I just picked this receiver up today and so far so good. It has very crisp sound, albeit without the extra 10 watts/channel you get from the AVR-2700. The only difference between this and the AVR-2700 is 10 watts/channel and S-video inputs. For $200 less, I chose this model. Since I have a DSS receiver, I just run my S-video straight from the unit to the AVR-1700. And as for the 10 watts per channel, I'm just building my system, so by the time I have enough money to get all the speakers I want, I will just buy an amp to add-on. I'm very pleased with the current output.
I will follow-up after I get to really put it through some movies and favorite CD's of mine. But so far, I would highly recommend this unit to someone wanting to go digital without mortgaging the house or settling for lesser quality.

This receiver is actually my first 'major' receiver I've ever bought (used to have just mini systems). The 1700 altho released in Canada, has made it's way down here to the US I guess. I bought one new recently US $500 (see rest of system), after spending a couple days wandering around in specialty stores, soaking up knowledge online from everything.
It's AC.3 ready, 70w*5, 3 dig in(1 opt), 9 audio/4 video inputs, has the special Denon 5-channel stereo (very nice!), the same 24-bit/96khZ DAC's on their high-end receivers, DDSC-Digital. It does NOT have: on screen, higher output (70x5), S-inputs, but, is of course cheaper.

I've hooked it up to a Pioneer 414 DVD/CD, Paradigm PDR-10 sub, NHT SuperZero's FL, FR, SL, SR, and have a NHT VS1.2a Center (Monster cables/interconnects). All together for just <$2,000.

And I tell you, I love it, for being our first Home Theater. We really use the 5-channel a lot for music, but basically after going through and looking at what we could have gotten (for more money), and what friends have, we're very satisfied, and most everyone else has come over and said it's incredible.
If you're looking for a good starter set, or something that'll just do Dolby Digital (and still upgradable to DTS if that ever really comes out good),
I don't think you can find a better combination of AVR, Speakers or DVD for the price, but if you do, let me know so I can think about my next purchase.

I had a JVC 884 Digital Dolby receiver and was generally satisfied with it. It was a satisfactory unit as long as I didn't audition it to any other receivers with my system. That is until I got the Denon. Previous to the JVC I had an Onkyo, which was only a stereo receiver.
What a difference in comparison to the Denon (Can't compare to the Onkyo as my system was changed at the same time the Onkyo was). The bass is so much better. Previously I thought my speakers, Mirage FRx-Threes were a little bass shy. Was I wrong. The JVC just can't deliver the current to these speakers that the Denon can, although the JVC is rated for 4 ohms. Whereas I previously set my subwoofer to a crossover of 100Hz now I have it set to 50Hz. All watts are not created equal.

As for the midrange and high end, no comparison. The Denon is sweet while the JVC isn't. You can hear so much more into the music with the Denon.

Now for some points on the Denon. I notice that it sends slightly different signals to the subwoofer through the subwoofer output when it is in digital versus analog, for example DVD and CD. I have a 24-bit DVD player that only sends downmixed 16-bit digital stream through its digital output, if it is not a Dolby Digital signal, thus I prefer to listen to music through its analog outputs using its D/A converters which are the same as the Panasonic 310 and the Panasonic portable DVD player. These D/A converters have gotten received reviews by the way. I don't like the differences in the subwoofer signals as it makes setting up the sub very difficult.

One thing I do like is that in Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic the unit adjusts the subwoofer output to increase the signal strength in the lower octaves, thereby increasing oomph and ensuring that the LFE effect is about 4-6 dBs above the levels for the other channels. Also, for Dolby calibration just set the receiver's volume to 0 and use the internal test tones to set the speakers. The set up for delays is almost idiot proof. Just set up the distances from the listening position to the speakers. Only problem is that if you choose no centre then you can't choose no surrounds. Not a major problem.

As for DSP, there really is nothing to say. The 5 channel stereo is interesting although it is too loud from the rears with really no way to change the relative speaker levels for this mode. I find Matrix to be more interesting.

For $800 CDN it is a very good buy. It comes with 6 channel discrete input, Dolby Digital, pre-outs for the fronts, centre and subwoofer, facilities for bi-wiring the front and centre speakers, and a tape-monitor loop.

And best of all - Great Sound.

My valuation of the receiver was done in the following system:

Mirage FRx-Threes
Mirage FRx-Centre
Energy e:XL-Rs
Energy ES-8 MkII subwoofer
ProScan PS8610P (same as the Panasonic DVD-A310 except $100 cheaper, and the
same as the RCA RC5510P, except for $100 more you get Monster
Cables for the video (RCA and S-Video) and audio connections)
Sony MDP-333 Laserdisc player

am looking for some paradigms and a receiver. the dealer packaged them with the denon 1700... it was more money than the yamaha 595 i was looking at but wthe two seemed to be quite similar. think i will get the 595 yamaha instead but the guy gave me a pretty good price in canadian dollars...
DENON 1700 retail 999 sale 775 buy floor model 10% more off...
MONITOR 9s retail 849 sale 725 buy floor model 10% more off...
MONITOR 7s retail 729 sale 609 buy floor model 10% more off...
CC170 .... retail 249 sale 209 no floor model to buy.

so not bad prices but what is up with that REMOTE on the denon 1700... god that's the only... granted STUPIDEST thing that's bugging me about this receiver. what does everyone else think of that big flap covering the left side of the remote?? is it akward to use? how bout otherwise?

2 star because of price and remote... sound quality was good tho

I have had my AVR-1700 now for about 2 weeks and it sounds GREAT! As a former Nak owner I strongly recommend this Denon. I bought mine at United Audio for $475.
The ability of the Denon to produce "floating stereo" (stereo front and rear) is a rarety for a receiver in this class. It sounds very, very clean!

I had this unit for a month. I really enjoy its performance.one problem that I found is that my receiver turns hot...even I spent only 30 minutes watching movie or listen to the music.

Is anybody have the same problem like me..or any suggestion.

anyway, it's great unit

It's an excellent receiver in its class. The circuitry is very clean, even better than the much more expensive Harman Kardon AVR-85. HK makes pop sound when you change volume when the Denon is very quite. The only deficiency I see in this receiver is the lack of S-Video connectors. I still give it a 5 stars all things considered.

A great sounding receiver for its price. I bought mine used for $500 Canadian. I have it set up with Mission 734 mains, a Mission AS-1 sub, and some crappy homemade surround and centre channel speakers. The sound is quite clean compared to my old Technics receiver. Having the 5-channel equal power really adds to the realism of the various surround effects.I hope to get a DVD soon so I can test out Dolby Digital.

The only problems I found were:
- absence of a balance control dial
- complicated remote control

I got my first system a month ago and the 1700 is the powerhouse. I have it running Cerwin-Vega 12"s and it sounds very good. 70 watts may seem small, but it is RMS power not peak and it pushes the 12s just fine! Its crisp, clear and I'm very happy with it for $480 US. I was a little concerned about the brand, I hadn't heard of DENON before but a friend assured me of the quality.

I have recently purchased the 1700. I find that is very easy to like. The D/A converters sound better than by older Rotel. Setup is easy. I like the three digital inputs. However, I would have prefered all three to be coxial. I have all Klipsch speakers except the subwoofer.Front - Cornwalls
Center - KV-3
Rear - Hearasy II
Subwoofer - Paradigm PW-2200

I would have liked to have S-VHS switching.

Overall a very good reciever for the price. I paid $300 via the internet.