Sound Quality, Power, Video Switching, Esthetics, Build Quality

Atkis Remote programming

This is a truly outstanding piece of equipment. I searched for months for a good A/V receiver and, frankly, I was torn between the B&K 307 and the 5800. I read the reviews and auditioned them both in listening rooms of high-end video stores. Ultimately, I was hard pressed to distinguish between the two as to performance or sound quality. I loved the way the B&K sounded. It is truly an exceptional piece of equipment. The primary reason why I went with the 5800 was its additional features. Thus far, I am extremely pleased with my decision.

Though, historically, I have spent a majority of my time listening to music, this is not why I purchased this receiver. I have separate components for music and use the 5800 primarily for home theater. I have been surprised, however, at how good it sounds in both two-channel stereo mode and, surprisingly, five channel stereo. When listening to “Autumn Leaves” by Miles Davis in the 5 channel mode, you can almost forget that you are not listening to a live performance! The 5 channel mode provides a good sampler of things to come as the 5.1 channel DVD Audio format gains more prevalence.

I have also been pleased with the video performance of the unit. I was concerned that I might experience image degradation by running video signals through the receiver. No problems at all. I have a Toshiba 65H80 HDTV, and the images from my DVD player look spectacular.

My only concern relates to the Atkis remote. I guess most people either love it or hate it, and I’m leaning towards the latter category. The unit has had a single software upgrade from its pre-programmed set-up. Succinctly, it needs more work. Denon should provide direct links between component switching on the receiver and the controls of the selected component. Currently you have to access the receiver menu and switch to, say, the DVD player, then scroll through another menu to access the DVD player’s controls (which controls may occupy some 2 or 3 separate screens). You know that the remote needs work if it would be easier to just keep the dedicated remotes handy rather than scrolling through so many screens. In spite of this weakness (which I might be able to overcome if I had the time or patience to program macros), overall the remote is okay. It’s just that I think it could be much better.

Anyone interested in an A/V receiver should definitely audition this product. Notwithstanding a handful of (probably fraudulent) negative reviews that are posted here, this is an outstanding unit. I find it notable that the professional reviewers have uniformly applauded the 5800 both for its audio and video performance (there is yet another set of accolades in this month’s “Stereophile Guide to Home Theater”). Check it out.

Similar Products Used:

B&K AVR 307 (auditioned)

everything.the absolute perfection.made by géniouses.

no one.will take a huge amont of time to have something équivalent at same price.

First at all a big thank for speedandsound .com for the quality of the délivery and their level of price.This company is rated five stars.
This denon 5800 is a real machine with a weight over 60 Lbs.you have the feeling that realy you have bought something...
To give comments this is difficult as 5800 is perfect and rated high technology.hou have all from audio to pictures.Everything has been thought at the top of possible.
This system is a real 7.1 where you can still add on top another set of surround speakers which makes 9 speakers + the subwoofer...+ the zone 1 and 2 systems....fasten seat belt..
Before to arrive to the THX surround ex you have everything available in between from a to z.....
The big question.....validity of the THX surround ex.DTS surround es.dolby 6.1...?reply yes....you hear really the différence with a 5.1 system.but will dépend
of the quality of your installation mainly cables..
The résults is absolutly amazing.You will need to re-view all your dvd..garanteed
The Use and understanding of the beast is easy but need a little bit of time to discover all the possibilities..the remote control is coming from another planet...aboslutly flashing.
The use of the monster is thrilling and exicting.If you love music or dvd deeply you will fall in love with it.
Money spent ratio on pleasure received is surely the best you could dream.
One great point on the 5800 is that i believed is made either for appartment /little system or monstruous house/big system...(my case).the volume level button is made db by db and make control smooth on volume.
Why to buy the big 5800 when you live in appartment...because everything is inside......and that the technical potential is simply unlimited..
if you are not reasonable the neighbours will become your problem
One important thing also is the quality of your system and your speakers.
The cables more than everything are the prédominant point and this where you will have everything or nothing...
this a lived exemple:
a saxophone sound:heard with good or bad cables.
bad cables:you don't know if it's played by a synthethiser or by a person
good cables.you hear the breathing into the instrument...
the différence is huge
on cables: bettercables.com are realy the cable to consider ;the quality price ratio is absolutly fantastic and makes you believe firmly you have bought the best with no frustration.
For a budget of 150 to 250$ max depending of your installation i consider there is no one minute to hésitate.
Don't buy the Denon 5800 if you don't have the right cables.you are going to miss the expérience
On Audio this 5800 is a monster also....
Put yr CD on digital output entering the 5800 digitaly...set up the pure direct mode....and then relisten to all your cd's...
Throw away all stuff like equalizer which becomes then absolutly ridiculous
Do I need to own very expensive system to run the 5800....
absolutly no...but a général good quality system is really affordable
Klipsch do fantastic things with high ratings review from customers(I own kipsch fro subwoofer/center and side surround)
Fo small medium size appartment bose ac 15 are not the worst and are surprising.I know many people hate bose and i don't want to enter in this subject.
the best advise i can give you is to be able to select in between different speakers,with your eyes closed while pushing the selector button in the show room....
Your ears will make the décision whatever the brand is....
On conclusion it's impossible to give less than the maximum for the "thing".Maybe some brand are doing "better" on paper but less complete and twice , 3 times the price or even crazy more..Thank you Denon.

