Denon AVR-4800 A/V Receivers

Denon AVR-4800 A/V Receivers 

DESCRIPTION

THX Utra Surround EX A/V Receiver • THX Ultra 5.1 and 4.0 post-processing • Component video switching (2 inputs, 1 output) • DDSC-Digital Dual Analog Devices SHARC 32 bit floating point DSP processors • Learning and pre-programmed remote control with GLO-KEYS • 8 assignable digital inputs (5 optical, 3 coax); 1 optical output for digital recording to CD-R or MD • World's first THX Surround EX A/V Receiver • 7.1 Widesreen DSP mode, other DSP modes, including 5 Channel Stereo and 7 Channel Stereo • 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 • Real 24 bit, 96 kHz D/A conversion on all channels, featuring premium Analog Devices DACs (8 DAC channels) • Multi-Room dual zone/dual source pre-outs • Real 24 bit, 96 kHz digital input interface • 7.1 channel inputs for future audio format (such as DVD-Audio, SACD multi-channel) • Analog stereo bypass for stereo analog sources • Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic decoding entirely in digital domain • Video selector

USER REVIEWS

Showing 21-30 of 156  
[Nov 21, 2000]
Kurt
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great sound, plenty of power, DTS ES and THX EX.

Weakness:

The remote isn't all that whippy, and I need an amp for the new surround channels.

I finally decided to upgrade my home theater system to something more in keeping with the times. I looked at Denon, Marantz, and Pioneer Elite and chose the Denon 4800. Good clean sound, great detail and channel seperation (of course, I did come from a pro-logic system, so the leap in quality was pretty big). I was impressed by how much better the sound was even through my old speakers from high school! I can hardly wait to hook up the B&W 7NT's that I bought to go with it!
One disappointing thing, though (and this is true with all of the brands that I looked at): you will need a seperate amplifier for the new surround channels.
I'm really happy with it, though it's value rating (for me) is going to suffer by a point for the lack of the surround amp.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Pro-Logic receiver, about 3 yrs. old

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Nov 01, 2000]
Mark Shaheen
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Everything but the remote

Weakness:

Remote and the wife! :)

Well, bid on a refurbished unit on UBID. Got it for $1109. Arrived to my wifes dismay yesterday. "What do you NEED that for", "Shudd-up, I say, go visit your mom!" Well "after" she left I tore the living room apart and swapped DTS units. I am using a Toshiba 2108U DVD player. "Don't tell the wife, I am shopping for a Denon DV-37 ELITE DVD this afternoon". Bought a Radio Shack SPL meter prior to setup. it didnt work. So I was reduced to setting it up by ear. Will exchange it later.
After hooking it up, I was very suprised at the sound quality. The first disk was Matrix. The separation and detail between the speakers was superb. Much better than my Newcastle. The auto sensing of the THX signal was nice. Put in the T2 disk. My wife showed up at this time. When Arny takes the Bar apart and gets on the Motorcycle, Well the wife then decided to let me keep it. My wife does not care a bit about this stuff, give her a 13" B&W TV and she is happy. For her to be this suprised was a first for me. I am hooked up to a sony 35" TV. I wonder how this unit will be with the Pioneer DV37? I hope it makes a big difference. If so look out. Setup was a bit intimidating at first but I got through it. Placement of the speakers did matter. I rate this unit a 5 for everything. The only problem I had was adjusting the rear speakers. You do really need a sound meter for setup.

Similar Products Used:

Newcastle 925, Yamaha DSP-1

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 09, 2000]
Tim
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Very well built, can you say HEAVY. Enough power for any home theater. THX-Ultra certified, THX Surround EX, DTS-ES, DTS and Dolby Digital processing.

Weakness:

None with the receiver itself, only remote that everyone seems to agree with. It not that bad once you've taken time and played with it.

I bought this receiver two weeks ago and I can honestly say this DENON AVR 4800 is AWSEOME!! This baby is THX-Ultra certified, THX Surround EX, DTS-ES, DTS and Dolby Digital processing all rolled into one unit. What more can you ask for? There are more connections and digital inputs than one would ever need. The remote takes some time to get used to but it works just fine. Sound very clean and dynamic on CDs, DVDs. But most important of all the 4800 doesn't even break a sweat. At low volume the sound is fabulous. All dialogue is very clean and crystal clear when playing DVD movies. There is no more huh, what they say? This receiver reproduces the sound track that the producer intended the movie to sound like in theaters. Music is absolutely great in all DSP modes. It has a broad sound stage with a warm sound, and great highs. I am not going talk about all the movies I have re-watched on this and all the music that I have listened to with this receiver. I am going to say if you can afford it, buy this Denon AVR 4800 receiver. This is the best investment for your money.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR 2500, Denon AVR 2400, Denon AVR 3300

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 26, 2000]
Sam
Audiophile

Strength:

Amplifier is excellent. Clean and powerful. Mathces BK 200 watt per channel amp I use for front. Decoding is excellent. EX back channels are great.

Weakness:

Big and heavy. Need 20 inch shelf.

Overall for the price a superb buy.

Similar Products Used:

BK amp preamp. Yamaha. Nakmachi.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 27, 2000]
Dave
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

GREAT sound for both Music and Home Theater...

Weakness:

Like everyone else...the remote is not the best but it does the job

Since my wife and I listen to music and watch movies equally, I wanted a receiver that could do it all. After months of evaluating and evaluating and evaluating, I decided on the Denon 4800. All I can say is that it gives the best of both worlds.

