- Amazing clarity of sound. This receiver sounds like GOLD with my Mission speakers...played the beginning THX thing in Attack of the Clones for my friend...he was like HOLY SH*T!!! This sounds AMAZING...and it does. I haven't heard anything like this receiver before for under $2000. - Good dyanmic range - Looks great! - granular volume control - easy on-screen menu programming - Dolby ProLogic II and DTS Neo:6 AMAZING for stereo sources such as the TV or a VCR tape. This blew me away! I never realized my Star Wars tapes could sound so good!

- Remote's slider buttons to change function (i.e. input device). I can see these manfunctioning within a few years. There should be buttons to switch between DVD/TV/VCR etc. - Remote can't learn ALL the buttons on other remotes due to lack of buttons for programming. Thus remote can not learn my Picture-in-Picture features of my Sony TV. - Ergonomics: Confusing to use at times. Not exactly the easiest receiver to get your head around and also there seems to be buttons that really don't do ANYTHING! Like there is a button access the knob to change the input signal (DVD to TV etc.) and it says you can press this button first, BUT you can just turn the knob! So why even have the button there? I think there is a similar situation on the surround parameter controls. - MANUAL. Terrible. Needs to be re-written and there are grammatical errors all over the place. Denon should spend more time producing better manuals that are clear and easy to read. - On-screen programming (OSP). Works great IF and ONLY IF you are in DVD (s-video) mode. It's a pain always switching to DVD mode to change the sound parameter and setup features.

I wanted to use this receiver for a few weeks before I did a review of it so I could gain an accurate knowledge of its usability, quality, aesthetics, and sound. Overall, I would say I'm very pleased with this receiver. There are many things I like, and a few things I don't like, but it's not enough to give this receiver a bad rating, by any means. I'm thoroughly pleased with this piece of equipment! I'll talk more about the strenghts and weaknesses of this receiver in the S/W section. HOWEVER, the remote isn't as bad as everyone else says here. It's not fantastic, but not bad. I ran out of room in the weakness section, so I'll post the rest here. WEAKNESSES: - Screen on the acutal unit could be better...so that you wouldn't have to go through DVD s-video mode all the time! - can't turn off completely any channel such as sub, fronts, etc. - Remote buttons don't match what's on the unit itself. I think they should be the same and the remote should more closely parallel the unit or vice versa and thus the unit would be more intuitive. SUMMARY: This unit sounds amazing and the weaknesses, while a bit annoying, don't detract from the juice this thing delievers...and at the end of the day, it is SOUND that matters. WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS PRODUCT?? YES! AM I PLEASED WITH IT? VERY! Equipment: - Sony DVD player (not sure model, but nothing great) - Mission M74 main speakers http://www.mission.co.uk/product/m70/m74.htm - Mission M70 rear speakers http://www.mission.co.uk/product/m70/m70.htm - Energy S8.2 Subwoofer http://www.energy-speakers.com/subwoofers/subwoofer_speakers_S8.html - Mission M7C2 Center Channel http://www.mission.co.uk/product/m70/m7c2.htm P.S. TYPICAL Americans! You can't put in the price above in any currency besides good ol' American bucks! Anyhow, the world doesn't revolve around you guys and they price paid above is actually Canadian dollars. (not that it means anything to Americans...)

- powerful & loud - clear dialog & sound effects in movies - music sounds details & sweet - loads of features for the price

- music maybe on the soft side, well, what can I expect? it is a A/V receiver...but it has done a much better job in the musical department compare to some of the receivers in this price range. Other than that, the rest are not worth mentioning.

Have been using this great receiver for about half a year now. It is my 2nd receiver after upgraded from Marantz SR4200. It serves as the heart of my entertainment in my bedroom, driving KEF Q35 as the main speakers. I'm using it primarily as a music player coupled with Marantz CD-6000 OSE. For DVD movie & gaming, its connected to my PC & PS2. Even my MP3 sounds so fine being feed through my Terratec DMX 6Fire 24/96 soundcard. When I picked this baby up, I was deciding hard between it & Yamaha 1200. Although I had to pay $100 more, it didn't stop me from going home with Denon. These 2 receivers are the closest rivals in term of features & price. From my own listening, Yamaha 1200 has much faster & tighter bass, however it is not as clear & details as Denon 2802. Denon 2802 has warmer & more laidback sound compare to the brightness & forward sound of Yamaha 1200. Yamaha 1200 has too much DSP modes which I hardly ever use. Moreover, Denon is made in Japan and has been well known for its quality. This receiver works well with KEF Q35. For DVD movie, its clear & crisp with enough punch for continuous excitement. For music, it sounds details & sweet, however it might sounds a bit too cold at some point. The sound of acoustic guitars is unbelievable, so real. And the remote, as everyone has pointed out, is a laughing stock. Its almost 6 mths now and I'm still having hard time looking for particular buttons. Yes, you may get a better amp such as 3802. But it may cost a few hundred dollars more. Depends on your needs, it may worth that extra cash. I haven't tried too much products since I've started the hifi craze. Therefore my review might not represent a very accurate facts. But from my own opinion, this AVR-2802 worths every cents of my hard earn cash. I'm satisfied!

