Are denons worth the money?

polkfarmboy

I always here good things about the denon sound and I realy like the cosmetic appearance of the latest ones but I feel like the need external amplification

What latest denons have preouts because I have hard time finding this out

Does any of you guys know about this years line up?

i think I may buy a denon so information posted would be of great personal value

PhantomOG

I enjoy my Denon AVR-989. Its last years model, though it would roughly correspond to this years AVR 3310 I believe. Looking at the Denon website you need to get at least the 3310 in order to get the Pre Outs.

It seems like most people here prefer Onkyo/Pioneer so you'll probably get alot of recommendations for those two. I went from an Onkyo previously to this Denon and couldn't be happier. Nothing wrong with the Onkyo, just was getting old and I needed a new receiver with HD audio and HDMI inputs. Found a great deal on the Denon and found it to be a great upgrade.

As far as money, I would wait till they release new models and pick up the previous year on clearance. You'll get a much better deal for your money. The MSRP on mine was $1199 when it was released. I picked it up after new models were released and got it for $550 shipped from Amazon.

PhantomOG

According to the Denon website, the 3310 was released in June 2009, probably a safe bet new models will be coming out around the same time this year.

polkatese

One thing about Denon, they consistently release new models every year. I had a Denon Integrated of yesteryear that was awesome, brute force. Then in 2001 I had a 2802 Receiver that was OK, and a DVD-3800 (DVD Player) that was a nightmare.

As far as the current Denon line-up, they have changed quite a bit, and personally, I think it is for the worse. If you can get a deal on a previous year model, then it might be worthed. If you don't need the bells and whistles, and strictly for 2 channels, find a vintage Denon pre-2000. They were built to last. YMMV.

greg2350

I currently have a 3801 and love it. It does not have all the new codecs but thats ok with me it has dts and thats fine with me. I dont care for the new models my uncle had 2 of them crap out on him within a few months. I drive mine hard and its solid did I mention its a beast. I agree with polkatese look for an older model if your not worried about having the new codecs. Mine has pre-outs and I hooked up a rotel RB 890 I really couldnt tell the difference from the denon power did I mention its a beast.

DMara

PhantomOG wrote: »

I enjoy my Denon AVR-989. Its last years model, though it would roughly correspond to this years AVR 3310 I believe. Looking at the Denon website you need to get at least the 3310 in order to get the Pre Outs.

My Denon AVR-2808ci got pre-outs.

polkfarmboy wrote: »

I always here good things about the denon sound and I realy like the cosmetic appearance of the latest ones but I feel like the need external amplification

And yes, I love the Denon performance, therefore I am upgrading to Denon AVR-4810ci.

ikolbyi

Are Denon's worth the money - yes.

However, their current 2010 models used a new video processor that according to forums is plagued with issues. So I would wait until 2011 models are release or pick up a 2009 model on sale.

I have owne/d 4 Denon's and have always been satisfied. Configuring them initially may require a PhD in enginnering, but once setup properly, matching performance and sound with the other brands at that price point will be difficult.

Also I would caution on Denon's low-end (this goes with any manufacture). The entry units are designed to catch your attention with that low price point and introduce you to the brand, but in almost all cases are sub-par units. the lowest I would look at are avr-1909 which has been replaced by avr-2310ci

NotaSuv

I have owned a few Denon's and thought all were worth the price..all bought used and never a problem..

Tony M

I've owned and still do alot of Denon receivers and I think they're about even with Onkyo and Pioneer but not the Elite line.BUT you should do some internet research before buying any newer style. Like others have said, some models are having issues. Other than a few models (I don't know which ones ) they make some dependable receivers.!

polkfarmboy

I dont realy care for video processing as i just watch bluray movies so all I need is hdmi1.3

Since I will be adding an amp whats the best or smartest choice on a tight budget ? any of last 2 years models will suffice as the both have the same cosmetics

headrott

I don't know if you are looking for one with DTS HD and Dolby true HD decoding built into the reciever or not. If you are, unfortunately you will have to get a newer made one. The bad news is that the newer models are made in China and (IMO) are not made as well as they older models. I would buy one made in Japan and one with the 5.1 (or 7.1) inputs on it for the DTS HD and Dolby true HD. Just my suggestion as the Japan made models are made better (IMO).

Greg

polkfan38

I believe they are all good. Just don't expect THX referance levels from a 1610 or a 1910. The issues were resolved on the AVRs early in the production run. It was a firmware issue. Nothing really "wrong" with them. Just some stuff did not work as advertised. The '11 models will not change much with the exception of the introduction of HDMI 1.4

polkfan38

I believe the 3310 and up models are made in Japan.

cnh

Mantis doesn't seem to like them much and he installs systems as a living. He claims that newer Denons have a much higher failure rate and a less 'dynamic' sound.

