Fantastic Sound, Remote Control, Features

FM antenna is a joke

After 6 months of research I decided to buy this little monster. I am using it for about a week and I am very pleased. DD/DTS are really great. 5ch stereo is suprisingly good. Enough nice DSP modes that I will probably never use.
(hoped it had a DSP for live soccer matches).

The remote is really great. Learning function is excellent and easy. In 10 minutes I made it control a 10-year-old VCR, my METZ TV, and a subscribers TV broadcast decoder.My Pioneer DVD player code was in the manual. I think it's a great remote and MUCH better and prettier than the one supplied with AVR2801.

Overall, the Denon has a great seperation of channels. It makes you feel that you are in the movie. Music is also very good in stereo(depends on cd player and speakers). I didn't expected it to be that good for a receiver. I think Denon made a good job.

My equipment is:
Metz TV Classic SF 72TC76 100 MT PIP
Pioneer DVD535(Excellent budget player)
Mirage AVS200 X 4 satellites wonders(Fantastic sound)
Mirage AVS100 center speaker(very good)
Mirage Frx-S8 subwoofer(woooffff!!!)
Old Aiwa CD player(sucks,needs to be replaced)
Old Sanyo VCR

P.S My living room is small so I went for the Mirage AVS microsystem which is excellent for a small to medium space. And they cost approximately $350 all 5 of them. I would recommend them to any one. As for the Denon you can't go wrong. IT'S PERFECT!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Arcam AVR-100,Pioneer VSX709rds,Pioneer VSX609rds, Denon avr1801, Denon avr2801

good pwr supply, good clarity, better than most @ the price

no loudness circit, can't turn of sub in stereo, fixed power cord, can't adjust tone without osd

quite happy with this kit, have it hooked up to a rotel pwr amp for the front channels,
the weeknesses are only due to preffrence
smashin'!!!! fabulous!!! groovy......

Similar Products Used:

sony strdb930, harmon kardon avr 30

Clear,articulate powerful presentation with silent background noise. 7 channels, Multi Room, 11 speaker hookup, Direct mode. Two speaker,5.1, Matrix and 5 speaker playback. On screen Menu. price$$$

I got to think Hard.

When I set out to start my home theater, I originally had eyes on the 4800, but I was trying to factor in the price/warranty peformance of a online dealer vs a authorized one ($1200vs$1999).

After purchase of my set and DVD player, it was time to think about the receiver again.
My problem with the 4800 and 5700 was always that you needed seperate amplifiers (which took up more space and cost) for the extra channels (as well as their $$). But hey, you get what you pay for.

Lo and behold, I saw that Denon came out with a new DTS ES and DD matrix (THX ex) 7.1 receiver with 7 amplified channels for almost half the price less than the 4800.

After reading all the post here, and reading many consumer and professional reviews elsewhere, everyone loved the 3801. Noise levels were reported to be nil and Dynamic range etc. were excellent. My radar was now on the 3801

As I was auditioning my Atlantic techonolgy 170 speakers, with Different receivers, I asked the rep to hook up the 3801. Sounded great. 4 auditions later I purchased both the speakers and the 3801.

The receiver was easier than I thought to hookup and program. The onscreen menu is very intuitive and consistent. I actually find the remote pretty good, it certainly beats using the 5 remotes I have stacked on the table in front of it. Of course it doesn't control every function. It controls only the basics that it has a button for. That't enough. Many times when you just want to turn something on or off, turn it up or change the channel with out switching remotes or getting up. The learning functions is kool to, though I wish they just had the darn code in the first place.

Definitely fine tune with the Channel level and Delay. This fine tuning will only enhance your sound. Inititially I programmed by ear, but eventually I got a radio shack SPL level meter which helped even more.

Playback for movies is excellent. DTS is out of this world (Gladiator, U571, Saving Private Ryan, the Matrix to name a few).

Because of this receivers low back ground noise, you can hear the silent passages of a movies clearly and quietly and get the loud scene next with out any annoyance or compromise.

