( 28 reviews )
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( 1 of 1 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jul 6 2009
I have been a big fan of Onkyo/Integra for over 15 years with several 8 and 9 series receivers. The last Onkyo 8 series receiver was a nightmare. It sound great with rich audio and above average video output. It is a great room heater. The Onkyo create HDMI problems after a few months of use. The receiver was serviced in several service centers half way across the US with months of down time. That usually work a month or two after the service and the problem will come back even the receiver was left in the open. Onkyo customer service are the worst, you get the run around for calling them. They don't response to emails. The only time I get them to response ever is faxing a LEGAL letter to their NJ headquarter. Onkyo call me the next day instead of never. I am giving up on sending this out of warranty, 2 years old 50 lbs Onkyo everywhere. So here come my first Denon. After many researches from reviews and word of mouth from other audio geeks. The $1000 price tag is a great buy for what Denon offering. The accurate (confirmed by sound meter) auto Audyssey MultEQ XT technology, analyzes all the speaker's distance, set the correct frequency response, output level and whether the speakers are connected in phase or not. Found one of my speaker was out of phrase all this years and the sound effect has been improved. This Denon run a lot cooler than some other popular brands. It is also shorter in height for a receiver in this class level. This help me on a limited rack space with heat situation. Now there are plenty of room for air circulation and best of all, there are less heat being generated by the Denon to begin with. This Denon provide crisp, warm audio with good video upscaling output. Internet radio are fun. The touch pad remote is user unfriendly and confusing to use. Other than that, I think my $1000 are well spend.
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Posted: Jul 4 2009
Pros: the Audyssey sound setup showed me that I had my rear speakers out of phase. Suddenly I have very realistic surround for the 1st time in years. It's nice that it can stream music off any PC in the house. The online radio is easy to setup on the PC. You can edit settings from your PC since the receiver plugs into your network. It can play MP3's off USB sticks. Cons: the web interface looks like it was written in the 1990's. The front door isn't very easy to open. It's pricey. PC play lists have to be created in Windows Media Player, not iTunes. It's a good receiver and has no trouble filling my room with clean sound. It'd be a great deal if it cost about $500.
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Posted: Jun 21 2009
I replaced my previous Denon receiver (2802) with this gem after upgrading my speakers to an Infinity Nine system. And what a great move! Other reviews I read noted that these speakers take a lot to drive (preferably somewhere between 120-150W) - which was the primary motivation for moving up. A bizarre lightning strike sealed the deal. After reading several reviews online between the Denon and Onkyo lines, I decided to stay with Denon. This is mostly because I've been so impressed over the years with their own stereo-to-surround circuitry - which frankly produces the best stereo-enhanced audio reproduction I've heard from regular CDs. Plus, its direct-in handles my SACDs and DVD audio with great care. Regardless of the source I use: DVD Dolby, Blu-Ray, PS3, or iPod (yes, even the iPod sounds amazing!) and even Comcast's crappy audio, the Denon 3808 seems to have a setting and a sound that offers amazing warmth and clarity. Plus, you cannot imagine how well this receiver sets itself up with the special tuning microphone and Audyssey sound processing. I was able to sample 5 different locations in my room (could've done more) and - Voila - the receiver did an amazing job providing the right balance, delay, and levels. And the TV-based menu system is a major improvement from Denon's historically cryptic menu system. This receiver makes it easy to NOT spend $5,000 on an amp and still get heart-pounding movie action along with soul-pleasing jazz from one receiver.
