Complete setup capability
Movie sound
DTS & DD5.1
FIVE CHANNEL STEREO MUST HEAR TO BELIEVE!!!

I haven't even tried to program the remote yet
remote and manual a bit obscure

Home Theater System:
Denon AVR 3300
Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v.2 (L & R main speakers)
Paradigm Reference Studio CC v.2 (Center Channel)
Paradigm Reference Studio ADP v.2 (Surround speakers)
Paradigm Servo-15 Subwoofer
Sony 530D DVD player
Sony Wega 36 inch XBR

I'll start with the most surprising feature first, the 5 channel stereo. I know many people mentioned this before but I'll try to describe it. It was only today that I finally had a few hours to really crank up my system and listen to some CD music. Though the stereo mode sounds great, the 5 channel is the next level.

For example, I was listening to (don't tell anyone) Shania Twain's "Come on Over." In stereo it's great. Plenty of power to drive those huge Paradigm six-odd ohm speakers to very loud levels with no distortion. The highs, the vocals, the bass are all there. BUT when you hit the 5 channel stereo button, I swear Shania sits right on top of my XBR and sings her heart out. The Denon puts sound common to both channels into the center channel and it really anchors the music. This helps widen the sweet spot, no matter where you sit within reason, the main vocals are right there, between the speakers. You still have good left right seperation. This is true for many other recordings, Fleetwood Mac etc. (yes, I'm stuck in the 70's) However, when playing Steve Miller, many of these songs the lead vocals don't seem to come directly from the center. This isn't distracting, just different. I'm guessing his voice was mixed differently for each channel for special effects. But still, with all this music the sound is more open and enjoyable.

What Denon does with the surround speakers is more amazing yet subtle. It seems to do two things, enhance the stereo image, and add a third dimension to the music without obvious cheezy echo sounds. The sound stage expands beyond the width of the two speakers, very pleasing. The left only information is fed to the left surround speaker too, but at reduced levels apparently. Somehow the surround sound is different that the sound out of the associated front speaker providing a subtle, yet enjoyable experience. Also the sound is expanded from being just in front of you, to around you, yet it's not echoing or distracting. Occasionally you hear a bit of a note, a cymbol or something coming from beside you but generally the sound is seamless. It's like you step outside in the city and sound is all around you. Dolby 5.1 can do this too but the 5 channel stereo allows this with only a stereo input. I believe you need some quality speakers to pull this off as well as good placement and accurate adjustment of the system.

I ran and bought the Radio Shack digital sound meter for easy accurate adjusting of the speaker levels. The Denon allows you to move white noise to one speaker at a time (including the subwoofer) ensuring perfect balance. Beyond this, you can enter the distance of each speaker to the favored seat so the Denon can retime the delay of each speaker.

The receiver has enough power to drive my speakers loud enough to cause ringing in my ears after a while. As of yet I haven't driven the speakers into clipping yet. I know a more powerful receiver (or seperate) will allow a cleaner sound at even moderately loud levels, but I can't hear any distortion with the Denon.

What can I say? Cymbols clash, voices sing, bass comes through in fine shape. The actual sound depends on so many variables: Receiver, player, recording quality, speakers, setup, room accoustics, wires etc. This Denon works just fine with these excellent speakers. At times I now can notice a poor recording, something you can't do with lesser equipment. This is my first shot at home theater/decent stereo and I am very pleased.

Movies are great. The surround sound is incredible, adds to the movie greatly. Be sure to get a quality subwoofer to make good use of the LFE channel Dennon provides. For the price this is an incredible receiver.

I originally was going for the Denon 5700 but heard of the new Dolby EX standard about to come out. I decided to get this less expensive receiver instead and wait for the new standard to become established and then get an updated EX receiver. Am I glad, I am totally pleased with the 3300. I'm not sure of what to do now. The 3300 sounds so good I will probably have to go to future EX seperates to get a significantly better sound.

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My first step into five point one

Exceptional sound quality. 5ch stereo surround mode and Matrix mode are excellent

Build quality...build quality...build quality...and Speaker binding posts.

This is an incredible receiver. Awesome music reproduction, clear precise highs and deep lows. I am still stunned by how "new" my music sounds. You literally can hear things that you never have before (Denon AVM-3700 DVD/CD with Tos-link helps).

