Low Distortion, Excellent Bass, Dynamic Range, Features,

Mono Subwoofer out, Single Center Channel Speaker output, Volume Display, Remote Control

I have always liked Denon products, but felt I needed separates to get the best sound out of my Apogee Minigrand Speaker System. I used the Denon for Home Theater, then had to switch over to the Parasound for music. Boy did that get old. With the 5700, not anymore! I still need to use the main preout on the 5700 to my amp, the Stages need alot of power. I feel 140 watts isn't going to cut it(I actually have two amps, which you need for the AMSS). I'm sure I can still get better imaging/vocal clarity/soundstaging with separates, but the dynamic range on the 5700 is enough to knock your socks off!! Bass is deep and CONTROLLED. I'm sure the low distortion coming from the D/A converters has something to do with that. My AMSS couldn't loud HT dinosaur stomps before. Not anymore! The way the 5700 drives/controls my speakers is awesome! Explosion/gun shots/rocket fire/cannon blasts, etc. start and stop with such CONTROL,(there's that word again) my jaw just drops in amazment!! There is a couple of things that bug me though:

1) I wish it had seperate L&R stereo subwoofer outputs! I can't understand why not. Doesn't this bug anybody else?! I want my bass seperate on each front speaker!! Come on THX!!!

2) My old 3030 had dual center channel speaker outputs. That's the only way to go. How anybody can stand to listen with a single CC speaker on top/bottom of the T.V. is beyond me! Shouldn't the CC speaker be level with the front speakers?! So to hook up both speakers on the 5700, I use bare wire for one and a banana plug for the other.(Platinum Duo's). One on each side of the T.V.Try it, you won't go back! Come on THX!!!

Other than that, I love the 5700. I'll have a chance to upgrade/trade to the 4800 with the EX format when it comes out. But the 5700 sounds so good, is going to be very hard to beat.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVC-3030, Separates-(Parasound 1500 Pre, Adcom 5800 Amp)

Future-proof, 24bit/96Khz DAC resolution, built like a tank,
great sounding, video switching

Manual is not easy to follow

One word: Stunning! It's rare in the market these days to find such a receiver with both musicality and tons of features.

I don't think anyone would be disappointed with the AVR-5700. Setting up is quite simple. I was able to get it up and running within half an hour. Most of the time was spent on hooking up wires from sources to the receiver and from receiver to speakers.

Even Robert Harley, a highly professional audio/video reviewer gave this receiver thumbs up on its performance. Read his online review on The Perfect Vision web site. According to him, the AVR-5700 is approaching the sound quality of separate high end system costing over $11,000!

Similar Products Used:

None

Very musical, smooth yet powerful, gorgeous looking, upgradable, affordable.

Heavy at almost 50 lbs.

As many other products from Denon (cassette tape, power amps, music CDs, etc), this receiver is built for making music AND movies in your home. Those who bought and used this unit will enjoy this toy for years to come.

Make sure its digital features are fully utilized and its calibration is completely done with a sound level meter, or you won't get the most benefit from it.

Also, high quality interconnects and speaker cables, as well as clean AC power will make a huge difference in this receiver's performance.

I am not gonna turn down or bad-mouth similar products from other companies, but I'll just say, "I love this receiver. It sings to my ears and my wallet."

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Onkyo, Sony

Excellent Value, Feature rich, great specs

None Identified

I am mainly an audiophile - I listen to acoustic guitar and alternative - lots of it. The sound of the Denon 5700 is world class - heavy, rich and not ringy like I find many Yamaha and Sony components to be. I compared the 5700 (in one listening test I used the 3300) with some moderatly higher priced separates and then some VERY pricey stuff. In A/B comparisons with the moderatly higher priced stuff I found that the Denon matched or outperform ALL of the Japanese and domestic separate amp/preamp combinations that I looked at - these were components up to 5 grand higher in price. I found that Hifi shops like to separate into different rooms the high-end stuff with the super high-end stuff. I told them to bring all the stuff into the same room and use the same speakers for my A/B tests. I did find a small difference when I compare this unit to EXTREMELY high priced separates such as Krell, VTL and MacIntosh. However, it was not clear to me whether these differences (subtle as they were) could be identified as qualitative or characteristic. Given the cost delta, the decision for me was a pretty easy one.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha Separates Owned, In store Comparisons with Yamaha VTL Lexicon and MacIntosh

