Features
Remote Control
Input and Output Notes

Features

7-Channel Equal Power Amplifier: The Denon AVR-1609 features a 7-channel equal power, discrete amplifier. Each channel is rated at 75 watts RMS. The amp can power a 7.1-channel surround system in the main room; or it can power a 5.1-channel system in the main room, and the surround back channels can be reassigned to power Zone 2 speakers at the same time.

Digital Signal Processing (DSP): The Denon AVR-1609 is equipped with a high-resolution 32-bit floating point Digital Signal Processor (DSP). All elements of the Surround Processor are optimized to the highest standards by the use of selected high performance and discrete components, particularly the A/D and D/A converters and the sophisticated DSP surround decoder.

Audyssey: This receiver is equipped with an Auto Setup and Room Equalization function, to achieve the most ideal sound field for your room. The AVR-1609's Audyssey MultiEQ function is designed to optimize the sound quality at each listening position in the room. The included DM-A409 microphone is used to measure test tones at each listening position. This measured data is then analyzed using a program to improve acoustic characteristics in the listening area. For best results at least 6 positions should be measured, including a main position. The main position is given more weight in the calculations.

• Audyssey Settings:
  • MultEQ: The Room EQ function offers the following adjustments:
  • Audyssey: optimizes the crossover point, output level, delay time, and equalization of all speakers based on speaker frequency response, speaker location, and room acoustics
  • Audyssey Byp. L/R: optimizes all speakers except front left and right
  • Audyssey Flat: optimize frequency response of all speakers to flat
  • Off: turns equalizer off
• Dynamic EQ: Audio engineers mix music and movie soundtracks at reference levels much louder than typical home listening levels. At lower volumes the human ear perceives sound differently; voices change, bass dissipates, and the surround effect becomes less enveloping. Dynamic EQ adjusts the frequency response curve based on volume to maintain consistent bass output, octave-to-octave balance, and surround impact, resulting in rich sound at any volume.
• Dynamic Volume: Dynamic Volume addresses the issue of commercials that are too loud and movie soundtracks with vast differences between soft and loud passages; the results are more intelligible dialogue, loud passages maintain impact, and soft whispers are clearly heard. When the volume level changes, Dynamic EQ also adjusts the frequency response to maintain sound quality.

Surround Modes: This receiver incorporates a wide variety of surround modes to bring you maximum enjoyment from your audio and video software. The surround modes include:

• Dolby Digital: Dolby Digital is a 5.1 multi-channel digital surround format.
• Dolby Digital EX: Dolby Digital EX is a 6.1 multi-channel digital surround format.
• DTS Digital Surround: DTS Digital Surround is a 5.1 multi-channel digital surround sound format used for both commercial/theatrical and consumer grade applications.
• DTS-ES Extended Surround: DTS-ES features two 6.1 multi-channel formats.
  • DTS-ES Discrete 6.1: DTS-ES Discrete 6.1-channel is a 6.1-channel discrete digital audio format adding a surround back channel to the DTS digital surround sound.
  • DTS-ES Matrix 6.1: DTS-ES Matrix 6.1-channel is a discrete 5.1 channel digital audio format inserting a surround back channel to the DTS surround sound through matrix encoding.
• DTS 96/24: DTS 96/24 is a digital audio format enabling high sound quality playback in 5.1-channels with a sampling frequency of 96 kHz and 24 bit quantization of DVD-video.
• Dolby Pro Logic II: Dolby Pro Logic II technology processes any high quality stereo (two-channel) movie and music audio into five playback channels of full-bandwidth surround sound. A matrix surround decoding technology, Dolby Pro Logic II detects the directional cues that occur naturally in stereo content and uses these elements to create a five-channel surround sound playback experience. You can choose from Cinema, Music, or Game formats. You can also choose Dolby Pro Logic (the earlier 4-channel mode).
• Dolby Pro Logic IIx: Pro Logic IIx expands any existing stereo- or 5.1-channel audio for a 6.1- or 7.1- channel playback, creating a seamless, natural surround soundfield that immerses you in the entertainment experience. You can choose from the following Dolby Pro Logic IIx formats - Cinema, Music, or Game.
• DTS Neo:6 Surround: DTS Neo:6 is a matrix decoding technology for achieving 6.1-channel surround playback with 2-channel sources. You can choose from two DTS Neo: 6 Surround formats - Neo: 6 Cinema and Neo: 6 Music.
• Combined Surround Modes: The receiver features several combined modes using existing Dolby and DTS surround modes:
• Dolby Digital + Dolby Pro Logic IIx Cinema
• Dolby Digital + Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music
• DTS + Neo:6
• DTS + Dolby Pro Logic IIx Cinema
• DTS + Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music
• Denon Original Surround (DSP) Modes:
  • Rock Arena: this mode is for enjoying the atmosphere of a live concert in an arena
  • Jazz Club: this mode is for enjoying the atmosphere of a live concert in a jazz club
  • Mono Movie: this mode is for playing monaural movie sources with surround sound
  • Video Game: this mode is suited for achieving surround sound with video games
  • Matrix: this mode lets you add a sense of expansion to stereo music sources
  • Virtual: this mode is for enjoying surround effects using only the front speakers or headphones
  • 5CH/7CH Stereo: this mode is for enjoying stereo sound from all speakers

