Excellent DD and 5 channel stereo, Nice onscreen displays

Overheating (easily overcome)

I purchased this unit about 5 months ago, and after installing it, decided to take her for a spin. My unit experienced the same overheating problems described by many here on this board. There was no fan noise (honestly, at first, I didnt realize there was a fan). It did, however, shut down several times. I couldnt even touch the top or back it was so hot. Once I took the cover off ( I couldnt help it), I saw the fan and the enclosed heat sink chamber. I let the unit power back up and monitored the voltage on the fan. It did come on, but does not push nearly enough air to cool this monster. So, what I did was mount a secondary 3.5" fan on the back vent in a "puller" configuration to assist the main fan. This was done w/o modifying the case (read warranty). Once I did this, the unit does not even get warm. Stays room temperature, and thats no joke. Not bad for $12. I absolutely love this piece, and feel for those who have had problems. You may want to consider this mod even if yours does not shut down, b/c they do get so hot. Keeping it cool will definitely extend the life of the unit. If you do, make sure you mount it on the back and blowing out of the unit. The heatsink is inclosed, so blowing air in from the top has very little effect, and mounting the fan blowing into the back vent fights the main fan.
The remote takes a little getting used to. I removed the flap cover, b/c I use the bottom buttons a lot with my DSS. Once programmed, it is a very effective piece. The macros are nice as well. Two buttons to turn on/off the TV,VCR,DSS,Receiver. Not bad.
I would give it a 5 on the overall if it were not for the heating issue.

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Kenwood KR-X1000 (THX Pro-Logic)

very good sound, build quality
killer looks!

the little red lights are a bit bright

I've heard many people complain about fan noise, but I've heard absolutely nothing at all. I don't think there is a fan at all in mine.
I bought it in Belgium, maybe it's a bit different from the USA model. It runs hot though, not quit to the touch, but hot enough to be a little bit concerned. (I'm thinking about placing some sort of cooler on top of it)

I definately recommend it, especially since I got it for about $900, it was quite a bargain.

Similar Products Used:

none

Excellent DD,DTS sound. 5 channnel stereo.

Quality and/or poor design. customer support, Denon service center in Torrance CA.

Bought my first unit at Good Guys. After hook-up noticed the unit was running very warm. It was within a few days that I noticed there was a high pitch noise coming from inside the unit. I returned for a full refund, after hearing salesman telling me how they "don't usually have a problem with these". I had learned of this site at about this time.
After a few months I bought the unit again, thinking any quality problems would be solved by now. This one ran cooler, although warmer than my Yamaha. I did not notice any problems for the first 28 days; and was happy but a little paranoid. It was then I noticed that after running for some time, the fan would turn on, and my God it sounded like some 50 cent radio!! It sounded like a camera flash charging up. After much work, finally got the name of Denon local rep, shipped it to Denon in Torrance CA. They have apparently just moved, and their phone did not work for the 2 weeks that I called for a status report!! Are we still in the Dark Ages, or what? I found Denon customer support through the web, and they were corresponding with me via E-mail. They told me my unit was done, and Denon had installed the "kit". (Denon kit for Fan-turn on squeal, identified on another 3300 review. After staying on them, I received the unit back in about 2 weeks. (Shipping plus insurance cost $28.) The repair document for service done was left blank! I could not believe it! The unit now seems to be a little better, but when the fan turns on, it still whines! To me,this is ridiculous, and bordering on consumer fraud! I will live with it for now, and may try to get a local shop to work on it. I wonder about it's long term reliability. Note the time I've wasted diagnosing problem; and connect/re-connect time, etc.
Moving along here, this unit is great when it is working. The 5 channel is excellent for VHS tapes, and for watching cable TV. The 5 channel though, is not perfect. I discovered by accident that the center, if ran alone in 5 channel mode, is not quite full fidelity. Yes, the remote is not great, but is adequate.(I removed the plastic door, as suggested in an earlier review)
The manual is poor, and the bass control section, of Front + Subwoofer conrol, does not even make any sense to
me. Page 21 of manual; in Notes section, 3rd bullet down.
Overall, I can't recommend this unit. (unless you have a lot of "blue ice" to keep on top of it, to keep it cool).

