Good, Better, Best ?

Denon's 3000 series of A/V surround receivers keeps getting better. Last year's 3805 was a wildly successful unit and the 3806 may end up being an even bigger blockbuster.

If you already own a 3805, should you dump it for the new 3806 ... probably not, BUT if you're in the marketplace for a receiver of this capability AND you're willing to live with the complexity of operation, then the 3806 should be part of your shopping list.

VERY Basic features:
* 7 Channels of power (120 watts x 7)
* 7 Channel "Stereo" Mode - GREAT for parties
* True 24-bit inputs (better sonic resolution)
* A Total of 7 digital audio inputs (2 coax/5 optical)
* Three 100mHz Bandwidth component video inputs -
easily passes a FULL HD signal
* SINGLE Banana style jacks (For EU conformity, spacing does NOT accept a standard spaced dual banana)
* XM Satellite Radio 'Connect and Play' Ready – with optional antenna (USA and Canada ONLY)
* Two channels assignable between 7.1 audio or 5.1 audio + 2 stereo Zone Two speakers
* Built In Time Based Audio Correction


The feature set of this unit is extensive and to laundry list everything that this piece offers is a waste of digital bytes. Go to Denon's sit, look at the pictures, read the lit, heck download the owner's manual and research yourself silly.

Instead, I'll give you my greatest hits of features from this piece.

GREATEST HITS ...
1) Support for HDMI (v1.1) switching AND the 3806 will accept a composite signal, s-video, component video and output all via the HDMI input. NOTE, there is a potential limitation. The 3806 does NOT up convert a standard 480i signal (from video tape) to higher 720p/1080i. Additionally, the on-screen menu of the 3806 outputs via the HDMI output as a 480i signal. SOME TV's are not capable of displaying a 480i HDMI signal and as a result, if you are trying to display a videotape (are you CRAZY - a video tape on a HD TV??) or the on-screen setup menu, you MIGHT be out of luck ... on the HDMI input of the TV.

Personally, I consider this a non-issue. First, if you MUST watch videotape and you happen to own a TV that won't display 480i/HDMI, then instead output the signal composite/s-video/component to your TV. As far as the setup screen goes, one can easily setup the 3806 using the display screen on the receiver, OR again output the receiver composite/s-video/component to your TV.

End result, this receiver very competently switches all “current” video standards.

2) Digital audio and component/HDMI video assignments. Digital audio inputs as well as component/HDMI video inputs can be assigned to whatever input one wishes. Many receivers force the user to use a particular optical/coax digital input for a specific source. Not the case with this receiver. End result, hookup is much easier to configure.

3) My personal favorite feature on this receiver is a killer application from Audyssey that SIGNIFICANTLY tunes and improves the sound of this receiver relative to YOUR listening room. The 3806 is equipped with a microphone input and Denon provides that microphone in the box (unlike most of the 3805's that required a separate purchase). Audyssey MultEQ™ initially listens to your room and determines your speaker configuration, along with bass capabilities. For speakers that are bass limited, the Audyssey circuit also determines an appropriate crossover frequency to impose on the system. The circuit even checks for phase/wiring errors and will warn you during the calibration.

Next the Audyssey MultEQ system allows one to sample up to six listening positions and then computes the correct delay time, speaker volume levels and equalization to optimize sound FOR ALL LISTENERS. End result is a significant increase in system clarity, balance and image stability. How significant? MUCH, MUCH better. Want to know more? Type in the name Audyssey MultEQ into Google and read what other reviews have to say about this system.

Remember the name - I predict that one day you'll see Audyssey DSP chipsets embedded in your car, home theater, movie theater and?? Ultimately, your listening environment becomes the final "component" in your listening experience. Audyssey tames this unknown better than ANY other consumer solution that I have experienced ... and NO I don't work for Audyssey!

4) XM Radio Connect and Play Ready - I admit it, I'm an XM radio junkie. Denon supports DIRECT hookup of a separate $50 XM tuner/antenna. Of course XM is a separate monthly subscription of $12.95 (less, under the family plan). Direct connection allows tuning/control of the XM system via Denon's supplied remote.

5) Sound quality - Very, very good. I'm an amp/preamp fan, so I am always suspect of all-in-one receivers. This one sounds pretty darned good and will set you back thousands less than separates. No, it doesn't have the rock solid image stability of good separates and in comparison to quality separates, the 3806 sounds a bit thin and compressed, but only a bit. I consider it quite acceptable, especially given it's selling price.

6) Multi-zone capable - For those that want whole home/hot-tub tunes, the 3806 will support a total of THREE zones of audio. Interestly, if one only configures a 5.1 audio system, then the 3806 will allow those extra two channels (remember, it's a 7.1 receiver) to power speakers in Zone Two. Pretty cool. Additionally, the 3806 has separate IR codes to allow for independent control of Zone Two/Three.

7) Multi-user. The 3806 has three user presets. One can configure this receiver to "remember" global configuations for these three users.

8) Phono input (Moving Magnet) - Yep, I still spin vinyl and phono inputs are becoming rarer by the day. Kudos to Denon for inclusion of this circuit for vinyl junkies.

9) "Lip sync" correction. THANK YOU Denon. This nasty video/audio problem drives me CRAZY. Ever notice that on some TV shows lip movement doesn't agree with what you are hearing? Due to TV station AND/OR YOUR TV'S video processing, it is often the case that video and audio are out of sync. The Denon AVR-3806 has an adjustment that allows you to calibrate EACH digital source. It is a bit difficult to accomplish, but probably only needs to be done once.

All is not rosy with this piece. In a word, this piece is COMPLEX. Given what it does, I'm not sure that it has any choice, but there are menus within menus and you’ll need to be a geek or have a geek friend/kid/neighbor/dealer to get this guy set-up and calibrated.

If you're not the technical type and don't have anyone to hold your hand, RUN as fast as you can away from the 3806. Yes, this guy comes with a very detailed owner's manual and that manual is MUCH better than last year's 3805's version, BUT like the AVR-3805, the complexity and sophistication makes it all but impossible for Denon to craft a manual that is easy for the novice to understand.

As a dealer/installer, I have little issue with set-up and calibration of this unit and once set-up, Denon even offers a menu option to "lock-down" the settings so that they can't be screwed up. I love it, no more drunk slurred midnight telephone calls to my house (yea, my last name is very easy to find in the telephone book and foolishly I have a thing about unlisted telephone numbers) from customers that dared to hit "the" wrong button!

Other issues - the remote depending upon who you ask, is/isn't an improvement over last year's 3805's remote. Never mind. Almost all receiver remotes suck and ultimately this one does too. If you can program it yourself, or are willing to spend the jack, go for the new Pronto TSU-3500, or the expensive color version, the TSU-7500. On a budget? The new Harmony line-up of remotes is hard to beat and they are dirt cheap. The coolest is the 880 (and the soon to be release 890 RF version). On a real budget? Go for the Harmony 520. The 880 will set you back around $250. the 520 is an embarrassingly meager $100! Incidentally, if you can operate a computer and can read, you can probably handle custom programming your Harmony remote in about 30 minutes. End result – your wife (or you … if you’re willing to admit it) can hit “Watch DVD” and everything turns on to the correct input and the movie starts. Enough – this is a receiver review not a Harmony review.

Summary - Not perfect, but I know of no better A/V receiver in the $1000-$1500 range. Do NOT buy this unit, unless you are technical or have a technical person to rely upon. Additionally, throw the supplied remote into the trash and spend a bit more on a wife/babysitter/house sitter friendly device.