Similar Products Used:

Marantz SR4200 only

Surround reproduction is great

- Multi Source capability is a gimmick. It requires an external amp to feed in to, and won't convert a Digital sound source into a Analog, to pass through the RCA-out connectors. This means your DVD or CD that is connected to the amp via a digital cable cannot be fed through the Multi-Source. - Remote is large and clunky. It's range of compatible devices is limited to a handful of brands. Buy a 3rd party learning remote that is better designed.

Great sounding amp - a stunning upgrade over my old Sherwood piece of garbage. However there were a few downsides ...

clean, very clean sound. satisfactory 'oomph' on movies. music sounds clean, without any 'receiver induced impurities'

the remote is an abomination and doubtlessly developed by I Ching reading acid junkie, but sort of like bad Peter Gabriel music, grows on you. The manual takes some reading (and re-reading) to understand some concepts that Denon technical writers are trying to share.

I've owned JVC (pro-logic, early 90's) and Sony (DE715) receivers in the past, and I have to say I'm very pleased with the Denon 2802. The digital sound from a DVD is outstanding and for music, very clean, from analog or digital sources. The remote is a sticking point, as it is easier to drive an MG with the bottom two gears ground out and a bad clutch than to use this brick as a universal remote. This may not be the receiver that pins your ears back with volume on music, etc, but, alas, there are dollars to spend to reach that level of nirvana. For the money, this unit gives me everything I need in a 17 x 12 family room, powering JBL L5's in the front, JBL 2500's in the back, and JBL center and woofer. Music from my speakers never sounded cleaner. I also believe that at 90 watts, this also has more snap it its garters than my 100 watt Sony. If you're on a budget that allows for a $500 ballpark receiver, I've tested the heck out of them over the past 3 months. This one is value packed, and, in a word, pleasant. By the way, On screen set-up does not require S-video, just make sure the two black switches are to the far left on the remote before you try to do this

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Sony DE 715, JVC pro-logic from early 90's. Sampled with Onkyo 600, Yamaha HTR 5560 before making decision.

Uncolored sound. Component video.

Have to use S Video for on screen diplay.

Due to a theft, I was in the market for a new AV receiver. Budget was set at 500. Listened to Denon, HK, Marantz Sony, Yamaha, and a friend's Outlaw. Chose the Denon 2802. I am very pleased so far. only the Outlaw seemed to be as transparent and uncolored. Chose the Denon as the Outlaw does not have component video. Overall the Denon is much closer to the Adcom separates that I used to have than the most recent HK it replaces.

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Adcom, HK

Great unit for 5.1 Home Theater. I greatly recomende it. Quality build. Make to last.

Had problem with the On screen display. Not good enough for music (lacking in power and detail). Remote: whoever designed this big ugly thing must have been on drugs.

I bought the 2802 to serve as as a music listening center mainly. This particular unit had trouble with the OCD(on screen display). I was not able to make The OCD to show in the TV Monitor.I read in the chat room for HT about someone else having the same problem. I returned the unit, and got the AVR3802. What a difference!, the 3802 blows the 2802 away.

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Cheap Technics

quality

nothing that is significant..in other words.. NONE!!

I had this receiver for about a month now and i really enjoy the power and quality this brings to my HT system. I dont know what other people here are talking about the setup times. It is pretty straight forward. The manuel is pretty well laid out, however it could be better. I notice one thing that i had to turn up the master volume to -20 to -15dbs to be pretty decent listening volume.. I feel that kind of high considering the highest the receiver goes is like 18dbs or so.. anyway. It is well made. highly recommened.. if you can afford $200 dollars.. check out avr-3802 for true 7.1..system

SOUND, EASE OF USE, POWER, FEATURES

TENDS TO RUN A LITTLE HOT AT TIMES.

