AVR-5700

Technical Information

Denon AVR-5700 Dolby Digital, dts, THX Ultra-certified A/V Receiver

Overview

Denon, the developer of the world's first A/V components that combined the magic of 5.1 chan-nel Dolby Digital (AC-3) with Lucasfilm's THX 5.1 technology, now elevates the performancestandard with the new AVR-5700 A/V receiver. Packed with virtually every desirable feature foroutstanding home theater and music surround sound enjoyment, the AVR-5700 is the only A/Vcomponent that provides optimized surround sound for both motion picture soundtracks as wellas discrete multi-channel music surround.

Powered by the newest high speed Analog Devices SHARC 32 DSP processors, the AVR-5700includes Dolby Digital as well as DTS decoding, along with Lucasfilm THX 5.1 post-processing,entirely in the digital domain – world's first A/V receiver with this capability.

The AVR-5700 is engineered for the future, with eight channel (7.1) inputs for future multi-chan-nel formats, and eight channel (7.1) pre-amp outputs for a clear system upgrade path. Able toaccommodate virtually any present or future video source, the AVR-5700 provides componentvideo switching along with "S" and composite video switching, and nine digital inputs (includingone for RF laser disc). Premium Burr-Brown 24 bit, 96 kHz DACs on all six channels withDenon's exclusive 24 bit Alpha processing for the main (left/right) channels provide superb lowlevel resolution and detail. The power amplifier section is THX Ultra-certified, and provides 140watts per channel into 8 ohms, with excellent low impedance drive capability.

Technical Details

Front End

Inputs (analog) are provided for the following audio sources:

• AM/FM tuner (built-in); moving magnet phono; CD; MD/Tape 1; Tape 2 (with monitor)

Inputs are provided for the following video sources:

• DVD; VDP (laser disc player); TV/DBS (TV input, or satellite tuner); V AUX (auxiliary videosuch as video game); VCR 1; VCR 2

All analog inputs are converted to digital via precision 20 bit oversampling A/D converters fordelivery to the DSP section. An analog 2 channel bypass (direct mode) routes audio past theDSP section, providing straight-through signal purity.

Record output function allows the user to select an audio source for direct delivery to the record-ing output jacks, while the user listens/watches another source.

A separate Multi-zone output selector delivers a fixed level output to the multi-room output jacks(one stereo pair) for second zone music/soundtrack listening.

Eight Channel External Inputs are provided for future 7.1 channel discrete surround formats.Newly proposed multi-channel music formats may have up to eight discrete channels – the AVR-5700 is prepared for the future of multi-channel music reproduction.

Digital Inputs

The AVR-5700 is provided with nine digital inputs. One input is dedicated to the laser disc RFfunction, which is used exclusively Dolby Digital-encoded laser discs, and is "polled" first whenthe VDP input is selected. The other eight digital inputs are all addressable – that is, they arenot "locked" to any input, but can be assigned to the user's various sources according to thetype of digital output jack found on each – this is done at the time of system setup. The AVR-5700 provides 3 addressable coaxial digital inputs, and 5 addressable optical digital inputs. Foroutput to a digital recorder, 1 optical digital output is provided. The use of addressable digitalinputs with both optical and coaxial types supported will allow virtually any combination ofaudio/video devices to be accommodated.

Video Switching

Composite and "S" video inputs are provided for:

• DVD; VDP; TV/DBS; V AUX; VCR 1; VCR 2

Composite and "S" video recording outputs are provided for:

• VCR 1 and VCR 2

A Record Output selector allows recording from one source to the VCR(s), while watching/listen-ing to another source.

In addition to composite and "S" video, the AVR-5700 also provides component video switching.In anticipation of forthcoming DTV (North American Digital Television) set-top decoder boxes,the AVR-5700 can accept a component video input (Y, R-Y, B-Y) signal from the TV/DBS input,and another from the DVD player. A separate dedicated component video output delivers thesignals to the television monitor.

For maximum video fidelity, the AVR-5700 features a wideband video section, with very lownoise and extended frequency response. In order to preserve the video signal integrity, twotypes of monitor outputs are provided: Monitor 1 (composite and "S") features on-screen dis-play; Monitor 2 (composite and "S") has no on-screen display. This lets the user set the systemup initially using the easy Denon on-screen setup, and then, after the user becomes fully accli-mated to the system configuration, the user can re-connect to the monitor outputs that have noOSD for the purest video pass-through quality.

The component video output has no on screen display, for best video pass-through quality. With27 MHz (-3 dB) bandwidth, the component video input signals are presented intact to the televi-sion monitor.

