DVD sounds amazing! I found an awesome place to buy dvd at http://consumer.20m.com

Here's my setup:
Denon AVR-3801 receiver
Pioneer DV-333 dvd player
Vienna Acoustics Haydn, main LR
Vienna Acoustics Theatro, center channel
Allison Acoustics AL-105 Surround LR
Sony WEGA KV27FV16


This was my first digital receiver. I can't start to describe how much better the sound was from my cheap old techics pro-logic receiver was. Same speakers, same wire, new sound. Even regular music CDs sound so much more refined and robust, at low and high volumes. Sound imaging was more precise, possibly due to the distance settings of the speakers. Movies spring to life with an almost truer-than-reality sound. Even with my odd placement of surround speakers, the channel settings with the AVR3801 can compensate. Later, I will move everything and add the surround back speakers, replace the surrounds, and add a subwoofer. However, so far, this setup has made going to the cineplex into an odious task in comparison. I'd much rather sit at home.

Many

None

Here comes another Denon basher:-)
I wonder if he put the Denon on the top shelf of his frail AV rack, bringing the whole rack down, crushing his Magnavox and Audiovox gear into pieces, and then he probably tried to return the Denon but the dealer didnt take it back because of the broken front display. Then he might have contacted Denon to get it repaired under warranty, but Denon refused to service it under warranty cos after all the product was damaged due to mishandling on the users part. Hence all this agony over Denon this, Denon that....blah blah blah.

Also I wonder if he mated the Denon to his Radio Shack speakers, having a sensitivity of 80 db/w/m, and heard the Denon screaming like a dragon... LOL. Dude buy a decent pair of speakers and then try listening to the Denon.

Seriously all jokes aside, I have personally listened to the Onkyo 787 and couldn't stand the brightness for more than 5 mins. I do agree that the Marantz is as good if not better sounding that the Denon, and I loved the sound of the Marantz, and ofcourse the Remote on the Marantz is way better then the Denon. But I chose over the Marantz because I wanted all the future formats and goodies in my receiver, and afterall the remote is only an 'accessory', that can be replaced. Also the preamp in the Denon has more juice, than either of them, and that helps drive my B&K 7250 to explosive levels.

One final note about THX certification. Dude THX certification is nothing more than a club and not belonging to that club doesn't mean a thing in terms of sound quality. I know of a lot of ultra-high end audio gear that isn't THX certified, yet sounds ecstatic. So puuuuuhhhlease don't buy anything just cos its THX certified. THX certification is meant for laymen like you that put too much weight on it and make buying decisions based on that, hence creating added revenues for the manufacturers and THX labs. Also if you are so particular about THX certification then make sure everything is THX-certified including your listening room. Just like the strenght of a chain is in its weakest link, so is the value of a THX system is in its non-THX component.

P.S. Stop this name calling and treat all the members in this forum with respect, cos as you can see there are others in this forum that are capable of stooping to your level:-)
Hope you are listening too Garry!

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo 797, Marantz SR8000

Great sound! Great value for money!

Remote

For those of you looking for a great AV receiver that can play piercing lead guitar (from Scorpions and Iron Maiden to Dire Straits and Deep Purple), this is where your search should end.

I was looking for an A/V receiver (to replace my integrated stereo receiver Luxman LV 111) that could play good rock music, and bought a Yamaha RXV 620. Great sound and all, but it was too warm. Close your eyes and it was almost like the sound was coming from some distant land, not to mention the slight "echo" effect. Returned it. Bought a Sony ES 444. Brought it home and played it for two hours before the thing died on me. It was hot (read REALLY HOT, one could fry eggs on it). The music stopped, the display read "Protection, please power off." Returned it, got another Sony ES 444. Same problem. Returned it. It seems that this problem has haunted the entire Sony ES line.

My friend suggested buying the Nakamichi AV 10, but it was not available in ANY store in Los Angeles. A store in Culver City agreed to special order it for me, but I wanted something sooner. So I decided what the heck, let me check out the Denon (a lot of people had said that the Denon sound was warm, so I wasn't quite excited about the brand). And I am so glad I made that decision. It is a great product. A little hot, but the sound is GREAT, from rock music to softer tunes...from Spyrogyra and Yanni to classical stuff like Paginini/Jean Luc Ponty. It sounds just great with my Boston Acoustics (950) front speakers and Polk Audio surround speakers.

