Denon AVR-S540BT (USA version)

Overview

Denon AVR-S540BT was introduced in 2018. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing.

We evaluated the Receiver and gave 68 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and video signal passthrough and upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

Pros and Cons

In this section we present pros and cons of Denon AVR-S540BT.

Major Changes from its predecessor

Here we are comparing Denon AVR-S540BT to its predecessor AVR-S530BT and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Denon AVR-S540BT	vs	Denon AVR-S530BT
Dolby Vision		vs
HLG		vs
Newer Bluetooth Version	3.0 + EDR	vs	2.1 + EDR

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Denon AVR-S540BT vs Denon AVR-S530BT.

Amplifier

Denon AVR-S540BT has 5 channel amplifier and delivers 70 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

Video Features

The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 60p. It can bypass HDR10, Dolby Vision.

HDR10

High-dynamic-range (HDR) video has greater dynamic range than standard-dynamic-range (SDR) video with brigter whites and deeper blacks. HDR10 was announced on August 27, 2015, by the Consumer Technology Association and uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness and 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors.

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision is an update to HDR10 by adding dynamic metadata that can be used to more accurately adjust brightness levels up to 10,000 nits maximum brightness on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis and supports up to 12-bit color depth (4096 shades of RGB) and 8K resolution.

Room Correction

Denon AVR-S540BT comes with room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

Connectivity

Denon AVR-S540BT can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. It has 5 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2 copy protection.

Front panel has USB input.

Specifications

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Denon AVR-S540BT.

BASICS
Brand	Denon
Model	AVR-S540BT
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
Release Year	2018

AMPLIFIER
Channels	5.2
Discrete Amplification
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Mono Block Power Amplifier Construction
Bi-amp Capability

AUDIO
Maximum Channel Processing	5.1
D.D.S.C. HD Digital
Alpha Processing
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic	PLII
Dolby Digital EX
Surround EX
DTS:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo	Neo:6
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
DTS Express
DTS-ES
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	up to 96 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB
Gapless Playback
DSD via HDMI
DSD via USB
DSD to PCM Converter
USB DAC
Jitter Reduction
DTS Dialog Control
Dialog Enhancement
Dialog Level Adjustment
Dialog Normalization
Dialogue Lift
Compressed Music Enhancer
High-resolution Music Enhancer
Audyssey Dynamic EQ
Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Audyssey LFC
Audyssey Sub EQ HT
Audyssey DSX
Direct Mode
Pure Direct Mode
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
Audyssey App Support
Optimized Bass Redirection
Bass Sync

VIDEO
HDR10
HDR10+
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K 50/60Hz 4:4:4
Video Signal Upscaling
Analog To HDMI Upconversion
Component Video Upscaling
Analog to Analog Video conversion
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
MHL Input
FireConnect
FlareConnect
HEOS
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Works with SONOS
AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	iPod, iPhone and iPad
Remote App	Denon 500 Series Bluetooth Remote App for iOS and Android devices and Amazon Kindle
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth	SBC, AAC
Bluetooth Headphone Transmission
HDBaseT Compatible
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.2
HDMI Input	5
HDMI Output	1
USB Input	1 (Front) for USB memory
USB DC Out Port
Analog Audio Line Input	2
Analog Audio Line Output
Phono Input
Optical In	2
Optical Out
Coaxial In/Out	1 /
Composite Video Input	2
Composite Video Output	1
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input
Component Video Output
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
Analog Pre-Outs	0.2
XLR Inputs
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	USB
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm

ZONES
Zones	1
RS-232
+12V Trigger Output
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0

MISC
On-Screen Display
GUI Languages	3
Control4 SDDP
FL Display	1 line
Remote Controller	RC-1216
Pre-programmed / Learnable / LCD Display	/ /
Detachable Power Cord
Denon Link HD
Setup Assistant
Quick Select plus / Quick Select	/

RADIO
Analog Tuner	FM/AM
Digital Radio
Internet Radio
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

CONSTRUCTION
Front Panel	not Metal
Speaker Terminals	5
Large Speaker Terminals
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals
High Grade Audio Components
Gold plated RCA terminals

POWER
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption	310 W
No Sound Power	ECO On/Off: 26 W/35 W
Standby Power	0.1 W

GENERAL
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function
Auto Power off
Dimensions (W x H x D)	434 mm x 151 mm x 319mm 17 1/8" x 6" x 12 5/8"
Weight	7.6 kg (16 lbs 12 oz)
Warranty	3 Years

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	70 W (0.08% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	90 W (0.7% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	140 W (10% THD)
Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	130 W (1% THD)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	98 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	+1/-3 dB (10 Hz to 100 kHz, Direct mode)
Bluetooth Version	3.0 + EDR
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz
USB Terminal	USB2.0 5V, 1 A
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.)	Mono: 2.8 µV (20.2 dBf)
FM Effective Sensitivity	1.2 µV (12.8 dBf)
FM S/N Ratio	Mono/Stereo: 70 dB/67 dB
FM Harmonic Distortion (IHF, 1 kHz)	Mono/Stereo: 0.7%/1.0%
AM Frequency	520 kHz - 1710 kHz
AM Effective Sensitivity	18 µV

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted

Successor

In 2018 Denon AVR-S540BT was replaced by AVR-X550BT. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Denon AVR-X550BT	vs	Denon AVR-S540BT
Analog Tuner	FM/AM with RDS	vs	FM/AM

DOWNGRADES	Denon AVR-X550BT	vs	Denon AVR-S540BT
Less Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	/	vs	1 /

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Denon AVR-X550BT vs Denon AVR-S540BT.