Price Paid:  $1560.00 from ebay

Summary:
I use to have the Denon AVR-3300 running a pair of Def Tech BP2006. I soon decided i wanted to upgrade to the avr-5800. After doing so i thought my reciever could sound so much better then what my speakers could offer. So i decided to upgrade my speakers to the new Def Tech BP7002. The sound i heard was amazing. I havnt heard such great sound since back when I use to always buy high end audio components. The people who bashed this reciever need eaither a better pair of speakers or a better pair of ears. You need sperares to sound this good.

Strengths:
Very big sound with great highs and lows although the highs tend to get bright at times ( only with bad recordings)

Weaknesses:
kind of harsh but i think im blaming that on my speakers.

Similar Products Used:
RX-V800, AVR-3300, Audio Research (this amp is out of the 5800s league.

Price Paid:  $2800.00 from Authorized Web B-sto

Summary:
I bought it for it's excellent video and audio processing, it really can't be beat for the money (yr 2003). Beautiful up-converting of VHS and S-video to component. The surround decoding covers all current (yr 2003) types and switching them for different movies based on preference is the way to go. We watch about 10 movies a week and I have found that there is more variation in DVD and CD recordings than in the sound differences between high end receivers. There is little a receiver can do to improve what the studio did to the sound. THX, DTS, Ultra, ES, dual DACs whatever, if the mix is poor they won't help. We have found that the simulated 7 channel surround is terrific on older material or bad Dolby 5.1 mixes. I would recommend the 5803 for anyone where $3-$4K is the most they can spend and want to get it at a local dealer. There are other values, Sunfire, Outlaw and others, but they can be harder to find. In the Onkyo, Yamaha etc. lines, Denon shines. There is a reason you see so many dealers using the 5803 to demo speakers.

Strengths:
Everything you need in one box (if that's for you).
I want to *stress* a point - without a proper room, *don't* spend big ($15k up) money on audio equipment. Without careful setup and *experimenting* for your room and speakers, your $ won't be well spent. Plan for a few weekends of a few hours each to get it the best it can be. My next upgrade is a new addition or house!

Weaknesses:
Speaker terminals are very poor quality. Manual is terrible so get some dealer help if you need it. Automatic room setup in newer receivers is *very* nice, the 5803 doesn't have it. The Atkis remote (RC-8000) has software to program it on your PC but it has downloading and programming problems. See http://www.remotecentral.com/ureview/25.htm or Google - Denon remote programming problems - for help.

Similar Products Used:
My system consists of:
Mains - Martin Logan ReQuests
Center - Martin Logan Theater
Sides - Martin Logan Sequel II
Rears - Martin Logan Arieus
Sub - Velodyne HGS-18
Projector - Sony VPL VW10HT
AV - Denon 5803
Sources - Sony DVD, CD, VHS, tape etc.
Screen - DayLite standard 7x10
Many acoustical room treatments
Video cable - Beldon 7710A (by Blue Jeans Cable)
Audio interconnect - Beldon 89259 w/Eichmann Bullet RCA (by Heartland Cable)
Spkr wire - Belden 8237 bi-wired

Price Paid:  $2500.00 from Secret :)

Summary:
After looking at many top notch AV receivers on the market. I chose this one for many reasons over the next. For one, the thing has every adjustable paramter avail. You can adjust each speaker to suit your room acoustics, including time delay, and tone, ie. cushy couches, off set centers, etc. This is amazing, the unit is built like a brick $hit house, And I liked that they offer an upgrade. Sedondly, It offers what they call PURE DIRECT, which shuts off all of the video switching and just has the shortest route to the speakers. Very nice feature. Besides having every available option that any home theater enthusiast would enjoy, THX-EX, DTS-ES, Wide, Cinema, etc., it also has offers an option for listening to every speaker. I mean why put those other speakers to rest when not watching movies? great for driving the neighbors crazy. It's not noisy and offers a host of other features to boot.
My system consists of:
Denon AVR-5800 (RECEIVER)
Denon DVD-3800 (DVD)
Denon POA-5200 (Second Room POWER)
Polk LS-90 (Second Room Speakers)
Sony CDP-79ES (5 Disc changer)
JVC TD-621 (3 Head Tape Deck I don't use)
JVC HR-D970U (Stereo VCR I don't use)
Samsung SIR-165 (Direct TV HDTV Receiver)
Monster Power HTS 2000 (Power Stabilizer)Monster Power HTS 5100 (Clean Power)
Monster Cable M-Series 2.4 (Biwire Cable)
Monster Cable M-Series (Inter connects)
Velodyne F15 (Subwoofer)
B&W Natulis 802 (Front Speakers) :)
B&W Natulis HTC1 (Center Channel) :)
Boston Acoustics (VRMX Sides) :)
Boston Acoustics Micro 90 (Rear) :)
Pioneer Elite PRO 720 (64" HDTV)
A very wonderful wife for allowing me to acquire all of these items.

