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Denon AVR-5805CI

Denon AVR-5805CI

Headshot of David Katzmaier
Headshot of David Katzmaier
David Katzmaier Editor in Chief
David leads the editorial team at CNET. We create expert reviews, articles and video on every aspect of technology, from AI to Zoox. We are thoroughly, proudly human.
Expertise A 25-year CNET veteran, David has been reviewing TVs since the days of CRT, rear-projection and plasma. He created CNET's methodology for testing TVs, streaming services and AI tools. Prior to CNET he wrote for Sound & Vision magazine and eTown.com. Credentials
  • Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.
David Katzmaier
2 min read
We've never seen anything quite like the Denon AVR-5805. The latest iteration of the company's "reference-quality" 5800 line, this massive component's sole job is to switch between your components and amplify the audio. For that, the company will ask you to fork over a cool $6,000 in November, when this giant sags the shelves at your local high-end electronics boutique.
Upside: The AVR-5805 is the world's first receiver with 10 built-in 170-watt amplifiers, which can provide up to 22 channels of sound. In other words, it can power two separate 5.1-channel home-theater systems or, by connecting to external amplifiers, two separate 7.1-channel systems. Aside from HDMI switching (three inputs, plus a DVI input), four-zone capability, and an Ethernet connection for future upgrades, the monster has a specialized room-tuning feature that supposedly corrects for eight different "sweet spots." Mortal room-tuning featuresmake do with one.
Downside: It's huge and expensive. This thing will cost more to ship than most receivers cost to buy. Aside from those obvious issues, most home-theater aficionados in this rarefied price bracket prefer to invest in separates, that is, a dedicated preamp/processor plus a multichannel amplifier or even a separate amp for each channel.
Outlook: Downsides considered, the AVR-5805 is pointed toward a tiny segment of the market. This is a technology statement more than a consumer product, so don't hold your breath for a full CNET review. We'll leave that to our friends at Robb Report Home Entertainment. Those of us without such deep pockets will have to settle for Denon's expanded lineup of less audacious--but still feature-packed--A/V receivers.