For a A/V Receiver it does an outstanding job of reproducing musical CD's

Crappy Remote

My first Denon product and I must say I am impressed with the sound quality.I am a firm beliver in separate amps and pre amps for musical reproduction but Denon shows that you can come close with a A/V receiver. In this price range you can not go wrong with the Denon 2801

Similar Products Used:

Sony STRDE635

Dolby Digital,DTS,5.1 Overall sound quality

Remote deserves a knock but it really isn't that bad.
The manual is terrible!

Researched a/v receivers for over a month before I decided on the Denon 2801.For the money (and even a couple hundred more) nothing compares.Read all the reviews in these pages and all I have to say is THANK YOU, because they sure were accurate!
The system was a breeze to hook up,it took me less than half an hour.The remote is where the problems came in but with a good nights sleep and a pot of coffee you'll be fine. Actually there are some great functions on the remote after you get it figured out.I really like the CALL function.Press 2 buttons with a DVD in the DVD player and 5 operations happen. The receiver,DVD player, and T.V., all turn on.The receiver goes to DVD function and the DVD player starts playback. No scrambling for remotes or trying to find a bunch of buttons in the dark. Just sit back and enjoy.
Was a little concerned about buying this mail order but the experience was a good one.Got it in 4 buisness days,it came double boxed and factory sealed.(Crazy Eddies)
Movies are truly an experience with the Denon.I absolutley love this receiver!

Sound in stereo and surround is great. Especially in 'direct' mode for stereo.

Runs a little warm, doesn't sound as 'loud' as it should considering its rated output, speaker terminals too close, tuner awkward to program and use

I'm happy with this unit so far (touch wood). Don't know if it will run the 20 years non-stop like my Phase Linear separates did (and still do with someone else!). However the sound quality was instantly noticeably great. Even in direct mode I sometimes think the rear speakers are contributing!

I'm using it mostly for 'direct' stereo and prologic for VCR and TV (no DVD yet). Even as a pure stereo amp I think you'd have to pay a lot more for any noticeable improvement in sound quality.

However I'm a little suspicious of the rated power figure as my amp seems to be less loud than the old separates...

Blends nicely with my Mission 753 fronts and Mission 77DS rears!

Concerned about the heat it generates but allow sufficient clearance on top and behind and you shoudl be okay. Speaker connectors could have been slightly further apart to make it easier to use thicker cable...

Remote? no problem with me. Programmed my non-Denon CD into it and it seems to works fine.

Manual? Just short of atrocious! No details about so many things, eg what PL modes it switches to automatically, or what 'matrix' mode does, etc....

best wishes to all

Satz

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Marantz 5000

Sound and Build Quality, 5-channel Stereo, Inputs/Outputs, DD/DTS Decoding and Surround Setup, Remote (believe it or not it's pretty good)

Tuner Presets, Lacks Digital Output

I purchased this unit brand new from a friend who decided to upgrade to a Denon 5800. This is everything I wanted in a receiver, and a lot more.

Sound and Build Quality
-----------------------
First off, the sound quality is amazing - it's an excellent for listening to music AND home theater. This receiver has excellent components inside, and this is apparent by the weight of the unit. Comparing this to a "consumer" receiver (e.g. Kenwood, Sony, JVC) is like comparing a Mack truck to a Geo Metro.

5 Channel Stereo
----------------
The 5-channel Stereo is one of the greatest features giving the realism of being at a concert... especially with classical music (try the last movement of Beetoven's 9th). I believe for 5-channel Stereo to really work all the speakers have to match (see end of review for speakers used).

Inputs/Outputs
--------------
This unit has all the inputs one would need to connect their A/V gear, and control everything from a central place. There are binding post speaker connectors for ALL channels - a major upgrade from the 2800. The only drawbacks I see are lack of component video inputs/outputs and lack of a digital out (important for a CDR).

DD/DTS Decoding and Speaker Setup
---------------------------------
Dolby Digital and DTS decoding is a no-brainer for this unit. Everything happens automatically, except I sometimes have to set it at the DVD player (that's a story for another review). Setting the unit up, and tweaking the speaker settings is flexible and intuitive.

