Sound quality, 5 ch. stereo feature, ease of setup

remote control

After debating for quite some time between purchasing the Onkyo 575 or the Denon AVR-87, I went for the Denon. The Denon AVR-87 is from the Denon Specialty Product Line. The AVR-87 is basicall the same as the AVR 1800 except that the AVR-87 has 90 watts per channel instead of 75.

I don't pretend to be an audiophile by any stretch of the imagination, but I do know what sounds good. The AVR-87is unique in having the 5 channel stereo surround feature. After hearing this, I will never want to listen to 2 channels again. The AVR-87 does a good job simulating DTS with this feature. It has a sound rich with bass when using a subwoofer. The high-end sounds like cymbals and saxophone sound crisp. The tone setting gives good base and treble response. I was listening to an Allman Brothers Live DTS CD and during the bass intro to a song, I could hear the vibration of the snare drum. It was incredibly real.

Anyway, I'm giving this a 5 star rating for receivers that fall into the $400-$600 range. You can't go wrong with this purchase.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo 575

Features, power, good all around competitor in price range

No S-video, runs a tad hot, but not worth worrying about

First, I must clarify the previous reviews a bit. THE AVR87 IS NOT MORE POWERFUL THAN THE AVR1800. It is how the wattage is measured, the 87 is rated 90W at 1KHz, the 1800 is rated 75W at 20-20KHz, which is the SAME power! Anyway, I have a 2800 and love it, so I bought this for my mother in laws new "run the whole house" system, and it works great. It is running a pair of AR 318PS towers in the bdrm, 2 sets of in walls (NHT super1ci) in the living room and den, and 2 sets of outside speaks (advent marbl). Not all at once mind you, but rather 2-3 prs at a time. Have no complaints to date, has plenty of clean power to run all this and more. Best value in the $4-528 range, not any higher (only because the 2800 can be had for $529). Only difference I know of between this and the 1800 is the lack of SVideo, but who really cares that much? Has many other features she will probably never use unless this becomes a HT receiver as well, and has the display in the remote which is convenient for this no-TV, no-HT setup. Props to Denon, this receiver rocks all others in this class. Much better alternative than the SS receivers other big box stores are pushing, props to Sears for selling quality stuff! (although I got mine online)!

Similar Products Used:

Denon avr2800

Clean/clear sound

Must use remote to select radio presets.

After 12 years of service it was time to repalce my NAD 7175. I wanted a full function modern receiver that fit my budget and sounded great. I had to do a lot of research to get up to speed on the video aspect of today's systems and I am still learning. I considered products form ONKYO and Yhamiha as well as Dennon. I really wanted a 3800 but it was too much money. I listend to a new Yhamiha 75 wattx5 modle with DD & DTS side-by-side with a AVR-1600. I preferred the clean detail of the Dennon unit over Yhamiha's. While I was sold on the Dennon sound I didn;t like the Dennon price. At least not at my local Tweeter Dealer. They had a 1600 floor model for $380. It was in budget but it only had 60 watts x 5. My NAD was a conservatively rated 75. I definately didn;t want to go down in power. The 1600 didn't have DTS either(although I'm not sure why I need it yet) and I didn't want to invest in something that might not do everything I want it to. Tweeter sells the AVR-2800 but at @$800 it was way to expensive. Thanks to AudioReview and the Web I learned about the AVR-85 and AVR-87(as well as some other components). I also, learned that Sears of all placed carries the AVR-85. I went to check out the AVR-85 at Sears and they were all out! Foretuneatly the sales guy said he had an 87 and he would give it to me for the same price! Sold!

It is true that while the AVR-87 stated to be rated at 90 watts x 5 this is at 1Khz. This means the unit is more like a 2800 75 x 5 which is fine for me. Some may feel the difference between a 60 watt and a 70 watt amp is negligable(it is), but I was hung up on not decreasing my power level form my old NAD.

The sound on the Dennon is very clean. I little less rocckin then the NAD but I love it all the same.

I have Boston CR6's in the front CR5's in the back and a $70 AR center with 2 5.25 woofers and a dome. I got a 200 watt BIC venturi sub to round it out for just $250 including shipping(would have gone for the 12' AR with the Carver Amp if I had more dough).

The sound is better all be it different form the old NAD with BA100's. I am satisfied. And very pleased with what I got for the $.

The only thing the AVR-87 doesn't have that I may miss is s-video but for $450 it will more than do.

I don't like havning to use the remote for so much of the control (especialy moving between radio presets),but I am getting used to it.

2 speaker stero sounds great. 5 speaker is cool too. I use that for low listening levels. This helps because I am used to the brighter soft domes in my old BA100's. I am hopping the sound will improve when I repplace my 12 year old sony CD player.

For video I use a cheap stero VCR so I have only heard surround format so far, but this itself is impressive for a neophyte vidophile. Can't wait to get a DVD for this system I'sure CD and video will be even better.

This is a great unit for those with expensive tastes and a limited budget.

My NAD was $700. I am very happy that I can get such great quality and sound today for only $450!

Similar Products Used:

NAD 7175

Clean, expansive sound, price

no s-video

I purchased the unit refurbished from U-bid for $389 plus shipping. It came with remote, instructions, and a 90 day manufacturer's warrantee.

Setup was simple, after making all the connections (including a fiberoptic link for my DVD)I went through the setup menu. The manual was very good about guiding me through the process. The unit has 2 optical and one coaxial digital inputs, but no S-video. Pre-out connections for Left, Right, Center, and Subwoofer are also present. The unit also has 5.1 external in jacks, to accomodate any future 5.1 formats.

The AVR-87 reproduces sound wonderfully. In Stereo, Surround (Pro-Logic, AC-3 and DTS are all supported, the unit auto detects what kind of signal is present), or the various 5 channel stereo modes the sound is clean and crisp, with a good soundstage.

The controls take a little getting used to, the input select and mode controls are on dials instead of the more familiar buttons. The remote controls all my other components, but using a DVD with it is awkward, as the buttons which should operate the cursor instead operate the play, stop, ff and rev functions.

I don't listen to FM much, but tuning is dependent on the remote, and other reviewers have seen that as a drawback.

System includes;

Wharfedale Sapphire 87 Front Speakers
JBL S-center
JBL Pro III rear speakers
Infinity BU-12 powered sub
Sony DVP-S530D DVD
ancient Sony CD player

Similar Products Used:

old Onkyo Pro Logic unit