Equipment used:
Paradigm Esprit bipolar.
Paradigm CC300 center.
PSB dipoles for the rear.
Denon AVR 3300 receiver.
Monster Powerline 2 speaker wire.
Sony 530d DVD player, Mits VCR, Magnavox VCR, Pioneer 201 laser disc, Yamaha cd changer.

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Yamaha 870 pro logic receiver.

GRAET SOUND ,EXCELLENT BASS RESPONSE FOR MOVIES,CRYSP CLEAN SOUND FOE MUSIC

REMOTE,NO FRONT AV INPUTS

NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH FAN OR OVER HEAT.I'VE BEEN USING THIS UNIT FOR 1 YEAR AND I'M VERY HAPPY.I USED 50%MUSIC 50%FOR MOVIES.LOTS INPUTS AND FUTURE READY.WITH THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT,IT SOUND AS GOOD AS ANY TOP NOTCH AV OR SEPARETES ON THE MARKET TODAY.GO AND GET ONE AND MAYBE YOU WILL GET LUKY AS I DID.IT IS WORTH IT.

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NONE

good 5 ch stereo, good 5.1 DD and DTS

Quality control, noisy fan. overheating

Died after 2 weeks. I'm taking it back.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BUY A MARANTZ OR ONKYO.
They have much build quality with as good if nto better sound.

good 5 ch stereo, good 5.1 DD and DTS

Quality control, noisy fan. overheating

Died after 2 weeks. I'm taking it back.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BUY A MARANTZ OR ONKYO.
They have much build quality with as good if nto better sound.

good 5 ch stereo, good 5.1 DD and DTS

Quality control, noisy fan. overheating

Died after 2 weeks. I'm taking it back.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BUY A MARANTZ OR ONKYO.

I bought this receiver about one month ago and I'm very pleased with my decision. It was a toss up at that time between Yamaha RXV-995 and the Denon AVR-3300 and I chose Denon because it was $50 cheaper. Yamaha does have more sound effects but I love Denon's 5 channel stereo. I had been listening to my favorite music every Saturday morning while the wife and kids are away. It was couple hours of heaven on earh...

Well, after weeks of indecision and waiting, my AVR-3300 finally arrived. Mated with my all PSB Century speakers, I can honestly say that this receiver speaker combination is the best purchase I've made since Paquito D'Rivera's Reunion album.
I batted around the idea of the AVR 2800, the Onkyo 575 and the Yamaha 795 finally deciding to go the extra mile and lay down the cash for the Denon. I cannot express how happy I am that I did. The sound in my 12x15 foot dorm room is unparalleled. The complaints, numerous, but worth every bit of hassle.

I was so intrigued by the ease of setup and configuration. I, contrary to popular sentiment, love the remote on this receiver, as well as the on-screen menus it controls. I can't imagine a better product.

The sound is so beautifully accurate. My "hard-core" listening occurs in stereo mode with sub, but I will often turn on the 5-channel DSP mode and just allow myself to be washed over by the room filling sound. The power output is perfectly mated to the PSB Century 600i speakers up front and really makes them squeal (in that figurative Liar Liar sense, far from literal).

And oh yes, movies, I must say, kick ass. There is no other way to describe the sound. The room is set up so that 8 can watch simulaneously (although some are forced to drift far from the sweet spot...). The room shakes and grooves and speech is perfectly clear. The DD sounds just great and has converted many unknowing to the merits of DVD.

My experience with this receiver/speaker combination has already sold another set of 600is, as well as another Denon.

All around, a phenomenal, near-perfect product.

I've had this receiver for a week now. The features and performance
are great! Coupled with PSB bronze, C5 center and Alpha A/Vs for rear
and 3i sub, the system sounds excellent across the full spectrum.
We can really "feel" the movies now.

The only down side is that I spent big bucks and bought the hefty
monster s-video cables. they are quite heavy, and I now have some
flaky connectors on the 3300. The dealer is going to replace the
3300 when he gets his next shipment in. I've tossed the monster
cables and bought the cheap $15 (1/3 of the monster's price) light
weight cables and no significant difference in video quality. I
just wish denon had used sturdier connectors/binding posts.