Thursday 20 December 2012








DENON AVR-2113 AV RECEIVERS
Slotted in the mid level of Denon's current range of AV receivers the AVR-2113 is everything one would expect of an uptodate AVR.  Rated to deliver in excess of 125 watts per channel  x7 into a nominal 6 ohms impedance the AVR-2113 is more than amply endowed to drive all except the most inefficient of loudspeaker to earsplitting levels well before the advent of any distortion.

Its 6 HDMI inputs are also 4K compatible in that they will upscale any HD video signal such as that from your BluRay to full 4K (3,840 x 2160p) resolution for display in a compatible display system.

Retailing at RM3,499 the AVR-2113 also offers the much touted Audyssey Multi EQ XT automatic audio setting for optimally matching the output of the speakers  to the room's acoustical characteristics. 

In addition to being compatible to lossless Dolby TruHD and DTS HD Master Audio high resolution soundtracks the AVR-2113 also supports extensive  network programmes and is AirPlay compliant.

Other  important features  include the use of  a  32 bit processing  digital  sound  processor,           192 khz/24 bit DAC, shortest audio signal path from point to point and Direct Mechanical Ground construction where the transformer and other crucial components are directly secured  onto the solid bottom plate of the chasis to minimise possible sound degrading mechanical vibrations.

As is now what appears to be a trend among a number of AVR designs the AVR-2113 for all the performance features that it offers is surprisingly compactly built measuring only 434 x 167 x 329mm and weighing only 9.5kg.

Wednesday 12 December 2012





PIONEER SC-LX 86 AV RECEIVER

Pioneer's departure from the plasma display business some years back was undoubtedly bemoaned by videophiles everywhere.  But for audiophiles,  that left Pioneer the time as well as the resources to concentrate on what it does  just as well - making great  sounding amplifiers  in  two or multichannel designs.

Replacing the well received (most Pioneer high end AVRs are !) SC-LX85, the SC-LX86 spots an almost identical look and is similarly well built and  solidly constructed, weighing in at almost 40lbs, one of the heaviest AVRs in its class.  Where it comes to quality, weight is often a great indicator.

As with the SC-LX85 the SC-LX 86 is packed to the gills with online playback features and a comprehensive range of high res music  files.  It is also  Airplay compatible.

A 9.2 channel design the SC-LX86 is rated at 140 watts per channel into a nominal 8 ohms impedance across all channels.  To remain cool while delivering all that power the SC-LC 86 utilizes Direct Energy HD Amplifiers designed around Class D amplifier technology.

Sonically tuned in conjunction with audio  engineers at London's AIR studios the SC-LX86, as with all LX Series Pioneer receivers utilizes an advanced form of its proprietary MCACC auto audio calibration algorithm.

For those who own a varied selection of digital sources the SC-LX86 feature up to seven HDMI inputs which are 4K compatible. If you are one of the lucky handful who owns a 4K display device the        SC-LX86 with scale all high def video signals to display at a native 4K resolution.   In addition, a Mobile High Definition Link (MHL) socket enables smartphone users to stream 1080p video with up to 7.1 channel HD audio resolution.

Other features of interest include a dedicated subwoofer output for second zone audio,  PQLS  technology for improved audio streaming  when used with a compatible Pioneer player, and an advanced Auto Phase Control that analyses and correct any phase disparity for a significantly improved audio soundstage.

The SC-LX86 retail for RM9,999.00

For those with more modest budgets the SC-LX Series includes the SC-LX 76 at RM8,499 at the          SC-LX 56 at RM4,999.00