Denon DRA-395 Multi-Source/Multi-Zone AM/FM Stereo Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)If I could "easily" return this unit, I would - unfortunately I bought it via the web. The bottom line is that the unit just sounds OK, that's it. Yes it has lots of features, but the sound is just slightly better than a boom box. I hooked the same speakers, CD player, and monster cable interconnects up to another amp and it was much, much better - night and day. If you're OK with something that looks decent and has plenty of features, then maybe you'll like this unit. If you care about the quality of the sound and want "high fidelity", look else where. Denon has become a provider of mass market, made in China stuff these days - no where near the quality they delivered 10+ years ago.

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Let the music play throughout your house with Denon's DRA-395 multiroom-capable AM/FM stereo receiver. The receiver is engineered to serve as the heart of a 2-channel music system while providing high-fidelity sound and composite-video switching for stereo video sources such as DVD players, digital video recorders, digital satellite systems, cable boxes, and VCRs. Delivering 80 watts per channel x 2 into 8 ohm speakers (from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with no more than .08 percent total harmonic distortion), the DRA-395 can drive virtually any modern loudspeakers with authority and clarity.
The receiver divides the circuits handling low- and high-level audio signals into separate blocks to minimize the signals' influences on each other. This chassis design, new to the DRA-395, is called Signal Level Divided Construction (SLDC). The resultant output signals are cleaner than before, possessing greater fidelity and clarity.
The DRA-395's multi-source function lets you enjoy 2 different programs in up to 3 different rooms simultaneously by feeding the receiver's dedicated zone 2 and zone 3 preamp outputs to powered speakers or to other stand-alone amplifiers and standard speakers. With such a setup you could watch and listen to the DVD player in the main room while other family members listen to the CD player in other parts of the house. Separate A and B speaker outputs (with binding-post terminals for both sets) provide additional speaker setup flexibility.
The supplied RC-894 remote control commands not only the receiver but can also operate the main functions of a Denon CD player and a cassette deck. You can connect external remote control equipment, such as Denon's RC-616 and RC-617, which would permit use of the RC-894 remote from a sub room (zone 2 or 3) so you could switch a sub room output on and off, select a sub-room source, adjust volume, and recall preset radio stations.
The receiver offers 6 stereo analog audio inputs, including a phono input for use with your turntable. (The phono input is compatible only with moving-magnet-type phono cartridges.) The back panel sports 2 tape outputs.
Other useful features include bas and treble tone controls, tone defeat, muting from the remote, a motor-driven rotary volume control, last-function memory, and switched AC outlets for powering other components.
What's in the Box Receiver, two remote controls, remote batteries (two AA, two AAA), FM indoor antenna, AM loop antenna, a user's manual, a warranty card, and a service-station list.

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Denon AVR-486S 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)This unit is a conservatitely rated 75w x 7 receiver with all of Denon's usual crispness, features, and quality of build. It's virtually identical to Denon's higher-powered receivers, minus exactly that - the higher wattage. I'm sure you sacrifice some true audiophile trappings, but if you're like me - somebody who simply appreciates awesome sound, massive flexibility, and still far more receiver than you'll likely ever need in your home - you'll be floored by this receiver.
The first thing I noticed was how clean the unit is - I've auditioned Onkyo, Harman Kardon, and Yamaha, and the Denon easily matches them in quality. Fear not - at this point, it's primarily personal preference for the appearance of the unit, and the Denon is an attractive design, to be sure.
The second, and huge consideration, is the fact that it's got *reams* of inputs. This is the *only* receiver I've seen in this price range to include 3 component inputs. Coupled with about a half-dozen S-video/composite inputs, you'll never want for connections. If, by chance, you have an HDMI or DVI requirement, you can simply run that straight into your TV/Projector, and the Denon will still output via the 2 digital coaxial and digital inputs from the same DVD player.
I have my top-flight Panasonic S97S DVD player (also available at amazon.com) hooked up via an HDMI cable straight to my Panasonic AE900 projector, but the Denon is using a Digital Coaxial cable from the same DVD player to drive the surround speakers. Every other piece of electronic gear in my living room is running completely through the Denon:
Cheap DVD Player (editing and parental control software): composite video input (I could use s-video, but the s-video is wired so that if you use s-video in, you've got to use s-video out, and I didn't want yet another 25' cable running to my projector)
PS2/GameCube/XBox: Each using a component video input
Sirius satellite receiver & CD Changer: each has a dedicated RCA input
All I do is flick the buttons on the (hugely powerful) remote and can use any of of them *instantly*.
Pure heaven!
Although the manual does an adequate job explaining things - and it will get you up and running - it will take some time experimenting with all the bells and whistles this baby's sporting. From the usual speaker-delay distance, to the Dolby ProLogicIIx/Ex/DTS/ES/Neo/etc/etc, it's all here.
Another awesome input: the receiver has (2) AC power outs - meaning, you plug up to 2 subwoofers into those, and when the Denon powers up, it sends a signal to the subs to turn on, too! Sweet!
The receiver is feature rich and does far more than I'll ever need - in fact, I was astonished that as Denon's so-called 'entry' receiver, I have little doubt it would easily hold it's own against receivers costing twice the money, if not more. The quality is unparalleled for the price.
This receiver *IS* a Denon. It's top-flight quality and has reams of features I'll never even use. Only a true audiophile would want more than this unit provides - it looks, performs, and sounds absolutely magic. For amazon's asking price, you will *never* find a better bet on quality - it easily holds it's own, in pure sound quality, with models costing more than twice the price - it simply has less digital doohikies that 99% of HT users (sans audiophiles) will never even touch. It's perfect for a room in the 400 square foot range, as 75 watts x 7 (or 110 x 7 if you use 6-ohm speakers) is more than sufficient to power a highly competent home theater.
Bottom line is this - I can't imagine needing any more than this unit provides. At $300, it's not only the centerpiece of my home theater audio, it will probably be for as long as it runs... which, for a Denon, is usually a *long* time...

