Denon AVR-3312CI

Denon AVR-3312CI Review

Last April, Denon began to drum up some publicity for its latest series of receivers, which it calls the IN-Command Series. There are three models in the new series: The AVR-2212CI, AVR-2312CI and the AVR-3312CI. The idea behind the IN-Command marketing effort is that users will have more control over their media than ever. Based on specifications alone, it appears that Denon could deliver on that promise, but at what cost? Will there be trade-offs?As it turns out, both cost and trade-offs are at play here. It turns out that, for all the new stuff that’s been tossed in, the AVR-3312CI is missing a few features that came with the AVR-3311CI and even the two-year-old AVR-3310CI. Will these missing items make a big difference?The price on this model relative to its predecessors is lower, though not as low as it seems Denon was prepared to make it. The price for the 3312CI has shifted since we first heard about it. Initial reports (including one at Denon’s own blog) indicated the suggested retail price would come in at under $1,000. But, as we see today, Denon has upped that figure to $1099. Still pretty low, but was the original price an indication of product quality, or thrifty engineering?