Denon AVR 2308CI

Denon A/V Receiver, Hdmi, Surround Sound – Model AVR-2308CI

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Denon AVR 684 Dolby Digital Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS A V Receiver

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Denon AVR 2808CI 7 1 Channel Multizone Home Theater Receiver

The AVR-2808 is Denon’s latest addition to their group of versatile A/V surround receivers. The AVR-2808 incorporates all the current surround formats and enhanced installation flexibility, all with great simplicity of setup and operation. In particular, it adds Dolby Digital TrueHD compatibility which is geared to deliver the excellent sound from BluRay and HD-DVD discs. The AVR-2808 provides Auto Set-Up and Room EQ by Audyssey, which helps you achieve optimized system performance for your specific room. With the accompanying microphone placed at up to six listening positions, the powerful new 32 bit floating point DSP automatically and accurately analyzes, adjusts, and sets the speaker configurations of your system. In addition, Pure Direct mode was designed for those who want the ultimate in sonic quality by shutting down all unused circuitry for the cleanest and most precise stereo sound from any audio component in your system.
We do not want to forget to mention a host of other key features – including multi-zone audio capabilities, two assignable 12 volt ?trigger? outputs, an RS-232 port for computer-controlled touch screen operation, 200ms audio delay for precise synchronization between image and soundtrack, a dedicated iPod / MP3 player connectivity port (dock for iPod is optionally available), 1080p HDMI switching, and an XM Satellite Radio Ready port which accepts an optional “Connect and Play’ antenna (XM service required).
If you are searching for a receiver to be the centerpiece and control of an elaborate Home-Theater system with a 1080p HDTV screen, the AVR-2808 undoubtedly assures you the never-before-experienced high quality for which you have been searching. Recommended accessories: optional ASD-1R iPod dock and Headphones.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Versatile, Great Spec, Great Upscale Video
I have this for several days only, but I am very satisfied with what I have experienced with this unit already. Yes, I wish there are more than two HDMI’s. I can buy one with similar price range with 4 HDMI inputs, but considering the other features and audio spec, I decided to buy this when it was on sale in a national chain. All LCD has at least three HDMI input with a digital coaxial output, so some of the HDMI units can be hooked up that way in future when more electronics show up in future with this type of connection. Two HDMI is not a show stopper.

Some people complained about the complex setup. I agree that it is somewhat confusing at the beginning. However, after one reads the manual and does a few trial and errors, one will start to love the versatility and the various options afforded. For example, you can combine video from DVD and audio from another CD player. After a few hours of reading and trying each evening of three day ownership, I found ways to alleviate complaints in some reviews. For example, several complained that you cannot do your own EQ after ADUYSSEY setup. Yes, you can. You can copy ADUYSSEY flat and then adjust manually the EQ. If one digs enough, one probably found out means to do most of the stuff one wants to do.

The upscaling is great. The video quality is very good. The audio quality of course is good for being a Denon. The delivery of sound is clean, crisp and clear. It may be psychological, but it seemed that this unit delivered some subtle high frequencies that I did not notice in the past with a Sony ES type receiver.

I am very pleased to have decided on getting this unit.

5 Stars Sound Is Great…All The Newest Features…Priced Great
Well, just bought this receiver last week and hooked it up a few days ago. I am running it with a pair of Definitive Tech BP7006′s in front with a Def Tech 2002 center and a pair of Speakercraft AIM 8′s in my ceiling for the rear channels…also using a Def Tech Supercube 2 in this system. The sound is great…clean sound and a lot of “punch” while watching movies…especially action movies. I bought this receiver based on reputation of Denon and recommendations from three different salespeople. I didn’t want to spend a lot on a new receiver as I have a Harman Kardon AVR 245 that I also own from two years ago in perfect shape. I just thought with all the new technology, the Harman didn’t have the latest stuff built into it. The 2809 is also a great receiver and I believe the only difference between it and the 2808 are the two additional HDMI inputs on the rear. Although the list price on the 2809 is about $1,150, it was also on sale that day for $999. However, I had a chance to buy the last 2808 in stock new in the box for $599…I don’t need more than two HDMI’s at this point and if I do, I can always use the HDMI additional inputs on the Sony XBR and run an optical audio input into the receiver….so for the price, the 2808 can’t be beat. Although a lot of people compare Denon directly to Yamaha, I would have to say a close second for me would have been one of the newer offerings from Onkyo as they have some real nice features too.

5 Stars Great receiver at half price; but not at full price- Go with the AVR-2809
The receiver was received quickly and very well packed. At half price a good deal. The Denon AVR-2808CI is a powerful and well featured receiver despite having only two HDMI inputs. The set-up is a bit confusing and not well explained,but after a while and with the help of on screen tv display, a hand drawn map of connections you made you can master it. The learning remote does many of the functions that the rest of the remotes on the table do. I still need the cable remote for most of its features. I do wish that the Denon would allow the HD TV signal to pass through it without it’s power being on. Sometimes you just want to watch tv with out all of the HI-FI. The Denon works great with the pair of Definitive Technology Super Tower BP-7004 speakers with individual powered sub-woofers, center and rear surrounds.It provides great sound with DVD’s comparable to a theater experience.I am more of a music fan and appreciate the clean power, plenty of audio inputs. I like the programmable display for radio stations. I would say I am very happy with this purchase, I am not too sure that my neighbors would agree with me on that though.

