Denon’s latest addition, the Denon Home Amp, is set to revolutionize the wireless multiroom system market, going head-to-head with Sonos and Bose. This next-gen version of the HEOS Amp HS2 brings some significant upgrades to the table, making it an exciting option for any modern home audio setup.
First off, the standout feature is the HDMI eARC input. This means you can connect your TV and enjoy the Home Amp’s ability to downmix multichannel Dolby Audio into two-channel sound. It’s perfect for those who prefer a simple stereo setup over a multi-speaker arrangement. Alongside this, the amp now offers more power, delivering up to 125 watts per channel. This is a considerable boost from its predecessor and ensures your connected speakers will fill the room with rich, immersive sound.
Design-wise, the Home Amp sports a sleek, modern look with clean lines and squarish dimensions, echoing the style of the Sonos Amp and Bose Music Amplifier. The front panel features touch controls for easy access to presets, play/pause, track skipping, and volume adjustments, blending sophistication with functionality.
Streaming music across multiple rooms has never been easier. The Home Amp supports app-controlled streaming from popular services like Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon Music. It also decodes high-resolution audio formats including ALAC, FLAC, and WAV up to 24-bit/192kHz, as well as DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz. The back panel is packed with connectivity options: optical and USB-A digital inputs, RCA analog inputs, four-way binding posts for passive speakers, and a subwoofer output. New additions include the HDMI ARC/eARC input and a Bluetooth pairing button.
Connecting the Home Amp to your network is flexible, with both wired and wireless options available. While it doesn’t support the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, it offers dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), ensuring stable and reliable performance.
For those who are deep into the Apple ecosystem, the Home Amp’s Apple AirPlay 2 support allows for streaming lossless audio at CD quality from any Apple device. You can also control it with Siri and manage it through the Apple Home app. Amazon Alexa users aren’t left out either, as the HEOS Alexa skill provides voice control capabilities. However, it’s worth noting that there is no Google Assistant support.
Priced at $799, the Denon Home Amp is available from retailers and Denon’s website. It’s a significant upgrade from the HEOS Amp HS2, blending modern features with powerful performance to enhance your home audio experience. If you’re looking for a versatile, high-quality amplifier that integrates seamlessly with your existing setup, the Denon Home Amp is definitely worth considering.