I've had my 5700 for 6 months now and I'm still thrilled with it. I couldn't recommend a product more. All of the major A/V magazines have FINALLY reviewed it and we are in agreement (I bought it before I had ever read a review in a magazine). All of them state that it's the best receiver they have ever tested. One said that it's the equal of high-end seperates.
I really appreciate the thought that went into this product, not to mention the finest of components, like the best Burr-Brown DACs, etc., etc. You can see, hear and feel the quality.

The remote is terrific. Although it's not backlit, once you learn/memorize it---and Denon makes that easy to do---you can operate it in the dark like it was attached to you, so to speak. All the buttons are well-placed and the learning mode is a cinch to program. The glow-in-the-dark, main-function buttons always give you a point of reference. The remote, as well as the entire unit, functions via complete logic, with no quirks. I can perform the primary functions of all my equipment with it.

I had one area that I wasn't completely satisfied with until I discovered the real culprit last week. I have Klipsch speakers. I love Klipsch speakers. But, under the wrong circumstances, due to the ultra-sensitive horn tweeters, they can be too harsh or piercing. Those same horn tweeters are also responsible for the wonderfully intelligable dialogue you hear from them. The Denon provided a perfect fix.

I use my Toshiba DVD player to play my CDs. I have it hooked up to my Denon via an optical digital output/input, which, of course, you must for DVDs. Then I read something about listening to music via the analog connections. EUREKA!! That's the fix I needed. There is no noticable loss of fidelity...just smoother music. And with the Denon, I can switch back and forth between the analog and digital connections to compare at any time at the push of a button on the remote. A great feature. Note that not all of my CDs sound too harsh using the digital connection....it's usually older or poorly recorded stuff. Newer music is generally fine, digitally. DVDs via the Denon have always sounded stunning.

This receiver has everything, including THX Ultra. Let me add that the tuner is as good as the rest of the receiver. It's simply the best heart-of-the-system component you can get in the $2000 range, and better than many that cost more.

My Equipment includes:

Denon AVR 5700
Toshiba SD-2108 DVD Player
Toshiba 32" Cinema Series Monitor
Sony TC-WR701ES Cassette Deck
Sony CDP-C545 CD Changer
Sony MDS-JE510 MiniDisc Recorder
Sony Satellite Dish/Receiver
Klipsch KG 5.5 Main Speakers
Klipsch KV4 Center Speaker
Klipsch KG 3.5 Direct-Firing Rears
Klipsch KSP-S6 Bipolar Surrounds
Definitive Technology PF-15 Powered Subwoofer
Universal SL-9000 Remote

It's the best AV receiver on the market. It has top audio grade components. There is alot of magazine do the testing. some of them compare it with the B&K 202, some with Yamaha A1. Well, all of the magazine review describe it outperform the A1. In my opinion, i sure it is. Although A1 is an excellent Amp, but Denon does even better. Most of the internal components are directly from High end Amplifier. SO the sound sound be better.
But finally Denon and Yamaha has different philosophy, Denon wants to create the closest sound field as the THX cinema. Yamaha wants to create DSP from different halls/cinemas. So the the echo/accoustic/sound reflection is different from these 2 brand.

Check this one Marantz SR-18KS
Well i haven't tried the Marantz SR-18KS yet, it is improved version of SR-18.
Maybe not selling in America market yet.

While this is Denon's flagship, I feel it is not the best value for $2800. At this price point, one should consider separates.The build quality on this unit is good but not outstanding for $2800.
5 channel stereo is excellent and really worth auditioning.
Since the Denon 5700 can noe be easily had for $1999, it is worth considering.
At $1999 separates are very hard to come by.

