I am thinking of replacing mine two year old Denon AVR 3300 by the AVR 3802 for the reason that the 3802 has Dolby Prologic 2, should sound again better (especially in stereo) and should have a better remote. The 3300 is still very good and can play almost every cd convincingly, but i would that it could play mine favourite cd; Nils Lofgren, Every Breath better, i hope the 3802 can. I ordered yesterday one, for a testing, so have it at the end of next week (wk 45). Before ordering i did some investigastion in some old and new Audio and Video magazines i read to compare the 3300 and the 3801 whit the 3802;

From the German magazine HEIMKINO the following power measurements;
Denon AVR 3300, stereo (8 ohm); 2x131watt, surround (8 ohm); 5x?watt (measured differently).
Denon AVR 3801, stereo (8 ohm); 2x121 watt, surround (8ohm); 5x70watt.
Denon AVR 3802, stereo (8 ohm); 2x121 watt, surround (8ohm); 5x77watt.

From the German magazine AudioVision (www.audiovision.de) the following power measurements;
Denon AVR 3300, (8 ohm) 5x95watt, (4 ohm) 5x118watt.
Denon AVR 3801, (8 ohm) 5x85 watt, (4ohm) 5x50watt (In the test this low 4 ohm output gave no problems).
Denon AVR 3802, (8 ohm) 5x104 watt, (4ohm) 5x149watt (Means a stable power supply).

For those who didn’t no; all three Denon receivers have a fan inside, at the front, behind the display. The German magazine AudioVision did also measured the housing temperature while testing;
Denon AVR 3300; 38 degrees Celsius (probably the fan starts to works only at high temperature).
Denon AVR 3801; 27 degrees Celsius, with fan.
Denon AVR 3802; 1 degree Celsius, with fan. (Hopely the fan can not be heard).

The British magazine What Video&TV said about the 3801 (yes the one); but unlike the 3300 the AVR-3801 also manages to provide plenty of wel-controlled low frequency effects too. The AVR 3801 is more than a straightforward upgrade of the AVR-3300 to 6.1/seven-channels operation.

The British magazine WHAT HIFI? (www.whathifi.com) said in there October issue about the 3802;
For; Outstanding home cinema performance and good in stereo.
Against; Nothing.
Verdict; Outstanding purchase for movie buffs, and near the top of the class in stereo too, a triumph.
They said also; Even stereo reproduction is good, far better than is typical for most receivers of this type: only the Rotel RSX-972 eclipes it. The Denon is relatively articulate, handles bass confidently, and follows rhythems well, although it can sound overly smooth.
In the November issue ther shall be a eight multichannel system test that offers top-notch style, sounn and vision. The Denon AVR-3802 is coupled on the Denon DVD-2800.

The German magazine AREA DVD (www.areadvd.de/hardware/denonavr3802-1shtml, German text) said (translation); Denon delivers with the AVR-3802 a convincingly upgrade of the 3801, especially in the music reproduction it its audible improved.

Denon had optimized the power supply, used new powertransistors and better opamps, for a more musical sound, especially to be heard in stereo. Labatory measurement show that the 3802 perfomance better than his precessors. Hopely i can give, within a few week, you a follow up of this review.

Good build. Good power.Good Looks. 7.1 digital.
Inputs for dvd music (SACD).

Terrible remote.
Poor DSP setup

Looks Good - well built.
If you haven't bought an A/V receiver in five (5) or more years prepare yourself for the setup nightmare from Hades.
Software (OSD - on screen menus) and manual poorly done. (Notes in manual are scattered about and not easy to correlate.)Instructions stop in mid-course when explaining the likes of speaker setup - and you need to go elsewhere in the book to find the answers.
If you have a VCR inputted to your system you cannot use S Video to route any components through your receiver to the TV monitor.
If you use optical connections you cannot send those inputs to the Multi-Zone.
Muting the main zone also mutes the second zone.
PL-II does not make use of the subwoofer. In the cinema-wide mode subwoofer does not perform even though the manual shows it as operative. Subwoofer does not maintain consistent volume level from one mode to the next.
Seven channel stereo very good.
Component video is not assignable and will not convert from other video formats.
Remote is poor. The remote has very few learning buttons available. It has to be nearly on axis with the receiver and less than 12 feet distance to work. I had to install a remote extender in the very room the receiver resides.

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Sony ES models

Great for Home Theater, Nice Features (you name it it has it)

I am not sure if you can use DVD and Digital Cable at the same time it has 1 digital input and I am just getting Digital cabe But I heard it may be a problem?

I have this hooked up with an RBH sound system and the DVD and DTS system os awesome. The sound is clear on all CDs and DVDs. The stereo sound depends on your reception. I find that since I don't have good reception it picks up all the static. I would highly recommend this unit and I am very happy with the purchase. As stated above I don't know how the 1 digital input holds up to the competition.

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Maranz sr-6200, I had problems with the Marantz and the store said they get countless returns so I would stay away?

Sound, power, onscreen set up great once you figure out how to use it.

Remote already went through one set of batteries in 3 months. Remote not very user friendly.

Is this receiver remote suppose to use batteries that quickly even though I haven't used it that much?
Anybody have the same problem? I am just curious my other receivers batteries lasted about 2 years.

Great surround options. DTS sounds great!! You need to have a nice speakers to get the full results from this receiver.

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Sony STRD 875

It is amazing how many clueless people post on this site.
The Yamaha DSP A1 also has a fan on the power supply, but you would be hard pressed to hear it.
I have owned the Yamaha DSP A1 for over a year now and I have not yet heard or seen it turn on.
The Denon is a nice piece but I feel the cheap plastic front door and lower build quality when
compared to the Yamaha DSP A1 or even the Denon 3600 makes its retail price unjustifiable.
This unit can be had for around $2100. However, I feel at $1699 the Yamaha DSP A1
is a better buy. The DSP A1 still has a better preamp section,
DSP processor and nicer sounding amp section.
I verified this at my local retailer who had both units in the same room hooked up to B&W Nautlis 805's.
Buy what you like however. In the long run its all about what makes you happy.