Sound, universal remote that works all systems, 7.1 channels, THX

Price and weight

I debated on whether or not I should invest the extra money on the A/V 5800 model. I actually purchased the A/V 2800 model Denon first, but after about 1 week I decided I wnated something a little better. The built in amplifier and 7.1 channels are great. I have not been disappointed! DVD's are great and CD's are crisp. The THX & Dolby digital are nice added features. I recommend this component to anyone in the market for a high end receiver.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 2800, Onkyo, Sony ES

Sound, Weight (yes this is a strength), looks

Tiny Volume Display. Have to walk up to the unit to see where the volume is set.

After hearing Dolby Digital and DTS for the first time, I decided it was time to retire my Adcom ProLogic PreAmp. After doing extensive research in hopes of upgrading to another PreAmp, I ended up with the 5800.

I first tried a B&K Refference 20 PreAmp. It sounded good but had a problem. It would not decode surround on any input other than Video 2. I brought it back and decided to try something different after reading about quality control issues with some of the Ref 20's. This was last year, right around the time that the Ref 30 was just starting to be mentioned.

After about 6 months, (building house) I decided to give DD/DTS another try. This time I was thinking that maybe a Receiver in the $1,000.00 range would work well with my previous Adcom Amplifier. So, I decided to give the Pioneer Elite VSX-36TX a try. I used the Adcom Amp to power the Front L/R and a single Surround Back. The sound Quality was not what I was used to, it was definitely a very noticeable decrease in SQ from the Adcom Pre-Amp.

I am obviously in love with the Movie end of it, DD/DTS sounds great, but it's hard to sacrifice the sound of music altogether for the movie aspect. Also, if the music is noticeably lacking, (non-dynamic/lacking bass) it leaves me feeling that the sound of Movies could be improved greatly as well.

So after remembering how much I liked the warm sound of the Denon Receiver I owned before I purchased the Adcom Separates, I decided to look more closely into what Denon had to offer. Of course Denon doesn't offer a Pre-Amp only so after reading all of the Rave Reviews on the 3801, I decided to give it a shot. I exchanged the Pioneer for the 3801.

Well, it was an improvement over the Pioneer, but after only a couple of days of listening, I couldn't tollerate the bright harsh sound that it produced with my Klipsch Speakers. I tried playing with the Tone controls. I made sure all of the Speaker settings were correct, (large - LFE&Sub). I also hooked it up to my Adcom Amp, (Adcom on Front L-C-R). Maybe that unit sounds good with Speakers that are really laid back, but no matter what I tried, it was simply painful to listen to after a very short period of time. I listened to an old Cars song that I like to use to Demo stereo equipment with, then disconnected the 3801 and hooked up my old Adcom PreAmp again and listened to the same track. The difference is like night and day. The Adcom is very dynamic and punchy. It SLAMS.

So, back to Tweeter. I must be their worst nightmare. But I am determined to have that nice new DD/DTS-ES Movie surround, without losing the clear, dynamic, punchy, slam I'm used to in my music.

After considering the idea of trying the 4800, I decided to just go for it and grab the 5800. It's alot of money for a receiver, but I'm willing to spend it if I can achieve the sound of the Adcom with the benefit of DD/DTS-ES. I'm actually thinking that even the 5800 isn't going to come close to the sound of the Adcom, but I'm going to give it one last shot.

So, I got home with the 5800. I listened to that same Cars track again before pulling the Adcom out of the Rack. I hooked up the 5800, went into setup and set everything appropriately, then cranked up the same track again. To my absolute amazement and disbelief, the 5800 smoked the Adcom as bad as the Adcom smoked the 3801. I couldn't believe it. The slam was back and this time it had an attitude. It's worth noting here that my Adcom Amp was 100 watts per channel as well as were all of the Receivers I had tried previously. The difference being that with the Adcom PreAmp that 100 watts per channel had a nice, warm, punchy, dynamic sound. With the same Amp hooked to the Receivers, it was lost.