For music I play in two channel mode, 5 speaker and Matrix basically. The other DSP's (with maybe the exception of DTS neo 6) is a waste.

5 channel sounds excellent
2 channel and matrix sound very good

Make sure the receiver is properly calibrated for best use.

I heard some people report this receiver is two bright. Well they may want to check their settings (tone control etc) because they not be at the default levels.

Volume: I don't think I have ever turned this thing up past -10db (My room is 20x15x7). Remember, the first 10-15 clicks are nothing. You make it up on the back end. Once you go from -40-20db your starting to crank it up. Once your at -20(which I rarely play that loud)you still have 38db more cranks to go (range is from -60-+18db)and -20 is loud. But it all depends on taste. I.E. It's loud enough for my basement. I'm sure they're are louder receivers, but Geesh look at the clean output your getting here for the price. Though my speakes are 8ohms their rated at 87db and the 3801 drives them cleanly.

Heat: The receiver plays warm, but it's never hot. I have played this thing for a month+ straight 6-15 hrs a day. No problems. The heat sinks do their job. The unit does have a fan, but It's never had to come on for me. So this unit is always silent. Great for movies and Jazz solo's.

Note Denon sounded cleaner than the equivilant yamaha's, Harmon Kardon and Onkyo's I heard.

I am rating it 5 stars because it's a excellent receiver, with an excellent price.

All in all a excellent receiver and value.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 5800,4800, Harmon Kardon AVR500, Denon 2801,

Look's,power,futures,quality,7.1 channel home theatre setup

Too heavy (But this shows how solid this product is)

This receiver worth every penny.Very solid build and with a lot futures.My CD's sound a lot nicer than ever.Home theatre is out of this world.5.1 channel is great but 7.1 setup is unreal(4 rear channels,front left&Right and sub.).This receiver has plenty of power for all of them and just put your seat belt on when you watching DVD's.
It is not just the power;detail on sounds and clearnes unreal.Whatever Holywood can put on,this receiver will give you %100.
I don't think anyone will have any problem with this unit.So if you thinking to get nice receiver just go for it.

tons of features, good remote compared to competition

no front AV inputs, ugly

I contacted the company today with regards to the 3801's power rating. The unit only shows that the 3801 draws 7.0 amps. My old Marantz receiver has a label that says that it draws 300+ watts. Harmon Kardon receivers draw 500+ watts- and I'm sure NAD receivers are 500+ watts. My point in this is that Denon is trying to cover up the fact that their products do not have a High Current Capability. If you look at their 2801, it weighs 25 pounds. Harmon Kardon, NAD, and Marantz receiver that cost the same as the 2801 weigh (through thier massive transformers) from 31-35 pounds.
I was told by Denon that Wattage and Current ratings are, "arbitrary" and that Denon does not publish this information. If you take a look at reviews in Hi Fi Choice magazine of the AVR-3300 and the 10S which is similar to the AVR-4800, the magazine shows that these units are high wattage units with low current capability that have a hard time with low ohm hard to drive speakers. I almost got burned in buying one of these units. It would have been useless to me because my speakers are 4ohm speakers. Don't let any salesperson tell you that the 6-16 ohm guideline on the back of the unit is just a guideline. Take it seriously. The unit lacks guts with certain speakers!

Similar Products Used:

Marantz, Sony

Very powerfool plenty of fuctions

the lerning capabitities of rc not so good

I had the 3300 and had many problems cause it switced off all the time and a very noisy fan.
Now the 3801 is a better 3300 with more things like dts es though I haven't buy another speaker yet to test it.
It's a very good amp with AV and music too.
A little disappointed from the dts neo 6 fuction wich on my system seems to use only the main and centre speaker (If anyone can tell me anything about this please e-mail)
A very good dolby digital play and very powerful tuner