Not sure how far back Dan wants to take this. I have a Japanese made AVR2807 which is heavier and better built than the 2800s that followed it IMHO...it cannot processs Dolby TruHD and only has HDMI 1.1 but that's OK because my blu-ray can decode and pass LPCM. The 2807 can get plenty loud with efficient speakers. I would NOT say that it lacks dynamism.

That said, I do prefer my Onkyo 805 which has more power but I think the Denon makes a decent pre-pro for a power amp.

cnh

camp21178

I bought an Onkyo receiver on ebay and it was rated at 45 watts per channel. The entire power amp was on an IC chip. I have three Harmon Kardons and even the 25 watt per channel receiver has big output transistors. I haven't checked my 1978 Technics yet. I was surprised that Onkyo was so popular.

polkfarmboy

camp21178 wrote: »

I bought an Onkyo receiver on ebay and it was rated at 45 watts per channel. The entire power amp was on an IC chip. I have three Harmon Kardons and even the 25 watt per channel receiver has big output transistors. I haven't checked my 1978 Technics yet. I was surprised that Onkyo was so popular.

Who cares !!!

camp21178

I should have mentioned that the power amp crapped out after about 6 months of moderate use.

cnh

camp21178 wrote: »

I should have mentioned that the power amp crapped out after about 6 months of moderate use.

We're getting off topic here. But have you ever seen the INSIDE of a 51 pound Onkyo? You're description of your unit does not apply here.

cnh

apphd

I had a Denon AVR2000 ProLogic receiver, that I wish I still owned, but sold it to go digital. Strong amp and sweet sound to my ears. While I have not owned any of the newer Denons, I did look at some of the mid level, and just was disappointed in what the build quality looked to be and a somewhat non friendly user interface. Those 2 things turned me off enough I did not bother to even listen to them.

IRLRaceFan

I got a Denon AVR-989 a few weeks ago, used, for just over $500. Right now I'm mostly using it for music - Monitor 70's, & Bose 901's with Emovita UPA-1's.
I think it's a great receiver and to be honest, the Monitor 70's sound almost as good without the external amps (to the point that I'm not rushing out to buy ones for these speakers). Now it's a different story with the 901's...without the external amps they suck.

Sherardp

I think Denons perform well. If you favor the laid back sound they provide then it is definitely what you want. I wanted to give the ICEpower stuff a shot and surprise I really like them. Denons do sound great, heard Grims setup on multiple occassions when he had the 3808 in his HT.

piper

I have a Denon 3810ci that I like very well. It has pre-outs, that I hope to integrate into my system sometime in the future.

polkfarmboy

I have read a lot of negative things about the ice power amps but never actualy heard them . I favour denon becaue I wont be using its amps for the front soundstage . I just want it for the processor plus my martin logans are very transparent so ice may make them sound bright

Bernal

I have a Denon 4308-Ci that I like very well.
I have it installed by pre-outs even Sunfire.
What is your opinion?

cnh

I have to agree, I think Denon's make pretty good pre/pros regardless of other issues they may have (dependability wise).

And polkfarmboy WHERE did you read about problems with ICE power amps....? Certainly not much of that on this site! Ask Dan (mantis)....he installs these things and I have yet to read about one 'failure' from him. As for the sound, few describe it as 'bright' but more neutral, detailed, and dynamic, etc.

cnh

polkfarmboy

have not heard anything about reliability issues just that the sound can seem a bit sterile

Dawgfish

+1 on the Denons. I am running a 2809 as a pre running external amps in my HT setup and it sounds fantastic. I've tried a few of the other brands out there before getting the 2809 and much preferred the sound of the Denon. YMMV though.

polkfan38

For consumer electronics, Denon and Onkyo do it best when it comes to recievers and such. And this is from the bottom to the top. When you get into that $7-800 range and higher, the choices of good products becomes greater however.

BAD ASP

I have the Denon 5700avr which was my workhorse until I got into separates. I still have it in my family room coupled with 3.1tls. I have nothing but positives to say about it for durability and SQ. I won't compare it to the Sunfires but it holds its own. I see them once in awhile on the Gon for 500 or so, I would recommend that over a lot of new gear for sure.

Cthulhu11

I personally love the denon avr, and it's not because i sale and install them. They are beautiful looking and extremely well built. i've worked with everything from a 1610 to 5308ci (the monster) i still have nightmares. The only thing i have to say bad about them is operating them. They seem to be really hard to for some people to operate. And yes the 3310 is where they start having pre-outs. Sorry to say i think the last decent model that had pre-outs and wasn't to hard on the pocket book was the 1906. If you have any more question about them feel free to ask if i dont know i can always call the My Rep.

Litz

I have a new denon, and it lives up to the hype! It's user friendly, functional, plenty of current and a great room-eq system. Totally beats my 2008 HK.