Lots of power, smooth in the mid-range and of course, nice build.

Pricey due to THX certification.

I liked this receiver. Recently I purchased a 2095 but found it lacking in the 2 channel stereo department. I know, I know, it's a home theater receiver, but my criteria for a receiver was to get one that kicks butt in surround sound, but also wasn't too shabby playing my CD collection. For some reason the Yamaha didn't do it for me and after further research it seems a lot of people agree with that statement on this website.

So I lugged my Klipsch KG4.5's to the stereo shop and put these three puppies through their paces. I used the Sony CDP-XA20ES cd player as the source with standard Monster interconnects to hook everything up. I put all receivers in the stereo 2 channel mode at nominal settings.

All three were excellent receivers. Lots of power and the high sensitvity rating of the Klipsch's allowed them to show their stuff. But the Sony seemed to stand out in the end. Why? Well it seemed to have a tighter bass response, the other two receivers were a bit boomy (not a lot though, just compared to the Sony). But what really got me was the soundfield separation of all the instruments. The Sony let me hear things that the Yamaha and Denon weren't reproducing. In other word's there was just a slight blending of sounds. Hard to explain you just have to listen for yourself.

The Denon was fine but I have to give the nod to the Sony. Some people may find the Sony too bright in comparison to the Denon, but I didn't feel that. It was more a question of definition and clarity. Sony claims that when in 2 channel stereo mode it's pumping out 200W per channel, but I'm not sure about that. If that is true, that may explain what I heard. Keep in mind, I was skeptical of Sony; as having Klipsch speakers I've heard that those two are a bad match, but I didn't find that to be true with the 777. I give the 4800 the nod in the mid-range category. Smoother than the Sony. But at 500$ more, I can't justify the expense. That THX stuff is pure bunk, it's just a certification stamp.

Lastly, yes the Denon had the warmer sound. But it seemed to sound warm on the muddled side compared to the Sony.

Denon 4800
3 stars for value, 4 overall for build and sonic quality.

Sony STR-DA777ES
5 stars for both category's.

Yamaha
5 stars for value (home theater effects) and 3.5 stars overall.

p.s. Also Sony has some cool tweakability features. You can adjust the gain and frequency for Bass, Mid-range and Treble for all the speakers. So it's possible that any brightness issues might be solved with this feature.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V2095, Sony STR-DA777ES

flexibility, good clean power supply

remote

I will post a followup to this review after I have more experience with this unit as I'm in the middle of moving to a new home and haven't gotten my whole system set up. I had Denon seperates since the 80's and never had ANY problems with them. I was stationed in Japan for a couple years and Denon is THE name in electronics over there. They make some serious high end stuff that you'll most likely never see here in the states. Anyway, I have Martin Logan Sequel Electrostatics and yes, they do require a quality power amp to drive them. My Denon POA-1500 @ 150 watts per channel drove them beautifully. I sold my seperates and went with the AVR-4800 because of it's flexibility and because of my good experiences with my Denon seperates. For all of the people who say that this unit won't drive electrostatic speakers, or that "electrostatics are out of the question", let me tell you this: That is pure BS - this receiver makes my MLs SING!! It has absolutely NO problem driving them - they sound tremendous at low volume levels as well as cranked loud enough to make the room shake - crystal clear and very precise.
I was a little worried about how I've heard that some AV receievers don't sound good for just plain music listening. I think that's alot of BS too. The AVR-4800 sounds WONDERFUL just listening to music in STEREO mode. I do have a DBX 3BX dynamic range expander and an old Sansui SE-9 Compu-equalizer hooked up to the system (tape monitor #2) and listen to music using those, so maybe I'm not aware of the "lack of warmth" I've read that this unit has when playing music. It sounds GREAT to me!

Similar Products Used:

Denon seperates.

