Clarity

few...but manual sucks and remote should have a video select function so you can listen to cd and watch tv without having to go the front panel...minor quibble

Response to the guy who posted the one-star review. Thats pretty pathetic...come on, 1 star. He must be correct and 88 others wrong i guess. Just ignore him and buy it. I have never been able to reach the max output of this thing in my very, very large cathedral ceiling living room.

Similar Products Used:

Sony ES, Yamaha, Denon 4800

This product is an extremely good value.

This is simply a response for the previous reviewer. Do you honestly think this product is the absolute worst you can purchase? That is what a 1 rating means. If you don't think a 38 pund reciver is well built, don't buy it. Have you even listened to the product. I can tell you that I have owned it for several months and it is a much better sounding unit than the Marantz or Harmon Kardon models. I will give you credit for mentioning NAD.

Please don't deter people from this unit because you are a spec freak. Post your reviews under the products you have taken time to audition and go back to counting watts.

Similar Products Used:

Just about every major brand

big power, quality build

No front panel inputs. Remote only works for 1/2 of my components.

I just purchased a whole new home theater and was really looking for a good unit to power it. I was thinking about the 3300, but some of the reviews on this site made me think twice.

I needed component video switching, so that alone puts you into the $1000 range. I've been running this for about two months and am very pleased. Tons of power. Very clean. I've been running most HT on it, which is awesome. I was watching U-571 last night and I seriously was worried about the windows. Probably has a lot to do with my 12" sub, but I don't think I'm even making the 3801 work up a sweat. DTS DVDs are fantastic.

Operating the unit from the remote is quite easy. Trying to operate it from the front panel, however, is rather confusing. The few times I've tried I end up using the remote. I also wish there were front panel inputs, which seem to be standard on all other receivers in this price range.

Speaking of the remote, it's okay, but I'm thinking about moving to a pronto or someting like that. I can't get all of the functions I need on this remote, so I still have three to deal with. If I'm not home, my wife has a hard time getting it all to work.

As many people have said, the manual could be more intuitive. I would expect that soon they should have CD-ROM or DVD owners manuals.

I went back and forth about buying it online. I looked all over Seatle and the lowest price on this was about $1050. So I bought it online and got the 5 year extended warranty. I figure I've covered that way. Overall the customer service is a little weak, but you buy online to save money, which I did.

my system:

Denon 3801
Pioneer Elite DV-c36 5 DVD changer
Sony CDP 910 CD changer
Mits WT-46807 HD TV
Mits SR-SD1 Satellite receiver (the HD receiver is on order)
Monster Power Center HT53500
Edge Audio 5.1 Speaker System
All monster cables

Similar Products Used:

I've used an old HK for the past 10 years. For this purchase, I looked at Onkyo, HK, Yamaha and Sony.

Very detailed sound, SHARC processor, flexibility to assign different speaker levels to different DSP if needed

Manual (would have been difficult to set up if I were not used to AV gear)

Am the happy owner of the 3801 since two weeks, but have not tried everything.Have been using Sony ES receivers for the past 4-5 years and was thinking to purchase the V555ES when I came across the 3801 on audioreview.com (Thank you so much Ms Nomey).After having read ALL the reviews on the unit, decided to purchase it on an overseas trip.
Hooking up was easy (used to that sort of thing), but was not happy about the level set up after having used the receiver's test tone.Since my home theater area is quite a small one (part of my lounge), I ended up with levels like -12dB on most of the speakers - the 3801 sets the volume automatically to 0 when emitting the pink noise.Then used the AVIA test DVD and got more coherent figures.Volume was set to -15 and reference left front speaker was calibrated with SPL meter to 75dB.
Tried Air Force One (DD) & Gladiator (DTS) and discovered new details that I did not hear on my Sony DA50ES.Still using 5.1 speakers, will add surround backs at a later stage.
Dave Grusin Migration CD when played in direct mode and SW off was realy gorgeous, must try all my other CD's.
To be quite frank, have not got the time to try the other features and DSP's, only used normal DD and DTS surround.
What I can say is that the Denon 3801 is a marvellous unit, and I'm keen to watch again all my DVD collection (nearly 200 now) on this unit.
Will post a new review in a few weeks time, when I'll have tried all the other features and the other DSP's.
A big thank you to all of those who have posted reviews on the 3801 (even the negative posts), it has helped me a lot to make my purchase decision.

Similar Products Used:

Sony receivers

Excellent quality for both CD Music and surround theater. Best value available in the under $2000 category in my opinion

A few missing features: firewire, thx certification, flash memory for upgrades - and yes, the remote and manual could be better

Had been researching new receivers for a couple months after my Onkyo died on me (after only one year and they wouldn't honor the online retailer). The speakers where an easy decision but I agonized over the receiver and did comparisons to the point of obsession.

I never really liked my Onkyo so I stayed away from them. I was comparing the Marantz SR-18EX, Yamaha VRX3000 and the Denon 3801 (the 5800 was out of my price range and the 4800 hasn't been updated in a little while so I was skeptical).

The Marantz had a slight advantage in reproducing CD Music but when comparing the three for Theater surround, the Denon seemed just as good if not better than the Marantz. Overall, I just wasn't very impressed with the Yamaha in either category. Maybe the Yamaha just wasn't matched well with the Mirage speakers. So in the end, I couldn't really justify the extra $600 for the Marantz and I went with the Denon. So far I have been very happy with the receiver and thrilled with my decision. The sound produced is warm, well balanced and amazingly accurate. I'd recommend them highly unless you have an extra 2grand+ around to buy the 5800 or separates.

