DTS, AC-3, 5 channel stereo (my favourite).

Remote control (if you really want me to write something here.)

I set up my brand-new home theatre system with the AVR-1800, Pioneer DV-S6D (DVD), B&W 601S2 (front), B&W LM-1 (rare), B&W CC6S2 (centre) and Yamaha SW90 (SW). I play 60% music and 40% videos. I tested the DTS with 'Saving Private Ryan'. It's GREAT! Bullets, bombs... around everywhere in my room. It performed great as well when playing music. The 5-channel stereo is very impressive. I feel the music moving around the air.

As about the manual, the most difficult part is to set up the control on other AV equipments. But it just took me less that 5 minutes to make it done.

I agree with others that the remote control is not great at all. It looks bad and no back light is in it. But, come on, would you always hold the remote in hand and press it all the time? NO! You only used that bad remote by pressing certain key in a few seconds but enjoy great performance for an hour or more! So would you still bother it?

impressive sound quality, value

manual not that informative.

I am a avid user of sony products, I supposed to buy the new model of Sony Receiver(STR-V828) but sad to say the audio shop dont have the stock and the offers me two options:
a) Get the display items by reducing the price by around 10%
b) Try another brand name.

I try to select the second options by trying DENON, ONKYO, YAMAHA, KENWOOD. To make story short, after three days of going back and forth to the shop, I finally bought the DENON AVR-1800. I paid HKD$ 3780.00 (around USD $498). It took me days to setup the whole system (positioning the speaker, subwoofer and learning how to use the remote control). I also compared this receiver with AVR-2800 and found that the quality of the sound is the same and the only difference I can see is the lack of S-Video and the power output per channel for each speaker. I hooked-up this unit with and TOSHIBA DVD player SD 2109, Energy Take 5 satellite speaker and Energy E-XLS-10 Subwoofer. Bloody hell, I was overwhelmed with the sound quality. I tried some DVD titles like "The Fifth Element", "Tommorrow never dies" and "Eagles" and the sound output is very impressive. Even though the manual is not that informative, it doesnt matter to me because once you have learned how to used this unit, the manual is useless. I am rating this receiver on what this can provide me and I happy with it or even beyond perform beyond my expectation.

dts, Dolby digital, 5-channel stereo (basically the entire surround decoder), binding posts for all channels

I have learned to _HATE_ both the hiss and the 60Hz hum that comes from Sony crap. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my Sony equipment, I just thought the hiss was caused by my crappy cables and I was too cheap (lazy?) to replace them with proper shielded cables. Well, with the exact same cables, TV, VCR, and everything else -- the hum and hiss is gone!! The amp is _silent_. Very nice.

The other major advantage is the surround decoder. If you don't like the sound, change it! Both dolby digital and dts on a DVD makes my livingroom sound like a damn theatre (with the help of some nice JBL speakers!).

I promise it won't disappoint.

Similar Products Used:

Sony everything ;-)

nearly everything - even the remote is ok.

very few equalizer-functions

Well, I tried to buy my first Surround/DTS now, cause I thought that I neaded some better than my normal computer-boxes.

Now there whas an very interesting combi-pack with
- the Denon AVR-1800 (normal price ~600$)
- the Denon DVD-1000 (~ 500$)
- the Jamo Surround Pack Apollo (~1200$ !)
(~2300$)

for the beating price of 1250$. So I searched the web for some informations about the sourround and even DTS decoder. When I read the reviews of audiooreview.com, I found a 99% positive-opinions. So I decided that I have to buy this package.
Now I'm sitting here in front (or between?) of my "intensive" Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby ProLogic, DTS nearly high-end system and am realy satisfied.

happy end.

Similar Products Used:

Denon DVD-1000, Jamo Surround Pack Apollo

Looks beautiful.
Great sound quality even when loud.
Well built volume knob.
5-channel stereo is alone worth the buy.
Really powerful output.
Output protection. (4-ohm speakers can be safely used !)

