I recently purchased the AVR-3200, and I am very happy with the sound it delivers in both stereo, and movie modes. I have Paradigm Mini-Monitors for my mains, a CC-350 center, Micros for the rears, and a PS-1000 sub.
Contrary to many reviews I read on this site, the setup was a little tedious, but not that bad at all. The unit itself is very solidly built and has a great sound. The 5-channel mode is without a doubt one of the best ways to listen to music, in a word it is "AWESOME!!!" The DD and DPL decoders do a great job giving excellent depth and seperation to all of the movies I have listened to (i.e., Tomorrow Never Dies, The Rock, T2, GoldneEye, T5E, Godzilla, etc.). As far as the bass is concerned I am very happy with the sound I am getting. For those who have complained about the bass I would have to say you will not find anything close to this unit's dynamic bass sound unless you pay 2 to 3 times the price (I bought it for $750 mail order). The unit has a nice look, with just enough dials, buttons, and options (the 6 channel input is a nice option to have, even Yamaha found this out as they added a 6 channel input to their 2095, the "new" version of their 2092 which came without the inputs). The unit weighs in at 34 lbs, 5 lbs. more than the 2700 which I almost purchased. In regards to the 2700, it is an excellent unit, but I felt the bass and overall sound with the 3200 were a tad better, and worth the extra couple hundred dollars. As far as other "More Credible" reviews are concerned...Home Theater said the 3200 is the best receiver for under $1,200, give or take $300. They also gave it rave reviews for bass reproduction, saying that it was better than the Marantz SR-880, Onkyo TX-DS838, and Yamaha RX-V2092.

My final decision came down to the Yahama 2092 and the Denon 3200, and I went with the Denon not because of better sound, they both sounded excellent, but because of the 6 channel input, and the much lower price. I give it 4.5 stars because there is always room for improvement, but believe me the Denon is pretty close to perfection.

I shopped for months looking for the ultimate receiver in my price range. I bought every magazine, followed the news group, visited every HT web site, and spent days in dejanews.
When it came to picking a receiver I wanted a unit with the following features:
1) DD and (DTS and/or 6 channel inputs)
2) S-Video switching with more than 2 in the rear.
3) 4 video inputs in the rear.(TV, VCR,DSS,DVD)
4) Dynamic compression or Midnight Theater.
5) Front S-video
6) Multi-room capabilities
7) Smooth volume ramp

I wanted a high-end, unit. No Pioneer, Kenwood, or Sony, but I did consider the 30/50ES. I didn't really want an Onkyo, but the 656 was probably the best fit given the above requirements. But it did fail #3. Out of curiosity I picked up an Open-box 656 from Circuit City just to try it out. I was very, very impressed with this unit. But if I were to keep this unit I would have to utilize the front inputs. I just didn't want to do this. I returned it as planned. I probably would have bought a Yamaha 795, but it fails #2 miserably.

The 3200 fails #5 and #6, but I decided that I could live without both of these. #7:I don't understand why more manufactures don't provide a digital readout for volume level, but most of all I find it very frustrating having to bump the volume level up/down to get it just right. The denon exceeds here.

I then ran across a deal on the Denon AVR-3200 on one of the Audio classified pages. $600 plus shipping for a new in box factory sealed unit. What a bargain! I give it a "5" for the price vs. performance/feature ratio.

I am very pleased with the sound produced by this unit. The sound is awesome and clean. The dialog is clear & clean. BTW, here's what I ended up with.

NHT VS-2's across the front.
NHT SuperZeros in the rear.
Denon AVR-3200
Pioneer 414 DVD player

What is with all the drama over Denon v. Yamaha? I have a 3200 and love it. I find it most confusing that many listeners comment on the lack of bass generated by the 3200. Keep in mind, the receiver is only one piece of a complete system. While speakers are critical to overall sound, don't discount the power of "quality" cable and interconnects. I use "quality" loosely, as it is a subjective measure. After carefully researching and hand picking my home audio/theater system, I found that the right cable makes a huge difference. I currently run the 3200 through the Energy e:XL26, e:XL center and rears, and an Atlantic Technology 272 sub. Using a combination of XLO and Transparent Audio cable, I find the bass response to be exceptional. With cheap cable, to be honest, it was rather week. Playing the right DVD in Dolby Digital will absolutely blow me out of the room. Bass response with music is deep when it needs to be and tight when it should be. I had to laugh when I read the comment about having to turn up the Denon to max volume for home theater. Is that a bad thing? At least with the Denon you CAN turn it up all the way. The Yamaha is like an old big block muscle car. All the punch is below 4000 rpm, and you would not even want to get up into the revs without it getting very rough. The Denon is like an F1 race car. Smooth power all the way up to the 13,500 rpm redline with no complaints. I'll take the F1 any day.

