Receivers — Denon AVC-S670H

The AVC-S670H is a 5.2-channel AV amplifier from Denon for European markets, with five discrete high-current power amplifiers and 8K-capable HDMI switching. HEOS is integrated, so the unit streams music on its own and everything is controlled from the HEOS app.

Key specs that matter

Denon rates the five amplifier channels at 75 W each into 8 ohm from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with 0.08% THD and two channels driven. Into 6 ohm at 1 kHz the figure is 100 W per channel at 0.7% THD with two channels driven, and 135 W at 1% THD with one channel driven. Connections comprise six HDMI inputs, a single HDMI output supporting ARC and eARC, three analogue inputs, a phono socket for MM pickups, a pair of optical inputs and two subwoofer outputs, along with five pairs of speaker terminals. Power consumption is 340 W, falling to 29 W or 39 W with no signal depending on the ECO setting, 0.1 W in standby and under 2.0 W in network standby. The chassis is 434 x 339 x 151 mm (W x D x H), or 215 mm tall with the antennas vertical, and weighs 7.8 kg.

Engineering and use context

Three of the six HDMI inputs and the output carry 8K video, with both 8K pass-through and 8K upscaling of 4K content plus HDCP 2.3. HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dynamic HDR are passed through, and compatible games consoles can use VRR, QFT and ALLM. Decoding covers Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS 96/24, while Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo 6 spread two-channel material over five speakers. Over eARC the TV can return lossless formats such as Dolby TrueHD. Network playback handles ALAC, FLAC and WAV up to 192 kHz/24-bit and DSD at 2.8 and 5.6 MHz, from USB storage or networked drives, and MP3 and WMA remain supported. Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth are built in, and the Bluetooth transmitter lets speakers and wireless headphones play simultaneously. Amazon Alexa voice control works through the HEOS Home Entertainment skill. An HD on-screen interface renames HDMI inputs automatically, a single-line front display shows status, and the RC-1258 remote or the Denon AVR Remote app operate the unit.

Pairing

Denon recommends the Bluetooth headphone link for a household member with impaired hearing, who can listen at a personal level while others use the speakers, and it connects one pair of headphones at a time. Denon Home wireless speakers extend HEOS playback into other rooms.

Alternatives

The Denon AVC-X2850H is a 7.2-channel AV amplifier rated at 95 W per channel, with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding.