Now here is a preamp that would make any grown man cry because he bought some other HIGH END product and it doesn't sound as good and sweet as the AVP8000. Although I got it in "B" stock in an auction, when I eventually hooked it up to my Onkyo 501, Hafler DH220, and SAE P10 power amps driving l/r Kef 104/2's, with a Kef 200C center and JBL Pro III (soon to be replaced) rears respectively to the amps. It was an experience not to forget for a long time! The sound was tube like, warm and sweet with full bodied bass and highs to serenade any sweet loving woman of the house. While the power amps aren't matching, it is close enough in sound quality were you would be hard pressed to make any judgement without seeing them so obvious on a custom stand. What I meant to say is that you cannot go wrong with one of these and except for the Sony TA-E9000ES which got rave reviews down along this post page, you have one great preamp that will make downline sound great even with mediocre amps. So do not let a grown man cry and go out and get one! Honestly the prices are coming down from the 3.5G retail. With Audio Magic Sceptor 2 Interconnects and MITerminator 4 speaker cables that both of which aren't fully broken in yet, it is one system that I will keep for a long long time! Besides having a child that costs more than audio stuff sounds sweet too! So adios my friends and Denon has a great product.
Regards to All Who Read,
Ken

My wife and I originally stumbled upon the 8000 at a chip-and-dent sale in Austin about 1 year ago. At the price of $900 I figured that if it didn't function properly I could still afford to have it fixed. Imagine my surprise when we found out in worked perfectly.
The 8000 is the heart and soul of a workhorse hometheater. Matched with the Denon POA-8200 & 8300 and Denon DVD-3000, it keeps the neighbors up to all hours of the night. We have the system paired with Sonus Faber's Concerto Grand Piano's, Solo, and Concertino's; with a REL Storm bringing up the low end.

The Denon AVP-8000 is both neutral yet warm. It provides a very non-offending sound. That is to say it allows the music you play (in Direct mode) to sound exactly as it was intended. It brings forward ambient sound from the background that you don't normally hear (thus adding to the warmth of the music).

Movie soundtracks in Dolby Digital rock. Even compared against some of the newer, high-end preamps available, I haven't found any reason to switch my brand. It has loads of digital inputs and Denon's famed D/A convertor built in. There are also more S-Video and audio inputs than I know what to do with. This pre-amp is technically sound and built like an Abrahm's tank. It is very easy to set-up and use (you can forget the manual). Go ahead and find me a better top-end pre-amp for the money.

I've got the AVP-8000 thru a recent trade and so far this unit has held up very well to my expectations that include the ever faithful two channel music reproduction (in direct mode) to explosive shoot-them-up type of movies (in THX AC3 mode). I believe you will get the best sonic performance (tubed sound as some critics called) from this pre/pro by matching it with Denon POA-8200/8300 power amps. This unit does come with DTS originally but you can have it upgraded by Denon authorized service for about $400. You can't go wrong with AVP-8000 no matter what your priorities are ie. music, movies and you can now even find this gem in the on-line second hand market for a fraction of a cost of a new lesser performers. The rest of my h/t gear includes:Sony KP61V75 RPTV
Pioneer Elite DV-09 DVD Player
Pioneer Elite DV-90 Combi Player
Denon POA-8200/8300 Power Amps
NHT VT2/VS2A/HDP2 speakers
Panamax 1500
WireWorld Polaris III Interconnects
Kimber KCAG Interconnects
AudioQuest Midnight 3 Speaker Cables

Warm sound, top notch DD sound, and excellent switching.

Setting up the unit especially video hookups tricky.Crummy manual.

Incredible sound all around with little or no noice present. Even switching between sources there is no accompaning noice even with the SVHS hookups. Manual alittle sketchy but you cant beat this preamp at this price point. Surprised how clean the DD surround is and how warm audio sounds from this solid state preamp. Almost sounds like a tube preamp. A great buy especially if you can find one at 1500 or below. Highly recommended!!!!!!!

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Lexicon CP-1+, Hafler 945

Warmth of sound, ability to listen for hours without strain.

Lacks the ultimate dynamics that a Lexicon, EAD or Krell can give.

Can't add much more that the reviews below. The lack of DTS on this unit is becoming more of a factor, but with the introduction of HDTV and DD being the sound of choice - it looks to be a preference and not an issue of standards.

If you can pick one of these up used - it is a steal. The build quality is AMAZING.

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Lexicon DC-1, Lexicon DC-2.

I have the Denon AVP 8000 for the past three years. Since then a lot has changed. I have listened to other new equipment in stores and to newer setups in friends homes.
If I had to redo everything again, I will still go for the Denon AVP 8000.

See below

This is a follow-up to a previous post on this unit. A year later it still is *exceptionally* good and well worth an audition if you find one in your budget.

But now I've struck a problem with the matching 3 channel amp - the Denon POA-T3. It seems to have a serious load problem - clicking, buzzing under load, but only after a bit of time. Service agents can't replicate the problem, and refuse to fix what they can't find (great!).

I know it sounds like a short in the system, but all leads/wires check out. And wiring my other matching amp the same way causes no problems.

Any clues, audio gurus? HELP!

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Denon POA-T3

A truly wonderful preamp. I haven`t used it for Home Cinema yet, and so can not comment on that aspect of it. However, as I play with it and sample all of the goodies on the machine, I can say that if it can do for movies what it has done for my music listening, then it is worth every penny. I did get this used (in immaculate shape) for about $900, but I would have paid more. To give you an idea of what my wife thinks (the ultimate critic and hater of purchases of any new audio equipment): "Did you buy new cds" ( She had listened to the same cd with my old Yamaha MX-1, CX-1 main and preamp combo and definitely liked the new setup--Denon AVP8000 and Parasound HCA 2205A.

Build quality, ease of use, cosmetics, and above all sound!

Manual sucks.

Having been an Audiphile for 15 years, my skeptisizm for "Home Theater" components as music systems was less than favorable. I've listened to everything from Cary SET components to the inexpensive Denon AVD-2000. I recently decided to sell my preamp, crossover network, DAC, and DD processor and replaced it with the Denon AVP-8000 (non-DTS model). Matched with a Sumo Andromeda III, Rega Jupiter transport, SCE HRS, and Soliloquy 6.3 speakers, this preamp sounds exceptional! This unit houses a 1st class DAC, subwoofer crossover, Dolby Digital processor, and best of all a clean, musical preamplifier section. I dare anyone (with an open mind) to compare the preamp section of this unit against ANY solid state preamp. Now add an excellent DAC, DD processor, xover, and everything else this gem does adds to the mix. Need I say more?

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EAD Theater Master and Nak CA-1

Audiophile preamp section, superb DAC, excellent crossover, competitive Dolby Digital.

Mid-fi perception.

I felt compelled to comment on this wonderful component. I work in the audio industry and have the luxury of auditioning a ton of equipment. I recently changed out an outboard DAC, preamp, crossover network, and HT preamp/processor for the Denon AVP8000 THX. I could'nt be more pleased. The audiophile side of me is struggling with the fact that I am using a "Home Theater" preamp for my music listening, but at the same time, I can't seem to bring myself to reintroducing "separates" back into my system. The conveniece, build, and most of all, sound quality is superb. I've eliminated a number of cables and simplified to a Rega Jupiter transport, SCE HRS, Perraeux amp, and Soliloquy 6.3 speakers. The sound is great! I have compared the preamp section to a number of VERY high end preamps. The AVP 8000 sticks. The manual leaves a lot to be desired, but figuring this component out is not hard. At the used market prices, you owe it to yourself to get to know this piece.