Power, versatility, detailed settings. Learning remote. Clean, hefty sound; 100-watts per 7 channels. Good 100 page manual (despite reports to the contrary), which includes many diagrams. Many inputs. 7.1 pre-outs. On-screen display for helpful set up. DM-S305 setup microphone. Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES® 6.1 Discreet, and Dolby Pro Logic® IIx decoding. Multi-room, video conversions.

The only frustrating thing is that an older film (like from the 1980s-1990s) recorded in 2.0 surround will always throw the receiver into Dolby Pro-Logic IIx mode, and the manual confirms that is exactly what it will do (on page 42). What if you want to watch it strictly in 2.0 surround speaker placement? You have to turn off some speakers. So it's workable.

Some who are not into fine-tuning the details may find the receiver, remote and manual overly complex. It takes some time.

Released 6/1/2004, so note that the Denon 2805/ 985 does not have HDMI or DVI.

Released 06/01/2004 with retail price of $899, I lusted after this receiver for a few years and finally found a good deal on eBay in Oct of 2006 I couldn't pass up. I had researched many different non-HDMI receivers at the time and also liked the Yamahas. Anyway, my main incentive was that I wanted a solid 7.1 receiver to produce Dolby Digital EX and Pro-Logic IIx and DTS-ES 6.1 discreet.

I was waiting for HDMI (which this Denon 2805 receiver does not have) to continue to invade the marketplace; 2006 receivers carried a fairly heft price tag for HDMI receivers. My main intent is for the receiver to drive my home theater, and less to listen to music. Now, this receiver is even cheaper on eBay. Get one in good shape and you won’t be sorry.

Some have complained that there are too many settings and options on this receiver, the manual is poor, and that the remote is confusing. The fact was, yes, all of it takes a while to learn - but after investing some time playing with the receiver/remote/manual (which takes a long time), things begin to make sense and detailed adjustments can be made and appreciated. Honestly!

This receiver also comes with DM-S305 setup microphone, at least I made sure mine did. I used this and it provided great speaker placement. My theater room is fairly even (like a rectangle).

Because I like the surrounds a tad more aggressive, I manually made the adjustments. But I can imagine that someone with a home theater room that has different angles or sound absorbing/reflecting objects the microphone would be most beneficial. If you get a used Denon AVR 2805, it would be wise to make sure you have the microphone, because as you graduate to other receivers (that can handle HDMI etc [this one does not]), the microphone will add a nice selling point to a buyer.

My speakers are ACOUSTECH 5.1-CHANNEL LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM + I purchased two more additional, matching Acoustech surrounds to create a 7.1 system. I'm very satisfied and the speakers; the receiver and speaks compliment each other well and enhance a DVDs audio clarity. However, I'm finding that the speakers straight clarity hamper some buoyant warmth, except the bass woofer is fantastic. The speakers have a glowing review here:
http://www.audaud.com/audaud/MAR04/component/comp1.html
which inspired me to get them (as well as purchasing them at Costco for a good deal). The speaker set up can be very detailed with this receiver. And most of it is utilized through a very convenient on-screen feature.

Back to the receiver, the options are loaded including 7.1 pre-out jacks, 100 watts per channel (it will blow the roof off) and the ability to hook up a phonograph (I don't) as well as more features noted here:
http://usa.denon.com/AVR28053ProductSheet.pdf

The receiver is very fun to mess around with because of all the settings. One thing that is terrific is that the receiver's front display shows, on the left, the type of audio input from the source ("input signal channel indicator ") 5.1 will show the five speakers, 2.0 stereo will show two speakers, etc. Then on the right of the receiver's display it will show what speakers the sound will emit to ("output signal channel indicator "). So you know exactly what is going on at a glance.

I frequently use Dolby Pro Logic® IIx (which provides 7.1 channels) with cable TV shows. The Cinema mode of Dolby Pro Logic® IIx is very nice. And the Music mode of Dolby Pro Logic® IIx is wonderful and expansive with music on TV such as concerts. The same goes for using the DTS Neo modes.

There are still many things I haven't investigated and certainly lack understanding such as the EQ settings, multi-room use (if you use 5.1 speakers and use the remaining two speakers for another room), and video up conversions. Also, I use it maybe a couple of hours ever few days, so I don't run it hard, and I've never had one problem with it.

The introduction of high definition and HDMI connectivity has quickly made this receiver less relevant and, thus, the price has been reduced on eBay and the overall marketplace. And that is certainly fair.

If you are still waiting for quality HDMI receivers to decrease in price or are waiting for HDMI advances, it's hard to go wrong with this intermediate, non-HDMI 7.1 receiver in the meantime (also called the 985) if you can get it for around $150-200 bucks, at this time.

For an example, any of the three Lord of the Rings Extended DVDs in DTS-ES 6.1 Discreet sounds breathtaking.

But because this receiver is right at the cusp of utilizing HDMI but does not employ HDMI nor the latest lossless sound processes, I can't give the 2805 a 5 star rating, which I would have back in 2004. HDMI is proving to be necessarily relevant with the advent of high definition in today's home theaters, as well as the release of Dolby True-HD and DTS-HD Master Audio that is becoming available, which the Denon 2805 doesn't support.

But for what it does, it's enjoyably excellent.

Customer Service

Not used so far.

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Teac Dolby Digital receiver