Remote too big.
Remote cannot be used in the dark.
Device and source selection on the remote is time-consuming.
Messages on the remote aren't centered on the display, but aligned on the left.
Volume display is too small. I may stick a magnifying lens to it.
Poor quality of the indoor FM-antenna
Input shorters needed to avoid crosstalk.

I didn't like Yamaha's construction and output stage. It has a speaker impedance selector. I prefer a protection circuitry.

I didn't like Onkyo's volume linearity. Power only settles in after many turns. You have a wide low-power region, which actually isn't too bad, but definitely not my thing.

There is nothing that should distract you from this great buy. It's an entry level receiver with superb sound quality. Casual listeners who just want to put in the CD or DVD, lean back and relax, can definitely enjoy the sound show.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha 595a, Onkyo TX-DS575

DD, DTS, 5-channel stereo

Inputs are crossed? Documentation

Just received my AVR-1801. Not as loud as my Yamaha. Subwoofer volume is definitely less than my Yamaha. DTS and 5-channel stereo sound fantastic. My DVD player only works if it's plugged into the CD inputs on the back of the receiver. I guess I should plug a CD player into the DVD inputs and see what happens. Excellent Dolby Digital sound otherwise. Wish it had more power (75W X 5). Maybe should have went with the 2800 or 3300.

Speakers and sub: Klipsch all around
DVD: Toshiba SD-5109

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V992

Everything except...

Remote, would have liked it to be 75w like its predecessor and not 70w.

Great looking and sounding receiver. Excellent Dolby Digital and DTS decoding (love its Cinema EQ function)... Compared to the other receivers I have used (except for the Pioneer Elite) this is the warmest sounding receiver. Does get warm but nothing worth worrying about. Great internal DACs. Completely pleased with this product and its features per price ratio. 5 channel stereo is superb specially if you have 5 equal speakers like I do (I use NHT SuperOnes all around which smooth out any brightness that this receiver may have). Finally a setup I can be happy with. Denon has a customer for life now!

Similar Products Used:

Sony DE series, Yamaha, Kenwood, Pioneer and Pioneer Elite

Great sound, even at loud volumes and my poor speakers, much power, looks good, exellent remote, nice DSP-effects, excellent surround and lots of inputs/outputs.

None that I have found so far.

This is great! I love it. It makes my music sound better than ever, and watching movies, even regular stereo-recordings, is a thrill every time. I never thought I could get such loud clear sound out from my old 60w Fisher speakers, since the Sony didn't really convince me (although that one is very good too). Now I'm convinced that the only thing that could be better than this for personal audio is a more expensive model. It is not one of the cheaper models in the mid-price-range, but it is definitely worth the money, and then some. Remember to buy good connector cables for CD/VCR/DVD/Speakers while you're at it, in order to maximize the experience.

Similar Products Used:

Sony 635 (can't remember the exact model number)

incredible sound, looks nice too

remote somewhat confusing

I have my AVR-1800 paired up to JBL front/rear and center speakers (professional line-I work for a JBL dealer) and a Yamaha sub. I swear when I listen to the jazz channel on my direct tv system, if i closed my eyes i would swear they were playing in the front of my living room. I listened to a Jimi Hendrix cd and it sounded like he was resurrected!!! That reciever was the best 500 bucks I have ever spent. Crystal clear, even when I cranked it up to 108 db, loud enough to vibrate the room. I use the optical inputs for my dvd and sataliette tv.

Similar Products Used:

Technics, Sony

Build quality,Sound, Made in Japan, Motorola 24 bit DSP. 5 channel stereo.. Best buy reciever for under $500.

none yet

HT sound is superb...clarity imaging with infinity center and front speakers. Thanks to audio review. I would recomend this anyone who likes home theater and music lovers...5 ch. stereo will light up your day. Got mine for $419 from LF Electronics.

Setup:
Sony SV-32" TV
Sony 550 DVD player
Denon AVR-1800
Infinity RS-1 Center Speaker
Infinty RS-4 Tower Front Speaker
JBL bookshelf Surround Speaker

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Kenwood VR-309