Fantastic Sound, Set-Up Takes Some Time
Pros:
FANTASTIC sound, on-screen display, video-upscaling, multi-zone, automatic sound calibration using included microphone, abundant options!
Cons:
Somewhat confusing two step set up process. Remote could be better.
The Bottom Line:
Fantastic sound from TV, DVD, CD. Great features:multi-zone, video upscaling, on-screen menu, sound calibrated to your room with included microphone. Set-up and remote could be easier.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
Bought this product for the multi-zone, video upscaling and on-screen programming features. Once set up the sounds is incredible. Immediately heard all kinds of "ear candy" that were never audible in the past. Television, movies, sports, music all came to life in spite of the fact that I am using 7 year old speakers from my old Sony home theater in a box (the receiver is the first step in my planned HDMI/flat panel upgrade).
Played the Matrix, and it sounded fantastic. Watched a football game (analog, not (yet) hi def) using the "live" feature and it split sound into a surround sound mode and the crowd cheering was extremely realistic. Listened to a TV broadcast of a piano concert and the clarity of the sound was unbelievable considering it came from an analog source without a high def cable box. Amazingly, I could hear all the subtleties from the pianos as if I was there. The quality of the sound from the television really surprised me.
The auto set-up feature using the included microphone and the on-screen set up was slick and relatively fast and did a great job of measuring the distance of the speakers, room size etc. to customize the sound.
The tricky part of the set-up for me was the two part set-up process. First you connect the inputs, then use the on-screen menu to tell the receiver what is connected. There are a dizzying array of inputs on the back. Had a frustrating time when I connected the cables for the DVD and wasn't getting any sound until going through the on-screen set up. This is not the old plug and play receiver from the past. You MAY want to consider having someone from the store set it up for you if you don't mind paying the extra $$$. It can be done but takes some time. Having said that, the sound is amazing once set up.
The remote is ok, need to use the panel on the back of the remote. Given the cost of the receiver I would have expected/liked a cooler, more intuitive GUI-type remote.
Note, Denon makes an ipod doc and a wireless ipod doc with which you can stream music, photos etc.. Reading the manual for that accessory and calling customer service it appears that iphoto may not be supported yet. Also, appears that you can't stream protected music (which sounds like you can't use protected music from the itunes store) but could use any music uploaded to itunes from CD's etc. I have not used this feature yet, so if someone out there has, and has better/more information, please correct me. I'd LOVE to be able to stream iphotos on the big screen using this doc.
Overall I am VERY happy with this purchase now that it is set up.
