Receivers — Denon DRA-900H

The DRA-900H is a 2.2-channel stereo network receiver from Denon that combines a two-channel power amplifier with an 8K HDMI switcher and HEOS streaming. It is built for a stereo system that also has to handle a TV, games console and Blu-ray player, and it adds a phono input for vinyl and two subwoofer outputs.

Key specs that matter

Denon rates the discrete high-current amplifier at 100 W per channel into 8 ohm from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at 0.08% THD with both channels driven, 120 W per channel into a 6 ohm load at 0.7% THD, and 145 W at 1% THD into 6 ohm with only one channel driven, both measured at 1 kHz. Six HDMI inputs feed one HDMI output that supports eARC and ARC, and three of the inputs accept 8K video. Other sources connect via an MM phono stage, a pair of optical inputs, a single coaxial input and two analog line inputs, and there are four speaker terminals. The chassis measures 434 x 339 x 151 mm and weighs 8.6 kg.

Engineering and use context

On the video side the receiver supports 8K at 60 Hz and 4K at 120 Hz, plus 8K pass-through and upscaling, with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG formats under HDCP 2.3. Through the eARC link a TV can return its own audio to the receiver, so broadcast and app sound plays through the main speakers. HEOS provides whole-home streaming to other HEOS devices, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and AirPlay 2 are built in. Amazon Alexa and Apple Siri can control playback by voice. High-resolution audio files, CD, Blu-ray and vinyl are all supported sources. Setup is handled by a guided assistant, and the unit can be run from the RC-1259 handset or from the AVR Remote app for phones. Denon describes a custom amplifier design with a large power supply. Consoles get VRR, QFT and ALLM. Supported files include ALAC, FLAC and WAV up to 192 kHz and 24-bit, DSD at 2.8 and 5.6 MHz, and MP3 and WMA, played from a USB drive, network drives or Amazon Music HD. Bluetooth also works as a transmitter to one pair of headphones, which can play at the same time as the speakers. The European version adds FM and DAB+ radio and internet radio, and it comes in black or silver. The setup assistant renames HDMI inputs automatically when a source is connected, and the front panel carries a 1-line FLD display. Power consumption is 220 W in operation, 23 W in ECO mode and 0.1 W in standby.

Pairing

Through its two sub outputs, a single or double subwoofer setup can extend a pair of main speakers into a 2.2 layout, and the two pre-outs can feed an external stereo power amplifier. A record player with an MM pickup plugs into the phono stage with no extra preamplifier.

Alternatives

Within its receiver range Denon also makes the AVR-X2800H, a 7.2-channel model rated at 95 W per channel.