Unfortunately, Denon has serious quality control issues with this receiver. Do not buy this on the Internet or you're in for a headache. I brought my first unit home to find almost no gain through Subwoofer line out. Took it back to local dealer and ran another unit side by side to find a noticeable difference in output...so I took the 2nd unit home...to find that the Optical Digital input #1 (of 3) did not work. So I ran my DVD/CD into #2 to get around. I can live with this flaw as I will never need all 3 optical inputs. I may still return it, but now I'm gunshy...

When working correctly, this is a 5+++ rated receiver, but because of quality issues its a 4.

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Onkyo

5 channel stereo, crystal clear sound, DTS, etc.

Remote control, users manual.

This is a great receiver. I agree with all the positive comments made by most members of the forum. It runs cooler than the AVR 2700 it replaced. I love the 5 channel stereo mode and use it all the time. The DD and DTS modes are also very good. There is no hiss, even at a high volume. I recommend it to all people looking for the best below $1,000. I payed $750 from Uncles Stereo.

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Denon AVR 2700

5 Channel Stereo, Balanced Musical Tonal quality, 105 watts per channel power

Does not have the variety or quality of special DSP modes that Yamaha and other receivers have; remote control

I previewed this receiver and everything that has been said below is certainly true. The sound is very balanced with an excellent mid-range and there is no audible noise. I also considered the Yamaha 995 but it was very bright and it was fatiguing to listen to for long periods of time. Still if I was to buy a receiver primarily for home theatre I would be likely to go with the Yammy because of it's many special DSP effects. I intend to use this receiver for music however thus the Denon 3300 is without peer at this price range. In fact I would go with it over the Yamaha DSP-1 for music because of the wonderful 5 channel stereo.
This is a true 5 star receiver though if it was rated for the money $800-$850 street price, it should get 8 stars. A real deal on a quality component that appears to be built rock solid.

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Yamaha 795, Yamaha 995

Clean, crisp sound
Incredible Digital Surround

REMOTE!

I am far from an audiophile and cannot speak to all the techinical jargon that you guys use BUT, I know what I like and I love this reciever. My main concern is home theater and this thing rocks. I have watched several DVDs on this and the DTS is unbelievably precise and clean. The 5 Channel stereo is very cool as well. I find that I don't use all the sound fields that other recievers offer so that won't be missed at all.

The only negatives are the remote (which I really think is clunky and much too complicated. Wouldn't it be great if a third party were to design a better remote for the 3300?) and the manual (wouldn't it be great if some really smart audiophile put together a manual in plain english that actually explained everything?)

Another negative is that I'm suddenly spending big bucks on cables, a subwoofer etc. But I guess I can't blame Denon for that. I'm already thinking I need a new cd player that can live up to my groovy reciever.

I know the following isn't technically about the reciever but it may interest some.

After checking around forever with reviews and boards such as this and treking to my local good guys, I finally decided to go with the 3300. What do you know, its suddenly out of stock because everybody else has decided its the best reciever on the market for the money! So here is a lesson I learned... I made a purchase at the cheapest online store I could find. Immediately afterward I ran across a review board lambasting this particular estore. I called the store and only recieved recordings telling me to call back because of heavy traffic. I emailed on several occasions. Called on several occasions Finally, worried that I was being drawn into a nightmare of delays and crappy product I called my credit card company to cancel the order (my card had been dinged 20 minutes after I placed my order) and they informed me that I would have to file cancellation forms etc.... So, I sent multiple emails, made calls, generally harrassed the store until I was finally informed by the retailer that my order had been cancelled.

Relieved, I started checking into other, more reputable online stores but was told that I would probably have to wait at least two weeks for the backordered reciever to be available. Last week I happened across a chain store that carries the Denon and dropped in to see what they would do with the price. With a little negotiation they agreed to drop it $160! So, I was able to get it for only $40 more than Uncle Stereo is currently selling it for, picked it up immediately and know that I can take it back with no problem in the event that there is any problem.

I'm an enthusiast for online purchasing but some times peace of mind is worth the extra bucks.

Can't wait to find some audio cds recorded on DTS!