Clean Power, Feature Rich, Sound Detail, THX, THX EX, Setup

None

I recently upgraded from a Denon AVR 1800 to this amazing receiver, and I’ll tell you I couldn’t be happier. The 4800 is an amazing piece of equipment, which is so feature rich you can spend days playing with it. At the forefront is it’s ability to provide clean power, up to 125x5 watts, which for my system has made my speakers sound the best they ever will. The detail and clarity is incredible, pure Denon, which by the way is the biggest difference that I notice between the 1800 and the 4800.

In theater, this receiver kicks so much ass. The THX mode provides a perfect theatrical audio balance, although at first it took me a little while to get used to, but once I did I will never miss the brightness and boomyness of Dolby Digital. With music the detail the 4800 provides is simply unmatched. I love the 5/7 Channel stereo mode.

Now back to features. It seems that Denon didn’t miss a beat when it comes to features and attention to user friendliness. From onscreen menu, which makes setup convenient, to the ability to set db setting for each and every listening mode. The options are endless and useful, not just for show. I can’t imagine that I will be upgrading this receiver for a long time.

I haven’t tried the THX ES mode yet, but I will soon and I’ll post an update.

Similar Products Used:

Boston VR 950's
Boston VR 10
Boston PV 800
Boston VRS Pro Surrounds

DD and DTS and also very strong in stereo! Nice building, strong output

None i know

I've tried many A/V receivers, but i ended up with this baby, fantastic how it plays in surround mode, the stereo play aint bad at all for an all in one receiver. Its a good choice if you wanna go for HT and Stereo. Best buy for me!

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, pioneer, sony, marantz

build quality and all the featueres I could ever want

remote, manual

After buying the Pioneer Elite VSX-36 and shipping it back to J&R Electronics because of faulty rear inputs, I checked out the reviews on the Integra DTR 7 (the DTR 7.1 had not yet appeared in audioreveiw's list of Onkyo AVR receivers) and was impressed enough to buy the Onkyo Integra DTR 7.1 from New Orleans Audio Video. I was not disappointed and wrote a glowing review of this receiver accordingly.

However, I felt the Integra still did not offer quite enough power, despite its wonderful sound quality, features, remote control,and the overall build quality of this receiver. Consequently, I sold the Integra on audioreview's marketplace for exactly what I paid and bought the Denon AVR-4800 from Kief's for a few hundred more. Again, I was not disappointed and will hold on to the Denon, especially after having bought its companion POA-5200 two-channel amp. I will be using this amp to drive two Paradigm Monitor 3s that I will set up in another room.

I find most of the AVR-4800 DSP modes useless, particularly when listening to music in 2-channel or in 5-channel mode. But watching TV or videos is wonderful with the Denon, which definitely does my Paradigm speakers justice, even moreso than the Integra DTR 7.1.

I certainly would have been happy with the Integra DTR 7.1, but felt the Denon best matched my speaker system and most assuredly is a more powerful receiver than the Integra. Both receivers have garnered excellent reviews, but as the ratings attest, the Denon is the overall winner (except for the somewhat flimsy remote) between the two. Finally, with the power and features the AVR-4800 offers, it's just not worth spending an extra grand or two on Denon's flagship AVR 5800. A few Denon authorized dealers have also dropped the initial $1999 MSRP on the AVR-4800, so pick one of these up while you still can, and be sure to buy from an authorized dealer; otherwise, check out the very low asking prices of some of these in audioreveiw's marketplace.

My other equipment includes:

Hitachi 36" TV
Panasonic Hi-Fi VCR
an old Pioneer three magazine-style CD player
an old Pioneer dual cassete player/recorder
an old BSR turntable
Monster Cable interconnects
Paradigm Monitor 9s for front speakers
Paradigm CC-370 center channel
Paradigm PS-2200 subwoofer
Paradigm ADP-370 dipolar surrounds
not-yet-purchased Paradigm Monitor 3s
Recoton 12-guage and Horizon 14-guage speaker wires