Features, Sound, Power

None that bother me enough to notice

This thing is excellent. It is big and hot, but it sounds fantastic on movies, very good on music and has the flexibility and usability that make it a pleasure to own. The setup methodology via the remote makes it easy to constnatly tweak the unit until you like the sound.

I went through several others before I decided to spend the 2 grand and buy this thing. No regrets at all. A very happy customer.

I use NHT 1.5/center/super zero speakers and the 5 channel stereo sounds excellent. The Denon 5700 shows you what the speakers really are, as well as exposes the quality of the recording you listen to.

Having decent digital audio gear now convinces me further that if you really like music, the analog is where it's at. Despite the conveneice of CDs and digital formats, I will now look for an analog amp, turtable, and high end speakers to use against the multi room output of the 5700 to listen to music

I've been selling fairly "high-end" audio products now for a dealer in NYC and I've never been a big fan of receivers, especially the typical crap from Sony / Yamaha / Kenwood and so on with their "impedance matching" amplifier switches on the back that just scream....."SH@% amplifier!". But anyway we recently became a Denon dealer so I figured well he we go same ol' crap. Boy was I wrong! The new 5700 includes 2 of the Analog Devices 32bit processors that are included in the Tag/Mclaren pre/pro, Sony's 9000ES pre/pro and from what I understand the next Proceed pre/pro. Also the 5700 has Burr-Brown 1704 K-series DACS (96kHz/24-bit). That combo alone in not matched by ANY receiver on the market as I researched this a bit more.
Auditioning:

We used the 5700 as a DAC first from different CD players and transports (mostly Linn, Meridian, Proceed,Rotel and Spectral. What a terrific warm but detailed sound form the stereo test. We used mostly different Chesky discs (96/24) and the 5700 actually paleyed back the 96kHz sampling rate as indicated on it's front panel. One catch though, when the 5700 sees 96kHz discs it goes in "direct" mode, but with the sound we heard who is complaining!?!

As far as other stand alone dacs the dCS still sounded better as did the Wadia, but not by much. It did sound more detailed than the Meridian and Linn and was about equal with the proceed.

The amplifier section also gave us a bit of a chuckle as we tried to beat the hell out of this thing yet it still kept going. Although if you plan on buying B&W 800 series or Wilson Cubs etc etc......buy a larger amplifer and use the 5700 as a standalone preamp. With Theil, other B&W's, Mission, M&K's etc etc the 5700 will run fine with the system PROPERLY setup at the 105db Dolby level using an SPL meter. Actually anyone trying to setup a surround system without soem type of SPL device is a fool since it's impossible to do by ear.

I noticed in some of the reviews hear about noice in certain channels or in geneneral with the 5700. THIS IS NOT YOUR RECEIVER OR ANY OTHER PIECE OF GEAR OF THIS QUALITY. You probably have grounding problems which result in noise or humming in your system. The Z-System and Cinepro Power Products would solve that problem. What happens is that you don't have balanced AC (60 Volts in-phase and 60 Volts out of phase) coming out of your sockets. My system at home had the same problem and the noise ran through my speakers and masked the harmonics my playback system produced. I add a Power Pro 20 from Cinepro and boy did the noise floor drop!!! My speakers sounded better instantly and the overall performance had me laughing since we don't sell the Cinepro products...DAMN!!!! A local dealer I'm friends with though hooked me up. Ahh back to the Denon

If your looking for a surround preamp with incredible D/A sections as well as switching for RGB and S-video get your local retailer to setup this piece properly and show it as a preamp.
If your looking for the one box solution there in no question this is the unit to buy.