Similar Products Used:

in this catégory lexicon.

Sensational features and sound.

Its big.

Frankly, comparing this unit, which is excellent, to separates that cost 4-5 times as much is like comparing apples and oranges. A BMW is a great car, but its not an Aston Martin. So I guess its all relative and if you want to spend $10-15K on separates, you should. But if you want to spend under $3K, get a really nice unit which sounds great and absolutely does the trick, this is probably the best you can get for the money.

Also, there's so much hype among tweaky high end equipment, that although there might be a slight quality difference (I frankly think 90% of all sound is in the speakers), that the additional cost of purchasing the very, very high end units is not worth the nominal difference in sound. Nevertheless, if you have an unlimited amount of money to spend, go for it.

Noisy Paperwhight

Noisy hiss

Nice Features.But that does not mean a thing when it sounds noisy (hiss).Requires a dedicated power outlet.Please?Idont think Locus would use this device in theater near any one.The idea of recreating a theater in your home is that know matter how many certifications a device has (ie: THX,dts,DOLBY ETC....)It must sound like a theater.If anyone knows of a reciever that makes your room or house sound like a theater other than onkeo or yamaha please post

Similar Products Used:

Denon,Sony,Yamaha,Sunfire,

Unbelievable sound quality, clear and very clean sound, upgradable...

speakers terminals too small to connect some spades

I have the Denon AVC-A1SE (the European version of AVR-5800)and I think that works absolutly amazing... When I sit and read all this reviews by many people I think there is a misunderstood about how to do a review. First of all at the moment to "compare any equipement with any other is very important to do it under the same conditions", so what everybody should do is first to "read and get some information about the product you would like to buy, get some good magazines and read the reviews by the people who really know about it" then just go to a place with a very good acoustics where you can compare few models on the same conditions, with the same cables, same cd/dvd and of course the same speakers, sit and listen for a while, and then your ears will be the only judge to find the real satisfaction... About the AVR-5800 I found it extremelly amazing, it is very versatil and adapt it to any circunstances, the sound is unbelivable as a Hometheater and if you just change it to Pure Direct to hear just music the quality of sound is very clean... At the moment when I was compare all the system of the market I found the Marantz SR-14 and the B&K 307 absolutly good rivals, but the flexibility that the 5800 give me I couldnt find it on the others. Also I would like to say that this is not the best system I have heard, and could have THX certify or so, but when you sit in front of a Classe System, the new Krell Home theater, or Mark Levinson with separates devices you will see that 3000$ is not enough to get the highest quality of sound.
My system is:
Loewe Aconda TV
Denon AVC-A1SE
B&W CDM-9NT SPEAKERS front
B&W CDM-CNT center
B&W CDM-7NT back
KENWOOD 9010 DVD
Van den Hul Cables
All the speakers are biwired.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha DSP-AX1, Sony STR-DA 50 and some others...