Remote
------
It seems everyone has managed to bash the remote that came with this unit. Sure it looks kinda funny, but it's functionality is intuitive and flexible. I use the remote to control all of my non-Denon components.

Tuner
-----
The actual tuner of this unit is quite good in terms of reception and sound quality. The major drawback is programming the presets. The manual provides little insight, and the actual way of recalling a preset station is not intuitive.

My HT System:
• Wharfedale Sapphire 87s (front)
• Wharfedale Sapphire 83s (rear)
• Wharfedale Sapphire Centre
• Toshiba SD1600 DVD
• Sony CDP-C500 CD Changer
• Panamax 500DBS Line Conditioner
• Carol Studio Grade 12-gauge wire
• Acoustic Research interconnects

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood (POS)

CRAP manual, Receiver gets hot when heavy used, Weird radio station setup procedure, Setup must be done via S-Video monitor

Installing this baby was childs play. And oh boy what a soundstage! The B&W speakers fills up the room immediately, also the speakers can take a beating if one wants to play loud. The bi-wire front/center setup I use is a good choice for astounding sound delivery.

Tried the system with and without a subwoofer. Actually I don't need that subwoofer - the mains and the receiver keeps giving those movie FX thru the regular speakers just as good!

--

System:

Denon 2801 Receiver
Pioneer DV-525 DVD Player
Tara Labs Coaxial cable
B&W DM603 S2 Fronts
B&W DM601 S2 Surrounds
B&W LCR6 Center
Tara Labs Prism Bi-wired signal cable to Fronts/Center
Tara Labs Omni signal cable to Surrounds
Paradigm PS1000 Sub

remote is goofy looking

My ten year old TA-2A Nakamichi receiver died recently so
I went out looking for a replacement. Looked
into the Yamaha RX-496 and its AV cousin RX-V496 based
on its generally good reviews. Tried it only a bit at the
store but it sounded fine so got the RX-496. Big mistake.
Got it home and just couldn't listen to it...way
too "clear". Too much screeching treeble on high notes
and way too deep a bass on songs that were otherwise fine
using the Nakamichi. Found my CDs now "un-usable"
with the new receiver. What a disappointment. And what
a junky remote. Well, simple anyway...without AV, there's
not much for it to do. And you can't train it.

After 5 days of trying to "fix" it, decided to return it
and try again...but this time looking up the price ladder
at something that would give 5-channel stereo and give
me the surround-sound when/if I wanted it. Listened to
the Denon 1801 and the 2801. The 2801 was much smoother
and had more bass than the 1801...and produced a sound
close to the TA-2A Nak. Got my music back! I've had
10+ years of listening to CDs with my old system and so I
"know" what they ought to sound like. The Denon 2801
does as good or better job. Somewhat clearer for high notes
but nothing like the harsh Yamaha - which did sound
really excellent for some songs, but just in places).

My system:
Denon turntable
Nakamichi 6-disk CD player(CDC-6A)
B&W 500 Series main speakers

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V496

flexibility, decent dsp modes, good power

manual, remote(needs a better layout and manual)

I've had the unit for a week now and done some serious listening this past weekend. I don't know if it is the synergy between the receiver and the harmonic technology digital cable and dynaudio speakers or if most of the credit should go to the receiver's decoders and dac's. But my hometheater system is very musical and clear now compared to having a nakamichi receiver and using analog connections from the dvd.

The set-up is relatively easy and the dsp modes are actually quite good especially the 5 channel stereo and the Jazz and Matrix dsp. The remote is not that user friendly and since my dvd is connecte via component cable straight to the rptv, it can be a little inconvenient to access the set-up screen. But overall the unit is very flexible and you can control a lot of you speaker set up. It has all the decoding I need and want and enough power to drive my 4ohm dynaudio's to very respectable levels.

I even connected my music only cd (cambridge audio D500), which I felt was a very musical cdp for the price. After connecting it to denon and comparing it to my sony 530 dvd, it seemed to lack some definition on the top end. These were using decent analog wires (audioquest quartz). The sony is hooked up via harmonic technology cyberlink digital cable.

