Being a stereo user, I've barely scratched the surface of what this amplifier can do - though I'm becoming increasingly curious! For stereo use the direct inputs allow the user to bypass the digital sound processing, and this to me is the only way to listen to an analogue source; otherwise the amp sounds distinctly average. Through direct inputs though, it's very good - there's a huge amount of current available to drive any speaker and the sound is effortlessly dynamic. It's character is smooth and warm rather than analytical; not my preference but the detail is not lost - in fact I sometimes find myself enjoying music more with it than my prized stereo amps!
The other option I haven't tried is use the digital inputs - I have better outboard DACs, but on paper the Denon's look decent. Analogue I believe is converted to digital then back again away from the direct inputs; far from ideal, but then the amp is very unlikely to be used this way with modern equipment.
I believe the full 7.1 information is carried over digital signal, so in actual fact this is far from obseletion and there is no need for HDMI inputs where the TV has an optical output.
I'm a big movie fan but I'm not convinced 5.1/7.1 is necessary, however I'd love to try it since the Denon has 7 equally capable amps for each channel. I imagine the experience would be very impressive - and the amp would get very hot!
I bought this second hand for around £75, and I'd recommend it at that price for stereo performance alone.

I bought my Denon AVR-3802 after doing a lot of homework.
It's the most I've ever spent on a reciever, having bought discontinued models previously.

My leap of faith paid of. Coupled with Mission speakers, my 7.1 system still sounds as awesome today as it did 15 years ago.

I've looked at receivers that do Atmos and all that now, but really? Even without the sub going the 7 speakers hammer out a brilliant sound that shakes the ceiling and makes the Doris moan at me!

Well worth the investment!

the 3802 has been just great over the years,until I wanted to put in patio speaks to make along story short I bought a Monster multi-speaker selector that will cover up to 150 watts of power,and wham it did the trick.I have digital for the outdoor speaker's! I very proud to have friends over to hear the 3802 rock out,I didn't need to upgrade a thing and that was good.The 3802 denon is just awesome.

Un receiver como estos de Denon no lo volveremos a ver, manofacturado en Japón con muy buenos componentes de construcción, un sonido limpio y natural que hacen que los Energy RC-50 y Sunfire tengan un desempeño perfecto

accurate

bright hard sound

denon's are reputed to be warm but i found this 3802 to be bright although quite accurate. also, it sends drum sounds etc to the rear speakers unlike my yammie which sends them across the soundstage in front of the listener.

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yamaha rx v595
nad t 773

Great with home theater setups, surround sound and movies.

Pretty much sucks with stereo sound.

We are talking transistors and solid state here, tube lovers should look elsewhere.

Made A/B comparison: Pioneer SX-750 (50 Watts/Ch), SX-780 (45 Watts/Ch) and this Denon (I believe, more than 100 Watts/Ch), with different sets of speakers (From Yamaha NS-1000 studio monitors to modern Energy to Large Advents) .

It was the same difference as between live drummer and the drum machine: The Pioneers were dirtier in their sound, and SX-780 was a tad less transparent, but much more ALIVE and less mechanical, and that's what I believe counts in music reproduction. That's the reason I love some vintage audio equipment (those Pioneers are from the seventies).
Besides, it's a sad story when it comes to comparing modern audio gear and vintage stuff build quality. Pioneer SX-750 is rated at only 50 WPC, but has bigger power transformer and 15000 mF (EACH) caps. And Pioneer's sound is very powerful; this clearly demonstrates that power ratings can be approached very differently. When Pioneer rated those receivers, no corners were cut: they could put out all of the rated power for a very long time, while most modern stuff can handle full rated power output for only a few seconds.

Conclusion: Stay away from this one, If you like MUSIC, not movies and the surround sound.
It's very good for home theater setups; audiophiles, search elsewhere (vintage Pioneer, Marantz, Luxman, Nakamichi, McIntosh, modern days Pioneer Elite and similar quality amps, etc., etc.)

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Marantz, Pioneer, Nikko, Heathkit, Nakamichi, Musical Fidelity,......

Powerful amplifier Great sound for movies Has DTS-ES 6.1 discrete surround Seven discrete channels and pre-outs allow for future upgrade Plenty of connectivity options

Expensive Remote is not the greatest, but I live with it Runs a little warm. I had demo'd a Yamaha in this price range, ran it hard on the 6.1 discrete Gladiator DVD, and it felt the same as if it was off all night.