The 5800 gained all of the nice, warm, punchy, dynamic sound back and added about 70 watts per channel to it.
Everything sounds awesome with the 5800. I am in heaven. Tweeter won't be seeing me for a while now but I don't think they'll miss me.

other equipment used =

Sony CDP-CA80ES Cd Player
Toshiba SD-2108 DVD
Klipsch Klf-30 Fronts and Surrounds
Klipsch KLF-C7 Front Center and Rear Center
Klipsch KSW-15 Sub

While $3800.00 MSRP might seem high for a Receiver, my next step would have been to a PreAmp only in the $5,000.00 range. It wouldn't have had any Amplification or DTS-ES discrete either. So the $3100.00 I paid, seems like a steal.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Elite VSX-36TX, Denon 3801

This receiver is simply amazing. It has completely changed the way everything sounds that plays through it. 170 Watts of power-next step is to add 2 more speakers!

None Found At all

We recently began re-decorating the family room. After visiting a couple local stores we searched on-line and lo and behold we found www.acousticsounddesign.com They ship out of Las Vegas, so not only did we save money on the system-no shipping of the product was involved.

The System includes:

Denon AVR-5800
Denon DVM-3700
Klipsch KLF-20
Klipsch KLF-C7
Klipsch RS-3
Klipsch KSW 15
Monster Power Center HTS-2500
Energy Tempest for the back yard.


They included a 100 foot spool of Monster wire, a sub kit and a DVD install kit at no charge. I ran into a problem with the set up of the KSW 15 and they had an installer come the next day to get it right. Needless to say the system is unbelievable. The remote works everything. Watching DVDs with this speaker set up is really like "being at the movies". Even watching the television sounds better. Highly recomended!!

high powered amplifier
7 channels of amplification
programable input jacks
zone 2 feature
impressive sounding 5.1 & 6.1 surround

display is small & lacks function
functions such as DVD or VDP would be easier to see rather than an LED.

I have been using this unit for about six months now and I will say that I have enjoyed it. The machine performs flawlessly and sounds great. I recently spoke with the folks at Denon who told me that an upgrade will be released for current owners of the 5800 in September. The upgrade will add in Dolby Pro Logic II processing. The only thing is that they have not decided how the upgrade is to be implemted, owner, vender, or service center. O, btw .... there will be a charge ... of course !
It is an expensive machine but I found it to be well worth the $3800 price. I'm abe to supply music from a different source to another room while watching a movie in 5.1 or 6.1. A feature that I have longed for. Overall for those of you who are concidering a new receiver should audition the Denon AVR5800, you might just end up bringing one home.

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Powerful, Warm sound, Versatile and Hookups galore, upgradable!

They Forgot the kitchen sink!

This Reciever should be an amplifier(s) or seperates! I cannot believe the warmth of this 5800. I always try to grade a reciever for its audio [after all I not going to be watching my receiver] but it does not look bad either! The soundstage is incredible or should I say dimensional. This receiver will do justice/drive any speaker(s) to its peak performance. Listening to "Friday Night in San Fransico" [Al DiMeola-John McClaughlin-Paco DeLucia}HDCD @ SACD I felt like I was there! The Acoustics in this place they recorded this live show sounds awesome!
This 5800 is a "huge" receiver. Make sure you have amble space and support [62lbs]
The audio switching is smooth and there is a variety of modes you can choose from. My favorite is the "Pure Direct" mode, which shuts down all un-needed video circuits etc...
Video/Audio DTS-Dolby Digital, Well Terminator 2 Judgement Day [special edition] DTS-ES "Forget It" Like it was reborn again! This reciever picked up the dts-es right away no going back and forth making sure it is correct.
This 5800 paired up with New Denon DVM 4800 [dvd audio-HDCD- video cd - cdr/cdrw - DVD - CD - Progressive Scan 5 Disc changer] is a match made in heaven.
Price: Well worth it. I would probably be paying thousands more for seperates. why? When you got it all right here in the Denon AVR 5800.
If you're looking for a "center control" unit that produces wonderful tones and "State of The Art" circuitry/technology this is it.
I'm still running some other tests on this unit and I will be posting back here with a final +/- review.
This is a great site for info Thanks Audioreview.....

