Awesome DD, DTS and ProLogic Processing, incredible amount of inputs & outputs in back, solid build and ***kicking power!

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I read many of the reviews in this forum and was frankly confused by the individuals who rated the 5700 less than four stars. The so called "audiophiles" who gave it less than two stars are either a) on drugs, b) dealers who sell models other than Denon, or c) from another planet. I auditioned the Denon 5700 along with the Marantz SR-18, the Yamaha DSP A-1 and the Sony 777ES. I used Definitive Technology's BP3000TL's and matching subwoofer and center speaker hooked up with KimberKable interconnects. While the Marantz and Yamaha sounded fantastic, the Denon had a slightly warmer feel to it and not too "digital". YoYo Ma's "Simply Baroque" cd just seemed to melt into the room and I could feel the strings of the cello vibrate within me. I next played the John Coltrane - Johnny Hartman's rendition of "They Say That Falling in Love is Wonderful" on cd and instantly realized the incredible range that Hartman had and how awesome Coltrane's wonderful sax just seemed to blend so effortlessly with the vocals. The Sony, even though it had power and a lot of extras including the space age remote, could not match any of the other three in terms of "quality" of sound. It was much too bright and lacked in bass presence. In movie mode the Sony did much better but still couldn't keep up with the sheer power of the other three. Even though the Marantz and Yamaha were excellent, the Denon was much better sounding and compared most to high end separates. If you want to buy the best sounding AV Receiver at an incredible price, the Denon 5700 is the winner hands down. But, you better buy now as they are not available in too many places and you can get one for under $2000. It's a steal because the sound quality say's it's worth $4000 to $5000. The best AV receiver of the year...BAR NONE!

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha DSP A-1, Marantz SR-18, Sony 777ES

Clean power, great stereo and 5.1 soundstages

Volume displays is invisible ... should have better remote

WOW, that is the first thing I can say when swap Denon AVR 4800 for AVR 5700. Most of the people thinks that I am crazy because of stepping down to the old technologies.
Well, I was setting up the AVR 4800 for 6.1 but it still cannot compare with AVR 5700's 5.1 (which leave AVR 4800's 5.1 even worst ... just compare to 5700).
Right after swapping the unit, the stereo and 5 channel stereo much cleaner and detail than the 4800. speacialy, in 5.1 mode, it just like having a really good DVD player hooking up with AVR 4800 (I used to have Toshiba 9100 hooked up with AVR 4800, right now I am using Onkyo DVD 301). Wow, the surround sound is really discrete, seperately ...
To me, if you will spend money, get the top of the line from that brand; otherwise, just pick the mid-level from that brand.
This is my system:
Mits Diamond 65905
Denon AVR 5700
Marantz SR18 remote control
Klipsch KSP40 and matching surround and center speakers.
RCA DTC 100
DVDO V2 line doubler
Onkyo DVD 301
Monter cable HTS5000 power conditioner
Front Row speaker wire.
JVS SVHS VCR
Tributaries video and digital cable.
I used to have: Marantz AVP9000 and AM8000, Harman Kardon signature series, Adcom GTP750, Adcom GFA 5802, 5500, 5503, and Citation amps. Denon AVR 5700 is better.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR 4800, Marantz, HK, Adcom separate components

Musical sounding: crystal clear yet warm presentation
Built good and looks classy

Has too many inputs/outputs for a minimalist like me

I recently read a review written by a AVR-3300 owner. He pointed out correctly the superiority of the MATRIX mode over the 5 CHANNEL mode. So I went home and tried the MATRIX on my AVR-5700 with everything which I used 5CHANNEL before. What a revelation! As good as the 5CH mode is, switching to the MATRIX revealed more details, giving a more convincing soundstage all around the listener/viewer.
It's no going back to the 5CH after I listened to the MATRIX mode.

You should try too, on regular stereo music and DVDs.

By the way, I never heard the fan even when playing high volume (to the point the PS Audio P300 automatically shutdown to protect the unit). I have had it for 6 months without any problems.

Similar Products Used:

Acurus, Assemblage, and Meridian separates

Solid, best sound I've ever gotten from my speakers

Limited A/C output

After using the Sony TAE9000 for a month (and having service problems), and previously a Sony TAE1000, I upgraded to this unit and have left the Sony crowd.

I am very pleased with the Denon. You cannot compare the quality of sound from this unit to the Sony. Analog audio goes straight through, undigitized and unmangled. I have never heard such good sound from my Infinity Kappa 9 reference speakers.

I was also pleased that I made the right decision when I read this unit made Sound&Vision's Reviewer's Choice Awards.

I have a few small complaints, however:

1. When adjusting speaker sound levels, it lets you cycle through each speaker. However, after about 2 seconds, it leaves "speaker sound level" mode, making you have to cycle through them again to get back to the speaker you were adjusting. This makes it a pain when you are adjusting the levels with a sound level meter. You look down at the meter, then go to pick up the remote again and it's already left the sound level adjustment.

2. The A/C switched output is a mere 120W. I had to build a relay to switch on my external power amp. The Sony TAE1000 could switch 1000 watts.

3. It would be nice if the display would show what the input source is instead of "Stereo". I have to go up close to see which tiny LED is lit to see what source is selected.

4. Slide switches on remotes are the stupidest idea I've seen; they are cumbersome and wear out. This is the only thing keeping the remote from being perfect.

