5 Channel Stereo Mode
Dolby Digital
Warm Overall Sound

Poor Headphone Amp Section
No DTS

I purchased this receiver over a year ago when I was looking to upgrade my Technics Dolby Pro Logic receiver with a Dolby Digital one. I auditioned it with some Yamaha receivers and found it had a warmer sound which I like. I found the Yamaha receivers to sound brighter. I've used this receiver for over a year now and use it mostly in Dolby Digital mode while watching DVD movies. I use the Energy Take 5 speaker system and a Yamaha subwoofer. I think this system sounds terrific with movies. I also listen to 5 Channel Stereo mode with CDs which gives it a fuller overall sound. I don't find any need to adjust the tone controls.

The only bad thing I found out about this receiver is that it has a very poor quality headphone amp section so I use an external headphone amp. Overall though, I think this is a very good receiver and will audition other Denon receivers when I upgrade.

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Technics
Pioneer

Good Workmanship
Extremely High S/N Ratio on digital Inputs
Learning Remote

Audio Quality (2-Channel) So-So
No Balance Knob on chassis
No Speaker on/off on chassis (remote)
Remote Control layout is awful

I got the AVR-1700 for 300 from a local store (demo). As far as being a control center for an A/V setup, it works very well. It has most of the features necessary for that (except S-Video inputs) Amazingly enough it still has a phono input also. In listening tests with the former listed receivers/amps, I found the sound quality on the AVR-1700 to be the least lifelike. The Soundstage was not nearly as well defined as the Nak or Arcam, and instruments sounded the least lifelike. Since I use it mainly for two channel stereo and occasional movies, I chose to return it and replace it with the Nak as it sounded a great deal better.

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Nakamichi AV-7
Arcam Delta 290
H/K AV-5

Solid build, great sound, reliable

Manual and remote are not user-friendly

I wanted to improve my HT and after researching a bit I found a demo at Good Guys for $240. I bought it without having any previous experience with Denon products. I had just read good reviews about them.
Well, I was really surprised at how a good receiver can improve your overall HT setup and listening experience.
With my old Sony receiver I used an equalizer to revive some frequencies that the system was not able to reproduce.
Well, with the Denon receiver I do not need an equalizer, I am able to hear a lot of detail that it wasn't there before with the Sony. The sound is precise and warm. I was kind of worried about the receiver having only 70 watts per channel as opposed to the Sony ( 100 / per channel ) but I found that I have enough power to drive my speakers and since I do not have a huge listening room, I feel that this is enought for me.
Of course, I recommend this receiver to anyone who wants to enjoy good sound without spending a lot of money.
I understand that this model is being discontinued and replaced with the 1800 but you can still find some new boxes at discount prices. Good Guys still have some. Good luck.

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Sony 525

Excellent build quality, clear sound, good features.

Lack of S-Video input/output.

I just purchased a demo from Good Guys for $294 plus tax. I must say this is a beautiful product. I currently only have two speakers (waiting for the surrounds) but I plan to run the fronts including the center through my H/K PA58000 amp and run the surrounds with the Denon. As far as musicality is concerned, this is a great receiver with the build quality that Denon is known for. If you can find a demo I highly recommend this unit!

Solid, quality construction

I bought the 1700 based upon reviews of it and similar receivers that I read on this site. I have yet to be let down by this. I have found the sound to be all that I had hoped with one exception: bass. I am not sure whether this is due to the receiver or the speakers (Paradigm Phantoms) (no sub - yet).

I have found set-up and the remote to be reasonable. Some have complained, but with the manual, setting up and learning to use the remote where no problem at all.

Back to the sound, I am not a "power" user, but even my wife said she could hear a difference in direct comparison with my old JVC receiver, not that it was much of a contest. But it *is* good enough that even she could tell the difference and she admits to almost never hearing the differences in receivers and such.

Value
Good Sound
Quality DD decoding with no errors

Low power
Some audible distortion run at reference volume.

I've cozyed up to this unit for a while. I got mine on ubid.com for around $250. It was a new unit, but had a slightly tilted display.. It's temporary for me as I build a more capable system, so I don't mind. After using it primarily for movies, but some for 2 channel cd, I find it to be quite capable. I've not had _any_ DolbyDigital decoding errors yet, even with some mentioned problem discs. I use the digital input with 2 channel cd as well, and find the DAC's as good as anything else I've used so far. There are a few minor problems.. some low level hum when at full volume. I also find that extreme peaks have some audible distortion on them. But, I'm using 6 ohm speakers, so with an 8 ohm load, it probibly wouldn't be noticeable. Overall, I'd say this is a great unit, good value, solid construction. My only real dislikes is being forced to often flip through all the DSP modes to go between stereo and prologic/DD (I never use the dsp effect modes).

The AVR1700 is a great unit with all the features most would need.Sound is excellent and 5 channel is my favourite.Digital out makes a huge improvement and the 70watts is plenty for most rooms but the 1700 has pre outs for the 3 fronts.I have a Denon CD360 and Krix Lyrix mains with Krix KDX surrounds,together the work a treat.

Dolby Digital,DDSC Digital, excellent sound clarity.

Lack of SVIDEO I/O's,DTS Decoding and an AC3 RF Demodulator.

I bought the reciever at a pawn shop for 300 bucks, and every since ive owned it, it has done nothing but serve me well. It has good 5.1 surround, and even though the Bi Wire feature is just a dup. of the other channels, its still a cool feature cause you can have 8 speakers running great digital surround. It makes a great tool for home theater and media work as well for connection to a computers sound card.

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N/A

Has anyone purchased this receiver? From what I can gather, it was introduced in Canada about 4 weeks ago at a list of $999. It seems to be one step down from the AVR-2700, with less power and no S-Video inputs (70 watts x 5). The Denon web site goes on about "24bit/96kHz Burr-Brown D/A audio converters on all channels". What is that about? Any reports or reviews out there?

I purchased this receiver for 840$ cad (before tax). The receiver sounds very clear especially with music cds. However, I feel that it may be a bit low in dynamic headroom for movies ie 70 w/channel . I do not have DVD yet, and I used it just strictly prologic mode. I can detect some minor distortion when I played movies on the VCR. But may be this is not the receiver problem but rather VCR related issues.
I wonder if I am better off purchasing the Yamaha RXV-793 or 595 instead. I would like to hear your opinion. I have about a week to make up my mind regarding the unit.

As for features, this unit is very nice 3 digital inputs, it has 2 VCR outputs
that you can use for recording. No S-video connection? Is this a major problem?

Thanks for your inputs