Surround Parameters: You can adjust the following surround mode parameters:

• CINEMA EQ (Cinema Equalizer): The Cinema EQ function gently decreases the level of the extreme high frequencies, compensating for overly-bright sounding motion picture soundtracks. Select this function if the sound from the front speakers is too bright. This function only works in the Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic (including PL II and PL IIx), and DTS Neo:6 modes.
• Dynamic Range Compression: Motion picture soundtracks have tremendous dynamic range (the contrast between very soft and very loud sounds). For listening late at night, or whenever the maximum sound level is lower than usual, Compressing the dynamic range allows you to hear all of the sounds in the soundtrack with reduced dynamic range. DRC works when playing program sources recorded in formats other than DTS.
• LFE: This setting adjusts the low-frequency effects level (LFE). You can adjust the LFE from -10 to 0 dB.
• Center Width: This function assigns the center channel signal to the front left and right channels for wider sound; select from 0 to 7. This function only works in the Dolby Pro Logic II and PL IIx modes.
• Center Image: This function assigns a center channel signal to the front left and right channels for wider sound; adjust from 0.0 to 1.0. This function only works in the DTS Neo:6 mode.
• Panorama: This feature assigns front left and right signals to surround channels for wider sound, you can turn this feature On or Off. This function only works in the Dolby Pro Logic II and PL IIx modes.
• Dimension: This settings shifts the sound image to the front or rear to adjust playback balance; select from 0 to 6. This function only works in the Dolby Pro Logic II and PL IIx modes.
• Delay Time: This feature adjusts the delay time to control the sound stage size. In this menu the delay time is only adjusted for the Matrix mode.
• Effect Level: This function adjusts the effect signal level from 1 to 15 when using the Denon Original Surround Modes.
• Room Size: This feature allows you to set the size of your acoustic environment when using the Denon Original Surround Modes; select Small, Medium small, Medium, Medium large, or Large.
• SB CH Out: This setting selects the playback mode for the surround back channels; there are separate settings for multi-channel and 2-channel sources.

Tone Settings: You can independently adjust the system's overall Bass and Treble settings from -6 to +6 dB.

Restorer: This function restores compressed audio signals to pre-compression form, correcting the sense of bass and treble volume to obtain a richer sounding playback; select 64, 96, or HQ based on the compression setting of the source material.

Night Mode: This mode is optimized for late night listening. You can select the degree of compression; Low, Middle, High, or Off. Night Mode is not available when Dynamic EQ or Dynamic Volume is turned on.

Audio Delay: If needed, the audio signal can be delayed to match the video signal; adjust from 0-200ms.

Quick Select: The front panel and main remote (RC-1098) both have three Quick Select buttons. Each button can be programmed with a specific input source, surround mode, volume, and MultEQ, Dynamic EQ, and Dynamic volume settings for easy recall.

Personal Memory Plus: For each input, the receiver automatically memorizes the settings for input mode, surround mode, HDMI output mode, MultEQ, Dynamic EQ, Dynamic Volume, audio delay, etc. When the input source is switched, the settings last used for that source are automatically recalled. The surround parameters, tone control settings, and playback levels for the different output channels are memorized for each surround mode.

