DTS-ES, DD-EX. Component in/out. 7.1 surround

remote (of course!)

Well, I have had my unit for about 2 months now and am totally thrilled with it. My old receiver was a low end Pioneer that had DD 5.1 and Pro-logic. No DTS on my old unit.

So, the first thing I do is get me some DTS and DTS-ES disks! The overall sound was overwhelming. Incredible from day one. Gladiator viewing was on hold until I received the unit and it was so unbelievable that my dog went nuts!

I am running this unit with the 7.1 setup. Fronts, Center, Sides and 2 rears. Very nice. I am using Bose 501's for the front, VS-10 for the center, and Model 100's for the surrounds. I know that many aren't fans of Bose but I like them very much and that is all that matters.

Another thing that is somewhat unrelated is that with this unit I can now do S-Video switching. My old Pioneer only had composite video in/outs.

I highly recommend this unit to anyone. The remote does suck. I recommend a good universal remote if you can find one to handle all your components. I have a Replaytv and finding a universal that handles that as well as my TV, AMP, DVD, VCR and CD player is proving difficult. Especially in a price range that I am comfortable with.

Similar Products Used:

None

Sound fidelity, DTS-ES.

Remote Control

I buy an AVR-3801 to replace my old Pionner pro-logic.
I use the Pionner with an equalizer to correct the response
and to get a better sound quality.
The first think that I do when I replace the old receiver was
turn off the equalizer (good-bye my old friend...).
The Denon's sound is pure, almost flat.
For the people that think Denon don't have a good bass, try
replace your speakers, maybe with another speakers you will
have a better bass.
I have five Polk Audio speakers 2 RT-16 (front) 2 M5 (rear) and
a CS-350 (central). I don't know that my RT-16 have a great bass
sound and so clear sound.

So, I think that Denon is the better receiver that exist.

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Pionner

Accurate, detailed sound

2-ch stereo is too weak

I bought this receiver one week ago and I'm very impressed with its accurate, detailed reproduction of my music CDs.
I could hear more details and actually noticed more musical instruments while playing. The overall sound quality from my (inexpensive) Klipsch SF2 speakers also improved greatly since I replaced my old Pioneer receiver with AVR 3801.
My dumb, slow Klipsch subwoofer even started sounding faster and accurate. I'm happy in every sense that I spent extra buck in upgrading my receiver.

However, I've noticed some weaknesses of AVR 3801, too.
As some reviewers already indicated, the receiver has a problem in reproducing a 2-channel stereo mode; the sound is simply too weak and dull. After I increased the volume knob significantly, the sound quality improved but still not satisfying. For HT enthusiasts, this receiver is a great choice with 6.1 or 7.1 capability, but for music purists, it is not really an ideal unit to recommend.

I know it sounds silly but, when compared with my old Pioneer receiver($300), Denon AVR 3801 is a much much superior product in terms of build quality and sound reproduction. Nevertheless, I think Pioneer is easier than Denon to crank up music, especially in 2-channel stereo.

By the way, many folks have complaints about Denon's poor manual and remote. I understand. However, for a person like me who speaks and reads English as a second language, the manual is easier to follow than other manuals from other companies. Perhaps, the manual was translated and written by a Japanese engineer, ha.

I'll go back and listen to AVR 3801 and will try to post more updates. Thank you.

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Pioneer VSX D608(very inexpensive)
Boston Acoustics separates

Future-proof A/V Receiver. Excellent value for money

Not THX (but so what?).

I think this is an excellent product. I have to disagree with the review by Mike T (but each to their own). I find that the "ordinary" two-channel stereo mode is excellent with CDs. Using this option with my Mission 782 front speakers delivers an astounding degree of clarity. All in all, then, I'd say that this is an excellent product for both cinephiles and audiophiles.

For movies, you should definitely take advantage of the option of adding an extra pair of surround speakers ("surround back"). This really adds to the experience of watching Dolby Digital 5.1 DVDs. I haven't yet tested DVDs with DTS ES Matrix or DTS ES Discrete coding, but can't wait to try. Also very good is the DTS Neo-6 option with ordinary stereo sources.

