Denon AVR-3802 A/V Receivers

Denon AVR-3802 A/V Receivers 

DESCRIPTION

Built-in decoders-- DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital Surround EX Amplifier Output Details-- 110 Watt 8 Ohm 0.05% 2 Front Installed, 110 Watt 8 Ohm 0.05% 1 Center Installed, 110 Watt 8 Ohm 0.05% 2 Surround Installed, 110 Watt 8 Ohm 0.05% 2 Surround back Installed, 150 Watt 6 Ohm 0.7% 2 Front Installed, 150 Watt 6 Ohm 0.7% 1 Center Installed, 150 Watt 6 Ohm 0.7% 2 Surround Installed, 150 Watt 6 Ohm 0.7% 2 Surround back Installed, 140 Watt 8 Ohm 2 Main Installed, 210 Joules 4 Ohm 2 Main Installed, 240 Watt 2 Ohm 2 Main Installed

  • Signal-to-noise ratio-- 102 dB
  • Optical Digital Input-- Yes
  • Coaxial Digital Input-- Yes
  • MD system type-- None

  • USER REVIEWS

    Showing 191-200 of 205  
    [Nov 24, 2001]
    Jim
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    Lots of clean power. All modes provide awsome sound. Did I say it was clean? O.K. very clean.

    Weakness:

    Little tough to set up, but worth it. Remote chews up batteries.

    After first setting this reciever up, it didn't take very long to hear what I had been mising. This thing is tough. I had it cranked for about two and a half hours and it was no where near as hot as my sony got idling. I had always been a Sony fan but I wanted a 6.1/7.1 reciever. Max budget was A grand. I couldn't find a Sony that compaired for the features I could get on the Denon. I am a Denon fan for life now. Thats how impressed i am. I love it. Don't let that 110 watt rating fool you, this baby rocks my 500 watt rms (a pair) JBL HP88f's. This is my system for those it might help.

    Denon 3802
    Sony DVP700P DVD
    Sony PS2
    Apex DVD(my cd player)
    Sony KP53HS30 High Definition TV
    JBL HP88f-Mains
    Klipsch sc1-center
    KLipsch ss1-side surrounds
    JBL N-26-rear surrounds
    Pioneer sw50 Sub, soon to be a Definitive Tech pt15.

    Similar Products Used:

    Sony DE-835, Sony DE-945, Pioneer pro-logic(forgot model#)

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    4
    [Nov 23, 2001]
    Yuzaini Jie Bahadin
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    DTS-ES, PL2, DTS Neo, 7 channel amplification

    Weakness:

    Having trouble setting up at first. Once got used...its ok.

    Well...its my first "high end" receiver. Compared to my previous receiver, this one really stood up. It has great sound in DTS-ES mode. PL2 is cool. DTS Neo is good for music. It also performs flawlessly in stereo mode.

    My set-up:

    AVR 3802 Receiver
    Acoustic Research S40 Main Speakers
    Acoustic Research SC2 Center Speaker
    Wharfedale Modus Vivendi Surround + Surround Back Speakers
    Yamaha YST-SW320 Subwoofer
    Pioneer DV-535k DVD Player

    Similar Products Used:

    RXV595a....my previous receiver

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Nov 10, 2001]
    Ron
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    Power, Versatility in both music and HT, analog or digital sources. 5/7 channel stereo is awesome!

    Weakness:

    Initial setup a bit confusing and the remote is tough at first. But it is easy to use once you get past the learning curve.

    My equipment...

    JVC XV-S65GD DVD w/MP3 capibility
    Sony garden variety casette player
    RCA S-VHS VCR
    RCA 32" TV
    4 JBL S38's
    1 JBL S Center
    1 JBL PSW-D112 Subwoofer

    Well this was a long hard search. I spent two months making this decision. I auditioned Onkyo's, Yamaha's, Pioneer Elite's, Marantz's and at the price I paid (Authorized Dealer) this deal couldn't be beat.

    This thing is a beastie! It has so much power I haven't turned it up all the way yet. It handles everything I throw at it, from MP3's burned on CDR to DD and DTS DVD's outstandingly. There are more inputs and outputs than I'll ever use.