I went with Crazy Eddies against my better judgement and wasn't really impressed with their packaging and shipping procedures. No foam?!!? But I guess they got it to me and it works. Just pay the extra $100 and buy it local.


Fronts: OM-R5
Center: OM-3C
Surround: OM-R2
Sub: REL Strata3c

Similar Products Used:

TX-DS777

SHARC Processor, 7 Channel Amplification, Future Format capability, Remote

instruction manual

I just purchased the AVR 3801 Receiver last week. I had previously reviewed the AVR 5800, but decided I didn't want to spend the money for the Aktis Remote and THX-Ultra classification. I have never been happier with a reciever as much as I am now. First off, this isn't a light piece of audio/video equipment, with 7 channel amplification, this weighs in around 46 pounds. Hooking this up was a snap(from previous experience with A/V gear), except I thought that the instruction manual was pretty confusing for someone who wasn't as knowledgeable. Once everything was up and running, I chose 'Gladiator' to "christen" the new system. The Auto DSP function recognized the Dolby Digital DTS Discete 6.1 within seconds and I was in heaven. If you haven't heard a system with a rear center surround, you're truely missing out on a great theater experience. The clarity of the amplification was stellar and was very crisp and clean over all speakers. When listening to Satellite television, the DTS Neo 6 sounds great for watching all types of movies, sports, and network TV stations. You can really take advantage of all speakers when listening to relatively anything. When listening to music, I would suggest using the 6 Channel Stereo, it creates a spatious sound that hits you from all angles and totally engulfs you into the song. I had previously heard the AVR 5800 at Cedia 2000 last year, and as far as I was concerned, it was the best. I would say that the 3801 was as close to the 5800 as possible without spending over $2000. In my opinion, this receiver is the best thing I've heard at this price range in a long time. If you are totally mindset on going with the THX-EX/Ultra classification, then buy the 5800. In my opinion, if you don't have a THX "certified" theater room that adhere's to all the stringent requirements, go with the 3801. It is well worth the money! By the way, the Aktis remote rocks!, I'll be looking to purchase it soon for my 3801. For anyone interested, my current setup includes:

Denon AVR 3801 A/V Receiver
Sony DVP-S360 DVD player (no need for the onboard decoder)
Sony SLV-N60 VCR
RCA Direct TV Satellite Reciever (DD 5.1)
Hitachi 50" Ultravision Projection TV
Paradigm R,L,C - Monitor 7, CC300 (center)
Boston Acoustics PV600 Subwoofer
Polk Bipole/Dipole Surround R & L
Polk Center Surround

Excellent 7.1 Digital/DTS-ES for movies, and 5-channel stereo for music. Backlight on remote, and all banana plugs!

Manual is not clear, heavy power supply, and not able to view setup menu while watching a movie.

Run to the store. Ask for it by name. Pay with your VISA. Leave store. Hook it up. Grin from ear to ear. Yes, it's a heavy weight but it sings like an angel. Inputs for phono, CD, tape, VDP, DVD, VCR, TV. One optical output for recording CDs to a MD recorder. The remote is really cool with the blue light and tiny display. However, the display doesn't show any useful information except for which device you have selected. The setup menus are not intuitive, and navigating them can get tricky. Well that's it for now, I've got to get back to watching more movies!!

Similar Products Used:

Sony Dolby Pro-Logic receiver, Pioneer 409 Digital/DTS receiver

grat dynamics,for such a low priced receiver

remote sucks,replaced with the pronto!

Love the warm sound this reciever produces.Listened to some yamaha as well but they seemed a tad bright to my ears.Obviously people that say this receiver is bright have never listened to Yamaha.Has plenty of power to fill my 25 by 15 room at very loud levels.The wattage rating is overated at 105x7,but i dont care because it is very loud regardless.I wanted to get the 5800 but it was to much money at the time.For the money you cant go wrong.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha

Beautiful sound. My 15 year old Polk speakers never sounded this good with my 8 year old Sony ES.

Can't control my Sony CD player with remote, but all other Sony equip is controllable. SEE REVIEW FOR HELP from 3801 owners.

My family and I were blown away by the awesome sound we now have in our home. For those looking to upgrade from an old Pro-logic receiver, this is the way to go.

HELP: I have connected my Sony 550D DVD player (DTS decoder included) to the 3801 using a digital coaxial cable. When playing a DTS DVD, I would expect the DTS light to illuminate on the 3801. When playing DD DVD, I would expect the DD light to illuminate on the 3801. IT DOESN'T. The "Lock" light illuminates.

How do I know if I'm hearing true DTS? I do hear separation in the rear surrounds, so I know I'm getting 5.1.

Thanks to this board for helping me narrow down my selection!

Similar Products Used:

Sony GX80ES

Basically everything you need for state of the art surround sound technology.

Haven't found any.

I wanted to ask another question...When you play a Dolby Digital Surround EX encoded DVD, does the signal detect light indicator come on? Or does the Surround EX format not send a flag signal? Do you have to set the Dts/es Source Auto to off, and choose 6.1 surround?....If you set Dts/es source auto to on...and put non flag source to 7 ch, is that the same as when it is set to off and in 6.1 surround?