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Elite VSX-36, Onkyo Integra DTR 7.1

everything about it is strong

none so far

this unit far superior than my previous 3200, i use a denon poa-2400 class-a amp for my fronts and the receiver runs the rest, the dacs and the processor are really outstanding,i cant beleive what i missed when i watched movies with my old receiver, it's night and day. do yourself a favor though, buy from an authorized dealer, thats the only way you can be sure yours will be covered by denon and not some shop with unauthorized technicians working on your equipment if something should go wrong, also your chances of it having a problem are greatly increased by not buying from an authorized dealer, so for people spending 1200.00 and it catching on fire, thats what you get, the retail is 2000.00 i bought mine on sale for 1700.00 i think thats probably as good a deal as your going to get from a denon dealer, i'm sure some others have found them cheaper at their local denon dealer, but probably not by much,
my system goes as follows:
denon avr4800
denon dvd1500
denon poa2400
audio alchemy digital decoding engine v1.0
audioquest topaz interconnects
boston acoustics vr30's front
boston acoustics vr10 center
boston acoustics hd5s rears
klipsch subwoofer
echostar dss receiver
jvc hi fi vcr
jvc 27" television

Similar Products Used:

denon avr-3200

Denon AVR-4800 THX Ultra Surround EX A/V Receiver

Denon AVR-4800 offers DTS decoding with DTS "ES" compatibility and Composite and "S" video switching

DTS decoding with DTS "ES" compatibility
Composite and "S" video switching
Record output selector
Download the owner's manual and/or product literature
1 or 2 pre-outputs for connection to external power amp to drive 1 or 2 THX Surround EX surround back speakers
Automatic THX Surround EX and DTS "ES" detection by data bitstream flag
Manual Suround EX activation
Assignable power amplifiers let you use front L/R amps to drive surround back L/R speakers, pre-outs to drive external amp for main front L/R speakers
THX Ultra certified
Compatible with Denon's THX Ultra certified POA-5200 2 channel power amp
DTS decoding
7.1 channel pre-outs for future system upgrade
125 watts per channel X 5 channels
Dual Surround Mode Speaker Switching; one surround pair for music, another surround pair for movies
THX Ultra 5.1 and 4.0 post-processing
Real 24 bit, 96 kHz D/A conversion on all channels, featuring premium Analog Devices DACs (8 DAC channels)
Component video switching (2 inputs, 1 output)
Multi-Room dual zone/dual source pre-outs
DDSC-Digital Dual Analog Devices SHARC 32 bit floating point DSP processors
Real 24 bit, 96 kHz digital input interface
Learning and pre-programmed remote control with GLO-KEYS
7.1 channel inputs for future audio format (such as DVD-Audio, SACD multi-channel)
8 assignable digital inputs (5 optical, 3 coax); 1 optical output for digital recording to CD-R or MD
Analog stereo bypass for stereo analog sources
World's first THX Surround EX A/V Receiver
Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic decoding entirely in digital domain
7.1 Widesreen DSP mode, other DSP modes, including 5 Channel Stereo and 7 Channel Stereo
Video selector
Click here to get one for $1394.99

Power, channel separation, upgradability, convenience features

size (you will need to give it "breathing" room)

First, I REALLY think it is inappropriate for a dealer to post advertising as a review and I hope the webmaster deletes all such.

Now to the point: Superb home theater receiver with excellent decoding, producing a much more detailed, 3-dimensional sound stage. Yes, it is powerful. But even at moderate volume levels, the quality of this receiver is apparent. I have watched the "Anastasia" DVD with my 6-yr old probably half a dozen times. At the same moderate volume level as my trusty Denon AVR 1700, the 4800 creates, by comparison, an entrancing sound field (esp. listen to the scene where Anya enters the Palace for the first time). There is a sense of back to front depth that I had not heard before.

For those, like me, who had fan problems with the Denon 3300, and are concerned about any receiver with a cooling fan, don't worry. This model has a different fan system. I have run the 4800 for much of the day and have yet to hear the fan. Also, it just doesn't seem to heat up as much as the 3300.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR 1700 (for the last yr), Denon AVR 3300 (for a few days)

THX, versatility,many inputs, dts-es comp., flexible setup, sounds good

none at this price

Let me start off by saying this, presently I own both a Hifi system and HT system. The problem I have is that there just isn't room in the house for both, and this burning desire to simplify is driving me to make changes with the end goal to combine the systems into one, and get more value for my $$$.

