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 71-80 of 156  
[Mar 25, 2001]
AL P
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

BUILD,POWER

Weakness:

none

replaced 995 with this reciever, 995 very good a little to bright.Denon warmmer sound very good for music and ht very powerful more realistic sound highly recommend this reciever.

Similar Products Used:

YAMAHA 995

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 09, 2000]
Aaron
Audio Enthusiast

I recently replaced my DSP A1 with the 4800. I thought have 42 DSP Modes would be fun and that the 7-channel for Home Theater would be the best way to go. I had a chance to audition the 4800 with my setup for an evening. In word "AWESOME "!!! Excellent for both Home Theater and 2-channel music listening. More detailed sound without having to do any tweaks. I have heard things on both DVD Movies and CDs that were not evident when using the DSP A1. The 4800 doesn't need the two additional front channels, excellent sound stage and imaging in both HT and music. The 5-channel option is great for watching sports or for party music. EX is great too.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha DSP-A1

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 09, 2000]
Terry
Audio Enthusiast

I replaced my pioneer vsx09 with denon 4800.The video switiching and sound quality are perfect.I had a kenwood vr2090 to demo for a month and it sucked..
nice idea but the dacs in the kenwood were really noisey.The denon dacs are fast and transparant.sound adjustment is easy and straight forward.DvD sound and picture is awesome.Pass through on video is done well (signal attentuation is nil).All in all for the price and features best a/v amp I've seen and heard..

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-09TX

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 09, 2000]
Danny
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

DACs, Amplifier Section, THX, 5 Channel Stereo, Dolby/THX EX

Weakness:

Volume Display

Sound is unbelievable. Have tested my DTS and DD laserdiscs, DVDs, and DTS music CDs. I've actually been startled by sounds jumping out of the surrounds. Was the best sounding receiver I've heard without making a single adjustment. Even with cheap speaker wire to the rears, the sound is dazzeling, and during quiet scenes or between tracks, no hiss can be heard even at high volume levels.
The only thing I've found to complain about is the size of the volume reading displayed on the front panel. My eyes aren't good enough to read it from across the room, so I have to wait until my selection is playing to set the volume level. Other than that.... get one while you can. Its awesome.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Elite VSX-29TX, Yamaha DSP-A1, Yamaha RX-V1, Denon 5700, Marantz SR18

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 08, 2000]
Kevin Hunt
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

much

Weakness:

nil

Just a heads up for Andrew. First a few facts. The Denon 4800 is rated at 125 wpc. Output at clipping with all 5 channels driven was 148 wpc. Lots of power reserves and headroom. The Marantz SR-18 is rated at 140 wpc. It's output at clipping all 5 channels driven was 119 wpc. Although this is not a direct reflection of the 14EX amp section(which I doubt is much different), your statement of rated power should fall on deaf ears. I do have a 4800 mated with an M&K750 system and the sound is beautiful and engulfing, clean and undistorted at any volume levels I care to play for both music and movies. You simply have your own idea of what good sound is, and it certainly may be different from most everybody else. Therefore YOU like the sound of the Marantz better but it in know way means that the Marantz 14EX is better than the Denon. This site was established to review any given product, and state what you like about it and why, not to bash another manufacturers product. Subjective side by side comparisons are good and needed at this site, but leave the negative comments elsewhere.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz SR-18, SR7000, Denon 3300

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 08, 2000]
Andrew Kim
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Feature Packed

Weakness:

Sound Quality

I believe most of the people here on the DENON AVR 4800 forum are tone deaf and are more into features than actual sound quality. Either that or there are far more DENON dealers posting on this forum than actual consumers.

I tried a side by side comparision of the Denon AVR 4800 and the Marantz SR 14EX with my M&K 750THX speaker system. Whereas the DENON merely created a wall of sound without definition, the Marantz created dimensionality equivalent to entry level components.

There is no way the AVR 4800 deserves the praise it gets by leading Home Theater Magazines. It is simply not that good. Do yourself a favor and do a side by side comparsion test in your home.

