Great features and sound - I use the 4 speaker stereo for audio CDs all the time

Remote - but not too bad

I can't add much more to what everyone else has said in terms of features and great sound this unit produces.

Remote should have been designed more ergonomically -- for example, if you use the remote to control a DVD player you have to open up the bottom cover regularly. Why cover up buttons that will be regularly used?

Now a question I've only seen touched in the reviews here -- has anyone else noticed that many DVDs apparently play in Pro-Logic mode (as displayed on the 3300 LCD screen)? For example, I watched "The Beach" last night (boy that was a real winner...) and the LCD displayed Pro-Logic. I have plenty of movies that display Dolby Digital, so I don't think I've set up anything wrong on the 3300 or Toshiba 2109 DVD player. What gives? Do others see this too? Is this just a 3300 anomaly?

Anyway, this is a great unit for movies and music!

Not tested enought to apreciate it. Mine is foulty

Overheat protection shuts down the system

In the first day of use, the system shuts down after a while.

It overheats even being used at a fraction of it power. After an hour, when it happens, the shotdowns become more and more frecuent.

After hours trying to configure it, changing parameters and testing it even without speakers connected with the same results, and given the fact that it seems that I am not the only one with the same problem, the next step I'll take will be to return it to my dealer and think of another brand.

Is there a design fault? I will not risk my money

I CANNOT BELIVE IT!!

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer SA8500 II Audio Ampli 60 Wats RMS (20 years of very good service)

5 Channel stereo,Componet Video Switching,Clean sound

The Binding Posts could be a little sturdier

I will start by saying I have not heard anything from the
fan. I cannot tell when the fan is running except to put
my hand behind the heat sink on the back of the receiver
and feel the air coming from the exit port. I love the
clean sound of the amp. I think it is amoung the best
receivers I have ever heard. The Componet Video switching
is unheard of on a receiver in the sub $1000 receiver
range. Excellent Tuner, I am picking up FM stations that
I did not know were out there. I bought mine at a reputable
local dealer who assured me that if I did not like it, I
could get full credit for another receiver of my choice
for 30 days. I can tell you this Denon is home to stay.
I don't have a problem with owners manual that everyone
say's is complicated. This is not a simple 2 channel receiver, it has a lot of programming choices and
addressable inputs. You have to read this manual to get the
most from this outstanding product. I will update this reveiw if I develop any problems. The only weakness I can
see is, the binding post could be a little better.
I can say, buy this receiver, you will not be sorry.
I like the 5 channel stereo mode for music. I think that
you get to use all those expensive speakers you invested
in to listen to music. Sounds big and clean.

Similar Products Used:

Sony,Yamaha

Denon Service Department, undistorted power, neutral sound, number of input/output options, ease of use, elegant look.

Quality control, remote design, lack of secondary main speaker outputs.

I purchased a refurbished unit for about $580 shipped with the knowledge of the unit's fan issues. I made sure to test the unit thoroughly and found that the fan would not turn on. During some high volume passages, the protection circuit would turn on (but never the fan). I took the unit to a local service shop. The technician instructed me to send it to Denon in Cerritos, CA. I received the unit within 2 weeks and the fan works beautifully. The only noise that can be heard from the fan is when I place my ear on top of the unit. The protection circuit does not turn on at the high volume passages that it previously had. It appears Denon even replaced the front faceplate which had a nick in it when I bought the unit. The repair consisted of replacing the fan and resoldering a pin of an IC.

As for the unit's features and sound...

The 3300 offers excellent DD and Pro Logic sound. I also find the Direct mode (which passes through the analog signal without any digitizing) and the 5 CH Stereo mode to be great for music listening. Whether it is music or HT, the 3300 produces impressive results. I enjoy its clean sound and powerful amplifier.

The setup through the onscreen display using the remote is extremely easy. The remote could have been better had it been designed without slider switches.

I highly recommend this unit to anyone looking for an A/V receiver for less than $1000.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-D911, Yamaha v595a

This is probably a stupid question but I'm having trouble setting up my Denon 3300 with my DVD player and VCR. My DVD player is connected to the 3300 with a digital audio cable and S-Video cable and the signal is fed to my TV's S-Video input jack. This works fine. The problem is when I connect my VCR to the 3300 with my RCA plugs (audio in/out, video in/out)and the signal is fed to my TV's Video RCA jack. I get picture and audio for my DVD but only audio for my VCR. Apparently, if the 3300's S-Video output jack is connected to the TV's S-Video input jack, it takes priority over the RCA C-video output jack so I only get audio and no video when I try to play a videotape. Is there a better way of connecting things and still use my S-Video cables since they are a better feed than RCA plugs? My VCR doesn't have any S-Video connections.

Everything

Inherent Fan noise problem

This is just an update to my prevoius reveiw in August of 99'. This is the third 3300 that i am using since my initial purchase and both of the previous ones had the same problem. After an hour or so of use, the fan would turn on and emit a high frequency "whine", which raised and lowered in pitch. I use the 3300 as a preamp because i use seperate amplifiers for power, but i still got the fan noise, so i dont think it was a problem concerning the units overheating,(certainly not from its own amps). They were also placed on the top shelf of a glass a/v rack so there was no air circulation problem. I just think it was a problem that the designers didnt perceive or a bad batch of fans or some wierd reaction between the fan and the electronics or placement of inside the unit.I have had NO problem with the third unit which i have been using since February 2000. Anyway other than that, this unit is excellent and i would highly recommend it to anyone. Refer to my August 99' review for its sonic abilities and performance.

