By Avi Greengart
My home theater serves a test bed for various devices for Techsponential and Home Theater View, and while I was able to test the latest display resolutions on TVs in my soundbar test rigs, my main home theater setup was based on a Denon AVR-X8500H with older HDMI inputs. My main game console is an XBOX Series X and my reference display is an LG C2 OLED 4KTV, so I already had the content and display to fully support 4K/120 gaming, I was just lacking the thing in the middle to connect them while providing extensive surround sound.
Most solid-state electronics are essentially disposable these days, but Denon deserves credit for making the AVR-X8500H somewhat modular: there is a $600 upgrade package that swaps out the HDMI board and turns it into an AVR-X8500HA with (limited) 8K/60 and 4K/120 support (the AVR-X8500HA when sold on its own lists for $4700). I also considered selling my receiver and upgrading to Denon's new flagship, the AVR-A1H. That unit is a monster, with 15 amplifier channels and a $6500 price tag to match. I told Denon PR that I'd be interested in checking out an AVR-A1H when they have review units available, but I can't use the extra amp channels -- my theater room is too small to add a third row of in-ceiling Atmos speakers -- and I can't justify purchasing one at this time. The AVR-X8500H HDMI 2.1 upgrade board has been listed as $600 and "coming in April 2024" on Denon's site for over a year. It still reads that way today, but in June 2024 the site let me put it in my cart and buy it, so I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.
So what do you get when you spend $600 to add an "A" to the AVR-X8500H? Part of the cost goes towards shipping. Denon does not allow end users to perform the upgrade themselves, so an authorized repair center mails you a box to send the 60 lb package to them and then back again to you. The packaging double-boxes the receiver but provides absolutely no guidance whatsoever on next steps. You need to figure out that you're supposed to break apart the styrofoam, place it in specific spots, place the receiver inside -- without antennas or remote control -- seal it up with packing tape (not included), and call FedEx Ground for a pickup. The service center was just as confused as I was -- a rep called to ask what repairs were needed. Denon has a lot of work to do on this experience - from website to packaging to service center processes.
The good news is that the process took less time than I expected -- I was only without a receiver for about a week Once I got the unit back, it looked like they replaced the entire front panel -- with new stickers attached! -- in addition to the new HDMI 2.3 internals around back. There were no changes to the 13 amplifier channels or processing but those are still pretty close to state of the art, so it's not missing much in that regard. At the end of the day, all the HDMI inputs were updated to HDCP2.3, but there is only a single 8K input. That input is also the only 4K/120 input, so if you want to connect both an Xbox Series X and a Playstation 5, you're out of luck. The last console Sony sent over is a Playstation 4 PRO, so that isn't an issue I'm currently facing, but Denon's newer receivers support 8K on all inputs, so that could be a dealbreaker for some.
Once back in my rack, it took me a while to figure out that you need to enable 8K support in the Denon's menu to support 4K/120, that only the 8K input supports 4K/120, and that there are similar settings that need to be enabled on the Xbox and TV. But somewhere between 3AM and 4AM I had Forza 6 working in 4K/120 on my 77" OLED with full surround sound. Despite the improved refresh rate I almost immediately plowed my virtual Subaru into the virtual wall at the virtual Nürburgring racetrack.
Was it worth it? Given how expensive it would be to sell and buy an equivalent receiver (or processor and amps) for my 9.4.2 channel Dolby Atmos system, it was a cost-effective upgrade. However, given the limitations of just a single fully futureproof 8K/4K120 input, it's probably only a matter of time before I need to do a full replacement.
HomeTheaterView is a Techsponential company and does not accept advertising or affiliate payments. Equipment reviews/purchases disclosure:
Denon AVR-X8500H was originally purchased direct from Denon at a discount for reviewers.
The HDMI 2.1 upgrade package was purchased direct from Denon at full retail price.
The Xbox Series X is a long-term review unit sent by Microsoft.
The LG 77" C2 OLED was purchased at retail.
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