AFTER READING ALL OF THE REVIEWS ON THESE PAGES, AND CAREFULLY LISTENING,I PURCHASED THE 3200. DO NOT BUY ANY AUDIO OR VIDEO EQUIPT. FROM EAST COAST MAIL ORDER, YOU WILL LIKELY GET SECONDS, REPACKS, OR B STOCK. I MADE THIS MISTAKE FIVE YEARS AGO. ALL MY EQUIPMENT WAS PURCHASED FROM THREE DIFFERENT EAST COAST COMPANIES, AND ALL WAS IN SOME WAY DEFECTIVE.THEY CAN REPACK THREE TIMES AND STILL CALL IT NEW.I HAVE READ SOME OF THE HORROR STORIES IN THESE PAGES AND I WOULD NOT WANT IT TO HAPPEN TO ME AGAIN. I PAID 720.00 FOR MY 3200 FROM REFERENCE IN CA. WHEN I COULD HAVE PAID 681.00 ON EAST COAST. ALSO PAID MORE FOR MY SONY DVP-S7000. BUY ANYWHERE BUT EAST COAST. EXAMPLE ,ONE EAST COAST MAILORDER IS ADVERTISING THE SONY DVP-S7700 FOR 799.00 UNIT IS NOT EVEN IN PRODUCTION. THEY WILL MAKE 20.00 WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD AND THEN REFUND YOUR MONEY IN ABOUT MARCH.THIS IS NOT TO SAY YOU CANNOT BUY NEW ON EAST COAST, BUT ARE YOU SURE. YES I PAID MORE BUT I HAVE THE PEACE OF MIND KNOWING I PURCHASED MY EQUIPMENT FROM AN AUTHORISED FRANCHISED DEALER WHO WILL STAND BEHIND THE SALE AND I KNOW IF I NEED ANY WARRANTY WORK, IT WILL BE DONE AND I WILL NOT HEAR SORRY WE DO NOT HONOR THAT MAIL ORDER CO. I HOPE THESE FEW WORDS WILL KEEP SOME OF YOU GUYS AND GALS FROM A TERRIBLE HEARTACHE LIKE I EXPERENCED. THE 3200 IS PROBABLY THE BEST ALL AROUND RECEIVER YOU CAN BUY UNDER 1,000.00 . KEEP THOSE GREAT AND NOT SO GREAT REVIEWS COMING IN.HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON. WHEN I GET MY ENTIRE SYSTEM UP AND RUNNING I WILL GIVE MY TWO CENTS. DENNIS

I came to several audio stores, testing Denon AVR3200 and Yamaha 992 side by side. Denon presents a sound so clear, dynamic, and thick that you can visualize every instrument's performance among the symphony of whole orchestra. You can also make out each voice in the choir and appreciate the harmony. It is THE dream of a music-listener! Yamaha 992 is wonderful too. The sound is warm, sweet and only
slightly less clear than Denon. It sounds to have more impact, because
every sound has more bass attached to it. But it sacrifices clearity and
resolution. The distinction among voices in the choir is much less
clear. If Denon positions you in the Wang Center, Yamaha puts you in
your living room, facing a whole orchestra. Denon's sound is from a open
environment, while Yamaha seems from a medium-sized room. For example,
any violin has some element of scratch sound in it, giving it sort of
"harsh edge". Denon realisticly reproduce this characteristic "scratch".
Yamaha makes the same violin sound like a high-pitched saxophone. Sorry
I exaggerated to convey the difference. But you can clearly sense Yamaha
takes that real "harsh edge" away and give back a sweet edge. Of cause
there is a possibility that a real violin may sound like Yamaha in a
small room with some kind of construction materials. So I guess the
difference is on style and interpretation, rather than technical
capability.
All in all, it is you who needs to listen to all these receivers.
Nobody else on this site is going to listen to the music you listen, and
have the same taste like you. Blessed with such a competitive market, no
consumer will possibly make a bad choice among Denon, Yamaha, Harmon
Kardon, or Onkyo, on the price/performance basis. The good thing is, the
difference is so obvious if you are doing side-by-side testing. The key
is to test the receiver on the same speaker you have, or some brand with
the similar style. I came in the testing with the intention to choose
between Onkyo, Yamaha, and Harmon Kardon. One minute into it I decide to
buy a Denon, or nothing at all if I can not afford one.
Recently Denon released a new AVR 2700. It is similar as the AVR
3200, but with much lower price. I also tested it side by side against
3200. The bass is not as dynamic as 3200. The salesman found 2700 is
about ten pounds lighter than 2700. It is possible that 2700 makes
compromise on power supply, and sacrifice a little on the bass. For me
it is clear to pay more for 3200. But I admit 2700 will be a good
compromise for many people. Also the same good thing, the difference is
substantial. Listening for one minute it will be clear to you whether
you can save some cash or have to get 3200.
I purchased my Denon AVR 3200 receiver from an on-line store at a very good price more than 2 months ago. I am very much satisfied with its performance so far.