If your lookin for clean sound and great power look no further! I've had the denon 2802 for about 5 months now and I still get blown away by the quality. I had a sony before this one, it wasnt a high end model but a modest one. The detail I get from the denon is superb. Listning to cds on the denon is a whole new experience compared to the sony. I hear percusion and other subtle details on songs that I never knew were there, what a diffrence. For home theater mode it is just as good. The 6.1 DTSES mode just blows my friends away, that extra speaker behind you makes you feel alot more "in the movie". They should really start recording a sixth channel on dvd's alot more, theres only several now (worth buying) that are available that sound fantastic. All of my other components are sony and I am pleased with them. If your lookin for a good reciever for good money try the denon 2802. Especially now its dropped in price to 800.00 or you could easily find it cheap on ebay or wherever.

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SONY, PIONEER

It ain't the best and ain't the worst. Just perfect and probably best in the md-range quality.You can't expect a receiver to have everything on it. I suggest you follow your ears and choose like that. Remember a companies reputation and reliability counts.

The brick remote and DSP's don't sound too good. Maybe 2 more digital inputs and a higher bandwith for component inputs. they are rated at 27mHz while Yamaha has 60mHz. Don't know if it really makes a difference between 27 and 60. Ask around.

I was looking on purchase one of the following..... Yamaha 1200,2200, Marantz 7200, Harmon Kardon 320, Denon 2802. I picked the Denon for these reasons. 1. Sound quality and power 2. Denon is made in Japan 3. The store I bought it from is an authorized dealer and they have an in-store shop where they will fix the receiver (if any problems) without sending it away. Before I decided on Denon, I spent probably 3 months on reading reviews on the net, looking through magazines, calling all kinds of dealers asking all kinds of questions not that I don't know about these products but to get their opinions and to see if they are being honest with me or they are just trying to sell there brands. Let me give you some advice.....too much research will make your head explode. In my case I am way too picky that's why I had a hard time chosing. Anyways let's compare... Built Quality: All the above receivers say they are top notch, I could not make a choice on this bacause I am not a technician and I honestly have no idea what all those parts inside are. Sorry! Sound Quality: (DVD) Definetly Denon was best. Marantz seemed to be running close to full blast and it wasn't as loud as Denon. It was clean sound but not very loud. Yamaha had a softer sound but seemed to lack clarity and that dynamic punch in action scences. Harmon Kardon had all the power you need but again not as clear and precise as Denon. The dialogue just wasn't as clear as denon. I do think that Denons processing chips delivered better seperation and clarity giving you a better movie experience. Match the Denon with a good set of speakers and you will hear all the sound effects that's meant to be heard. Looks/Design: I think the Yamaha won because it as door panel on front which hides a lot of the buttons making ot look less crowded. What I didn't like about Harmon Kardon is that it had a plastic front panel while the others were aluminium. (which absorbs heat) For the remotes...hands down the Marantz had the best one with a large backlight lcd display,silver colour, programmable and your own title naming input. Denon was worst...looks like a kids toy (all these olours on it) and it's so wide. It's suppose to be made to fit comfortably in your hand. I think Denon left the remote design project to some grade 10 geeks in high school. What a shame!!!! Affortability: Al

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Yamaha 1200, 2200 Marantz 7200 Harmo Kardon 320 Energy Encore 2 speakers JVC preogressive scan DVD player

The exstincive amount of video switching digital inputs/outputs, and prossesing for the price range. Sound! Sound !Sound! Very dynamic warm and detailed.

Is hassle to set up poor manual

When it comes to features on a reciever at the price range of this reciever it is truly second to none. And that isnt even the strongest point of the 2802, thats the sound quality, a warm and crisp sound with enough power for even the most power hungry of speakers. Im using polk audio rt55i for fronts rt35i as rear polk audio cs 400 center, and a cht10 velodyne sub-woofer. I was running a Harmon-Kardon avr45 and upgraded to the 2802 and could not be happier with the cleaner more dynamic sound of the Denon. Dolby pro logic 2 is the real deal truly a mojor upgrade if your still using regular pro logic. Not to mention the great job dts neo 6 does in reperducing surround from a stero source. The dolby digital and dts prossesing is flawless. And the fact that it is 6.1 (7.1 ready) has HDTV video switching this reciever will make any audio enthusiast happy for years to come. Bottom line is with all the video switching and processing available with the terrific sound quality I cant imagine anyone buying this reciever and not being happy with it for years.

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Harmam Kardon Pioneer