Strengths:
Solid construction, digital card is upgradeable. Atkis RF remote for second room.

Weaknesses:
no 5 way biding posts, atkis remote is cheezy and you can't see the onscreen menu of the receiver when hooked up with Component video out. Also doesn't upconvert s-vid to component out like the newer 5803 does.

Similar Products Used:
Kenwood Stage 1 Seperates

Price Paid:  $2800.00 from ONLINE

Summary:
Ipurchased the Denon 5800 online when it first hit the market. It was great for the first year, everything the reviewers claimed it to be. After 13 monthes of enjoyment, functions started to go out. The volume control,input selector,and function control knobs on the receiver no longer worked. The same functions could still be controlled from the remote so I could still use it. Well, after 24 monthes of use, the wonderful remote has died, so now I have a 61 pound door stop. Denon will not warranty its products unless purchased from an authorized dealer. Regretfully, I was not aware of this when making the purchase two years ago. They did not have this information posted at that time. I would like to know how many others have had the same problem, if you have please send email.My address is listed in my profile. Thinking of starting a class action lawsuit. For all that have purchased from authorised dealers, I wish you the best and hope your 5800's last longer than mine did. It costs aprox. $100.00 to ship everytime it breaks.
Conclusion: If given the opportunity to go go back two years. I would have saved a few dollars more,waited a few more months and bought separates. Performance is superior and much more dependable. All the heat contained in one cabinet(receiver) cooks all the electronic components over time.

Strengths:
Performance is everything the reviewers claim it to be. Build quality looks good from outside the case.

Weaknesses:
The RC8000 remote is not user friendly compaired to a Pronto remote.The Atkis RC8000 product support online has an updated program for the remote. This download did not work for me. I spent the better part of a day reprograming, because everything I had stored had been lost. The 5800 was and is advertised as being upgradable. Denon forgot to mention the $800 upgrade price.What will next years upgrade cost? In my case, this $3000.00 plus receiver and remote did not outlast the warranty.

Similar Products Used:
Yamaha, Kenwood, both performed for many years.

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Price Paid:  $3500.00 from Tweeter

Summary:
My mother always told me that if you didn't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. But, that only pertained to people. This unit, alot like politics is a joke. You simply can't trust the decisions made by those in magazines. "Audiophiles." RIGHT! Let's call it paid advertisement. Folks, let's keep it real. I'm not hear to slander, i'm simply here to convey the truth. This unit's power isn't truthfully 170 watts. Give me a break. The lower end Onkyo models have better sonic quality. I've since moved this unit into our game room and am now using Integra's DTR-9.1. That's Innovation for you. This unit exceed's the expectation of man and women. This unit is sound both musically and in tune with the latest and greatest movie formats. Not to mention that Integra stands behind their products an their products are truthfully upgradeable. No disceptions alot like B&K's AVR 307. Sorry guys, it's another Tweeter product. Well, my beef isn't with them. They can't help what they sell. But Integra, is the truth. Without Question

Strengths:
Strengths, huh , It's strong enough to be used as an anchor for a 24 foot jet ski boat. Weighing in at 62 pounds. I have 5800 reasons why you shouldn't purchase this product. Go to Innovative Systems in Charlotte, North Carolina

Weaknesses:
Manufacturing Company

Similar Products Used:
Integra all the way!!

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