Denon: AV Receiver Channels, HEOS Speakers, Turntables and Refurbished Stock

Denon is a Japanese-origin audio brand, now part of the same group as Marantz and Polk. It sells AV receivers, stereo amplifiers, CD players, turntables, soundbars, Denon Home wireless speakers and headphones. The receivers are the core of the range and the most complex purchase.

A good Denon order depends on matching the product to the speakers and TV you already own, and on deciding whether new, previous-generation or refurbished stock gives the best value.

Sizing a Denon AV receiver

Denon receivers are named by series: the AVR-S line is the entry range, and the AVR-X line runs from mid-range to flagship. Higher model numbers add channels, amplification power, processing and connections.

Count your speakers first. A 5.1 system needs five amplified channels plus a subwoofer output; a Dolby Atmos setup such as 5.1.2 or 7.1.4 needs more. Buy a Denon receiver with enough channels for the system you plan, not just the one you have, if you expect to add height speakers.

Check speaker impedance. Most Denon receivers are rated for common home speakers, but low-impedance speakers may need a setting change or a more capable model; read the specification.

HDMI, gaming and room correction

Recent Denon receivers support 4K and 8K video passthrough and HDMI 2.1 features such as higher refresh rates for consoles, but not every input on every model does. If you game, check how many inputs support the features your console and TV use.

eARC lets the TV send full-quality audio back to the Denon receiver over one cable. Confirm your TV's eARC port.

Denon receivers include Audyssey room correction, run with the supplied microphone during setup. Run it with the room quiet and furniture in place; it makes a clear difference and is worth redoing after moving speakers.

Denon Home and HEOS

HEOS is the Denon multi-room platform. Denon Home speakers, soundbars and most recent receivers and amplifiers use it, so music can play in several rooms from one app. Many models also support AirPlay 2, Alexa and streaming services directly.

If you already own a HEOS-equipped Denon receiver, a Denon Home speaker in another room joins the same system. Mixing with other multi-room brands is harder, so check compatibility before buying a speaker for a system built on something else.

A Denon soundbar suits a TV-only setup; a receiver with separate speakers suits a room where music and films matter more.

Turntables and hi-fi

The Denon DP turntables range from fully automatic starter decks to manual models for enthusiasts. Check whether a turntable has a built-in phono stage; if it does not, your amplifier needs a phono input, which many Denon stereo amps include.

Denon PMA stereo amplifiers and DCD CD players suit people who want two-channel listening without a home cinema. Some newer Denon stereo amplifiers include HDMI ARC, which lets them handle TV sound too.

Budget for the cartridge and speakers as well as the Denon deck itself. A turntable is only as good as the stylus and the room, and a replacement stylus is a running cost worth checking before you buy. Place the deck on a stable surface away from the speakers to avoid feedback.

Refurbished and previous-generation Denon

Denon sells factory-refurbished units on its own site. They are typically tested and sold with a warranty, though often a shorter one than new; check the stated term on each listing.

Denon refreshes receivers regularly, and the outgoing model is frequently discounted while stock lasts. The differences between generations are often small, so a previous-year Denon receiver can be the best value if its HDMI features cover your devices.

Check the current Denon returns window before ordering, especially for large receivers, and keep the packaging until setup is complete.

Where the Denon savings are

The 30% code is the most valuable on any significant Denon purchase, but it reads like a seasonal code and may be limited to certain products or dates. Try it first on a receiver or speaker.

The $50 welcome code is aimed at new customers and probably needs a minimum spend. It beats 30% only on orders under about $167, so it suits headphones, accessories or a small speaker.

The 20% refurbished code applies to the refurbished section. On a unit already priced below new, 20% more off can make a refurbished Denon receiver cheaper than a lower model bought new.

Denon codes are normally one per order. New releases are often excluded, so compare the code price on last year's model with the new model's full price.

Common questions

Which Denon receiver do I need for Dolby Atmos?

One with enough channels for your height speakers, such as a 7.2 or 9.2 channel AVR-X model. Count speakers before buying.

Are refurbished Denon products worth it?

Usually, if the warranty is acceptable. Check the stated term on the Denon refurbished listing.

Does Denon Home work with my Denon receiver?

If the receiver has HEOS built in, yes; both appear in the HEOS app.

Can I combine two Denon codes?

Generally no. Use whichever gives the lower total.