Number of surround modes; pure power; ease of use; clean aesthetics; Atkis remote

price; size

I am home theatre buff and audio enthusiast, but not an audiophile like some who have posted here. I have had friends of similar HT interest level upgrade to separates and become totally overwhelmed and disappointed by what they thought was truly high-end. Separates were not an option for me but I wanted the performance with a few bells and wistles plusthe flexibilty to take on future surround modes and additional surround speakers.

Enter the Denon 5800. I originally planned to purchase the 4800 and buy the Aktis remote but I was impressed by what the DTS Neo mode did with regular stereo TV broadcast; it was vastly superior to Pro-logic. Made television viewing like watching movies. The sound quality on DirecTV letterboxed movies is as good as DVD...until I ran my DVD player through it. I seriously doubt if I will be going to the local multiplex any time soon. Amazing!

Musically, I judge everything how my old Nakamichi RE-3.
Can it recreate the warmth that little thing filled my first apartment with. The 5800 comes close, but adds 5 channel stereo that produces even a warm sound on the second floor of my home (my theatre is in the basement).

Make no mistake...this puppy is huge!! I had to put it on the top rack of my AV shelf in order to give room for ventilation. I hate having to reach down to change dvd/cds.
The remote is excellent. Programable to the nth degree and very easy to use. I am a big guy, but it would be awkward for someone w/ small hands however.

It is pricey, but less expensive than putting together comparable seperates with serious connectors and buying a touch-screen remote. I strongly suggest it for any HT buff that is serious but not ready or willing to go the seperates route.

MY HT

Denon AVR-5800 receiver
Denon DVM-3700 dvd player
Mitsubisi WS-55857 55" widescreen TV
Defintive Technology BP2002 (main and sub), c/l/r/2002 (center), BP8 (rear)
Sony Sat A55 DirecTV dolby digital receiver

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-2500; Yamaha RXV-2095

If you are defending the company that is very noble but do not screw up there rating by posting an argument with 1 STAR

Agreed with below- I HATE it when people screw up a rating. If all you have to do is argue or flame a board with "so and so product is better than this, I hate so and so" then go away. Maybe this 5 star rating I am giving will help compensate for the antics of others.

Lots of features.

Unconvincing soundstage.

This is a top notch receiver, but it doesn't beat good separates. The argument of it being a good value when buying from the internet or discount houses is also a bunch of nonsense. People should buy from an authorized vendor, lest they need service. This unit must be evaluated for the price its suggested.

The AVR-5800 can't drive low impedence inefficient speakers and doesn't produce a convincing soundstage for 2 channels. In fact, it sounds anemic and shrill at times. The DD-EX feature is really a gimmick, its bad enough when most people don't have decent 5 speakers to go out and buy more crappy speakers. Surely, Denon could have gotten 2 channel audio done right for this money.

Also, Denon has a history of being an unreliable product of low quality. This may not be so much the case on the AVR-5800, but other companies like Pioneer and Marantz have a better history.

Similar Products Used:

Marantz SR-14EX
B&K AVR-307

Ease of use, setup, connections, programming the remote,

Remote can be sluggish at times.

The DTS NEO Cinema is my favorite feature. Yes, I know that sounds stupid but I have a HUGHES direct TV with no dolby digital features. NEO Cinema ads so much to every day viewing.

I didn't think I would notice a big difference in DTS ES and standard DTS. WRONG!, DTS ES is like going from standard RCA outputs to balanced outputs. The channel separation is incredible. Gladiator is a good example.

I have only had the 5800 for 2 weeks.

That's all for now.

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Had the original AVR5600, The 5800 is sooo much more refined.