Initial Impressions
Written: Dec 05 '03
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Sound: |
 |
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Durability: |
|
|
|
Pros: Excellent sound and component video switching, independent channel configurations, video upconvert
Cons: Steel RCAs and lack of 2 7.1 inputs, and ugly onscreen display.
The Bottom Line: Best $1k you will spend for home theater AVR. Sufficiently future expandable with 100 mhz component in bandwith and 7.1 input. Excellent sound reproduction and video-upconvert.
|
|
|
| pwong123's Full Review: Denon AVR-3803 7.1 Channels Receiver |
I recently purchased AVR3803 from Goodguys after very extensive examination of different AV receivers, including Onkyo, Sony, and Yamaha. The 3803 is an upgrade from my Denon 3300 and Sony 925.
Present components include:
Boston Acoustics VR975 (2x)(front)
Boston Acoustics VR910 (center)
Boston Acoustics Bravos (3x)(surround and rear center)
Boston Acoustics VR10 (2x)(B set)
Sony DVP-CX985V (DVD multi-changer and SACD)
Denon DVD2200 (DVD universal player)
XBox
Technics turntable (ahhh, LPs)
Mitsubishi WS48511 (widescreen)
Mitsubishi S-Video VHS
HDTV Scientific Atlanta cable decoder
Replaytv 5040
assorted Monster cables
I was looking for a receiver to with higher component bandwith (old Denon was 30 mhz) and component switching with video upconvert of S-video plus multiple digital inputs. I suspect that most people reading this review or shopping for Denon products will have a similar setup so assignable inputs with component switching will be critical.
Anywhoo... I found the setup very easy and almost the same as the Denon 3300, though the menus have changed slightly. The blocky fonts are still there and I must admit that they are a bit tacky given the polish of the elements...
I had no problem setting up the speaker settings and each channel can be independently configured (I recommend designating the center and surrounds as small to steer semi-LFE signals to sub). Also, use Avia DVD tones with sound meter to set speakers rather than pink noise generator offered by Denon (I found that the pink noise generator wasn't as effective since the "tone" started irritating me after 10 minutes).
I purchased the DVD 2200 with 3803 as my "old" Philips Q50 did not have DVD-Audio though the picture quality was fantastic (DVD2200 is significantly better but not subject of this review). I tested the component switching by plugging in the 2200 into the 3803 and separately into the WS48511 and watched each with usual test discs (Monsters Inc, Star Wars Episode II, LOTR 2, Saving Private Ryan etc.) and found no observable degradation of signal. There is the possibility of some signal loss since it has to loop through AVR circuitry but I couldn't tell and wife (Art Center graduate with impeccable color sense) didn't observe any tonal differences. S-Video upgrade wasn't bad either though frankly component video (esp from cable box) has spoiled me and any s-video connection looks okay.
Audio - I haven't fully tested because I need to break it in a little more but the sound is very good. I agree that Denon amps sound bright (and to some somewhat harsh)vs the smoother tones of Yamaha (2400 or 3300) but Denon works well with my BA speakers. My room acoustics are such that poor LFE (up through 120 mhz) sounds terrible if the signal isn't clean (lathe & plaster walls and multiple sliders ([i.e., too much glass]). Denon's amps were very clean even with the db up to -10 and realistically I've never even come close to maxing out available wattage. If you are looking for pure musical performance, a dedicated amp (or entirely different type of receiver) is your cup of tea. The 3803 has ample power and the Burr-Brown processors round out the audio section. While I think many folks will like the audio from Yamaha (or even Pioneer), speakers will make the biggest difference then followed up by the amp (so spend your money appropriately)...
A couple of minor complaints: crummy remote (gee, no surprise here but since I use a separate universal it probably doesn't matter too much though you'd think Denon would get the hint since *everyone* has complained about their remotes); RCA females and binding posts are plain jane steel and not gold coated (since price difference is in 1-5 cent difference, you'd think Denon would upgrade the inputs); blocky lettering displayed on-screen (and I also dislike the mute flashing, not because it's being displayed but because it is uuggllyy!); and lack of two 7.1 inputs (I have separate SACD and I suspect many folks too and only Denon with two 7.1 inputs is the 5803 "beast").
Final recommendation: Buy it. I just hope Denon doesn't come out with an 3804 anytime soon. System will be good for at least 3-4 years until i.link connections come into vogue.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 899
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
pwong123
|
|
Location: Los Angeles County, California, USA
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Willy Wonka
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.