Similar Products Used:

Sony TAE9000

power,clean sound, great build quality

remote, if any

I have used the denon 3300 for almost 4 months when i decided to upgrade to the 5700. what a difference. There is just so much more retail obtained with this unit. The sound is much more seperated. Anyone who says that the sound coming from this unit puts the music in a row across the soundstage must not have there speakers placed in the right place. I am getting full depth, incredable imaging, and great detail from my boston vr970's. This reciever makes my speakers sound much more expensive. Setting this unit up was very straightforward. Forget about everything, you know, the weight, the looks, the amount of heat it throws off, the fan, the component switching. All of these features are nice, but you buy it for the sound it puts out. I hate when you read a review that complaines about the remote or the frond door panel and what it is made out of. Put a cd in close your eyes, and let that make your purchasing decision. The price is not bad either.I don't think this unit is the best, but for the money it is very hard to beat.

Similar Products Used:

denon 3300

Component video switching

So-so remote

This receiver is terrific. Great performance that rivals seperates at a better price. I thought the remote was just OK, but so what - I'm using the Pronto anyway. Component video switching allows me to watch HDTV and component DVD through the receiver.

Good power, THX is top notch.

BRIGHT! I mean OUCH!! Can't read volume display from my couch

Well, if you really like all the hype then you definately love this thing. I haven't heard so much hype since the M.A. Silver 9i "just buy it" review.
Anyway, that's what got me to try it. I think the seperates they are saying it compares to must be entry level Adcom.
DON'T GET ME WRONG, this is a fine A/V unit. The problem is the $2,000 plus price tag. And, of course, the HYPE.
I tried a used unit from eBay for $1,500 'cause I just had to see what the fuss was about. They just aren't worth what they are selling for, although they beat most of the $800- $1,200 class which they should be selling in, hands down. I say "most". The H/K AVR7000 is just plain better. Better warmth, better transparency, much cleaner at high volume levels. The 5700 will beat you down at the extreme levels I occasionally play my music at. The 7000 will put a smile on your face at those same levels. Compare it to mid-upper grade B&K sepeates.
No, this is not a review for the Harman Kardon AVR 7000. I just thought if you were looking for what most people reading this page are looking for, I would point you in a better direction. Oh yeah, the $1,000 price tag doesn't hurt either. Don't let it fool ya' though, this is one great unit.
What happened to the 5700? Well, I sold it on eBay for $1,600. Don't you just love America! #:)

Similar Products Used:

AVR4800, HK AVR7000, Marantz SR-18, EVERYTHING ELSE

Well, I've only just gotten this thing so I can tell you my observations so far. First of all, the tone defeat option is a great concept giving you the direct signal path of seperates. The problem is there is NO bass when you use it. I'm not a bass freak but you do need bass to have a faithfull reproduction of the music, I put on Fleetwood Mac and tried without tone defeat, allowing me to use the tone controls on the unit. This enabled me to add the missing bass but I could not subtract enough treble to reduce the painfull brightness without muddying the sound. This thing is extremely bright. Sound stage is noticably larger than my H/K AVR85, it is LARGE, a very nice experience. I put on Eagles DVD and watched/listened in DTS, very nice, decoding was top notch. All other formats seem to be just as nice.
All the hookups you could possibly need, digital & otherwise.
This is a very powerful unit but the sound seems a bit thin for me, especially at slightly higher volume levels. I know it's not my speakers, ($3,000 Tannoy's w/ interconnect bi-wire cable) they are as true as their souce. I think that a classical listener will probably be most satisfied with this unit. I personally like to ROCK THE HOUSE now and then and with this unit the fatigue sets in almost immediately.
I will try my Larry & Lee, I'm sure I will hear some new things in this wonderful CD, then I will contact my H/K dealer and see what kind of deal I can get on an AVR7000. I just miss the warmth of my H/K
Not worth more than $900 for sound, $1,200 because of features and connection possibilities

Similar Products Used:

Marantz, H/K, Yamaha

All about a beautifully made HT receiver

The manual can be more interesting

There is really not much to add to the rave reviews of numerous happy users.

I just have questions about the DELAY parameters in the MATRIX mode. What's the definition (deplay between what)?
And how does that work while being ranged from 0 to 300 ms?

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Sony, Pioneer, Onkyo

DD/DTS Decoding, Ultra THX5.1, 140wpc x 5, Built like no other, Easy to setup, State of the Art sigal processing and Premium Burr-Brown DACs on all 5 channels

Haven't found one yet

I'm one very satisfied customer. Denon has out done themselves. There's a reason why Stereophile's Guide to Home Theater and Audio magazine (to name a few) gave this unit their utmost prestigious award for 1999. At first, I didn't think that this unit had enough punch to drive my B&W Naut 805s because for my AVR2700 80wpc x 5, I was pre-outing to my 6 channel Parasound HCA1206THX. Well, I'm convinced now that I can box up my power amp and put it on ice for the time being. I also understand what they mean by "Denon's Flagship" receiver. There's no other like this. It's built like a tank (50 lbs+), it's Ultra THX certified, decodes DD and DTS and 8 channel input for future expansion (like DVD-Audio. In DTS mode, soundstaging is unbelievable, clean and dynamic. Watching regular TV in THX mode is something to be reckoned with. But most all, listening to CDs is a NEW experience. It does make a difference when you have a high-end DAC converting your digital signals. Without a doubt, its worth the price of admission. I'm actually pulling out some of my old CD's just to see how it sounds throught the 5700. Some people commented that the remote control is rather weak, but I found it to be a great remote. I was able to consolidate my DVD, TV, CD, DBS Receiver, and the VCR to this remote. And I found this cool Macro feature where I can call up a systems button and turn on all of my components sequentially by a touch of a button. The thought of a Pronto or the like is now faint memory. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this unit to anyone who can appreciate High fidelity without spending High-end money. It's a hard choice to make, like me, I don't have the budget like some who can upgrade everytime something new comes along. I know for a fact that this unit will be in my rack for a very long time. It has everything I need for now and for the future.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR2700