There are also immediate inconsistencies in the power rating of the AVR 4800. DENON only provides limited information about its true power rating. They claim only 125 watt of power with 2 channel stereo from 20Hz-20Khz with 0.05% THD. No mention is made about 5 channel sound. I would presume the power to five channels would be much less the supposed 125 watt power rating and even less with seven channels driven.

Yes, the DENON is feature packed, but the features are NO GOOD when the sound quality is average. Five channel AC-3 separation was muddy and indistinct. 2 channel stereo sounded about as good as my mini stereo in my bed room. For those of you who chose the AVR 4800 because of the argument about more bang for the buck, stop lying to yourself. You didn't get more for your dollar, you just got more features for the dollar. The sound quality, the criteria that matters the most, is at best average.

Perhaps that is why Marantz is right on the money when they say, "Because the music matters."

Similar Products Used:

Marantz SR 14EX

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Mar 23, 2001]
Ray R
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Very clean and powerfull,good dynamics,never harsh,good build quality

Weakness:

80htz crossover limit on subout,not really a problem though,I just wish they added abit more here

I am very pleased with this reciver.It made Stereophile`s recomennded products(April-01), and this is a audio only magizine.It outpreforms my old sony,it does`nt even compare.With the Sony,my NHT Super ones only sounded good at 1 particular volume level.It did sound good though.With the Denon it sounds great at all volume levels-Its all about real power.I dont want to bash Sony too much,they really have some great products. Sony ES probobly has the power.I choose Denon,because they are known for real clean dynamic power,more bass depth,all because of the real power.My Sony would be good with real efficiant speakers.My NHTs are not efficiant,and need real power.I just ordered Magneplaner 1.6s,I am confident that the 4800 will drive these with class,It has the clean power.Later I plan on a Bryston 3b or 4b amp,if I need it.The direct mode and the THX just had me in shock.I cant get over the quality of sound in the direct mode,if seperates are better I am in for a real treat.The THX mode just filled the whole room with beautiful sound.I`ve been doing a lot of research and there are alot of good recivers out there,but for $1500 or even $2000,I dont think your going to get all the features and quality as you can with this fine unit.On a closing note I noticed that the Denon AVR-5800 clipped out sooner than the 4800,according to Sound and Vision`s lab tests.?????? Thank you Denon for your great products.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DE605

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 23, 2001]
Mark Pel
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Power, quality of sound.

Weakness:

don't know yet.

I am in the process of building my home theatre room. Recently purchased this amp. Just wondering if the
Jamo 7.7 (D590)as fronts, Jamo 7.2 as centre, and Jamo 7.6 (D570) as rears would complement this amp and wether they would cut it with this beastly machine.

Similar Products Used:

RX-V1, SR-14E

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 26, 2001]
Brad
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Loads of power, dts, assignable digital inputs, easy to set up and excellent sound quality

Weakness:

build quality, remote

This unit had all of the features I was looking for in a reciever(dts, DD, power, 5 channel stereo), however after I purchased the unit and got it hooked up at home I hit the power button and it made this aweful popping noise and the protection circuit kicked in. So I took the unit back to my dealer and they gave me another one factory sealed. Again I set up the reciever and it worked great for about 2 weeks and then the left front channel wanted to play at full blast all the time. I checked all my connections and probed my wiring for and short circuits and found nothing wrong. Needless to say I returned the unit for a full refund.
In the two week time period I got to enjoy this reciever it did everything well. The remote needs improvement but the sound quality was great for both stereo listening and home theater. With the on screen display set up was extremely easy. Now only if I could have gotten one that worked for more then a few weeks. Denon really has managed to put together a lot of useful features into one package but if the quality control is not there I can't recommend this product.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha dsp-a1, integra dtr 7-1, marantz sr19

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
2
[Feb 11, 2001]
dorian orm
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

none

Weakness:

toooo many

damn thing caught on fire,prior to that sound was mediocre.Changed to 5800,luv it!!!!!!!!!!

Similar Products Used:

none

OVERALL
RATING
1
VALUE
RATING
1
Showing 71-80 of 156  

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