DUMB REMOTE: CANNOT LEARN

The thing that sucks is the remote, which cannot learn. I have a Sony DVD, and I followed all the instructions in the manual but when I pressed DVD (as the learning function), the display said "Not Valid." Seems to me that Denon wants us to buy their DVD.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong. If anyone can provide some guidance, I would appreciate it. I have not been able to teach the remote anything (ie, it does not recognize any of my A/V components)...maybe I'm a lousy teacher!

All in all, a great buy!

Similar Products Used:

Sony ES 444 (#$%*#! useless)

Denon marketing

Denon performance

Just to keep it simple, I am very disappointed. This is the worst performing receiver that I have bought in 3 yrs. I replace my equipment very often to keep up with the times and this is a very dissatifactory purchase. I will be returning this as soon as the Onkyo is back in stock. I wondered why the 787 was sold out when I bought my Denon. Now I know. I falls short in many respects. Especially stereo only music. It just doesn't get it.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo, Harman Kardon, NAD, B&K

Everything is to my liking

none i noticed

I agree with gary as well,I think that these products are all fairly compairable in price range.Don't try to justify your purchase by giving denon 1 rating.Understandably sound preference and speakers do make a difference.Gary you don't have to post yout rebutal 3 times,just to bring the rating of this product back up,just enjoy!I own both these receivers in my house,Integra 7.1 for my son and Denon for myself.

Similar Products Used:

onkyo

(3802) Nice Sound, Lots of inputs, Full pre-outs, Lots of surround modes

Remote is missing the seperate video imput select button (was on the 3801), Mannual is terrible, needs more digital/optical inputs

So far is great, the remote leaves something to be desired, I am having a problem geting the learning remote to learn some codes that are not pre-programed. Has good power all 7 channels, would recomment for a nice home theater

Similar Products Used:

Replaced my Adcom GTP-600

(3802) Nice Sound, Lots of inputs, Full pre-outs, Lots of surround modes

Remote is missing the seperate video imput select button (was on the 3801), Mannual is terrible, needs more digital/optical inputs

So far is great, the remote leaves something to be desired, I am having a problem geting the learning remote to learn some codes that are not pre-programed. Has good power all 7 channels, would recomment for a nice home theater

Similar Products Used:

Replaced my Adcom GTP-600

Denon name; Good, clean sound

Remote, manual

This receiver has everything you need! All the power, all the effects, all the bells & whistles! Remote takes a while to get used to but at least it keeps the kids from playing with the receiver.

My only gripe is that I haven't figured out how to have my extra set of speakers in the other room in my house NOT play when I'm using my other 7 channels. When I turn the Back/surround off, I only get 5 channels. Can anyone help me out????

Overall, a very well built receiver with a name you can depend on. This was my 1st Denon purchase and since then I've also purchased the DVM-3700 DVD player.

MY SYSTEM:
Receiver: Denon 3801
DVD/CD Player: Denon 3700
Main Speakers: Klipsh RF3
Surrounds: Klipsh RS3's and Klipsh K2's
Sub: Dahlquist PDQ1200
Center: Sony
Extra set spkrs:Bose 201
Game: Sony Playstation 2

Similar Products Used:

Sony

Denon name; Good, clean sound

Remote, manual

This receiver has everything you need! All the power, all the effects, all the bells & whistles! Remote takes a while to get used to but at least it keeps the kids from playing with the receiver.

My only gripe is that I haven't figured out how to have my extra set of speakers in the other room in my house NOT play when I'm using my other 7 channels. When I turn the Back/surround off, I only get 5 channels. Can anyone help me out????

Overall, a very well built receiver with a name you can depend on. This was my 1st Denon purchase and since then I've also purchased the DVM-3700 DVD player.

Similar Products Used:

Sony

power, pro logicII, this is 3802

difficult setup

Hi guys, thenka for all the reviews that helped me a lot in my decidion. This receiver rocks. I would like to ask for your help.
1-I have a dvd sony connected using an optic monster cable that cost me us$60.. but I cannot see the Dts light turning on. I played the Santana supernatural dvd (which has the dts feature) but the dts light on the receiver is still dead... when I change the mode to dolby I have sound but when playing dts the sound simply dissapear. My connectios are:
dvd to receiver -> optical cabe + coaxial (as is the manual)
dvd to tv -> component cable (I am using both component and s video between dvd and tv because the OSD needs s video)
dvd to receiver -> s video
receiver to tv -> s video


2- when you guys are watching tv, then decided to watch a dvd, you still need to change to video4 (or 3 or2) on tv's remote control right? so i still need the tv remote anyway..

Thank you very much for your help.

my system:

denon 3802
def tech cinema series 80 (rocks!)
cd sony
dvd sony 560
vcr sony hi fi