Sony recently launched 3 new high-end home theaters receivers, the STR-DA4400ES, STR-DA3400ES and STR-DA2400ES. Each receiver includes Faroudja DCDi Cinema technology for upscaling all video sources to 1080p via HDMI, and supports the latest audio codecs; Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, dts High Resolution Audio and dts HD Master Audio.

The STR-DA4400ES 7.1 channel receiver has a 120-watt amplifier (8Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), six HDMI inputs and DSD decoding through HDMI. It offers high-definition video distribution to a second zone, audio distribution to three zones and picture-in-picture for monitoring of multi-zone output or an external video source. The model will be available in August for about $1,500.

The STR-DA3400ES 7.1 channel receiver has a 100-watt power amplifier (8Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), four HDMI inputs, a 12-volt trigger, IR repeater and high-definition video distribution to a second zone (composite). It will be available in August for around $1,000.

The STR-DA2400ES 7.1 channel receiver has a 100-watt power amplifier (8Ω, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), a basic icon-driven graphic user interface and four HDMI inputs. The model will be available next month for about $800.

Denon will release by the end of the month a couple of new entry-level receivers, the AVC-1909 and AVC-1509.

The first one, priced at $790, is a 7.1-channel receiver with 7x 140W output (6Ω), high-performance 32-bit DSP, Faroudja DCDi video processing with 1080p up-conversion, Audyssey’s Dynamic Volume automatic volume leveling system, Dolby TrueHD / Dolby Digital Plus / DTS-HD Master Audio support and HDMI 1.3a I/O.

Concerning the second amplifier, it provides only 5.1-channel audio with an output power rated at 130W per channel (6Ω). However, as the amplifier is not compatible with 7.1 audio, it doesn't support the latest 7.1 channel surround sound formats. There is also HDMI I/O with video switching, 32-bit DSP and Audyssey’s Dynamic Volume. It will be available for $470.

A few days ago, Onkyo Japan announced a new high-end A/V receiver, the TX-SA706X. Due on July 19th, this new 7.1-channel receiver is certified THX Ultra2 Plus and provides 200 watts per channel. It includes five HDMI 1.3 inputs, Audyssey Dynamic EQ processing and built-in decoding for Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio formats.

After conversion, the retail price will be close to $1,750.

The Accuphase M-6000 is the latest monoblock amplifier in the M series. The amplifier can provides 1,200 watts @ 1Ω, 600 watts @ 2Ω, 300 watts @ 4Ω, or 150 watts @ 8Ω from an array of 16-parallel power MOSFETs arranged in push-pull configuration. If you want more power can be bridged with another M-6000 unit to get up to 2,400 watts of output power. The M-6000 has unbalanced/balanced inputs, phase selector and a 4-stage gain selector (MAX, –3 dB, –6 dB, –12 dB) to minimize residual noise.

There is no release date, nor pricing info at the moment.

Denon is introducing ten new, advanced audio/video receivers. All new models are designed to give consumers simple, powerful and more affordable solutions for enjoying the very best performance from today’s advanced home entertainment formats, as well as provide additional multi-zone A/V capabilities to enhance a user’s lifestyle. Denon's new offerings include the multi-zone Models AVR-2809CI ($1,199), AVR-2309CI ($849), AVR-1909 ($649), AVR-1709 ($449) and AVR-1609 ($349), as well as five new high-performance, high-value receivers in its Retail Home Theater Series line, the AVR-989 ($1,199), AVR-889 ($749), AVR-789 ($599), AVR-689 ($399), and AVR-589 ($299).

Models AVR-2809CI, AVR-2309CI, AVR-1909, AVR-989, AVR-889 and AVR-789 are HDMI v1.3a compliant and offer upconversion to 1080p from all analog sources, as well as support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, while the AVR-689 and AVR-589 only do Dolby Digital, DTS-ES Discrete and Matrix 6.1 decoding, but still offer HDMI v1.3a compatibility.

The new Denon's product line will be available this month.

The new Krell Evolution 707 processor is a work of art. Handling up to 8.4-channel output encoded in one of the following surround sound formats; Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 6.1 ES, DTS 5.1, DTS NEO:6, Dolby Pro Logic II processing as well as Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio lossless formats over HDMI 1.3, the Evolution 707 is the perfect solution for a separate component Home theater system.

The circuitry is built around two 64-bits digital signal processors (Crystal CS497004) to perform all surround mode processing. The twelve output stages are fully balanced and the preamp mode bypasses all digital circuitry and routes the signal directly to the volume control for the purest path possible. The 707 also includes S-Video, component, and HDMI v1.3 I/O

The Evolution 707 is nearly 10-inches tall and weighs over 50 pounds. It has an aluminum chassis with diamond cut finish. No release date announced but retail price is about $30,000.

Harman Kardon has officially announced the introduction of their 7.1-channel AVR 354 and AVR 254 and its 5.1-channel AVR 154 audio/video receivers. All models will release in US in late spring.

AVR 354 - 7.1 channel, 75 Watts per channel, HDMI v1.3a, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, 1080p video upscaling, EzSet/EQ equalization, multiroom capability and it comes with The bridge II docking station for iPod. Price: $899.

AVR 254 - 7.1 channel, 50 Watts per channel, HDMI v1.3a, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, 1080p video upscaling, EzSet/EQ equalization and multiroom capability. Price: $649.

AVR 254 - 5.1 channel, 30 Watts per channel, HDMI (video switching), Dolby Digital, DTS and Logic 7 processing. Price: $399.

Pioneer will be releasing two new 7.1-channel A/V receivers in July known as the VSA-LX51, and VSA-1018AH. Both amps have HDMI 1.3 (3 input / 1 out) with Deep Color and x.v.Color support, Dolby Digital Plus/Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio/DTS-HD High Resolution Audio/DTS EXPRESS decoders, USB port to play MP3/WMA/AAC files and Advanced MCACC technology.

The VSA-LX51 has an additional video upscaler, the Faroudja DCDi, one of the best deinterlacers around to upscale video to 1080p, and the receiver delivers 7x 180W of power output (6Ω) instead of 7x 170W for the VSA-1018AH model.

Prices are about $1,400 for the flagship VSA-LX51 and $1,100 for the VSA-1018AH.

Integra has expanded its product range with the arrival early this month of the new DTR-5.9 A/V Receiver. The new model features the same HDMI v1.3a connectivity with Deep Color support and internal decoding of high-resolution audio including DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD, and Dolby Digital Plus, as the best-selling DTR-5.8 that it replaces. The DTR-5.9 also adds two additional HDMI inputs, 1080i upscaling of standard definition sources over HDMI, and Audyssey's new Dynamic EQ loudness compensation technology. Other specs include a 7x 90W power amplifier @ 8Ω, AM/FM tuner, multi-zone capability and the unit Sirius satellite radio ready

The Integra DTR-5.9 is currently available at a suggested retail price of $800.

Onkyo has upgraded its most popular HDMI-1.3a-capable home theater receiver by adding 1080i video upscaling, two additional HDMI inputs to handle a total of four HDMI sources, Audyssey's new Dynamic EQ loudness compensation technology, and Onkyo's new Music Optimizer circuit. The new Onkyo TX-SR606 replaces the company's best selling TX-SR605.

This receiver also has a powerful 90 watt-per-channel amplifier section, Remote Interactive control over HDMI (RIHD), is Sirius Satellite Radio ready, and offers a full range of advance surround sound codecs, including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio to provide lossless bit-by-bit audio identical to the master recordings.

It will be available in black or silver finish in April, for a price below $580.