As to some of the poor reviews I've read here, they're worthless since none of these people own the gear. I don't either but I have the best way to test them.

I can't write what dealer I work for but looking at the brands I've mentioned in my review, if your from NYC your should have figured that one out already.

Happy Hunting!

Martin Fiore

very versatile,power to drive most full range high-end speakers,processor

compact connections in the rear panel

The 2 channel stereo mode is to die for...
DTS & DD processing is stunning..
DSPs are jaw dropping and suureal..
Good match for my THIELS...
Awesome deal if you dont have the space or the money for separates.
Definitely recommended for all who need a receiver that does it all,you wont be disappointed...

Similar Products Used:

none

five channel stereo; THX; Movies are great; did I mention the Five channel stereo!!!

remote does lack (cheap looking and built cheap too);
no input sources in front of the unit---I miss this.

Well, had the unit for over a year. I purchased this instead of the DSP-A1. I have not really heard too much of the A1. Hence, can not compare and contrast the two.

I do know that the 5700 has been very satisfying. I am used to the older Yamaha DSP units and the 5700 does outperform them. Although I do miss the some of the sound fields from yamaha. The soundfields of the 5700 does not perform at the level of the older yamahas even (If the A1 is significantly better than the older DSPs then the soundfields of the A1 must be incredible).

The 5700 has not given be any problems mechanically. The input sources in the back of the unit are well distributed. The unit feels and looks solid. The moving parts of the unit have been very dependable.

The 5700 has a receiver built into the unit unlike the Yamahas. Not that much of a bonus, but nonetheless a bonus.

Overall, an amazing piece; ranging from movie watching to music listening. I would highly recommend this unit to all who want an all-inclusive unit.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha DSP A1000; Yamaha DSP 2090; Yamaha DSP 3090

Clean power, great stereo and 5.1 soundstages

Volume displays is invisible ... should have better remote

WOW, that is the first thing I can say when swap Denon AVR 4800 for AVR 5700. Most of the people thinks that I am crazy because of stepping down to the old technologies.
Well, I was setting up the AVR 4800 for 6.1 but it still cannot compare with AVR 5700's 5.1 (which leave AVR 4800's 5.1 even worst ... just compare to 5700).
Right after swapping the unit, the stereo and 5 channel stereo much cleaner and detail than the 4800. speacialy, in 5.1 mode, it just like having a really good DVD player hooking up with AVR 4800 (I used to have Toshiba 9100 hooked up with AVR 4800, right now I am using Onkyo DVD 301). Wow, the surround sound is really discrete, seperately ...
To me, if you will spend money, get the top of the line from that brand; otherwise, just pick the mid-level from that brand.
This is my system:
Mits Diamond 65905
Denon AVR 5700
Marantz SR18 remote control
Klipsch KSP40 and matching surround and center speakers.
RCA DTC 100
DVDO V2 line doubler
Onkyo DVD 301
Monter cable HTS5000 power conditioner
Front Row speaker wire.
JVS SVHS VCR
Tributaries video and digital cable.
I used to have: Marantz AVP9000 and AM8000, Harman Kardon signature series, Adcom GTP750, Adcom GFA 5802, 5500, 5503, and Citation amps. Denon AVR 5700 is better.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR 4800, Marantz, HK, Adcom separate components

One of the strengths of this site is the candid feedback from component owners. I have learned a lot and I thank Audio Review for making this forum available. At the same time, we have those that abuse this forum by posting absurd ratings on components they don't own or because they dislike a manufacturer for some unexplained reason. Since I have never owned a 5700, I know I should not be posting this message, but when I read comments on the 5700 forum about how great Yamaha is and what they will be marketing, I just can't be silent any longer. I will not go so far as to say that this forum should be monitored and that comments should be deleted that are obviously designed to reduce or raise the rating of a product. Yamaha is good and Denon is good. Neither product deserves a "1" rating. Beto Juanitas, your post is way out of line. Please be courteous to others and allow them the freedom to read candid feedback from individuals that have nothing to gain but to help others from their own experience.