I'm not bothered by the fact that this receiver is not THX certified. So what? Neither is my living room! If you are thinking of buying this receiver, just do it! You won't regret it.

Very good sound quality, even in stereo & direct. Easy setup, remote with "teach-in".

None yet

After carefull setup (calibrating speaker levels -5.1- with a sound level meter) I did some listening tests, especially in the more conventional stereo & direct modes. Compared to the Yamaha and the Sony, which sounded more "technical" and sometimes even harsh the sound from the Denon was very "spacious", with very clean and sweet highs and a solid and warm base. Bass was tight and well controlled. The midrange was outstandig for a receiver of this price category, rivaling even some of the more expensive competition. The DSP modes are more subtle (listen to DTS:Neo Music) than those provided by the Yamaha and Sony, but the sound stage was very convincing lacking the artifical "blooming" and reverbration provided by the others. Picture quality (Y/C) connecting through the receivers switching board was excellent (Onkyo DVD 525), brilliance and resolution was outstanding without any added (visible) noise. I judge this as a bargain by its sonic value alone. Glad I listened before and bought it afterwards.

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Yamaha RXV-800, Sony STR-940

Great for DVD. Dolby digital and DTS perfomance is outstanding.

Terrible manual but with time you can figure stuff out. Awfull!!! two channel stereo mode.

This is my first A/V reciever and I think its great. Has outstanding power, features, and performance. The one flaw is its awfull stereo mode. I wanted to test some speakers doing a side by side comparison. So I set the reciever to stereo mode and the sound quality was teribble. The music was muffled and hollow sounding. But in 5&7 channel stereo and DTS Neo 6.1 music sounded great. So if you are a traditionalist and love 2 channel stereo sound this is definately not the reciever for you.

Best value for the money. It will matrix into 6.1 regardless of any audio format.

Poor manual. Only 105 watts per channel.

An outstanding value for the cost-stressed buyer (like most of us). The only drawback is that if you intend to listen to lots of music, a good amp for the front channels would be wise, because at only 105 watts, the sound quality tends to degrade the more the volume goes up. There are pre-outs for all channels, with adjustable pre-amp out levels. The on screen setup and component switching is excellent. There is NO better unit for under $1500 that even comes close to offering the same decoding and features. The only tip I have is, if you order from ETRONICS....the prices of shipping on thier site is inaccurate....they will hit you up for $59 ground UPS, and tell you that it is "double boxed" which it IS NOT. They shipped quickly but I didn't like being lied to. Also, make sure that you order from an autorized DENON dealer if it's online....otherwise they will not honor the factory warranty.

Happy hunting,
JC

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Onkyo and Yamaha RVX-1000

Well balanced, musical sound. Good quality construction.

yet to be discovered

After having posted before right after purchase I now had the time to evaluate the unit a bit more thoroughly.

Very quiet background, no nervousness whatsoever. Natural sounding without any "harsh" character especially the highs.

"Neo" DSP mode(s) enhance even plain old stereo without adding any artificial attributes to the music.

Very good detail and spaciousness with a natural "stage". Having owned a Yamaha 795 before I was astonished about the difference in timbre. The Yamaha sounded much more "technical", sometimes even harsh or scratchy. Even my Onkyo DVD player - already very good sounding beforehand - prospered from the 3801's D/A conversion.

This comes out much better than I anticipated.

great sound-easy to use

Remote a little lacking and manual could be better

Excellent receiver-I am very happy with this-had a yamaha and hated it-bought on line from www.acousticsounddesign.com-great service-immediate emails and had the product in a few days- highly recommend

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denon cd player

Surround sound, surround back,DTS-ES and NEO modes.
Sourround sound. DTS-ES and NEO modes. About everything

none for this price

After completing setup, I put in Gladiator and was blown away by the sound. Next night played Chicken Run and the oven firing up in the pie machine up was intense.I now am looking for more DTS-ES encoded movies to buy, glad that list is growing. Even playing dolby Digital movies in Widescreen mode sounds better than no surround back. Gone in Sixty seconds, when the Shelby is fired up by Cage and the ground shakes is awesome. Remote is not the best but it is far from the worst. Setup was easy and manual is good. Will write more after I have used it awhile.

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Yamaha RX-595a