All my friends (as well as myself)who have listened to the Eagles DVD "Hell Freezes Over" (for example) sit and watch in amazement because it just sounds unbelievably good. On movies, it lets you hear the finest details when you need to hear those details and shakes the walls when they need to be shaken.

All in all, this is a great receiver that will put a smile on my face for at least several years. If you have about $1,500+ to spend...definately consider this unit. You will not be disappoined! I got it at www.Sounddistributors.com at a great price.

Similar Products Used:

Finally retired the Denon 2500, Looked at Marantz, Sony, Yamaha and Pioneer.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 14, 2000]
Wayne
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Build quality, SOUND, most everything

Weakness:

Takes some time to learn how to use...like all great things.

I have had the pleasure of owning the 4800 for about two months now, and have to say the sound is amazing to me. I have 5.1 surround setup with it for movies, and use an external Rotel 1090 power amp for direct stereo music listening. To my ears, there are only minor differences in the sound quality from using the Denon by itself, and using the 380 watts per channel Rotel – I think that says something about the quality of the Denon receiver. It is as good as many seperates IMHO.

I have had a few minor problems – mostly because of my lack of knowledge of home theater. First, I have made the surround speakers parametor dissappear from the setup screen menu and haven’t figured out how to get it back. I also did this to the THX menu…so I guess I will be reading the manual this weekend.

Another minor quibble is how close the speaker terminals are in the back…a real pain for me, until I bought banana plugs, now I am free at last from the hassle of wrapping bare wire around the little terminals while squatting behind a dark rack….thank God.

The Direct Stereo is awesome for music listening, very clean with a “you are there” presence. The digital processing (DTS, Dolby Digital, etc.) works great and automatically senses the type of source. I love the THX Home Theater processing too. I do need to see if I can set the volume on my center speaker a little higher, and keep it that way….I will have to read the manual on that one too.

As others have mentioned, there is no apparent noise from the receiver and/or fans even cranked to full volume. The receive really lets you hear “inside” the music, and get into the emotions that makes music the experience that it should be.

I listened to the Sony 777es and immediately found the overall sound harse and the bass lacking in power. I also listened to the Onkyo, and thought it was less appealing all around than the Sony. I don’t think the Denon has a competitor. Go listen for yourself. I am now spoiled.

My Setup:
Denon AVR 4800
Rotel 1090
Paradigm Studio 100’s (front)
Paradigm Studio Center
Paradigm AMS 350’s (surrounds)
Paradigm 2200 sub
Rotel CD-971
Panasonic A310 DVD
Sony XBR-32-400 coming soon

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 15, 2000]
Mark Lamb
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sweetest purest sound I have ever heard........THX EX is absolutely awesome with the Phantom Menace Episode I (STAR WARS) Laser Disc

Weakness:

here is a good one um.....lets see, oh yea had to buy an external amp for THX EX

i would be willing to bet that this piece of equipment truely takes you to edge of being in sound mixing studios for both movies and music...........hearing things just as the producer intended.

Equipment includes:

TV:Pioneer ELITE PRO-610 HD

Receiver: Denon AVR-4800 (for center channel, surround right/left, and surround back right/left)

Power Amp: Denon POA-5200 (for main right/left channels)

Speakers: Klipsch reference (RC-3 center, RF-3 mains, and (4) RS-3's for surround left/right and surround back left/right)

Subwoofer: Velodyne CT-120

DVD: Toshiba SD-5109

LD/DVD: Pioneer Elite DVL-91

CD: Denon DCM-370

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-3300, AVR-3200, Onkyo ???-777

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 09, 2000]
John
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sound, facilities and build quality

Weakness:

manual

Unbelievable! I'd been looking for this receiver for some time, but it seemed to be totally unavailable. Then, by pure luck I stumbled over it on bid.com, an auction site - and picked it up for the minimum price of $1350 incl. shipping. No other bidders!!! It came today, and it is gorgeous. More so than I ever dreamed of. Taking off the covers, it looks exactly like the 5700. Build like a tank - and same configuration of the power amps in closed array with two fans, same circular transformer etc. Even the weight is the same (and double that of the AVR-3300!!!). Also, mine was made in Japan - quality is unsurpassed by anything I've seen at this price! Just feel like one lucky guy!!! and no, I don't work for bid.com!

Similar Products Used:

Denon 1800

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 17, 2000]
Wayne
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Features

Weakness:

Build Quality

I purchased this pup and could not wait to get it hooked up.
After a day and a half of rearranging all my equipment and being sure that everything was set up properly the unit did not provide any output what so ever. This baby was DOA (Dead On Arrival) !!!!

I am debating on getting another unit but I do want this model badly so probably will. Hopefully I will have better luck next time.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
4
[Mar 21, 2001]
samuel r
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

powerful warm, clean sound from music and movies

Weakness:

still none found

this is just an update from my last review. anyone considering purchasing this product will not be let down. after listening to both music and movies on this receiver the past 3 months, i have come to appreciate how beautiful a soundtrack could be no matter what your preference of music/movie is. i am one who listened to the bassiest hardcore rap, to the heaviest, fastest, metal. no poser rock though (no offense chicks with d**ks). but i'm sure poison and cinderella would sound great. since i've owned this piece, i now have conformed to symphony music and softer rock to here the purity this thing produces. just breathtaking. even my supervisor who wants a mcintosh system paid a visit to here the heart-pounding sound and was simply awed by the quality and seperation of sound it produced. anyway, great product.

Similar Products Used:

pioneer elite vsx29tx, jvc pro-logic, old sansui stereo receiver

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 21-30 of 156  

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