Good overall performance in 5.1 and 5 channel stereo

realted to controls

Overall I have been pleased with this as an AV unit only, but have been disappointed in general music listening, the tuner and functionality of the unit.

First the upside:
1) Solid 5 channel stereo mode. Good for music and TV. Not hi-end, just solid. 5 channel stereo is best single strength of unit.
2) Good 5.1 processing - great for home theater .. clear. Again, not hi-end, just solid.
3) Has base-management (small/large speaker modes). Lets you direct base to sub. Could use varying crossover points (only does so at 80hz). Better than nothing. Get a good sub. (I use a Velodyne spl-1200, which is great).

Downsides:
1) manual is skimpy on details.
2)Sound modes have little/no value. Only 5 channel stereo is worthwile. Don't waste your time w the modes. They color the sound and are generally unappealing. Don't buy any receiver for this function.
3) Tuner is poor. I bought a Turk tuner amplifier, which dramactically enhanced reception, but this should not be necessary. Also, using the tuner is clunky. Poorly designed for surfing. Designed only to move from one memory location to another in succession. Using the tuner is not a thrill.
4) Tone controls are sparse -- bare minimum. No crossover points. No balance. Very weak here.
4) Unit is too dependent on remote for all its functions. Example - if you want to set channel levels, you need to turn on the tv and dial through menus. You should be able to set up levels from panel as you will want to set up speaker levels differently for movies vs tv vs music. This is a major pain. God help you if you lose or wreck the remote!
5) Better sound from 5.1 movies than from other sources. So, its good for movies, but disappointing for music relative to previous system's I've owned. Lacks depth/presence. You can hear the difference between modes.
6) Noticed that sometimes when switching to dd5.1 from other modes that you lose the rears. You need to reinstitute the steps to get everything working correctly. Cannot be more specific as the errors that crop up seem to be quirky/sporatic. Can only attribute this to some engineering glitch. I find myself checking whether the unit has done exactly as instructed. Have been purplexed a few times as to what went wrong.
7) A little light on the power. You need to be at +100W and more. 85w is not quite enough for some movie materials.

In conclusion, I would say that it gets a good rating because it does what its designed for - AV. If hi-end sound from music sources is the goal, then look elsewhere - separates or a high end receiver. As an all around receiver, its just ok. You can only expect so much for the price range. They spent the design $ on movies, and skimped elsewhere.

I use it in the family room for general movies and listening. Not enough of a unit to satisfy someone with hi end taste. It's functional, not a jewel. Don't buy it as your primary system, unless your budget doesn't allow going further upscale. I'm not sure you can get more for this much $, so I give it a fair deal rating.

If your searching for a versatile receiver for both music and Home Theatre, the AVR-3200 deserves a listen. It has a useful array of features, is bi-wirable, has pre-outs for the front three channels, and an overall build quality that is superior to most of its competitors. Suggest you buy a seperate stereo 2-ch. or 3-ch. home theatre amplifier to power your mains - it will improve the sound quality and take a load off of the receiver's power section. It wins in most of the HT face-offs, etc. so go check it out. Recommended as Best Buy for the Budget concious HT buyer. 4 stars as there's always something better out there, but this is one of best in it's class. Available on internet for approx. $625 + shipping, and yes, respect the "authorized" dealer thing.

beware beware !
as much as I like the plethora of features and its future proof concept, but it has poor ergonomics with many buttons but no direct preset selection for tuners

by saving money on the 3600 it cuts on power and packs the electronics into too small a chasis

also the sound is breezy and lighton the top end but this is not matched by the lower extreme

there is no real bass even with killer bass speakers

it also does not take too well to cranking it up

but if you like your music light and need loads of features and future proof it might be your choice

listen first then decide

many who have bought it may love to tell you it sounds good

the yamaha 692 or HK avr 25 MKII is better sounding and cheaper if you do not need AC3

beware beware !
as much as I like the plethora of features and its future proof concept, but it has poor ergonomics with many buttons but no direct preset selection for tuners

by saving money on the 3600 it cuts on power and packs the electronics into too small a chasis

also the sound is breezy and lighton the top end but this is not matched by the lower extreme

there is no real bass even with killer bass speakers

it also does not take too well to cranking it up

but if you like your music light and need loads of features and future proof it might be your choice

listen first then decide

many who have bought it may love to tell you it sounds good

the yamaha 692 or HK avr 25 MKII is better sounding and cheaper if you do not need AC3

beware beware !
as much as I like the plethora of features and its future proof concept, but it has poor ergonomics with many buttons but no direct preset selection for tuners

by saving money on the 3600 it cuts on power and packs the electronics into too small a chasis

also the sound is breezy and lighton the top end but this is not matched by the lower extreme

there is no real bass even with killer bass speakers

it also does not take too well to cranking it up

but if you like your music light and need loads of features and future proof it might be your choice

listen first then decide

many who have bought it may love to tell you it sounds good

the yamaha 692 or HK avr 25 MKII is better sounding and cheaper if you do not need AC3

Fantastic Sound and Power.... Need I say More!

No DTS!!! Remote could be a bit mor intuitive, but that's really stretching it.

I bought this Great Unit this summer for the the best price that I think is possible..... $450! And to think that I Almost bought it at $900+ just a week or 2 earlier. I was checking out all of the High End stores in the windy city, I knew that the 3200 was what I wanted. Then one day I went to United Audio, and they had one unit left for $400. I have been very impressed with Denon over the years, and the 3200 has not let me down. The sound is very clean, and powerful. I have the Denon running a pair of Klipsch Synergy Towers with Tractrix horns, and a pair of Klipsch Kg.5 bookshelf speakers that peak @ 250 watts! Plus a Klipsch Center channel that has Superb Sound. I don't have a sub just yet, but the system sounds great with out one.
I'm spending most of my spare time now looking for a great DVD to go with this system. If this system sounds this good with only a Hi-Fi VCR then its going to be fantastic with a DVD. I can not wait.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, Samsui

Sound, features, build, expandability and oh yeah, sound.

Would have preferred pre-outs for rear channels as well as fronts.

I've been using this receiver for 2 years now. It's the anchor and jewel of my HT system. I don't understand where people come up with the idea that this receiver lacks bass. I use mine with a full set of Definitive Technology Pro Cinema speakers and get plenty of bass.

If you're a bass glutton, go buy yourself some Cerwin-Vegas and get move far, far away from people who prefer accuracy to boom.

Was and still is a great receiver. A classic.

In fact, Stereophile Guide to HT just named it a best buy in the Feb. 2000 issue. Go figure.

For the price and full of features, this is the Best. You can always add a good Power amplifier, through the pre-out, for those who needs it. And this set up makes this product competes with even his own bigger brother (AVR5600) !!!

I have had my Denon 3200 for 6 weeks and it is absolutely wonderful reciever. I am using it to run a pair of Klipsh KLF 30's (Bi-amped) and it sounds astounding. The 3200 really moves the 4 twelve inch woofers! I am very pleased with my Denon purchase!

I bought my 3200 a couple of weeks ago and I have been incredibly impressed. I was a bit worried on some points after reading some of the reviews here, but ALL my fears were set to rest after I got the product home and set up.
First off I cannot comment on the lack of bass as my speakers have powered subwoofers, but I highly doubt it should be an issue. I suppose I could hitch it to my surrounds and give that a listen, but I'm lazy.

Second, setting the unit up is so simple that anyone who managed to turn on their computer and get to this web site should have no problem at all. The options for AC-3 give an astounding amount of control. After watching a movie with AC-3 you'll never want to go back.

Go out and buy it, you won't regret it.