Great movie mode output. Clear and detailed audio.

Maybe another optical out and coax in. Bass boost would also be a welcome addition.

My first home theater receiver was a Yamaha 992. I was not pleased with the sound. It was not as clear as my old Yamaha A-1000 stereo amp. I then sold it after a year of use and got the Denon 3300. The difference was night and day. Everything became cristal clear, especially music. (It is so important to match your speakers to your receiver). Had the 3300 for another year or so and got the bug to upgraded to the 3801. I could not be happier.

This unit builds on the strengths of the 3300 and gets rid of the 3300's weaknesses (heating, remote, Korean built).

The remote for the 3801 is similar to last years 1800 which I used to control my living room (3300) and bedroom systems (1800). I can now return my remote for the 1800. For those of you who refuse to read the manual, the setup instructions for the 3801's remote are on page 31(code entering), 34(learning), and 35(system calls).

The EX and ES modes fill in the rear sound field quite well.

Bass output is excellent in movie mode. A little weak in music mode (depending on the CD).

I just don't see how you can go wrong with this receiver.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V992, Denon AVR-3300

Precise sound, good range, solid build, DTS-ES, many features, analog bypass, price (value), up to 6 discrete channels (2 identical surround back)

Obnoxious DSP modes, missing instructions for remote macro setup, only 1 SP/DIF coax digital input,

Here's my setup:
Denon AVR-3801 receiver
Pioneer DV-333 dvd player
Vienna Acoustics Haydn, main LR
Vienna Acoustics Theatro, center channel
Allison Acoustics AL-105 Surround LR
Sony WEGA KV27FV16


This was my first digital receiver. I can't start to describe how much better the sound was from my cheap old techics pro-logic receiver was. Same speakers, same wire, new sound. Even regular music CDs sound so much more refined and robust, at low and high volumes. Sound imaging was more precise, possibly due to the distance settings of the speakers. Movies spring to life with an almost truer-than-reality sound. Even with my odd placement of surround speakers, the channel settings with the AVR3801 can compensate. Later, I will move everything and add the surround back speakers, replace the surrounds, and add a subwoofer. However, so far, this setup has made going to the cineplex into an odious task in comparison. I'd much rather sit at home.

Good clean sound,DTS ES,Dolby Surround EX,

No IR inputs/outputs,no sleep timer,bad control form the remote,remote,Can't adjust speaker levels without built in test tone on,Sub on during stereo playback.Volume ramps up to quickly.Only 1 Digital Coax input.

OK let me start out by saying this.....This is a nice receiver for the money and anyone with a moderate system not looking for a custom setup.This receiver replaced my Pioneer Elite vsx26tx because I wanted better sound quality and the new formats.I really wanted the B&K avr307 but at this time I couldn't afford it due to the fact I'm in the middle of building a new home.
The Denon has a warm clean sound for both movies and music.
The menu system is nicley laid out for setup.Compared to the Pioneer,Yamaha,and Sony line in the same price range,it is the best sounding one of the bunch.
All receivers have there up's and down's,I have found that not one receiver is a complete package for everything you could want out of a receiver.I have tested all of Denon's current line as well as Yamaha,Sony and Pioneer Elite.
Then there's the B&K avr307 but that a completely different story as well as blows all other receiver's at allcost's away for sound quality,but I'm not going to compare it as it's in a class by itself.
The Yamaha line which I have loved Yamaha for a long time,i feel let me down in there new line for sound quality.They also will not get with the program ,they do thing's there own way,bass setup(lfe) sucks,only 1 out for surround back,and there amps are just to bright.Super picky as 2 what speaker's you mate them with.Mirage is about the only company that sound's great with the stuff.( I had my eye on the rxv1 untill I demo'd it).BUt I will give Yamaha this,trigger's,IR in and Rs232,very cool.
Sony I just don't like there receivers,enough said.
Pioneer Elite....Excellent preamp secetion,nice multiroom setup and user friendly,THX ULTRA ,I can go on and on about what I like about there preamp in there receiver's,but there amps suck for power and sound quality.I think out of all of the 1000 dollar range and up,they has the least amout of power and sound like the Sony.
Well for all who reads this,If you want a nice good sounding receiver with good power and 7.1 built in,go for it,but if want to do multiroom out and are anal about your setup,this receiver sucks for speaker setup if you want to use a test dvd disk.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RXV992,Pioneer vsx26TX,B&K avr307

Model 3802 ; Dolby Pro-Logic II; 5 channel music; clarity at any level.

Manual could be better; no multi-room function (ie if you have another speaker system set up in your dining room, you will need another receiver)-- not really a weakness, i just think if a sub $300 receiver can do this, it should be standard on all quality receivers.

This is one badass monster of a machine.

Before i go into my review let me point out something for anyone who buys this receiver: Please note-- the setup screen is done on your TV!!! (the damn stupid manual fails to mention this so i bet atleast some of you like myself will sit there looking for the menu setup on the LCD of the receiver instead of the TV)...i think some poor soul who posted earlier might have returned the receiver because of this lol. Also make sure as posted previously you turn your tv on to the right input you chose connecting Receiver to Monitor.

Also, please please please adjust your tone (Bass/Treble) by turning off tone defeat function. The difference is night and day. Read the manual on how to do this because the default sound 0 bass/0 treble is not too impressive. I like setting both close to their maximum levels.

