The AVR-2500 is a great product. Although now discontinued, it was worth every penny at $1000. or on close-out between $400 to $500. Great sound, menus, & flexible. It does have a metal faceplate (as if that REALLY matters). I have owned 2 over the past 3 yrs. (traded the 1st one off, BIG mistake) and they've both been winners. A classic!!!!

I bought my receiver about a year ago on clearence and love it. It does everything I want and need it to. Sounds sweet as honey. I use Paradigm Monitor 9, CC-350, and ADP-350 speakers with a VA-1215 subwoofer. It is an excellent system for music and video for $425.

The 2500 is my second Denon, and a vast improvement over the original. Now that I've added an outboard AC-3 decoder, I've gotten to about where my budget will allow.Musically, the imaging is great, and it's got plenty of punch. It's hard to compare with a top-of-the-line separate for me, since my speakers aren't top of the line either. It's not as good as Signature 30 speakers on Levinson amps, but I don't expect it to be.
My non-audiocentric friends immediately notice the improved sound quality of my system over theirs. My audiocentric friends comment on the clarity of dialogue in movies.

I got my DENON AVR-2500 2 months ago. using it with JBL Control 5 sub and JBL CM62 satalite speakers and planning to add BOSE VCS-30 speakers for the center and rear chanels. Sound is so soft and smood. It is not ac-3. thats the wost part. Otherwise it is a perfect receiver for the price.

I've owned the AVR2500 for 4 years. Paid $710. Would say one of the best receivers in its range(at that time). Response a little low at high frequencies, so I'm using an Onkyo EQ35 Integra Equalizer to balance the response. DSP for the rear isn't all that great for music. Dolby Prologic, can't beat this piece at current sale price. Mostly using it in stereo mode, driving a pair of Infinity SM155. Still using it.. it's been a great amp overall.

although denon is a top of the line product, a 1977 marantz 2330b silver series tuner, will show you what real sound is. I have one with 4 old sound dynamic speakers, 2-s15's and 2-s10's. the combo will shake the windows in the house, when listening to a movie. {its hooked to my dss dish.} I have only heard a few systems that keep up to it, that being a tube amp model, and a $2500. harmon cardin. these older marants units are very hard to come by, but if anyone finds one, give it a good look.

I own the Denon AVR-2500 for 6 months now and I liked it. It has great soundquality, good DSP modes and lots of other good features. I liked the AVSE setting (ON) a lot. At a price of around $700 (retail) it's a great buy for
starters.

One problem is that, you have to walk to the receiver, to play music (CD/Tape)
in Dolby Pro-Logic Phantom mode. There's no button on the remote for Dolby
Pro-Logic Normal/Phantom/Wide modes. Dolby Pro-Logic Phantom mode
doesn't output to Center channel and not same as putting center off. You
normally would like to use center channel for video.

Anyway, if you're looking for a Pro-Logic receiver in the range of $700,
AVR-2550 is worth a look.

I would wager that this receiver is one of the better units of its kind available. However, the pre-amp section is substantially better than the amp section. Partnered with a naim NAP110, it sings quite delightfully with a polished silkiness and greater depth of sound stage. It is actually superior in many respects to the Naim nac 32.5 pre-amp, even with an outbaord Snaps power supply. Of course, this kind of product is quickly reaching obsolescence as ac-3 and dvd creep into the homes of eager technologically savvy consumers. But for someone who is only now getting into home theater who can find this product on sale, it is one of the best I've heard; both dynamic and musical, with a tendancy toward the analytical: a little cool. Nor is it harsh. Perhaps a little lacking in the bass, but whatever is there is clean and unboomy. It is excellently constructed, being all-metal, with a consequent solid feel to the unit. Oh, and the tuner sounds excellent. In truth, I have not heard a better all -in -one unit. I cannot give it a perfect score. But it's up there.