Lots of features, clean sound.

Runs hot to the touch even at low power levels.

I haven't used mine long enough for a comprehensive review. I just bought it this week. My current problem is it overheated and shut off after being on for just 3 hours of use. I was running it at low volume through just the front speakers and headphones, no surround speakers. When it overheated and shut down, just the headphones were on. The fan was blowing very hot air out the back. Pushing the power button turned it on again for about 10 minutes before it shot off again.

I originally had my dvd and cd player stacked on top of it when it overheated, so I rearranged the equipment as the manual recommended. Now there's about 5 inches clearance overhead, 3 inches on either side, and 5 inches at the back. I'll give this arrangement a day-long trial this weekend to see if it stops overheating. I don't have air-conditioning, so the room temperature can get up to the high 80's this time of year.

I like the features and sound, so I hope the overheating isn't going to be a problem. I don't understand why it should run so hot when it's not putting out any power. Maybe it's a design issue. Maybe I got a bad unit, as I've read in some of the other reviews here regarding the overheating.

Clean sound, plenty of in,out, good looking design

Remote,

In fact I couldn't see any reason to buy it. Terrible bass make this receiver worse, I mean there is no deep bass. It has got very big but useless. Denon says 5x105 watts power, I bet less than 5x60 watts in RMS. Please don't trust eveyone just trust your ears.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz sr7000, Mark&Levinson

Overall sound, component inputs, value

None so far

I have set up my system this week and it sounds great. It replaced my NAD 1600 pre-amp and Hafler DH220 amp. I was hesitant at first to switch for fear I would loose sound quality, I did not. This unit sounds as good through my Klipsch Fortes as the previous system plus I get all the surround benefits of an AV receiver. I have heard NO fan noise whatsoever. I looked at the comparable Onkyo and Marantz products, the Denon was better. The ONLY thing missing are some front inputs for my video-cam, I guess I'll just do my dubbing on my other system (Yamaha). I would make this same purchase again, at 766 including shipping it is a great deal

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Marantz, Onkyo, HK

Offers good values. Offers good sound.

Does perform as well as the media will lead you to believe. Lacks the vital digital output over bell and whistle features. Doesn't have speaker B output or camcorder inputs.

To start with, I did an evaluation with a computer aided A/B switching device. I used the Pioneer Elite DV-05 DVD/CD player. I used Martin Logan Aerius i speakers. All receivers used the digital input to take as much cable interaction out of the audition. I also level matched within 1 db on the volume knobs. I auditioned in stereo mode because music holds a higher priority to me.

To start, I was very disappointed in the Pioneer Elite VSX-27TX's sound. The midrange was mushy, and unclear. This was a very large and noticable difference. Fortunately, that seemed to be the only area that was affected. This sound was just unacceptable to me, and I couldn't recommend this receiver to anyone.

The Denon AVR-3300 had a much better sound. It had a very good sound. I was disappointed in it though. I've read how it's suppose to sound as good as the AVR-5700. I would hope the 5700 didn't sound like this. The 3300 just lacked detail(perhaps higher midrange and lower treble had a bit of compression, but still very good overall) that the Denon AVR-4800 and Yamaha RX-V2095 had. Granted, the 3300 is a lower price unit, but when you consider what you get on the 2095 for only $300 more, the 3300 seems like a bad deal.

Completely surprising was that the Denon AVR-4800 and the Yamaha RX-V2095 sounded almost identical. This was a real shocker, considering the price differences. Granted, you get more power and a lot more extras on the Denon AVR-4800. Both these units had great detail and dynamics. Although I heard a very, very, VERY slight difference in sound, I could not pinpoint it or describe it. It most likely was just differences(under 1 db) in volume loudness.

I have a medium sized living and I doubt I'd ever use DD/DTS 6.1/THX-EX/DTS-ES so that function was not a concern. In fact, I doubt I'll use the 2 front effect channels on the 2095 because of space limitations. If I find I need 6.1 DD/DTS, I can always buy a decoder, since both the 2095 and 4800 would need additional amplification for that channel(s). For $700 more, the Denon 4800 seems to offer 700 worth of features. At this point I don't need the extra power or features, and $700 is a lot for something I didn't need. I think they both represent awesome value. In fact, although the 4800 is rated at only 125, from Sound and Vision's lab report, it seems to meet or exceed the Denon AVR-5700 power output. It also looks to have more features. The 5700 could sound better though.

For the review I would rank each as such:

Pioneer Elite VSX-27TX: value 2 stars, overall 3 stars

Denon AVR-3300: value 4 stars, overall 4 stars

Denon AVR-4800: value 5 stars, overall 5 stars

Yamaha RX-V2095: value 5 stars, overall 5 stars

My choice of these in order:

1) RX-V2095

2)Denon AVR-4800

3)Denon AVR-3300

4)Pioneer Elite VSX-27TX

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-4800, Yamaha RX-V2095, and Pioneer Elite VSX-27TX