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Older Denon with Pro-logic

5 channel stereo, dual rear speaker outs, remote control,and of course dts

the users manual, only one sub out

i love this unit, i have it set up with boston acoustic vr 975's front, vr 12 center, in the rears i have a set of infiniti kappa 6.1 and infiniti quadpoles for h/t.
now for some help from someone out here regarding the lfe and the d.comp on this system. i have my fronts which have powered subs built in wired to a y going into the sub out.what does the d.comp do and what would be an ideal setting for the lfe.
my first dvd purchase was the eagles in dts format. it spoiled me, the sound is incredible!

if anyone can help to understand these features please e-mail me.
oh yes all of you who sem to dis-like this remote i have programmed mine to run all of my equipment through it.

toshiba 4109
denon dcm 370
toshiba big screen
sony slv 900 vcr
sony digital satellite
paid 748.00 for it at brands mart usa here in florida

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denon avr 2800

Everything

The only weakness this product has is that it has only one coaxial digital input. And this may be irrelevant to many people.

This is easily the home theater product of the "millenium". Products like this really make the home theater hobby affordable to most people without sacrificing most of the sound and features of expensive "Higher End" separates.

Mine must have been an bad apple. It stopped working after 3 days! For the price and the name, this is absolutely not acceptable. Headach compounds due to mail order purcahse. Avoid ABC at all cost.

DTS reproduction

Remote programming features

The AVR-3300 is my first surround reciever. I'll be ready for a DVD player next month after paying off the five speaker and subwoofer. I'm good at reading and worked through the manual and figured out the remote. My main complaint is the remote has a LACK of programming options for certain slide switch positions (and I don't like the slide switch, it's too small). Like the VCR mode, I can't program a RECORD function without giving up some other important function like PLAY. ANy suggestions on a better remote?

I can't say if the remote from any other brands at this price point is any better. With TAX and local dealer, paid a little over $800.

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None

Clean and Clear Sound, Low Noise, Simple yet Stylish Desigh, Upgradable, 5-Channel Stereo Mode, AND PRICE IS RIGHT!!!!

Manual and Remote

After spending well over 3 months comparing different receivers, I finally got this over the internet at a great price of $725 including shipping!

This is to replace my 5+ year old Denon AVR 2000 pro-logic receiver. Since I bought a new Pioneer DVD player, I first went out and bought a Pioneer Elit THX receiver for 1000 dollars. Boy was I disappointed, the sound from that machine can't even compare with my 5 year old Denon AVR 2000! It was totally lifeless and I have to really turn up to get any sound out. In addition, it has the crosstalk problem that other people pointed out over the internet.

Then after I found out how many good reviews the Denon AVR 3300 had, I went out to get one. But it was out of stock! I waited and waited and finally got it a few days ago. I hooked it up. After about an hour of rewiring my connections, I am done.

My first impression was the sound is very clean and clear, with very little background noise. The sound is noticible better than the old Denon AVR 2000. I have an audiphile CD to test the system and I can tell the base is tight and the mid just opens up. The 5 channel stereo mode is just like what everyone says, worth the money. I use it to listen to music and it feels like you are IN the band with sounds surrounding you. It is unbelievable!

The controlles and everything on the receiver is very simple. I did not use any manual to figure it out. The remote is similar than the AVR 2000 so I did not have too much trouble to use it. It is much better than the old remote. However I do feel that the remote can be a little better. The user manual can be a lot better. It is difficult to understand but with a little time, you should be able to figure most out. If this is your first surround sound receiver, than prepare to spend a couple of hours to play with it since there are indeed many controls.

The price for the receiver is great. I don't think the SONY or Pioneer even come close at the same price range. It is indeed made in Korea but the build quality is high and the sound makes you forget where it is from. I highly recommend you to listen to it at your own home with your speakers to see if you like it or not. This is the heart of the home theater so spend some time to learn and study before you buy. A quality product like this could last you 5+ years before you need to upgrade.

Here is a run done of my set up:

SONY 32" TV,
JVC SVHS VCR,
Panasonic Hifi VHS VCR,
Pineer DVD player,
SONY 5 disk CD player with optical out,
Denon AVR 3300 receiver,
Infinity RS-8 speakers (with built in 100 w/channel power sub for the left and right channels)
Infinity center channel
Infinity QPS surround sound speakers
Monster speaker cables
Acoustic research interconnects
Listening room size about 18x16.

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Sony ES receiver, Pioneer Elite TX27 , Denon AVR 2000