Price Paid:  $490.00 from Etronics

Summary:
I like this receiver. But first let me address the wattage bit, it's just becoming completely irrelvant. This thing is right around as loud as the Yamaha HTR5560 rated at 75w@ohms (110w@6ohms) which in turn is about as loud as my HTR5250 which is rated 100w@8ohms. It is all brand/price dependant. If it is more expensive it will be louder than a cheaper model with the same feature set no matter what watts. This baby has plenty of power, yes it will seem that you have it up a little high, but keep in mind that with a digital volume unit, you are simply limited to its guranteed "clean and safe" range. (Just to contrast my HTR-5250 has an analog volume control that you are not supposed to dial past halfway....but you can if you dare..sort of like overclocking a computer component)So even though my 5250 was technically only on 3.5, really it was on 8. See what I mean? Anyhow, this is a very good receiver, although I have heard good things about Harman Kardon, I am going to stick with my Denon. Feature wise it has just about anything you want in its price class: True DTS 6.1 discrete decoding, DTS neo 6, adjustable crossover, memory for specfic input settings etc.. Another cool feature is a proprietary 6.1 non matrixed feature. This is what you want to use for, say, a 4.1 mix (yes they are our there, Big Trouble In Little China, is 4.1, correctly listed as such under the DTS tagline but incorrectly listed as 5.1 under the dolby digital tag; also, most older originally Pro Logic movies are essentially mixed to a 4.1 mix as there is not much that they can do with that mono rear channel) In this case, a normal 6.1 matrix would suck all the sound of the surrounds and stick it all in the center rear channel, not what you want. But, aha, the 6.1 non-matrix basically gives you a full 3 channel mono surround, thus giving you real and true surround sound. Just a little nugget on a special little feature it has. This comment is not specific to the AVR982(the Yamaha HTR-5560 was also excellent) but Dolby Pro Logic II is outstanding. I just didn't figure it would sound head and shoulders above original Pro Logic. It comes close to 5.1 digital quality sound given the right source. Amazing. My only gripes are a single coax input (an alarming trend in all recent receivers so I can't slam them alone for this) and that nearly all parameters have to be set with onscre

Strengths:
Features, Sound, power, cool propriety Denon stuff.

Weaknesses:
1 coaxial in, limited front panel display functionality. Wide remote.

Similar Products Used:
Technics Pro logic, Pioneer 70 and 100 watt 5.1 models, Yamaha 5240 and 5250, Denon AVR982.

Price Paid:  $520.00 from www.nxgen.com

Summary:
Even though it''s rated at 90 watts/ch @8 ohms(135 @6 ohms), it still gets very loud and sounds excellent. It blows away the 100 watt/ch Sony str-de915 it replaced. Everything is much clearer. The dolby digital and dts really makes movies stand out. I heard sounds I didn''t hear with the sony receiver. Set up wasn''t bad. My brother has an Integra dtr-7.2 and it was a much longer process to set up.

Strengths:
Great receiver for the price. Excellent sound quality.

Weaknesses:
Remote should have been backlit and no slide swithces.

Similar Products Used:
Sony str-de915

Price Paid:  $799.00 from MLTV

Summary:
This is an unbelievable A/V receiver. When listening to a DVD movie the steering of the surround sound much better than my sony STRDB940. The onscreen display allows you to change the surround sound parameters on the TV. through a video or s-video cable. This allows you to adjust while you are watching a movie to get more bass or more center, etc. The personal memory plus alos allows me to switch between the different inputs and i have different preset volumes for each inputs. The Denon receiver remembers the presets that you have selected. The assignable digital inputs also allow you to assign a digital input to any onf the inputs such as CD, DVD, Video, Etc. I would recommend this receiver for anyone serious about home theater. If you are looking for something a little less serious for home theater, look at the Denon AVR982.

Strengths:
The Onscreen Display, Personal Memory Plus, 6.1 Decoding, 7.1 channel Capability, Assignable Digital Inputs

Weaknesses:
Onscreen Display Doesn''''t work on Component Video, can''''t change the tuner channels from the fron of the unit, must be done by the remote.

Similar Products Used:
Sony STR-DB940, Sony STR-DB1040

Price Paid:  $0.00 from N/A

Summary:
What the original poster in this thread indicated is only partially true. The difference between the receivers is only the number printed on the front display panel. In the back, you can select the impedence for the speakers (6 Ohm / 8 Ohm) depending on the speakers you are using. The 982 is marketed at 6 Ohms so the wattage looks more "impressive" to the unsuspecting buyer when comparing the unit to others. Also, the 982 is marketed for "mass marketers" (e.g. Sears) as opposed to audio specialty shops.

Strengths:
Denon quality at a more affordable price.

Weaknesses:
Are there any?

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer, JVC, etc.

Price Paid:  $519.00 from etronics.com

Summary:
Ok, I haven''t actually bought this receiver, but I''m gonna pick up the Denon AVR2802 instead. I just wanted to let anyone who is looking at this receiver know what the difference is. I spent a good hour trying to find a difference between the 982 and 2802, and finally I noticed that the 982 is 135 Watts into 6 Ohm only, whereas the 2802 is 90 Watts into 8 Ohm and 135 Watts into 6 Ohm. Having discovered this, I decided the 2802 would better suit my needs (I don''t have 6 Ohm speakers to match the 982). Just trying to clear up any confusion for other shoppers.

Strengths:
From everything I''ve read, the AVR 2802 will be great. The AVR 982 is identical in almost every way

Weaknesses:
Nothing really, but make sure you have 6 Ohm speakers before considering purchase

Similar Products Used:
Denon 2802, Onkyo 797, Onkyo 696, Harman\Kardon AVR 520