Subwoofer Control: You can set the crossover frequency of the subwoofer to 40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 100Hz, 110Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz, 200Hz or 250Hz. The subwoofer output is set to LFE (plays the LFE channel plus any information below the crossover point from any channel set to small) or LFE+Main (plays the LFE channel plus any information below the crossover point from all channels).

Dual Zone/Dual Source Operation: Denon's Dual-Zone/Dual-Source function lets you select a different source for listening in a different location of your home. The Zone 2 audio output has independent source selection and is output as a speaker-level signal (based on the amplifier assign setting).

Amplifier Assign: There are seven amplifier channels built into the receiver. These channels are typically used for 7.1 channel surround in the main room, but the amplifier assign function gives you the option of powering a 5.1-channel system in the main room and stereo speakers in Zone 2.

iPod Compatibility: Using an optional ASD-11R iPod dock, or an ASD-51N or ASD-51W iPod/Network adapter dock, you can integrate your iPod with the AVR-1609. Song titles appear on the receiver's display panel and the iPod can be controlled using the buttons on the main unit and the remote control.

Note: The ASD-11R is compatible with 3rd generation and later iPods with a dock connecter.

Sirius Satellite Radio Ready: The AVR-1609 can be connected to the optional SiriusConnect home tuner kit (item number 607SCH1-sold separately), allowing you to receive Sirius Satellite Radio through the receiver. The display shows channel name, number, category, artist, or song title. Sirius channels are stored as presets and recalled in the same way AM and FM stations are. A subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio is required.

Volume Setting: You can set a maximum volume level of 0, -10, or -20 dB to limit the receiver's total volume output. You can also specify a turn-on volume, from -80 to +18dB or Last (whatever the volume setting when the receiver was turned off).

Muting Level Adjustment: You can set the amount of attenuation for the audio muting circuit; 40dB or 20dB below current volume, or full mute (sound turned off entirely).

Back-Up Memory: The unit is equipped with a back-up memory that provides approximately one week of memory storage when the main unit's power switch is off and the power cord is disconnected.

Dimmer: The receiver features 4 display brightness settings; Bright, Dim, Dark and Off.

Remote Control

Remote Control (RC-1098): The remote control can operate the receiver as well as other remote control capable Denon components. It is pre-programmed with control codes for other brand products; including DVD players, Blu-ray Disc players, VCRs, TVs, cable boxes, satellite receivers, and CD players.

Input and Output Notes

Rear Panel Connections:

• HDMI: This unit has 2 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI monitor output, version 1.3a. The HDMI inputs are assignable to different input sources. The HDMI jacks support HDCP copyright protection and are compatible with 30 and 36 bit Deep Color and xvYCC color space technology (currently no pre-recorded software supports Deep Color or xvYCC). Note: The AVR-1609 cannot read the audio signal from the HDMI input; separate audio cables must be connected.
• Component Video: The receiver features 2 component video inputs and 1 component video monitor output.
• Assignable Digital Inputs: The AVR-1609 features 2 optical digital (Toslink) inputs and 2 coaxial digital inputs. Each input can be assigned to any of the different input sources except Tuner.
• 7.1 Multi-Channel Input: The AVR-1609 is equipped with an analog 7.1-channel RCA input to accommodate present and future multi-channel formats.
• Speaker Terminals: All of the receiver's speaker terminals are binding posts. They are not 5-way binding posts because a plastic collar prevents their use with spade lugs and they are positioned too far apart to be used with dual banana plugs.
• Sirius: This proprietary terminal allows you to connect an optional SiriusConnect home tuner kit.
• iPod Connection Terminal: You can connect and play an iPod that has Apple's Dock connector using the optional Denon ASD-11R iPod dock (item number 033ASD11RK) or iPod network dock (item numbers 033ASD51N and 033ASD51W).

Room-to-Room Remote Jacks: The receiver has a mini-jack input for use with an optional Denon RC-616, 617, or 618 IR re-transmitter. The adjacent room-to-room output is for future use.

Front Panel Connections:

• Headphone Jack: standard 1/4" stereo headphone jack; the speakers in the main zone are muted when headphones are plugged in
• A/V Inputs: Composite-video and a pair of stereo RCA inputs
• Setup Mic: 3.5mm input for connection of supplied setup microphone