Kenwood KRF-V9300D

[Humberto]

Kenwood KRF-V9300D AV receiver

Introduction

Kenwood is back after a long absence with a real top product in the EUR 600 league with a AV receiver represented. The IFA presented at the KRF-V9300D Kenwood is the first AV receiver with decoders for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio equipment. The integrated seven-channel amplifier lift 100 watts per channel, Kenwood NEW trait-linear technology ensures a clear and powerful sound. With two HDMI 1.3a inputs and an HDMI 1.3a output shows the Kenwood somewhat narrow fitted. Otherwise, with the brilliant 9300: There are decoders for Dolby Virtual Speaker and Dolby Headphone built, of course, is also an automatic speaker on board.

Video A / D conversion and video upscaling to 1.080p for analog input signals is a feature of the 9300

A built-in scaler / Interlacer enables upscaling of incoming analog video signals to up to 1.080p. Optionally, a special cable for the integration of the iPod available. The subwoofer's frequency can be manually over 40 to 200 Hz. Whether the 599 EUR quite favorable KRF-V9300 also in practice convincing answer our test.

Processing

Good surface quality - even if the 9300 has a plastic front panel


Large volume knob


Clear interior with a large transformer. Only the wiring could be a bit tidier fail


Very good equipment stands


Remote control with rather modest appearance quality

The processing of Kenwood goes for the price range in order. Main criticism is that the front cover only (but high quality) plastic and not aluminum. The controls on the front, starting from the large volume knob, look very good and are full of tactile quality. However, they could sit still solid, and even less game. The device display shows all essentials clear, while the supplied remote maximum quality of mediocrity. Furthermore, it is not a model of clarity. Very well liked us the precise fits and housing units above the stands. Inside, scores of lush sized transformer, the amplifier layout is carefully chosen. Not impressed by the somewhat lax wiring. Overall score in relation to the price category: Very good.

[Humberto]

Connections

The connecting section includes two HDMI 1.3a inputs and an HDMI 1.3a-monitor output (HDMI CEC-enabled). Two optical digital inputs and a coaxial digital input correspond to the class standard. At 2-channel analog audio inputs, the Kenwood 5 x stereo RCA available, plus a 5.1.-external input. A dedicated phono input is missing. At Pre is just a pre-out for active subwoofer available. An analog stereo outputs, two RCA connectors offered. There are three components of analog inputs and 2 S-Video and 2 CVBS inputs. There are monitor output outs for CVBS / S-video / component. The speaker cable screw are easy when you introduce the cable directly, but also easily suitable for banana plugs. Overall in relation to the price category: Good.

Features

The KRF-V9300D is extensively equipped. All features and options to let you in this part of present ranking.

a) Audio features, Audio options: Built decoders are all relevant for existing and for HD sound formats. Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio are decoded.

The Kenwood also uses an automatic microphone. This measure, however, unlike the system of the Onkyo TX-SR606 only in a listening one. It covers the basic settings determined (speaker configuration, speaker size, distance from the listening position, level adjustment) and a room equalization to adjust the LS-Systems made to the listening room. We recommend that in any case, alternatively, a manual setup to create. The distance setting for the adjustment of the distance of each speaker for listening works in 0.3 meter increments. It is done in 1 dB steps from - 10 to + 10 dB. In addition, the Kenwood has a simple crossover management, which is not it should works, but only a total takeover frequency set to the active subwoofer, the bass takes over. Settable are 40/60/70/80/90/100/110/120/130/140/150/160/170/180/190/200 Hz, the level for the Low Frequency Effects channel (LFE channel) is from 0 to. 10 in 1 dB steps.