There are several units to compare with the AVR3200, the Yamaha, Sony, HK and Onkyo (with there models in this range). Unfortunately because of my location - the Desert, I could not listen to all and compare. So I did a lot of reading on the net and even talked to salesmen over the phone. I listen to a wide variety of music styles and love home theatre (DVD). Since most of what I learned did not show many differences between the amps in HT I had to look to musical differences. This is where the Denon and HK were the picks of the bunch. Due to features and a very good programmable remote and a good sound too -I choose the avr3200. I have a set of Definitive Pro Cinema 100.6 setup with this amp. The lack of base is noticeable - if you donot use a sub woofer - anyone who says otherwise is listening to a different unit than I. I previously used a Sony 915 with these speakers and boy did it pump out a solid good sound (when I had the main speakers wired thru the sub pass thru). The Sony did do some good stuff - but the avr3200 delievers a cleaner and noticeably crisper sound - the sound fields are good, but the 5chan stereo I would rate not as a sound field but as a feature - it is a must have once you use it a while (tends to breath new life into CDs for me). The avr3200 has a great sound in HT very nice in pro logic and vastly better than the Sony in DD.
The remote is good enough to save me buying a third party programmable. The power of the unit is BIG.... enough to say that I can get It loud enough to make my ears feel pain. Music ... well took a while for the amp to "burn" in and sound good and took a lot of playing around with the sub woofer and speaker setup before I got good base (like I said before - my old amp made my satellite speakers really punch out the base - they are 50hz to 20Khz speakers). I had to set the setup of the speakers to large and connect the powered sub to the sub out LFE and play with the manual crossover setting on the sub before I got the goods in the sound - I also found that if I set the speakers to small (with the auto 80hz cutoff) that the sound with these speakers was pityful.
If anyone reading this has any suggestions for any setting changes that could improve the sound even more... send me an email. The only reason I dont give this unit full marks is because I would have liked to be able to hook up my speakers as the manufacturer intended.

What are the differences between the 3200 and the 2700 besides 5 watts and $200. I am interested in the 3200 but will go for the 2700 to save $200 if I was not giving up too much..
Thanks,
Peter

I AM NOW GIVING MY TWO CENTS, IN PREVIOUS REVIEW STATED I WAS GETTING 3200 AND SONY 7000. SET EVERYTHING UP LAST FRIDAY NIGHT,ALL WENT WELL, TURNED ON SYSTEM AND NOTICED NO SOUND FROM BAG END. LOOKED BEHIND 3200 AND NOTICED CABLE FELL OUT OF SUB OUTPUT. PLUGGED IN AND 3200 WENT UP IN SMOKE WITH SPARKS ANL ALL THAT GOOD STUFF. BIG SCREEN,SUB, AND 7000 WENT DEAD. AFTER ONE HOUR GOT 3200 ON.DEAD AND BAG END WENT WITH IT. TODAY IS THURSDAY, BAG END ARRIVED VIA AIR FREIGHT AND 3200 IS HEADING BACK TO CALIFORNIA. THANK GOD FOR GREAT DEALERS. GOING TO BUY NAD T-770 JUST 70 PER CHANNEL AND A WHOLE LOT MORE MONEY. ANYBODY OUT THERE HAVE ONE? NOTHING AGAINST DENON, GUESS I JUST GOT A LEMON. IF ANYBODY OUT THERE HAS ANY IDEAS WHY THIS HAPPENED I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. GOOD LISTENING, DENNIS PS GUESS I CANNOT GIVE FIVE STARS.

As a previous owner of the AVR 3200...I may be able to answer Dennis's questions. I've had the 3200 for over a year and essentially used about every jack on that thing (comprehensive setup). And many times (contrary to proper methods) I've plugged and unplugged connections live :) And I have never blown anything or tripped the c/b. Here are my recommendations in case anyone else encounters this misfortune.1) Get good connectors (eg. Monsters "Turbine" type connectors). These will not fall out without twisting it out.
2) All good receiver/integrated amps have a circuit breaker in case of short or overload (which I think is the cause of Dennis's system failure). I'm not sure where it is (never had the need to find it) but I'm sure there is one on the 3200.
Interestingly though, the voltage on this should be minimal at -60 to -35 volume, but then again the cable could have disconnected during a higher voltage output time. Hard to tell unless the time could be recreated in detail.

Nonetheless, this is still an excellent receiver....and I still would give it 4 stars.

oh...I don't have the 3200 because i've since upgraded to the Yamaha DSP-A1. Now this is the ultimate :)

Follow-on regarding Denon warranty and authorized dealers: Denon does not warranty items which are purchased from other than "authorized" dealers. Says so on my warranty certificate. To find out if your dealer is "authorized", check Denon's web site (http://www.del.denon.com/home/dealers.asp). Do this BEFORE you make any Denon purchase, local, mail order, auction or otherwise. AVR3200 coverage from an authorized dealer = 2 yrs, otherwise = ZERO (as in good luck).