Sounds very clean and detailed compared to my old Sony ES receiver. Very well built, doesn't look cheap. Doesn't have a plethora of useless surround modes.

Usual gripes about the remote. Manual could be better as well.

Replaced my old Sony ES receiver (pro-logic only) which died. I was very impressed by the improved sound quality over the Sony. The sound is much more detailed, and cleaner as well. DPL sounds a lot better too - more detailed - especially in the surround channels. Haven't tried DD or DTS yet - no DVD player. Overall, I recommend this unit as an excellent first receiver or an upgrade from a lesser unit.

Similar Products Used:

Sony GX800ES (c. 1996 model, no DD or DTS)

Number of Inputs, DTS Sound, Value

Remote Control & Manual

After much research, review, & demo time, I finally settled on the 2801. First considered Yamaha & Onkyo, but chose Denon for build quality, ease of use, functions, and sound. Debated on buying the 3801, but couldn't justify the extra $400 for 7.1 capability (I wouldn't have bought the extra amp and RC speaker anyway), Multi-Source/Multi-Zone, & the extra watts per channel. The 2801 is Denon's best deal for the $.

Although the remote is quite functional, I don't like the looks or the sliding Audio/Video switching levers. The manual is weak - plan on spending a few hours with your unit getting it set up correctly.

The 2801 unit is user friendly and sounds great with my BA VR-M50's and PV600 sub. Plan on updgarding my center and rear channels in near future. (Considering BA VR910 and CR7's). My setup works well for HT or Music.

After considering Crazy Eddie's, I spent the extra $100 to buy at an authorized Denon dealer.

Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha

Sound quality, features and price value

For the money paid, none...

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who submitted a review on this product! I am in love! I was very happy with my Kenwood reciever, and have been for a number of years. With the purchase of a new DVD player I decided it was time to step-up and purchase something with Dolby Digital & DTS. I had done all my shopping on-line and decided on the Denon based on the strenghth of its reviews. I was not let down. Not only does the Dolby Digital floor anything I had heard before but even just listening to CDs made an immence difference. I heard things in my CDs I had never heard before. It made my Infinitys sound better than I thought possible. I am for lack of a better word "STOKED" about this receiver!

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood's KR-V8050

clean sound. quality product. well built. powerfull.

ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE REMOTE CONTROL

Denon has put out a great product with the 2801. It has plenty of power to drive my Klipsch speakers. DTS is awesome. The on screen programming is key. It helps tremendously with set up. The only downfall is it's remote. Not only is it dead ugly, but it is difficult to use. It feels awkward to hold. However, the quality of the receiver itself supercedes the lousy remote, so don't let that deter you from getting this receiver. For the money, havn't seen anything that compares to this one.

Similar Products Used:

pioneer recievers

Clear, crisp sound, 5 ch stereo, easy setup, learning remote

This receiver took my Polk speakers to a new level. It is easy to connect to existing system and the on-screen menu aids with the more detailed options. Learning remote is great, but does take some time to become acclimated. The 2801 offers the right amount of options without overkill. The decompression mode for DVD play is great for loud explosive movies such as Saving Private Ryan. Also, the Cinema EQ is great for watching at night when others are asleep. You hear the dialogue without the sudden burst of audio.
I highly recommend this receiver especially if you have a mid-level HT/speaker setup. The manual does take some aptitude, but seems logical. The replacement, AVR-2802 will be available late August so you best hurry to land a great deal.

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Technics SA930

Plenty of power, no hissing whatsoever, very clear sound.

manual, system setup, remote takes time to get use to, but with macros all set up is great.

I got one of those “DJ ready” versions of this receiver; it comes with a rack mountable tray. Just wonder is anyone else got one like this.
Anyway, that’s not the point. After reading reviews on this site a couple of years in engineering school I figured I would not have any problems with the instructions. Well what can I tell you, if you have questions this manual DOES NOT have the answers. I have been having this very annoying problem with getting on screen menu to appear. It appears whenever it wants to. The “on screen” and “system setup” buttons have no effect, I know about S-video vs. RCA monitor output priorities. Still no luck. Trying to catch the appropriate settings in that little one-line windows on the receiver itself is also impossible.
But do not get me wrong, this is a one-time setup for most of you. I just like to fiddle a bit with my setup. I have tested optical vs. digital coax connection and can tell you one thing. Go with COAX.