I RECENTLY UPGRADED TO HT FROM A 195 WATT A CHANNEL SONY RECEIVER. I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT NOT HAVING THE POWER I WANTED, ESPECIALLY WITH 3 MORE SPEAKERS AND A SUB. I HAD BEEN USED TO TURING IT UP TO 3 AND SHAKING THE WALLS. AT FIRST I WAS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED AT MY DENON AVR-5700 UNTIL I TWISTED THE KNOB A LITTLE MORE. I WAS ASTOUNDED AT THE MASSIVE CLEAN POWER THROUGH THE 5 CHANNEL STEREO MODE. THIS WAS A RELIGOUSE EXPERIENCE COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS A-B SURROUND SET-UP. THEN I HOOKED UP THE DOLBY DIGITAL IN "TITANIC". I WAS SITING ON THE SHIP AS IT WAS CHRUSHED. AWESOME. NOW I AM NOT AN ENGINEER OR A SUPER TUBED-UP AUDIOPHILE, BUT I KNOW WHAT SOUNDS GOOD. I LISTENED TO THIS AND SEVERAL YAMAHA'S INCLUDING THE DSP MENTIONED HERE. I THINK THE YAMAHA SOUNDS BRIGHTER AND THE DENON SOUNDS REALISTIC. I HAD A QUAETION ABOUT THE RECEIVER SO I CALLED DENON. ALL I GOT WAS A MESSAGE MACHINE. AHA I THOUGHT GREAT EQUIPMENT BAD SERVICE, WELL A DAY LATER I GOT A CALL FROM A KNOWLEDGEABLE TECH WHO INSTANTLY SOLVED THE CONFUSION-PROBLEM. I CAN WAIT A DAY FOR DECENT SERVICE .I AM HAPPY HAPPPY HAPPY WITH THE AVR-5700. I WILL RE-REVIEW IF ANY PROBLEMS COME UP. UNTIL THEN I'M ROCKIN.

I have had my Denon AVR 5700 for about a month now. After doing much research and listening in sound rooms, this amp rocks. I cannot say enough about the excellent components from which this amp is built. But some of my greatest pleasures include the extraordinary sound reproduction at very high volumn, the surround effects for football games, the extra surround speaker hookups, the very impressive array of inputs, and finally the solid, massive construction of the outside shell. The remote is very complicated but once mastered does everything you could possible imagine. I paid just over 2 grand for this amp, and could not find a better of more cleanly powered setup for the price. This amp matched with my Sony DVP S7700 DVD player, Mitsubishi 40" color tv, and Paradigm speakers provides the best HT experience I could find for the pittenceI paid. I highly recommend this amp compared to the Yamaha DSP-A1, Onkyo 939, and Sony ES separates.

Fellow enthusiasts: this is one fine receiver. It really was more than I was looking for, but after hearing it, I couldn't go back. It is loaded with features (like switchable surround speakers), and has a warm, transparent sound that I really enjoy. What attracted me to it? Here's a brief rundown:1. High Power (140Wx5) -- my Def Techs need a lot of power (cause there's so many drivers in each one)
2. DD AND DTS: It's kinda like having a VCR in 1984 that does both VHS and Beta. The quality of the decoding is phenomenal-- on par with (often far exceeding) the best Theaters I have heard. Which brings me to...
3. The quality of the internal componentry. The DACs in this thing are the very latest Burr-Brown units (though I don't think they are as good as the ones in my DVD-5000).
4. Flexibility. This thing is ready to go for 7.1, should it develop. With switchable Component Video inputs, it can control your DSS as well as your DVD player (ready for DTV?).
5. Build quality. I have heard rumors of spotty quality control at Denon, but these turned out to be a myth. My AVR-5700 feels revery refined and high-end, as it should. AND IT WEIGHS A TON!!! In addition to the massive heat sinking, there is a fan. Noise from the fan is not an issue, since I have only been able to get it to come on at painfully high levels. It does seem to run hot, but never sweats-- I think it just has a warm "comfort zone" where it is deswigned to operate. Paired with my DVD-500, it is tough to beat this combo. I bought it because it gave me the sound of separates without the complexity (space) and cost.
Go audition one on some decent speakers, and you will know why I love this thing so much. Unfortunately, it won't make you happy, but man, is it fun to listen to!!
(I have a Def Tech HT setup based on the BP2000s)