Ok when you finally go through all the setup and get all the settings adjusted let me just say one thing: This receiver ROCKS!!! For any of you wondering about the PRO-LOGIC II, its the REAL DEAL man! Yes, all of us have heard 5 channel stereo, but the Pro-Logic II Music function is one step above that...Pro-Logic II also separates the signal into 5 channels but if you switch between the two modes you will DEFINITELY hear a difference. The only way i can describe the effect is that with regular 5 channel, you hear 5 channels; with Pro-Logic II it sounds like one giant speaker wrapped around yourself. You can also "stretch" the main vocals (of a cd or stereo song)anywhere from dead center on your center channel or equal between all 3 front speakers (FL-Center-FR) which i prefer...i dont know if the 3801 had this function but its a cool feature. Oooooh baby! I feel like i've never heard music before.

If you have a wife who hates loud music and is against you upgrading your receiver, do the following: Play her favorite cds in Dolby Pro-Logic Music mode w/ Panorama setting "ON". Lets put it this way, she fell in love all over again (not with me but with MUSIC). She also agrees that when you turn the volume higher on this receiver, music doesnt get louder, it gets clearer.

Buying online: well this is a gray area; please make you own decision at your own risk but here is my opinion: this puppy retails at over $1000. I got it for $816 brand new. Yes if i have problems, i dont think the warranty will cover it because i didnt buy from an authorized dealer, so what happens? well i take the receiver to get it fixed and the repairs cost me maybe $200. If it needs more repairs, then yes im screwed but im banking on the fact that this is a well built machine and it wont have so many problems (im gonna go knock on wood now); www.buydig.com was one of the cheapest sites that had a half decent review on http://www.resellerratings.com which a must site to use if you shop online. I received my receiver in good condition 5 days after paying online. But again, know that for every 100 online purchases, atleast 2 or 3 of them may have problems so think about maybe buying a warranty or seeing if your credit card has an automatic warranty policy.

I will post again later after the burn in period, but if you have a decent set of speakers and want a good receiver, definitely check out the Denon 3802. If you have a super badass receiver then go with a higher Denon or Marantz receiver.

I hope this helps atleast one of you out there as your opinions have helped me tremendously in my purchase.

My system: (ok for small room and beginner system)
B&W DM302
B&W center channel
Definitive Technology Surround

(Looking to upgrade to Paradigm Reference Studios soon woohoo!)

Similar Products Used:

sony strd-545 (aka piece of $*#@!)

So far everything.

Manual is a little vague in places.

Andre, there a couple of things you need to make sure are in place. 1) Make sure you have either an RCA (shown on page 7) or an S-Video (Pg. 8) cable connected to the monitor. 2) Next you have to switch the monitor to whatever video in you used with this cable (ie. video 1). 3) And finally make sure that the display on your remote says AMP(not mentioned anywhere in the manual). To get the remote to say this you have to push the "receiver" button at the top right of the remote a couple of times (pg. 15 under mode selector buttons).
I still haven't had the unit(AVR 3802) long enough to fully review it but so far I'm impressed.

This board was very helpful to me in choosing to buy the Denon 3801 thank you all, now I am trying to set it up using the remote and I stuck right hear, the manuale direct me to press the setup button to start the set up however pressing it does not do anything. could somone help

DTS Extended Surround Discrete 6.1 decoding. DTS Neo:6 Cinema & Music Surround decoding. Dolby Digital decoding, including Matrix 6.1 decoding. 7 Channels equal power amplifier section. 5 sets composite and "S" video inputs.

None.

Click Here to get yours for only $829.99 *NEW*! Killer unit. I can't believe the difference in sound quality from my 3300 to the 3801. Much better 2 channel performance too. I would have to say for the 2 weeks that I have owned it I am really happy with the purchase. I only have one DVD with DTS ES but the rear speakers seem to add a little more to the movie experience. It is also really cool that a total of 10 speakers can be hooked up at the same time.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo TX-DS787 $779.99

Sound, power

None

Nutin but praise for this amazing product. Instead of buying an acurus system, i walked in to Classic equip and saw this beautiful masterpiece. i asked the reps to hook it up to the model of speakers i ahve at home, deftech BP2000 6s, and listened to some classical music. What a difference there was. i returned my ohter reciever, pioneer elite, and purchased this. no second thoughts

5 channel stereo, multi-room, 7 powered channels

only one digital coax!!??

This receiver is wonderful. it sounds great and does everything i need. i have this baby running my home theater speakers and a set of speakers in our sun room. it rocks. the only thing that sucks is that it only has one digital coax so i havent been able to hook up all my stuff yet because most of my other stuff only has coax and not optical, anyways coax sounds better anyways.

Denon 3801
Monitor Audio 8i
Monitor Audio 12i
Monitor Audio 3i
Monitor Autio FB210
Klipsh In Wall Speakers

ALL

POWER

THE REMOTE IS GREAT... IT DOES LEARN EVERYTHING I WANT IT TO. I CAN PROGRAM ANY BUTTON. I dont know why you guys cant make your remotes learn, perhaps bad teachers. Remember that the remote has to be at a close distance.

I would like to know the actual power with all speakers driven..

If anyone knows... Please post it

Anyways The only thing I say is lack of power. 110wx7 doesnt seem much for a small 11x11 room.

I have paradigm (ultrasensitive) speakers.
Monitor 7v2 Fronts
Monitor 5v2 Rear
Monitor CC-370 Center
Monitor Titan Surround Back

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood all sorts