Similar Products Used:

Denon 4800, HK 7000, HK 510

Sound

None thus far

This thing kicks ass. The terminator in THX surround EX has never sounded better. It wasn't even that tough to hookup! Be sure to check out CrazyEddie.com before you buy ANY electronics. They beat everybody by a large margin in price/discount. I got this for $2360, which is about $160 over wholesale cost. If you've even thought of spending the cash on this, DO IT! The clarity and separation are unreal. In Saving Private Ryan you feel like you're actually there on the beach getting shot at. I could go on for days. This is the best receiver i've ever heard -- bar none.

Awesome Home Theater Sound, Very Passable Hi-End 2-Channel Sound,Every Mode and Hook up you could possible need

Display is to small- So much power your neighbors will want to move in!!

First I must start this review with a comment on another Review(Edward "THE SCIENTIST" Macano III)You must be kidding, also you have never owned the Denon. The reason I know you have never owned the Denon is, You can not possible give this A/V product a 1 star for value,and 2 star for overall- What do you want this reciever to do for you-WALK THE DOG -DRIVE YOU TO YOUR LAB -COOK DINNER FOR YOU- I mean come on, those ratings should of never been let on this board- Have you even read an Audio Magazine, when I say nearly 99% of every Magazine out there gave this monster a superstar rating, you seem to think its a piece of junk. Well if you didn't work of ONKYO I probably would try to understand your rating. Many experts in the business claim the Denon is a much better piece of equipment-BUT THEN AGAIN THEY MIGHT NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT! And as far as the hometheater sound goes, WOW, WOW, WOW. Your comment on this issue was the one to make me believe you have never owned this unit-better yet-you haven't even heard this flagship take off. Also, as far as your cheap parts comment- I would be very entertained if you would reply on this board, what parts you claim are cheap!!!
( I hope you ment the cardboard box it came in)Now the horrible negative feedback issue- I have not even had a hint of any feedback-you might want to disconnect your blender,and microwave from the back of the A/V unit, this might help with that horrible negative feedback! ( what I hope you ment by the horrible negative feedback was, Your neighbors where calling the cops on you because they feared you where gonna knock their house down. Disturbing the peace tickets where getting way out of control) Did you ever think you might of had a defective unit-WELL, I ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT ONE- All I can say Ed is, people come here for advice-what you gave them was a bag of cow plunk-This reciever is state of art equipment, sound is exceptional- Movie Magic Sound - You can't find an A/V unit out there that has as many features or power or heft. Finally a company has come up with a great one box solution! So if you don't want 30 pieces of equipment filling up your room-this piece will do you justice-that is in hometheater or 2-channel mode. Hey ED , please feel free to respond- I think the consumers that come to this review board would like to understand your review a little more-But, if you can't respond at work(ONKYO), we will understand!! To all you serious people, you must go check this monster out-put it right up against the Onkyo and let your ears do the judging-Trust me when I say " IT WON'T EVEN BE CLOSE " Good Luck

Similar Products Used:

NAD T770

Connections, Sound decoding, Power

Front panel display is too small, All indicator lights are too small, volume control difficult to judge, no front panel connections, flimsy powercort

Just upgraded from the DSP-A1, which was a great amp.
The Denon is better.

Lots of power, my speakers (B&W CDM-NT 9's) now jump at me. The center channel really delivers now. WOW, what an improvement

I love the 5 channel audio for music. The DTS-NEO mode is quite cool as well for 2 channel stuff.

The remote isn't as bad as some people say, but I prefer my Pronto (I am just so used to it by now).

The only minuses are small things:
- Front panel display is quite terrible. If you sit more than 5 feet away you can't see a thing. The Yamaha was much better there. The volume indicator is the worst. Tiny numbers, you can't read.

- No front panel connections for my digicam or Playstation, so I use the inputs on my VCR.

- the look is very (!) masculin, I like it, my wife prefered the look of the Yamaha.

It takes some time to figure out the Digital connections in the back. They are only labeled with numbers and then one must setup them up "on-screen".

The features and power are just awsome.

I could recommend this amp to anyone. Why go with separates??

Cheers

Similar Products Used:

yamaha DSP-A1