    On the other side at low volumes it still reproduces as if it was turned up. I've found that several receivers, and even guitar amps have a "sweet spot" gain level that it just sounds better at, than at lower volumes. Many use a "Loudness" setting to overcome this problem. It is not needed or included with this Denon 3802. Low volume is as sweet as high volume.

    The DTS NEO6, PLII are also other added useful options, but, IMO, the 5/7 channel stereo is absolutely awesome.

    Since I listen to more music than movies good musical handling was a must have feature and there is no format that 5/7 channel stereo doesn't shine in and you get EQUAL volume levels out of every speaker.

    If this is in your budget range jump on it. MSRP is now at $999 down from $1199. If it's a little beyond your budget, save another month and get it.

    You will not be disappointed. You will not be left wanting more power. You will not be saddened because you analog CD's or tapes sound crappy.

    I am now a Denon Convert!

    It also runs much cooler than many models and the fan can't be heard.

    I've rated other items before on here and have never given a perfect 5-5 rating, because nothing is perfect. However I will make an exception this time. This is about as good as it gets in this price range.

    Similar Products Used:

    Pioneer A/V Receiver (DD, DTS)

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Nov 10, 2001]
    Andy

    Strength:

    DTS-ES is outstanding; OSD easy to use; very full bass and overall smooth sound; movie mono does incredible job considering the source

    Weakness:

    Extremely heavy (not really a weakness but this is the only thing I can think of).

    This receiver is wonderful. It has lots of power and a very smooth sound. DTS-ES and matrixed 6.1 adds an impressive amount of fullness to the rear channels. Try the opening on T2 in DTS-ES with the DTS logo and THX intro and you'll see why I say that. I'm not sure why I've heard some people say that PLII doesn't make use of the sub because it does. DTS-NEO 6 is also very strong with music. Some people have complained about the remote and manual but if you are considering buying this receiver do not let that discourage you. If you've owned an A/V receiver within the past 5 years the set up is extremely easy. If you haven't just follow the manual and read it from start to finish. You can download it off Denon.com also to research first. I researched many receivers over the past 3 months and this one for the money beats them all hands down.

    Similar Products Used:

    Kenwood VR 2080

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Nov 08, 2001]
    VANCE
    Audiophile

    Strength:

    PLII DOES HAVE SUBWOOFER.HAVE TRIED C-WIDE MODE.LISTEN IN STRAIGHT DD&DTS.AMPS VERY HIGH QUALITY WITH PLENTY OF RESERVE POWER FOR ANY SIZE ROOM.PRE-AMP SECTION WORKS WELL AS WELL THE AMPS SMOOTH AND HIGHLY DETAILED.

    Weakness:

    REMOTE DOES HAVE SOME WEAKNESS.ONCE GETTING USED TO WORKS FINE

    UPGRADED FROM YAMAHA RXV992.GOOD REC. IN ITS TIME.DENON SURPRISED ME ON SOUND QUALITY OVER THE OLD YAMAHA.MUCH SMOOTHER ON HIGHS NOT AS BRIGHT OR HARSH WHETHER IN TWO CHANNEL OR IN SEVEN CHANNEL PROCESSING.WIDER SOUNDSTAGE AND PRECISE LOCATION OF MOVEMENTS IN MOVIE. I HAVE NOT HAD SUBWOOFER PROBLEMS AS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED.ON SCREEN MENU IS LAID OUT AS EASY FOR SET-UP THAN OTHER PRODUCTS USED IN THE PAST .

    Similar Products Used:

    HK,PIONEER ELITE,SONY ES,ONKYO,YAMAHA

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Oct 19, 2001]
    Deccan
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    DLP II, DTS-ES, DTS Neo .....

    Weakness:

    Setup needs a TV

    Great buy, very happy....

    Similar Products Used:

    Marantz 7200, Onkyo 797, Sony STR-DA5ES

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Dec 01, 2001]
    Neil Sebastiano
    Audiophile

    Strength:

    The Sound Quality Is Awesome To The Ear

    Weakness:

    I Need A Back Brace From Carrying It

    This Is A Monster Of A Unit .I Did Research On This Unit And Many Other ,But For The Money,Sound,Performance This Is The One So Chuck Out Your Old Units Out And Break Your Bank Accounts And Buy This Bad Boy...As A Musician With A Good Ear My Choice Is Denon AVR-3802 I Say No More..

