Price Paid:  $899.00 from Tweeter

Summary:
I bought this reciever when I was in college and had some cheap JBL's with big woofers. It sounded good for parties but now I have some better speakers, Paradigm Monitor 7's and it sounds very lifeless and thin. I replaced it with a NAD T753 and the NAD puts this unit to shame soundwise. No comparison. The NAD is much more open and lifelike. Also it is only rated at 70 watts per channel while the 2802 is rated at 90 per channel but the NAD is actually much more pwerful.

I used to think Denon was good stuff until I got out of college and now have a little more money to spend on AV Equipment. After I bought my Paradigm's I auditioned recieversd and separates from NAD, Rotel, Arcam, B & K, Anthem, and Sunfire. Denon can't hold a candle to any of these brands which can be had for the same price as some of Denon's upper tier stuff or even cheaper.

IMO Denon is mass market junk that is nowhere near audiophile.

Strengths:
This unit is OK if you don't have speakers that require something more to get the full potential out of.

Weaknesses:
Sound is very tinny and thin.

Similar Products Used:
Rotel, NAD, Yamaha

Price Paid:  $700.00 from goodguys

Summary:
good 4 the money but if you could a separte apower amp like a rotel 1075 this compo will in fact will kick any rec. at any price by far. You would have to buy denons new flagrec. $6000 I say it graet 4 movies only but could be a beast if used as a pre amp iuse B&W 602 s3 they need power more than what the 2802 gives you

Strengths:
great 4 movies light music use claen sound great pre amp

Weaknesses:
if used alone mids could be thin highs alittle harsh not to powerful

Similar Products Used:
HK,Yamaha,Rotel,pioner,onkyo none touch denon, except Rotel which is far better in sound and quility

Price Paid:  $699.00 from Home Theater Store i

Summary:
Awesome Home Theater Receiver. I have used this receiver for over a year and I still love it. I have added a Rotel power amp for the two front channels to listen to stereo. I bought this receiver to replace a Digital Sony which was a piece of junk. Nothing better at this price and I auditioned plenty.

Strengths:
Everything

Weaknesses:
Personally, not high enough current for stereo. I enjoy listening to music at high levels which is why I added the power amp. I also bought a pair of Polk Audio LSi Series speakers in which their nominal impedance is 4 ohms.

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha, Sony, Denon, Rotel, Polk Audio, B&W

Price Paid:  $800.00 from OVATION

Summary:
FANTASTIC RECIEVER FOR THE PRICE. EVEN BETTER THATS ITS DROPPED ABOUT 200 DOLLARS IN PRICE. POWERFUL CLEAN SOUND. I'M USING KLIPSCH SB-3'S AND KLIPSCH CENTER-RC-3II AND SOUND IS AMAZING. I'M SURE THERE IS SOMETHING BETTER OUT THERE BUT NOT AT THIS PRICE. I DO AGREE WITH EVERYONE ON THE TERRIBLE REMOTE, SO I WOULD ADVISE TO GO TO E BAY AND LOOK FOR A DIFFRENT ONE, THATS WHAT I DID AND GOT THE REMOTE FOR THE 3803 THAT RUNS EVERYTHING LIKE THE ORIGANAL REMOTE. THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET COULD BE BETTER TOO. I'VE HAD THIS ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF TO REPLACE MY SONY STRD????-FORGOT THE MODEL # AND IT BLEW IT AWAY.

Strengths:
EVERYTHING EXCEPT REMOTE

Weaknesses:
REMOTE---BUY A NEW ONE

Similar Products Used:
SONY (BLUH)

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Crutchfield Online

Summary:
Problem:
1) Looking for a “home theatre” replacement for my “stereo” Rotel RX-975 while it was out for repair.
2) Must be musical (smooth) and listen able for long periods with Red Book CD’s.
3) Must match B&W DM-604 S2 Floor standers and REL Q150E Subwoofer.
4) Must match Denon DCM-380 CD changer.

Solution: Found Denon AVR-2802 during Memorial Day on sale at Crutchfield Online.

Summary: I’m sure there are better A/V receivers but I’m sticking with this one because it matches my B&W / REL speaker combination so well. And, the price, $600, was right during the Memorial Day Crutchfield sale.

Side Note:
Found that during in-store tests, the Denon DRA-685 & DRA-395 “stereo” receivers would be a great choices for people with 2.0 speaker systems.

Strengths:
1) Better musicality than expected.
2) Very good (as compared to Rotel RX-975) with horn and piano based Jazz from
Red Book CD’s.
3) Great Dynamics as compared to Rotel.
4) Terrific Sound Stage even with 2.1 speaker setup.
5) Excellent with digital TV (via analog input) and DVD’s (via analog input).
6) Digital input compatible with Sound Blaster Audigy Sound Card.
7) Movie/TV dialog handled very well even though I do not have a Center Speaker.
8) Very good FM Tuner (reception and sound) and acceptable AM.
9) Runs cool.
10) Great Build. No “pop’s”, clicks” through speakers as unit is turned on/off or sources changed.

Weaknesses:
1)Needs a subwoofer for good bass (even with music). Won’t recommend with a 2.0 speaker system.
2) Archaic remote control.
3) Need TV to complete speaker setup.
4) Confusing (but complete) instructions.
5) Can’t entirely control unit from just remote or just front panel.
6) No longer can be considered an "audiophile" when using this unit !!!!

Similar Products Used:
Summary:
I’m sure there are better A/V receivers but I’m sticking with this one because it matches my B&W / REL speaker combination so well. And, the price, $600, was right during the Memorial Day C