To be fair, the sony's soundstage depth is compromised and the mids don't sound as full but the overall sound is more open and defined without glare. I truly believe that the harmonic technology cyberlink helps tremendously. I had done a similar comparison when I had my nakamichi and during that comparison, the cambridge sounded much better and the sony was both anemic and glaring on music but decent on movies. Is it the receiver or the digital connection or both?

Bottom line, the denon has breathed new musical life into my hometheater set up and I'll need to upgrade my music system in the bedroom to match it somehow. Did I mention that movies sound terrific?!

Related equipment:

mitsubishi 60" gold series
monster component cable
sony 530 dvd
harmonic technology cyberlink
denon 2801 receiver
tributary speaker wire (will upgrade sooner or later)
dynaudio 40's front
dynaudio 120 center
tannoy m2 rears
definitive tech 15" sub (forget name) connected via monster subwoofer cable (eaudionet.com recommended Dh lab bl-1 II for this I may try it)

for bedroom music/stereo movie:
Cambridge Audio D500 cdp
Cambridge Audio A3i integrated
dynaudio 40's
audioquest type 4's spkr
audioquest quartz interconnect
sony 32" V series Trinitron
sony playstation 2 (for my newborn! right!)

Similar Products Used:

nakamichi receivers

Sound quality, On screen menu setup

Must use same input(S-vid/rca style) as output jacks

After spending hours at this site and listening to every reciever I could locate in this price range or lower,I
narrowed it down to Denon. It was hard to deny a manufacturer whose last two model series are almost all in the upper 4's in ratings. The 2801 had more of the fetures I wanted but was also at the top of my budget. Was about to go with an 1801, but instead, took a chance on U-bid and everything worked great(have also read some horor stories).
Sound quality is amazing. The highs are crisp and the bass is tight and precise. Dolby digital is amazing and the only way to go for home theater.
The manual isn't great, but not as bad as some say. With the on screen setup, the manual isn't realy needed for setup. The remote is very programable but could be laid out a little nicer(onkyo's remotes are much better). I would also like to see Denon do away with the slider switch to select remote operation.
All connections are laid out neatly, but you must use the same video inputs as output. This can be worked around, but the ability to use either would be nice.
The bottom line is that if you compare all the recievers that have list prices in the same range as the 2801, it will be hard to beat the fetures and sound. I found that most stores that sell denon use them as demo units if you ask to listen to speakers, no matter what other brand they carry.
My theater system:
Denon AVR-2801
Energy Take 5 speakers w/XL-S10 sub
Panasonic DVD-RV30

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo 575x, Sony 845

The best audio product I've ever heard for under $800

Weak manual

I purchased the Denon AVR-2801 at Crazy Eddies.Com after reading reviews on this site after demo of the unit at Tweeter, etc. Price at Tweeter $700... got it for $467.00. Crazy Eddie was fine; received unit in 5 days double-boxed with air cushions in perfect condition and it comes with a USA Guarantee. Thanks to reviews on this site,I have an outstanding unit for a home theater. Compared to my old Yamaha RXV-590 as an biplane, the Denon is the Space shuttle. The house shakes with perfect DTS sound. DVD's are amazing! I have all Boston speakers with a Boston 100 watt subwoofer. I cannot see spending any more for a larger unit. I reccommend this unit 100%; Crazy Eddies is an excellent site.

Solid construction, great sound, lots of features, easy setup, lots of inputs.

What else ? the remote.

I spent a few months researching this product and trying to find the best value for my buck. I spent days on this sight (thanks to everyone here who reviewed and this great site) looking at Onkyo, Harmon Kardon, and Marantz primarily. I kept coming back to the Denon based on features, price and user consensus. I couldn’t be more happy ! The unit is everything I wanted and more ! the sound is amazing and it works perfectly with my Denon DVM-1800 DVD Changer ! (next review) If your thinking about this receiver and just cant decide trust me ! it is a great product. !

I made my purchase from Carzyeddie.Com I was a little nervous about buying from them because I hadn't heard much about them good or bad, but I took a chance because their pricing was better than any other Online price I had seen . The product arrived 8 days after I ordered it, double boxed and in perfect shape. They over charge for shipping ($54.00 ground) but I still got a good deal, $503.00 total including shipping.

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JVC Dolby Digital.