Price Paid:  $300.00 from Crutchfield

Summary:
I used ths unit for a little under two years total. After 20 months, the unit failed and was sent to a Denon super service center and given a clean bill of health. Then, just after the warranty expired, the unit failed again. I wrote to Denon, but I have not heard from them for many weeks since. It was disappointing, since the Denon name was known for above-average quality. That may no longer be the case in the age of mass overseas production. The unit does have a strong amplifier and satisying sound quality. It's not "high end" by any means. The unit does not have an adjustable preamp section. The "multi-room" signal level can not be adjusted.
I thought the product would last a lot longer...

Strengths:
Strong Amp. Functional loudness button.

Weaknesses:
Broke down twice in under two years. Does not have an actual preamp section. Poor customer service. Still waiting.

Similar Products Used:
Onkyo and Yamaha receivers

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Diamond Vision Mexic

Summary:
I first used it in my restaurant as a receiver/amp to creat ambient. It worked just great as low volume and high volume usign 3 pairs of Bose 201 speakers. And then I took it to my home and connected it with same pair of Bose speakers and one Polk subwoofer and it sounds like a music hall, and also added a pair of onkyo speakers to use them on second zone.

Strengths:
It's really good stereo receiver to use with everything stereo, music or video.
Its Loudness features increase the bass and treble imaging.
Really easy to use.
It was not expensive as others that I tried.

Weaknesses:
The Loudness function may over sound with some music records.
I think it has limits to surround the sound.
It's not an A/V receiver... Well, I wish a same quality A/V receiver at same price...

Similar Products Used:
Many from Onkyo, Denon and Sony.

Price Paid:  $349.00 from Freds -Portland Or.

Summary:
Quiet power,superior switches & controls,very realistic & clean sound. This unit is a steal for the price as it has a heavier amp. section than other similar receivers. needs the powererd subwoofer, high end connects like Tara Labs (also high end cables)ans a dedicated 20 amp 120 volt PS Audio receptacle($50.00)add good speakers to this combination and you will feel like you"re sitting with the Orchestra or Band. It needs these things to become
a superstar in Audio under $1000.00

Strengths:
all the features of much higher end systems with clear imaging & punch

Weaknesses:
The remote - No cd on switch if you want to mate this with a Good Denon Sacd or Hdcd Player as I did- put on gold outlets and a detachable power cord and you can die owning this product.

Similar Products Used:
Marantz- Kenwood

Price Paid:  $370.00 from Ovation Audio Video

Summary:
I use this amplifier to drive the excellent Energy Veritas bookshelf speakers.At first I was satisfied with the sound quality until I noticed that there was not enough bass in the sound so I decided to turn on the Loudness feature but there was just too much coloration in the music(for my taste),my speakers are supposed to go down to about 50 Hz in my room but it did not sound like that unless the Loudness was on.I believe you will be more satisfied if you use a powered subwoofer which I am not planning to buy.Please save up some money and buy or audition a Rotel integrated amplifier(You will get a more natural and detailed sound).Good luck.

Strengths:
Decent sound if you use a powered subwoofer with it.Decent tuner,phono input,high current design?.

Weaknesses:
Not enough bass,not very detailed,fixed power cord,it seems to have more less power than my 60 W Rotel amp.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer.Yamaha.Audio Source.Rotel.B&K components.

Price Paid:  $160.00 from ecost.com

Summary:
I bought this receiver as a back up to my beloved but unreliable Eico HF81 tube amp. When I first hooked it up it sounded bright, etched, cold, and very two-dimensional. After two weeks of CD burn in, the receiver transformed. Now the sound is open and detailed with excellent imaging and soundstaging. In fact, it betters my reference tube amp in those categories. Unfortunately, it's not nearly as warm and involving as the tube amp but nothing is. The phono stage is detailed and quiet and my favorite feature of this receiver. I would definately consider this receiver if shopping for an inexpensive audiophile integrated. It sounds way better than it should. Just be sure to give it two weeks to burn in or forget it.

Strengths:
Highly detailed
Excellent Imaging and Soundstaging
Excellent phono stage
Flexible design

Weaknesses:
Could use some warmth and texture - it's no tube amp.

Similar Products Used:
Eico HF81 tube integrated - my reference