    Similar Products Used:

    Onkyo

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Oct 15, 2001]
    Art
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    PL-II & DTS ES,OSD

    Weakness:

    Remote P.O.S.

    Other than the remote this is a great unit.The OSD makes it easy dialing in this puppy.I added a pr of sb's ,used my sound-level meter from RS and voi-la' the sound is awesome.Played Mask of Zorro & Gladiator the sound was crisp clear and not to boomy.Also when I you switched over to play my music cd,s PL-II kicks in and they sound fabulous without having to make any adjustments (SWEET).
    So in my opinion if your looking for a great middle of the road av-receiver with lots of features I highly recommend Denon 3802.

    Similar Products Used:

    Sony AV-835

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    4
    [Oct 05, 2001]
    Arnaud
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    DTS-ES, PL2, Looks, sound in HT listening.

    Weakness:

    Remote, sound with 2 channels Music

    I replaced my avr 2800 with the new 3802. While it sounds very good, I see little improvement over my avr 2800. The remonte is not very user friendly but I actually use a HTM mx 500.
    Great for Home Theater, good for music listening.

    Similar Products Used:

    Marantz SR 7200, Denon 3801

    OVERALL
    RATING
    4
    VALUE
    RATING
    4
    [Nov 02, 2001]
    Aylwin
    Audio Enthusiast

    Strength:

    DTS-ES, DPL-II, good build, heaps of features and functions, excellent value for money

    Weakness:

    remote (of course), DAC

    First of all, I'd like to say that the 3802 is certainly a very good product. It's great for movies and I like all the features and different options available. I was looking to upgrade my Onkyo 575X and I felt that the 3802 was the best value for money.

    However, 2-channel stereo (regular music) will always be my priority and this is where I feel the 3802 falls a bit short. This is why I mentioned the DAC as a weakness. I must say that I generally prefer the "Onkyo sound" over the Denon.

    Over my old 575X, the 3802 definitely sounds better overall (stereo image, depth, detail, warmth, etc.). One thing really bugs me though: the drums and especially the cymbals. I'm not much of an audiophile but if there's one thing I know, it's the sound of live drums. To my ears, the Onkyo reproduces more realistic sounding cymbals (well, drums in general). The Denon sounds a little too nice and warm for my taste. It's as if the high frequencies are filtered to sound more pleasant to the ears. Most people will like this but real cymbals actually sound harsher and they reverberate more. And this is what I get from the Onkyo.

    My old 575X produces this sound and so does the 696 I auditioned. Still, the 3802 generally sounds better. My guess is that the Onkyo 797 is what I need. It's on the same level as the 3802 and has a 24-bit/192kHz DAC (24/96 on the 3802). I think it even does upsampling. Unfortunately, no one has it stock yet around here so I can't audition it, plus it costs around US$700 more than the 3802 (at least here in Finland). For that money, I'd rather keep the 3802 and buy an external DAC which I think will certainly do a better job than either the 3802 or the 797. I've auditioned the Musical Fidelity X-DAC and it significantly improved the sound coming out of my 3802 (the cymbals were definitely more live sounding). Next week, I'm buying an MSB Technologies Link DAC III so I have high hopes.

    Other than this thing with the drums (maybe a true audiophile can explain properly what I mean or maybe there's just something wrong with my ears), the 3802 produces very good sound with enough power.

    The sound still lacks richness and bass but this is expected from an A/V receiver. My front speakers in particular are very power hungry so they need a decent amp. I've already auditioned a couple of power amps including the Classe CA-101 (fantastic amp!) and with any one of them it certainly is a huge leap forward in terms of sound.

    My equipment relevant to this review:
    AV receiver : Denon 3802
    DVD player : Philips DVD-955
    Front spkrs : B&W Nautilus 804s (bi-wired)
    Spkr cables : Van den Hul CS-122
    Interconnects: some cheap optical cable
    Straight Wire (can't remember the model)

    In summary, I'd say that the 3802 is a very good buy. Although, I would have probably bought the Onkyo 797 instead if I could've gotten it for around the same price.

    The 3802 is excellent value but I can't give it excellent overall marks due to my own personal preference for sound (the cymbals thing).

    Similar Products Used:

    Onkyo 575X and 696, Yamaha

    OVERALL
    RATING
    4
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    Showing 191-200 of 205  

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