Similar Products Used:

denon avr 3300

Power, Power, Power. everything you could want in a reciever

None

I had this unit for about 2 month and WOW. The sound fields are great to listen to. In Matrix mode the sub woofer shaked te hole house, something my other recievers could do. The manual is easy for anyone to understand. The Remote is great, one of the best I've had. The Power is great. I have Mirage Om7 biwired and there is plenty of power to spare, so I don't now about all this power rating junk some people seem to bring up. The 5ch stero modes offer a great clean sound. In all this is the best unit out there for the price. If you want to spend unnecessary money for a THX reciever, be my guest, but if you want top of the line quality for a nice price, go with this unit. Speakers do make a difference.

My System
Toshiba 36x80 TV
Toshiba SD6200 DVD
Fronts Mirage OM7
Center Polk,
Surround DCM
Sub DCM
Will be upgrading to all Mirage, being they are the best speakers I've ever heard. Keeping the Sub, It Rocks

great with movies and 2 channel sound, tons of features, great remote compared to competition

no front inputs, dated looks

I've listened to the 3801 at several stores now and I am convinced that this unit is worth purchasing. I'm replacing my Marantz SR-7000 which lacks detail. I have a few questions for anyone out there that has researched this product. The power usage on the back panel says 7.0 amps. What is the wattage? Also, what is the High Current Capability of the unit? Is it 35 amps like the Harmon Kardon's or 40 amps like the NAD T760 or 45 amps! like the NAD T761? Also, does anyone know if the product has been tested by any of the British or American magazines (like Hi Fi Choice, What Hi Fi?, Hi Fi News etc....I'm curious what the unit is thought of for 2 channel music. Many thanks out there for everyones experiences!

Similar Products Used:

Marantz, Sony

Clean Sound, 7.1 channel, Different Surround Modes, On-Screen Display for easy Set-up, Remote, Denon quality, and PRICE!

There is a learning curve with this receiver, it isn't bad though. After a few days the controls are very easy to operate. (Your settings are always saved so you don't have to change mucch once you get it the way you like it.)

I think the receiver is just one part of the entire setup and the speakers used with the receiver make all the difference in the world. With that being said, I think my review should be used by those who have a Polk Audio speaker system.

My speakers:
Main : 1990 Polk Audio Signature SDA towers
Center: Polk Audio CS1000p
Rear : Polk Audio RT800i
sub : Polk Audio PSW250 (came free w/ the CS1000p)

1. Power
This receiver has plenty of power and can play a very clean sound at a very high volume. (I cannot hear my friends yell when the volume is turned up) I have noticed that I don't realize the volume is so loud until I try to speak to someone and can't hear my own voice - the sound from the system is so clear that there is no distortion that is commonly associated with loud systems. (AND I LIKE THAT!) I am impressed by the volume of the unit but I am more impressed with the clarity. Kid Rock's "Devil Without a Cause" is a good song to test the system. (Bass like a rap song, guitars like metal, singing like a choir...) This setup handles the song flawless: Heavy bass runs through me while the guitar riffs crunch with Kid rock being clearly understood throughout the track.

2. Surround Modes and Features
I LOVE the surround modes that come with this unit. I've heard some preset sound modes that have been trash and to be honest, I didn't expect to like these either. Like everyone else, I love the 5 channel stereo mode to fill the room with clear sound. (I use it for the CD player, TV, and computer's mp3's) I watch a lot of concert videos and tried the Rock Arena mode with the Metallica Cunning Stunts DVD. DAMN! I just about Sh*t a brick when I cranked it up and got into it! The rear speakers have an echo effect to simulate a closed area and it is VERY lifelike with the right concert recordings. The Rock Arena mode doesn't have a very clean sound but what metal concert does? (AC/DC Live has always been my favorite CD and it sounds INSANE with this mode!) On the other end of the spectrum, I've been listening to classical pieces in the "Jazz" mode and have been very happy with the sound. I haven't tried the video game mode yet, but I do have the N64 hooked up to the receiver. I do like the way the 3801 will set "5 channel stereo" when I have it on TV and CD input, but will change automatically to DTS when I select DVD and "video game mode" when I select the N64. Like I said, once you have it set up, it will remember your settings and make it easy after that. Of course DVD's sound awesome... Saving Private Ryan is about as intense as it gets with the sound and visual effects!