Digital Signal Processing Section

Denon A/V components have incorporated Denon's DDSC (Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit)design concept for years. Essentially, DDSC features selected and dedicated processor(s)matched with selected premium ancillary devices, which in total work together to provide a supe-rior surround sound processing function than the highly integrated (and lower cost) IC solutionsused by competitors.

The AVR-5700's DDSC-D (Digital) all DSP decoder section is simply state-of-the-art. At the pres-ent time, no surround component from any company at any price offers this level of perform-ance.

At the core of the surround processor block are two of the brand new Analog Devices SHARC(Super Harvard Architecture Computer) 32 bit floating point DSP processor chips, performing intandem. Each SHARC processor has a 50 MIPS (millions of instructions per second) computingspeed, with an 80 MFLOPS (millions of floating point operations per second) sustained speedcapability, with a peak throughput of 120 MFLOPS (each). One of the SHARC processors pro-vides either the Dolby Digital or the DTS decoding (depending on the source), whilst the otherprocessor provides THX 5.1 post-processing or other surround soundfield processing function.The Denon AVR-5700 is the world's first A/V component to incorporate dual SHARC technology,and the only product to use the fastest SHARC versions (single SHARC-equipped competitorsuse slower/lower capacity versions).

To preserve the fidelity of the high bit data provided by the dual SHARC processor section, theAVR-5700 features full 24 bit 96 kHz DACs on all six audio channels. Unlike other processorswhich use cheaper integrated codecs, the Denon DDSC-D philosophy extends through the D/Asection, featuring full 24 bit 96 kHz digital filters for each of the five main channels, followed byfull 24 bit 96 kHz Burr-Brown premium PCM-1704 DACs for each of the five main channels. Forthe subwoofer/LFE output, the Burr-Brown 24 bit 96 kHz PCM-1716 filter/DAC combination isused.

For the main (left and right) audio channels, the DDSC-D also incorporates Denon's proprietaryAL24 (24 bit Alpha) processor. A dedicated DSP processor, the AL24 works with the digital filterto increase low level resolution and detail dramatically. The AL24 first appeared on Denon'sDVD-5000 reference DVD player, and is incorporated here as well.

After D/A conversion, analog signals are delivered to the volume control block and tone controlblock via audiophile-quality Analog Devices OP275 op amps, chosen for the wideband designand low distortion.

The volume control has been substantially upgraded compared to earlier Denon models, both inspecification as well as user convenience:

• Differential mode gain control, featuring dual gain circuits for each of the five main channels.This method eliminates any channel-to-channel tracking error, providing a remarkable .1 (1/10th)dB channel tracking accuracy over the entire volume control operating range. No analog (poten-tiometer-based) volume control can match this accuracy, which ensures correct soundfield pre-cision at any volume level.

• Variable volume control ballistics, featuring a "smart" volume control algorithm. Via remote con-trol, the volume is raised or lowered in gentle 1 dB steps. However, the master volume knob onthe front panel has the ability to detect whether it is turned quickly or slowly and react according-ly. If the user slowly turns the volume knob up or down, the volume is adjusted in 1 dB incre-ments accordingly. Give the knob a quick twist up or down, and the volume will raise and lowerwith greatly increased speed (much more like an analog volume control).

Future Proof

For a clear system upgrade path, the AVR-5700 features eight channel (7.1) pre-amp outputs,with all eight channels controlled by the master volume control. The AVR-5700 is prepared forthe future of multi-channel music reproduction, regardless of format developments.

Dual Mode Surround Speaker Operation

Movies or Music? Until now, A/V enthusiasts were forced to choose which type of surroundsound they prefer and configure their system accordingly:

Movie Surround – For the most realistic reproduction of a motion picturesoundtrack's surround sound field, bipolar or dipolar speakers that aremounted high on the side walls on either side of the prime listening positionare most often recommended. This provides a broad diffuse surround soundfield, that still provides left surround or right surround directionality, withoutthe localization that plagues conventional direct radiator (monopole) surroundspeakers.

Music Surround – For the most realistic reproduction of a discrete multi-channel music surround program, rear-mounted, forward facing direct radia-tor (monopole) speakers are preferred. This provides the true five channelmusic surround effect, and produces more natural "rear surround" sound withdiscrete multi-channel music.

The Denon AVR-5700 is the world's first A/V receiver to incorporate two sets of surround soundspeaker terminals. Connect one pair of bipole or dipole surround speakers, placed high on theside walls near the prime listening position. Connect another pair of direct radiator speakers,perhaps choosing the same type as used for the front left/center/right, and place these at therear corners of the room facing the prime listening position.