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Enjoy high-end, encompassing surround sound while watching the latest Hollywood big-budget spectacles on DVD with the Denon AVR-486S 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver. This receiver drives all the primary speakers in a 7.1 surround sound system, including the front left/right speakers, rear left/right surrounds, front/rear center speakers, and the preamp output for a ".1" low-frequency subwoofer. Because not everyone is ready to fill their listening environment with seven speakers, the AVR-686S also offers selectable modes for 5.1-channel set-ups, as well as a Virtual Surround function that provides an enveloping sound for two-speaker systems or headphones. Power wise, the receiver checks in at 75 watts per channel into 8 ohms (from 20 Hz to 20 kHz).
You'll never be at a loss for creative surround algorithms with the AVR-486S, regardless of your listening source. The receiver's onboard surround processing includes Dolby Digital Surround EX, DTS, DTS 96/24 5.1 for DVD-Video, DTS ES Discrete 6.1, DTS ES Matrix 6.1, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx (for cinema, music, and games). Dolby Pro Logic IIx processing is the first technology to convert traditional stereo music and movie content into room-filling 5.1- or 6.1-channel sound.
The AVR-486S owes its superlative sound quality to its premium digital-audio technologies, such as the Hammerhead SHARC 32-bit floating-point digital signal processor from Analog Devices. The receiver also offers 24-bit, 96 kHz analog-to-digital conversion on all stereo analog inputs (except the multi-channel analog jacks), along with 24-bit/192 kHz digital-to-analog conversion for all seven channels to ensure premium playback sound.
On top of the surround processing modes, the AVR-486S offers adjustable high- and low-pass crossovers (40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 150, 200, and 250) that let you tailor the sound to suit your speakers and listening space. Video connectivity stems from the three assignable sets of component video inputs, three S-video inputs, and three component inputs. Audio-wise, the receiver includes nine analog RCA stereo inputs and three digital inputs (two coaxial and one optical), along with a six-channel external analog input. The receiver measures 17.1 by 5.8 by 16.4 inches (W x H x D).
What's in the Box Receiver, RC-1001 remote control, two R6P/AA batteries, AM loop antenna, FM indoor antenna, service station list, operating instructions, and warranty.

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Denon ASD-3W Wifi Network iPod Dock (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)For the 1st couple of days I was feeling so-so on this product. The user interface is slow and clunky. So it took some getting used to. I don't know how many times I entered the wep key and ssid for wireless access. But after some time I have successfully used all the features and I'm quite happy with it.
I have a new ipod classic and this is my 1st experience with video on ipods. On the tiny screen, videos look quite good and (at least I) can watch a reasonable amount of them that way. I was hoping for a better video experience when using the ASD-3W. The video quality is just ok on my HD panasonic tv. Something just slightly below ordinary non-HD tv broadcasts. And some are better than others depending on the quality of the equipment used to shoot the video as well as any conversion software. So if you were looking to rip your DVD library to your ipod and enjoy those movies like you did from a DVD player, you will be disappointed. But for TV series and video podcasts, it's not too bad.
The best thing though is along with all the music/video on the ipod, you have access to internet radio and also pics and music you have stored on your pc through win media player. This really makes the deal on this device. There is just tons of great FREE music and podcasts out there and this product allows you access to all that. The higher res channels/stations sound quite good too. It's also cool to view your digital pics stored on the PC while listening to your favorite internet radio station.
I wish the video quality was better, but I think the start-of-the-art isn't quite there yet, but reasonably acceptable for now. I'm sure in several years we will have 1080p coming out of the ipods and devices like this will be the main AV entertainment device. I'm saving up for the next generation or the one after that. But I'm happy and pleased with this new addition to my AV system.

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Denon Networking Client Dock with WiFi for iPod Review

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(More customer reviews)Though expensive it is worth every penny! Hook-up was fairly easy and connecting it to my wifi was simple. Having a menu of all my music on screen and being able to control it by remote control is so cool! Streaming internet radio is simple as it is built in to the menu system. Click the "Browse/Remote" button on the remote and you can listen to Pandora or Slacker radio through your stereo. Start up Microsoft Media Player on a networked computer and it automatically detects the Denon dock and allows you to setup a media server with an on screen menu. It is well built and sleek looking. I love this device almost as much as my iPod Touch.

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