3. Denon Quality
I've always been happy with Denon products. Denon and Polk have combined to make some of the best systems I've ever heard. I have a Polk speaker system so I knew the brands would work great together. I'm replacing an older Denon receiver that was not digital with the 3801. The old receiver still sounds great and works fine, it has simply outlasted the 1980's technology. I do like the 7.1 channels of inputs the 3801 has. If I decide to get an Audio DVD player, the 3801 is ready!

4. Price and Let's Go Digital.com
I noticed more and more people are buying from Let's Go Digital. It is probably because they have one of the lowest prices on the net. A lot of people are ordering from them and it took me 15 days to get my 3801. Their webpage said it would ship in 2-3 days but it took about a week and a half. They give you half-ass service when you call on the phone and ask about your order but 800 bucks is a small price to pay for a receiver of this caliber. (I will say they overcharge for shipping. Expect to pay 50 bucks for UPS ground if you order from Let's Go Digital)

5. Remote and Instructions
I had 2 weeks to wait for the 3801 to be shipped and I downloaded the instruction manual early. So I had read the instructions front to back several times before the unit arrived. I was ready for setup and encountered no problems at all. The remote is over-all a good universal remote. It controls everything I own so I'm happy with it. It is big and has a lot of colors so it is easy to find! (tip: When using it for your TV, to control the volume on your TV set and NOT the volume of the receiver, program the center "up" and "down" buttons with your TV's remote to work the volume of the television.) But this receiver has a lot of features and they do take some time to utilize. Flexibility is a good thing and worth the extra time it takes to learn them. (if you can get online and get to this website and find "Denon 3801", you can work this unit!)


Polk Audio Speaker System
You may have noticed I have a mix of old and new Polk speakers at high, mid, and low end --- Somehow the group can be combined to make one hell of a system with the AVR-3801 at the heart. This receiver does a good job of getting a great sound from each speaker set. The SDA's are unreal ... and they've never sounded better. (I reach my limits as a listener before they reach their limits as a speaker) The rear floorstaning 800i pack a lot of clear, tight bass and I love the full range from the rear channels. The center speaker has two built-in powered subs and two 6" mid's. (it is the only center speaker I could find to keep up with the SDAs!) The PSW250 is a little out of place. But with solid bass coming from all other speakers, this small sub has a small workload. It keeps up nicely, I haven't detected any distortion or detraction from the other speakers.

I'm going to purchase some Polk f/x500's soon (for the sides of the room).... I can only imagine what the system will sound like in full 7.1! The 5.1 blows me away as it is!

Over All:
Over all, I'm as happy as a dog with two co*ks with the set up. I run my computer's output to the receiver and I just sit and listen to mp3s while I browse the net or watch TV or DVDs.... Total bliss after a full day of school, work, and BS from the girlfriend! So if you are like I was before I bought the receiver and spending too much time jerking off to pictures and specs of the 3801, go a head and get it! The 3801 in person compared to the 3801 on paper is like Mrs. March in the pages of Playboy compared to Mrs. March in bed!

I give the unit 5 starts and plenty of balls.

E-mail me or IM if you want to ask me or tell me anything about the 3801 or stereo's in general! I'll probably be sitting here listening to music and loving life!
--->TKirk3rd@aol.com

Similar Products Used:

Read this review if you will be using Polk Audio Speakers.

sound & build qualit

remote

i've used this product for 3 months now and never have a problem, i admit it lacks some feautre or thx certification but it all comes down to sound quality, this unit beat all other product in this price level whether in 2 channel or home theater mode..

Similar Products Used:

yamaha dsp-ax2