I recently upgraded my HT system from a clugie mix match of components that were ideal when I originally put together the system 6 years ago. The upgrade started with Rotel Seperates but ended with the Denon avr-4800 and new B&w 603 with matching center channel. I found the Rotel seperates to be superb sounding but lacking too many features for the price. The preamp retails for $1999 but lacks THX ex, DTS ES compatibility and 7 channel inputs. When I assembled my first hometheater, recievers were under powered and lacked the quality of seperates. Six years later I feel this is no longer always true and wanted to revisit this issue. Both the avr4800 and rotel rsp985 are THX ultra certified so I was very eager to compare especially based all the positive feedback on this site. I almost bought the 4800 from Crazyeddies but was turned off by the $200 shipping charge which made it's price comparible with Etronics.com with overnight shipping. Etronics also had availability information and tracking info. With crazyeddies it seemed more likely to get the out of stock delay notification after the order was placed. I decided not to go with avr-5800 because I felt that a outboard amp for the r/l/c would be cheaper and ultimatly better performing, so I stayed with the 4800 . I also use the Marantz rc5000/Phillips Pronto so I was not interested in the remote.

It took me two evenings of playing with the Denon to optimize the playback to get a reliable feel for it's performance. Setup was easy but optimizing settings for my room took a little time. My first impression was that it sounded ok but lacked depth and soundstage during playback of music (music up to this point had been a afterthought in the HT system). It almost sounded muffled. So I added my cd player from the Hifi system and changed the interconnects. The differance was outstanding! Music regained it's warmth was uncluttered and the soundstage was restored. Previously I used my dvd player for cd playback and assumed the newer transport in the dvd player would increase performance (bad assumption). 7.1 sound, dts-es and dd-ex does increase the enjoyment of playback of some things. In fact with the interconnect upgrade and the addition the higher end cd player I am very comfortable with selling off the Hifi and sticking with the one system for everything.

My hifi system still sounds slightly better than the HT system but I am very pleased with the HT system's performance and will enjoy it for a long time.

HT system specs:
Denon 4800 (powers rears a + b and surround back speaker)
Rotel Rsp-993 (powers l/c/r)
B&w 603 (l/r)
B&W LCR6 S2 (c)
Definitive BP 8 (rears B)
Definitive BP2 (rears A)
Definitive C1 (rear back)
Sony 560 dvd
Marantz rc5000 remote
jvc 4600u svhs vcr

Hifi specs:
Bryston bp20 (preamp)
Micromega Stage 1 (cd player)
Ayre V3 (amplifier)
Thiel 1.5 (l/r)
Transparent interconnects
Transparent ultra speaker cable

Similar Products Used:

Rotel rsp-985 b-993&991, proceed PAVamp, Linn, onkyo, bryston & marantz

THX, Lots of power, versatile, great looks

None yet

Just bought this amp on Ubid and received a great deal at $949. I came real close to buying the same unit from Crazy Eddie's for $1280. This receiver is "refurbished" and I was a little scared when I read that but after getting the unit and setting it up and hearing it in every mode I am thoroughly impressed. I want to thank a few of you below that I sent emails to asking about this unit and you guys were great about responding and telling me how great it is. I am indebted to you guys for the feedback. I will follow this up in a few months and give a progress report but so far this is one fantastic piece of hardware.

I am not really an audiophile but I do have a few pieces of equipment. I usually see folks list their stuff at the end so I thought I might as well.

Denon AVR-4800
Mark Levinson #27 (driving the front two speakers)
Panasonic A110 DVD ( I know, I know, I'm buying a new dvd player in the next month)
Martin Logan Aerius i's (front)
Polk audio pw-450 subwoofer
Pinnacle Center channel speaker
Mitsubishi 60" rear projection TV
MB quart surround speakers
Kimber interconnects and speaker cable
Adcom line conditioner

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer vsx -29, Harmon Kardon avr 7000,