HDMI outputs (ARC/eARC). It also offers virtual HDMI inputs, allowing the same device to be used in different inputs. For instance, a 4K Blu-ray player could be used for multichannel movie playback on one HDMI input and then as a CD player on a virtual HDMI input with a different speaker configuration. It also provides unbalanced preamp outs for its 13.4 channels should you connect an external amplifier. In this case, the AVC-A10H can be used in its preamp mode, which shuts offer power to the amplifiers and in doing so, creates a cleaner signal path. However, unlike its predecessor, the AVC-X8500H, which turns off the power to all amplifiers, the AVC-A10H can use preamp mode on a per-channel basis.

Legacy connections consist of eight assignable analogue audio inputs (including Zone 1 & 2). Unlike the AVC-A1H, the AVC-A10H includes a component video input and two assignable analogue video inputs. Like the AVC-A1H, it shares a phone input but lacks the XLR outputs of the AVC-A1H. There are also two assignable coaxial and TOSLINK inputs, a network input (the AVC-A10H can also be connected wirelessly via its Bluetooth/Wi-Fi antennas), an RS-232C input, USB input, signal ground, IR in/out, and three 12V triggers.

Denon's trademark attention to detail is just as apparent in the packaging. Everything is beautifully laid out, and the AVC-A10H is elegantly wrapped and sealed with a Denon sticker. It is a joy to unbox, so new owners will feel justly and proud of their purchase. The box includes the unit, a remote, an Audyssey microphone, a cardboard mic stand, a power cord, rabbit ears, and a quick-start guide. The remote is the same as that supplied with the AVC-A1H. It's a classy affair, finished in black aluminium with silver edging around the navigation buttons. It can also be backlit via a button on the side of the remote.

INSTALLATION DAY

At 434x196x482mm, the AVC-A10H is marginally smaller than the AVC-A1H. Weighing 23.6kg, it sheds 8.4kg of the AVC-A1H but is nonetheless still a daunting proposition to install single-handedly. Featuring the same HD GUI as Denon and Marantz's other amplifiers and receivers, the on-screen instructions and diagrams make it a breeze to set up. Plug the AVC-A10H HDMI output into your TV or projector via HDMI, power it on, and follow the on-screen instructions. Having done so, it will guide you through connecting everything from speakers and source devices, connect you to the internet and show you how to complete a basic Audyssey calibration.

Although Audyssey is included, it's worth spending a few dollars on the app or, better yet, Audyssey Pro or Dirac. It should be noted that you'll need a laptop and an external microphone for the Audyssey Pro and Dirac. Advanced users can experiment with the manual setup, which offers various customisable speaker templates and an on-screen diagram showing which speaker terminals or pre-outs need to be connected. However, the automated setup process removes much of the guesswork, even for advanced users.

This is precisely what I opted to do, skipping the Audyssey Calibration in favour of calibrating with Dirac Live Bass Control once the setup was completed. However, unlike Audyssey, which lets users change distances and levels after calibration, this can not be done with Dirac on the AVC-A10H. In the case of level calibration, this can be offset by using the option on the remote to add level changes that overlap with any changes Dirac has made.

For this review, the AVC-A10H was connected to VAF Signature i91 front and centre speakers; six VAF i90s were used as surround and ceiling-mounted front and middle Atmos speakers, with two Ascendo SV 12 subwoofers to create a 5.2.4 Atmos layout. The fourth subwoofer output was connected to a Crowson D-501 Tactile Motion Amplifier and two Shadow-8 Dual Motion Actuators. The video sources comprised a Magnetar UDP900 and Apple TV connected directly to a Lumagen Radiance Pro 5348, with a Sony VPL-XW5000ES projecting images onto a Severtson 100-inch Cinegray 16.9 screen.

AT THE MOVIES

The AVC-A10H shares much in common with the more expensive A1H and so is a nuanced AV receiver that can capture the smallest details. Deathly silent one moment, it can produce massive dynamic swings in a heartbeat with enough power to bring you to the edge of your seat. It produces a vast soundstage, enveloping the viewer in sound, while excellent channel steering and Dirac provide pin-point placement of objects within the sound field.

I started my evaluation with the recently released Longlegs on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. The AVC-A10H upscaled the DTS-HD soundtrack with Neural X, creating a lively and energetic listening experience. All my speakers were present and accounted for, and the AVC-A10H effortlessly filled my listening room with sound. Like the AVC-A1H, it's a wonderfully nuanced performer, reproducing the smallest of details with ease. It created the same large soundstage that I've grown accustomed to from the AVC-A1H, giving the soundtrack a sense of great spaciousness. There's also a sense of ease to the sound, giving the impression that the AVC-A10H has plenty in reserve.

I have no doubt the AVC-A10H's low-noise floor contributes to its easy, spacious sound as much as it does its ability to creep up on the listener with blistering dynamics. Take, for instance, the beginning of A Quiet Place Part II. The empty streets and baseball field where the scenes are punctuated by little or no noise, or better yet when we see things through Regan's eyes. Here, the AVC-A10H is totally silent, and then, as the aliens attack, blisteringly fast dynamics ignite the speakers and subwoofers with enough energy and impact to make you spring from your chair.

Turning to the Atmos Soundtrack of Gran Turismo, the AVC-A10H demonstrates Denon's trademark channel steering; the sound of everything from birds on the early morning racetrack to cars is steered easily around the sound field. The combination of the AVC-A10H and Dirac Live blends the audio from my speakers together seamlessly. It creates a soundfield that envelopes the viewer. As the action heats up, the Denon is allowed to flex its muscles. It obliges with lightning-fast dynamics, with enough impact to be felt at the listening position. It makes for a thrilling home cinema experience.

An unexpected benefit of the AVC-A10H's dedicated tactile transducer input is that it bypasses EQ Filters from Dirac and any time delay settings in the subwoofers. This means that the signal from the tactile transducers arrives much closer to that of the subwoofers, resulting in far tighter and punchier bass than I'm used to. The controls onboard this receiver also make it much easier to dial in levels with the actuators. That said, adding time delay settings for actuators would be a further improvement.

THE VERDICT

Having had the AVC-A1H in my own home theatre for the past few months, there is very little, if any, difference between it and the AVC-A10H. Like the former, the latter is a wonderfully nuanced performer with a level of clarity and detail that differentiates it from rank-and-file AV receivers. It's also a powerful AV amplifier with explosive dynamics – one moment, it is entirely silent, and the next, it is kicking you squarely in the stomach.

To get the most out of the AVC-A10H, I strongly encourage owners to purchase the Dirac Live Bass Control or Audyssey Pro add-on. Chat with your dealer if you don't fancy yourself a deft hand with such things. It's a clear performance step up over the AVC-X6800H, even for those who don't need the extra channels. If you don't need the fifteen channels the AVC-A1H offers, the 13.4-channel AVC-A10H is a no-brainer. As such, it comes highly recommended. For those wanting to learn more about Denon's AVC-A10H, I recommend our review of the AVC-A1H.

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