Denon DHT-487DV Theater System

I bought the Denon DHT-487DV at my local Best Buy. Earlier that day I had just purchased a Sony Bravia 46" 1080p LCD television. My old two-speaker component audio system -- the one that had functioned perfectly for 10 years -- was now growing long in the tooth and, having just depleted my budget on the TV, I wouldn't feel complete until I skirted the fringe of financial ruin. That, and the fact that I think the TV actually laughed at the old stereo when I removed it from its box. What good is a new UberTV if the audio doesn't match?

Off I went to Best Buy.

I picked up a nice, new stand that is a worthy, matched companion to my new MegaSet, and settled upon the Denon DHT-487DV HT audio system based almost solely upon reputation and looks. I never got to hear it (it wasn't hooked up) and I didn't really even touch it (plain stupidity).

I got the stuff home and spent the next four hours meticulously setting everything up and tie-wrapping cable runs. Upon removing the individual components from the box I was stunned by just how CHEAPLY everything was made! I think the DVD player -- an HDMI-equipped, HD-upscaling, well-spec'd unit -- is actually lighter than air. I had to place something heavy on it to keep it from floating away. None of the other components were any more impressive. I figured that this was where technology was heading, so instead of packing it back up and returning it to BB I trudged on. Even more perplexing is the fact that the box comes with TWO separate, completely different remote controls! Add this to the TV, HTPC, and cable box remotes and that comes to a grand total of FIVE! A Cirque du Soleil juggler couldn't handle that many.

Things just keep getting better as you unpack the Denon-included speaker wire -- easily mistaken for monofilament fishing line... or angel hair pasta. This junk doesn't have enough gauge to handle current from a AA battery.

Against my better judgment I completed the installation and fired her up. It sounds OK, but that's all there is to it. I've run a few movies through and it works fine, but at $700 the entire package is priced at DOUBLE its actual value. You could easily slap "Philips" or "Radio Shack" on instead of "Denon" and no one would be the wiser -- and you'd save about $400.