Pure Audio Mode

The Kenwood also has a lip sync adjustment to the arrival of synchronous audio and video to be able to guarantee. In 10 ms steps, the adjustment in a wide range from 0 to 300 ms. A Pure Audio mode is also on board. By switching off the equipment displays, and the analog video section as well as the choice of the shortest pathway is an optimal sound quality. The AV receiver also selects the audio input signal for optimal listening. The Kenwood is using the optional iPod connection cable PNC-iP120 also capable of a connected iPod control. The KRF-V9300 can be both audio and video from the connected iPod media player. For those who are not technically pure signal, but with strong bass wants to hear, Kenwood has the "bass boost" button installed. Using this with a keystroke the maximum bass boost (+ 10) enabled. For a variety of tasks, the 9300 also preprogrammed Active EQ "modes sleeve. There is an equalizer settings for music, movies and gaming. Of course, this feature may be deactivated. The two integrated Surroundaufpolierer DTS Neo: 6 and Dolby Pro Logic IIx, the respective system-specific settings on. To listen to the night when the neighbors of films not from the well-deserved break to sleep, the 9300 with a midnight mode, the Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD and DTS uses. This has an automatic program and two fixed gain settings. The subwoofer remix setting controls whether the bass output on the active subwoofer and front speakers (if they are adequately powerful), or exclusively on the active subwoofer (if the front speakers are as compact satellite transmission).

b) Video Features: The KRF-V9300D is able to recover from incoming analog video signals using analog-digital conversion a digital HDMI signal is generated. This can then be de-interlaced, so that the signal output via the HDMI monitor output in 1.080p possible. The setting of the output resolution using the "Resolution" button on the remote control (bottom row left buttons). As a selectable output resolution are the options "Auto" (depends on the maximum resolution when connected recognized projector or flat screen) or 1.080p, 720p, 1080 i or 480/576p (defined resolutions) selectable. The Kenwood is also a CVBS or S-video analog component level to convert and 576i (no de-interlacing) on the component monitor output issue.

c) Other Features: The 9300 has a three-tiered display dimmer, which is completely dark home theater room is very useful. With the receiver's remote can also be different Kenwood DVD player control.

What we miss is an on-screen display, which nearly all the competitors offer. Overall prices in relation to the class: Excellent.

[Humberto]

Operation

Cheaper handling volume knob

The operating concept of the KRF-V9300 can be used in various points unconvincing. The setting and adjustment of the equipment for the operation is merely due to the fact that there is no OSD on board is troublesome, because only with the help of the (least appealing resolutory) dot matrix display on the front panel can be used. If you want to run the setup on the remote control settings, so everything looks easy at first, as a centrally placed Navi unit located on the remote. This however is not to adjust the basic functions of the AV receiver, but rather to control a connected DVD Players.

Display with full resolution

For the AV receiver setup are much too small "multi-control" keys to consider the above the navigation unit can be found. The Enter button to confirm the entrance to the respective menu is needed is not directly in the multi-control-arrow keys, but something more - not even really make sense. The remote control is not illuminated, but at least phosphorescent buttons for basic functions. Well resolved is the rapid change in the listening mode (lists fashion, directly on top of the remote). Even the recognition for the volume control are quickly found. The operation on the device itself convinced by the fast-working input selector knob. Using a small knob is also listening mode on the receiver itself directly adjustable. Using two small buttons and large multi-control knob, it is possible, at KRF-V9300 without the remote control in all the Setup menu and then implement appropriate adjustments. Plus point is the hand-effective, large volume control. Overall Operation: Satisfactory - good.

Conclusion

The KRF-V9300D is proving to be powerful AV control center

The Kenwood KRF-V9300 demonstrates impressively that with Kenwood again to be expected, because the seven-channel AV receiver is presented as a practical home theater equipped with a powerful control center, but still brilliant and sensitive sound and a powerful video section. This rises above good and in particular the conversion of an incoming 576i signal components into a 1.080p HDMI signal. The Surround audio is very well integrated and well-founded, authentic stereo sound secure the other 9300 plus points. The resistance level is higher than price-level classes. The few shortcomings: Only two HDMI inputs and no OSD.Desirable would also be a speaker selective management group to take over frequencies and an upscaling and de-interlacing of incoming HDMI signals - the latter offering in this price class, but currently no AV receiver, no matter from what manufacturer.