Where to start? Well, I'm not going into all the mumbo jumbo technical jargon, that's been covered before. I've listened to all the other receivers out there (Marantz SR-18, Yamaha DSP-A1, B&K AVR202 Etc) and honestly, they are all very good to excellent machines. In analog 2 channel stereo, I slightly preferred the B&K. For DSP modes in HT, I preferred the Yamaha. In regular DD and DTS, they were all close. The Marantz had the best remote control. I bought the Denon.
Why? In 2 channel stereo, the Denon was noticably better than the Yamaha and only slightly behind the B&K. It has great expandability (7.1) and I liked the dual surround speaker option. DD & DTS movies are crystal clear and very dynamic (and you can use THX mode for both!). It is easy to use and the remote does not suck. However, the biggest deciding factor is 5 channel stereo mode. This has to be heard to be appreciated. It is simply amazing! After watching TV in 5 channel mode, it's difficult to watch and listen in 2 channel. CD's come alive! What else can I say? I spent over a year listening to many receivers, seperates and speakers. For me, this was definitely the one.

I have the Denon 5700 matched with a Toshiba SD9000 DVD player, Rega Planet CD player and Monitor Audio Silver 5i's, Silver Centre 10, Silver Surrounds and Monitor ASW210 subwoofer (I guess you could say I'm a huge Monitor fan!!). I love my Home Theater. Isn't that what it's all about?

All.

None.

This is the piece you need if you are in the sub-$5,000 price class, but are looking for the best component possible for your surround needs. This will trounce the DSP-A1, 9000ES, or any godforsaken Onkyo or Kenwood; pick a company that makes something like this, and watch the competition wilt. It has component-video switching, seven-channel capability, 140x5, reliable intuitive remote and on-screen; you get the idea. Get the receiver! Absolutely the best processing and control over a speaker I have witnessed.

Similar Products Used:

Nothing in its class.

Awesome sounding with movies and music (5 channel stereo).

Never use tuner; wish it was built as integrated amp like DSPA1.

I've had this unit since March and couldn't be happier. The sound is amazing with music and movies. It has excellent user friendly customization and the two surround speaker setup allows you to get the fullest from movies and music. The AMP section is very powerful and delivers a sound that does not tire you out even after extensive listening. I have this unit hooked up to Boston Acoustic VR970's for L/R and BA VR-12 for Center. The rears are Boston 575x dipole surrounds. The B&W ASW2000 completes the speaker line up. I like the tight control of bass that this unit delivers. I also have a DSPA1, in my room, which is just collecting dust as I do most of my listening/viewing in the main room. I still like the DSPA1, but the Denon's sound is more convincing.

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Yamaha DSPA1

Powerful, excellent unit.

- Auto shut off at times.
- This unit will stay ON after a line power interruption!

If you are looking for good home theater/music setup in your home at a reasonable cost, this DENON AVR 5700 is your answer. It has all the latest formats: DTS and AC3 in combination with THX. The dedicated surround sound outputs for movie and music are great. This unit sounds incredible in "Dances with Wolves (DTS)", "Saving Private Ryan (DTS)", "The Eagles: Hell Freezes Over (DTS)", "Bee Gees: One night only (DTS)", "Tina Turner : Live in Amsterdam" ...
This unit was a bit pricey about a year ago at $2799 plus tax but now you can get one from the internet for just a little over $2000 (out of pocket) (I have just ordered another one for my sister's family). This is a steal, go get it!
I also had a chance to compare this unit with the Yamaha DSP A1 Flagship unit in a showroom with identical setup and same movie material. In this comparison, the Denon , to me, is a clear winner with a more powerful, spacious sound stage. One of the drawback on this unit is that during the "buffalo hunt" sequence in "Dances with Wolves" the unit cut itself off. I reduce the volumn a bit then this problem went away.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha DSP-A1