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played around with panasonic and onkyo recievers.

Clean natural sound
Plenty of power (at least for my speakers)
Great build quality (no plastic buttons here!)
Sweet DTS + DD decoding + auto-switching, quiet - no hiss or pops.
Memorizes your settings for each input.

The remote could be redesigned, though it works well and controls all my equipment, I can't control it as fast as i'd like. Don't like the 2 switches.
Guests in my house have no idea how to work it!! hehe

I have to respectfully disagree with a few earlier weaknesses posted:

-Some people have mentioned a hiss when their cd player is paused and the volume is cranked... I just tried this and found this hiss, I had to put my ear right up to the speaker it was that quiet, maybe it is louder for others but I suspect any noise could be from the cd player itself of possibly cheap RCA's.

-Other people have mentioned a lack of power, and i guess this depends on each individual setup. Personally I have all speakers set to "small" and my 12" sub handling all low frequencys. This lets the amp play louder and cleaner, very loud infact and it doesn't clip at all, i've had it right to -0db without noticeable distortion.
I imagine if you have your mains set to "large" and the bass cranked it may not play as loud as you like.
------

-I recommend this receiver to anybody looking to upgrade from a cheaper pro-logic or digital unit, and want to step up to the next level in sound and overall quality.

1 big attraction for me was that this receiver doesn't have 30 DSP modes!! I don't care for these at all and am glad I didn't pay for them.


My setup:
Denon 2801 Receiver
Front - Paradigm Monitor 7 v.2
Centre - Paradigm CC-370
Surround - Bose 201 (I like them but probably not great surrounds ;-) )
Sub - Paradigm 12" ps1200
i won't bore you with the rest


I am very happy with this product overall

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ummm. well none really.. upgraded from technics pro-logic unit. it doesn't compare to the denon in any way, and shouldn't given the price difference.

Sound clarity, 5-channel stereo, build quality

Remote control

My current system:
Denon 2801 receiver,
Pioneer 525 DVD
B&W DM 602 S2 front,
B&w CC3 center,
B&W DM 302 rear,
Paradigm PDR-10 subwoofer

Since the 5-channel stereo was something I really wanted, the Denon and Onkyo receivers were my only choice. I liked the Denon sound more and had to choose between the 1801 and 2801. The 1801 is much weaker, and I'm glad I took the 2801.

I've read reviews in this site that talks about a hiss on the rear speakers. Right after installing the receiver and the 6 speakers, I’ve put a CD on my DVD machine, pressed pause and turned the volume to the maximum. HISSS on the rear speakers. When you turn the dial to 0 db the hiss disappear. Since I'm not listening to music with volume greater than that 0 db is not a problem for me. Moreover it is hard to prove that this hiss exist when music is playing (and not in pause mode). So the problem is much less critic than what is described in the other reviews, and for me it does not exist at all.

Overall, the receiver has excellent sound.

Excellent Dolby Digital, DTS & Pro Logic performance for the price. Good stereo performance. Low noise.

No component video switching.

I did my research for 2 months using various magazines and this site (and most importantly my ears) before I decided on the AVR-2801. I have compared 2801 to 1801 and found 2801 to be more musical and natural sounding. I have also heard Yamaha RX-V596 and found their Home Theater performance to be slightly better than the Denons, ie better and faster stirring of Dolby Digital & DTS signal. What made me put my money on AVR-2801 is its musicality in straight stereo - it is better than the Yamaha. Everything just sound more right on the Denon. Those who likes brighter sound may find Yamaha better suited. One slight drawback - I personally find that its 90W/Ch rating a little overated because it can't make my 4 Ohms main speakers sing as effortlessly as it should. Nevertheless it is still competent.

Overall an excellent Home Theater AND stereo performer at the price.

Equipment use:
1) Denon AVR-2801
2) SAST DVD Player
3) Dynaudio Audience 70 main speakers
4) Celestion Centre 2
5) Jamo 307 Rears
7) TaraLabs Klara speaker cable
8) QED DigiFlex coax digital cable

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My first HT receiver.

another DTS receiver

A DTS receiver without a COMPONENT VIDEO input

No COMPONENT VIDEO input
Lack of inputs
Ugly looking comparing with Yamaha Top Arts design
Kind of light..

For audio this is just ok, ppl don't exaggerate on Denon

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Yamaha AVR