The AVR-5700 features Denon's Personal Memory Plus feature, which remembers the varioussurround modes and settings for each main input. We recommend activating the dual surroundmode speaker switching by using the THX function as the selector. During setup, configure asfollows:

• Dolby Digital/DTS 5.1 with THX 5.1 – Surround Speaker A (the bipole/dipoles)• Dolby Digital/DTS 5.1 (THX off) – Surround Speaker B (the monopoles at the rear)

Then, it's as easy as touching the THX button – choose Movie Surround with THX and the cor-rect speakers are automatically engaged (even with separate level control memories). ChooseMusic Surround by disengaging the THX function, and the surround speakers automaticallyswitch to the other pair (with a different memory level setting).

The AVR-5700 provides the best possible movie and music surround performance, all at thetouch of a button.

Enhanced Bass Management

One significant benefit of the THX Ultra-certification is the inclusion of superior bass manage-ment, which is responsible for ensuring that deep bass sounds do not arrive at the smaller cen-ter, front and surround speakers, at the same time ensuring that higher frequencies do not arriveat the subwoofer. The AVR-5700 feature's Lucasfilm's required 12 dB/24 dB Linkwitz-Rileycrossover, with the crossover frequency at 80 Hz for optimum subwoofer-to-main speakersblend.

During setup, the user can choose Large or Small according to the frequency characteristics ofthe system's speakers. A typical system would be configured as follows:

• Subwoofer: ON• Main (L/R): SMALL• Center: SMALL• Surround: SMALL

However, some users will have large full range left and right speakers, which may even includeamplified woofer sections. In this case, if the user chooses Large for the main left and rightspeakers, the subwoofer will only reproduce bass that appears in the LFE ( .1 ) channel. Manymovie soundtracks that are 5.1 encoded actually have little or no deep bass in the LFE channel,so after a period of inactivity, the subwoofer might go into sleep/standby mode, and then missthe first few seconds of any LFE content that may appear suddenly.

The AVR-5700 allows the user to select Large for the main left and right speakers, and sub-woofer on, and directs all low bass (within the main left and right and the LFE channels) to go to

both the left and right speakers as well as the subwoofer. This can benefit users with large"tower"-type main L/R speakers with powered woofer sections, who also have a separate sub-woofer in their system.

Power Supply/Power Amp Sections

The AVR-5700 features a high current, high power, all discrete power amplifier block that fea-tures identical design and identical performance for all five channels. Featuring high currentwideband discrete power transistors, each amplifier channel is rated at 140 watts into 8 ohms(RMS), and is torture tested during THX Ultra-certification with all five channels driving 3.2ohms, putting out 1,250 watts of power!

THX Ultra-certification requires stable operation at high volume levels into a wide variety of loud-speaker impedances. So, the AVR-5700 is provided with the strongest power supply incorporat-ed in an A/V receiver. A massive 1200 VA toroidal power transformer is the heart of the powersupply, with multiple stages and tight supply regulation for all stages. High current, low ESRpower supply capacitors store the DC energy for delivery to the power amp block.

The power amp block features side-mounted power transistors, with two separate heat sinksfacing each other inward. For cooling, the AVR-5700 incorporates a smart "push-pull" dual fansystem that is microprocessor controlled. This remarkable system is designed to keep the powertransistors at correct temperature levels, as well as keeping fan noise from being intrusive dur-ing quiet passages.

One fan is mounted at the front of the power block, drawing fresh air from a special venturi-ventmounted on the chassis bottom, centered just behind the front panel. The other fan is mountedat the rear of the power block, and exhausts via slots at the center of the rear panel. The systemprovides a four stage cooling action:

• No fans, passive thermal cooling • Front (inside) fan, running low (virtually silent), rear fan off• Front fan running low, rear fan running low (also near silent)• Both fans running high

The system is thermally sensitive as well as output level sensitive. Should the fans be running atany time due to high power operation, and the soundtrack goes to a quiet passage, the fans arequickly cut back or shut off. This sophisticated system is designed to that the user should neverbe aware of the fan(s) operation, even if the AVR-5700 is mounted on an open rack within thelistening area close to the prime listening position.

Power, precision, fidelity, convenience, and full system upgrade capability are the hallmarks ofthe Denon AVR-5700 A/V Receiver. We are confident that the AVR-5700 will satisfy even themost demanding film connoisseurs and concert aficionados. Available January 1999 at Denonspecialist A/V retailers nationwide, at a suggested retail price of $2,800.

Denon Electronics, 222 New Road, Parsippany NJ 07054 Tel: 973-396-0810 Fax: 973-396-7459Download the AVR-5700 color brochure and the owner’s manual in PDF format at: www.del.denon.com

AVR-5700 Rear Panel Layout