This Denon is an excellent product. Every time I watch a movie, the sound makes me smile. My wife is always telling me to turn it down, but that kind of ruins the whole experience. Sound is quite good in two channel mode as well. I have never had any desire to turn it up past about -15 dB for music or movies. I only bought the 3802 over the 2802 because I wanted 100 WPC or more. I think it's just a guy thing. Anyway, if you don't have a huge room, the 2802/2803 has pretty much the same features, but only 90 WPC instead of 110 WPC, and it costs a couple hundred bucks less. I probably should have saved the $200 and gotten the 2802 at the time. I did not (and still don't) have a huge space to fill with sound and it would be more than adequate for my listening. I guess I'm just saying the 3802 has WAY more power than I need. I will never get it anywhere near a level where it will break a sweat.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V2200 (Good product, built like a tank, great in HT mode, weak in stereo mode, so exchanged for the Denon) Onkyo TX-DS494 (Good entry level receiver, amp a bit weak, would get extrememly hot running movies with my speaker setup. Decided I needed to upgrade to more power.)

Fantastic build quality, heavy hence the 7 beefy amps. Denon reputation.

None really worth mentioning.

After almost a year and a half, my 3802 has performed flawlessly! I've changed my speaker configuration two times since I bought this unit as Home Theater has more or less become my hobby and I just love it's versatility! From 5.1 to 7.2 I've found a world of difference in using it's full 7 channels. If you have the room size and want to experiment (if you hav'nt already) give it a shot! I thin you'll be amazed just by adding two additional speakers, especially with Dolby Digital-ex and DTS-es. I find myself constantly changing things kinda like it's an 65 corvette, but never considering changing the receiver. As I am still convinced this is the best A/V reciever out there for the money you pay. I had an Ultimate Electronics Guru (so he said anyway) and really did seem to know his stuff as Im no novice as this is my hobby, anyway, he told me that the 7 amps in the 3802 blow away what Denon put in the 3803. Is this true? Doe's anyone know a way to verify this. He (the Ultimate Electronics Guru) said his source was straight from a Denon representative that gave a learning seminar to the Ultimate Electronics sales staff, and after the seminar was over he on a one on one spoke to the Denon rep for about an hour and this is where he heard this. Are there any of you out there that know enough about Denon, specifically the 3802 to confirm this? I personally can't imagine that Denon would change anything from a quality aspect anyway to any of their products. I thought the only difference was the video down conversion and it states that it supports D.D.ex. Which since the 3802 has 7 designated amps, I would beleive it would support D.D.ex as well, it's just that D.D.ex came out after the 3802 to rival DTS-es. Im I correct in saying this? When I watch a DVD such as "The Lord Of The Rings" it supports Dolby Digital-ex and I seem to notice all seven speakers receiving different signals. Please email me with your comments or questions. Anyway, if you want a GREAT middle of the road to high end amp, don't pass this up if you can find it. eBay still has a few every once in a while.

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Pioneer Elite, Other Denon's the list goes on.

The triple P's: Power, Perfomance & Price.

Only one coaxial input & no detachable power cord.

After dilligent research on similar recievers from Yamaha, Onkyo & Pioneer, I bought the Denon 3802. I can honestly say it was the best purchase I have ever made. I have a 6.1 home theater set up with the B&W 602 series which really need alot of power. This Denon pushes them to new heights without breaking a sweat. Its multi-channel sound is unbeatable in this price range and its two channel performance is spectacular. The remote takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of it, it is quite functional. To put it simply, the Denon 3802 blows away the competition in its class. Home Theater set up Receiver- Denon3802 Speakers- B&W 602 S2 DVD- Harman Kardon DVD50 Interconnects- Tributaries Wires- Straight Wire & Monster

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Yamaha & Sony

7 channel discrete (ample power) how it sounded - clean and solid 7 ch ext.input for dvd-a,sacd made in japan made and built

lack of digital coax input(only 1) menus (need to use monitor) front panel inputs

denon 3802 is the receiver i choose rather than yammy 2200, onkyo 700, marantz 7100, due to great reviews. but after i got the unit and use it more than a year, i would really say my 3802 ROCKS!! when using it in my 7.1 bedroom, it has enuf power to let my neighbors complain. when using directmode in cd the sound is so pure and clean, the only thing that will let me letgo of my 3802 is a denon5803 or atleast denon 4803 hehe... mabuhay my simple 7.1 bedroom set-up tv- sony 36'xbr800 hdtv dvd- pioneer elite 47a receiver- denon 3802 ld- pioneer vhs- philips speakers- nht 1.5 music monitors-front nht superone-side surr nht superzero-back surr subs- velodyne 1200 750w r.m.s. racks and speaker stands- lovan cable and interconnects- kimberkables: 4tc,4pr,dv75, dv15,hero,pbj,

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old yammy 1090 (pro-logic)