5 Stars Almost Perfect
The receiver has an amazing quality sound, the only complain is that has just 2 HDMI input.

You can put a HDMI switch for less than 50$ and have it complete as another model more expensive.

5 Stars GREAT SOUND QUALITY
I have owned many different midrange receiver in the past, from Sony, Marantz, Nakamichi, Pioneer to Yamaha. Until I got this Denon 2808, Marantz and Nakamichi sounds real good. But this Denon just simply surpass all of them in sound quality. Because of that, and because I have got this receiver on sale for $600, it made me in debt if I were not to write a review.

When I go out to look for a sound system component, and because it is for a sound system, sound quality is the number 1 priority for me personally to consider, all the others are an add on and nice things to have, but sound quality again is the numero uno.

If you ever had a receiver in the past, this thing has different way to setup, but not as complicated as others might think, if you are a beginnner than it will requires you a little dedication and times to brings out the best from this receiver. But, I am telling you, the dedication and times is just worthed.

I had a a complete sets of Mirage V2 speakers, 2 front floor standing speakers, center and satelites, and an S10 Mirage sub.

I actually bought a nice Yamaha receiver but the sound it produce was a little to bright for my taste and speakers, so I returned the Yamaha and exchange it with Denon 2808, got money back too (the Yamaha was more expensive equivalent to this Denon before sale price).

After the setup was complete, turn it on, run the Audessy setup, then tweak here and there using the manual setup based on the Audessy curve, adjust the bass. and …Whallaaa….amazing sounds came pouring and filled up my entire body … so satisfying…!

Low bass, mid bass, mid range, tweeter, vocal, all came out in harmony, clarity and very WARM………ahhh……

Please go get this receiver, specially when they are still on sale.

The denon 2808 definitely made my ok sound system sounded like a $25000 sound system imho

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Denon AVR1906 Home Theater Receiver REFURBISHED

This fine home-theater surround sound receiver has been Factory Refurbished to perform as new. It comes with 90-Day Denon Warranty coverage. The AVR1906 receiver delivers great home theater sound and offers convenience features to make your home entertainment system easy to use and enjoy. The high-current amplification drives up to 7 home theater speakers with power and precision with an additional port for adding a subwoofer. The built-in surround sound decoding options, including DTS Neo:6, Dolby Pro Logic II and Dolby Pro Logic Iix, let you enjoy high-impact surround sound from movies, TV shows, music and video games. The full on-screen display makes it easy to optimize the system performance. Just plug in the included microphone and the receiver automatically calibrates itself to your room and sets the settings for every speaker in your system. Use the 7 Channel Stereo Mode to turn single channel sources, including tapes, stereo radio and stereo video into surround sound. 32 bit SHARC DSP processor 85 Watts per channel into 8 ohms x up to 7 channels for home-theater surround Personal Memory Plus Virtual Surround (for use with 2 speakers) 24 bit, 96 kHz DACs with 24 bit, 96 kHz digital interface receiver Audio Delay Auto setup (microphone included) for optimal sound distribution Speaker A/B (front) selector Zone 2 audio out Subwoofer Pre-out, with Variable Hi/Low Pass Cross-over points (40/60/80/100/120/150/200/250Hz) Front Panel A/V inputs, including Optical Digital input 6 Channel External Input (for DVD-Audio & SACD) with wideband (100 kHz) frequency response Assignable digital inputs Banana plug compatible speaker terminals all channels (speaker connect wire is optional as are speakers) Pre-programmed remote control features TV, VCR, DVD codes from other manufacturers Remote in/out jacks

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The difference between good and poor picture quality can be seen by anybody. However, it is not very easy to understand the technical issues that make a picture look good. One very important element of picture quality is contrast ratio. Other aspects are the color saturation and color accuracy, and resolution is also very important.

Contrast ratio is the ratio between the brightest and darkest color a HDTV can produce. The better your system is, the higher contrast ratio it can produce. If your system has low contrast ratio, you will experience dull and washed out images, and fine details will be lost. The good news is that there were great improvements in contrast ratio, and even cheap HDTVs have enjoyable contrast ratios at this time.

Black levels are also very important: it can be very annoying to see grayish blacks when the user expects absolute black image. Poor black levels are especially visible in dim light conditions: this is when your eyes are very sensitive to dark images. To achieve absolute black, a lot of people set black levels too low: this is a mistake, because this way black shadow detail will be lost.

High white levels make the images on the screen appear vivid and lively. This makes the viewing more pleasant. Again, lot of people make a mistake by setting the white levels too high: this way certain details and bright highlights can be lost.

Color temperature, saturation and accuracy are important characteristics of the images on your display. The standard for color temperature is 6500K: this is the equivalent of daytime illumination, in other words, this is the natural light temperature. Color temperature above this is bluish, and below this is reddish. Setting the color temperature correctly is important because if there is any problem with that, every other color will be bluish or reddish.

Color saturation can be adjusted by using color patterns that come with calibrations discs or TV channels. On the other hand, color accuracy depends mostly on the way your system decodes the image data. This is a very wast topic, and you will be OK if you know only that for an accurate reproduction the color encoding used in film production should match the decoders of your TV.

Greyscale and display characteristic also affect the color reproduction of your HDTV, but again this is above the beginners knowledge about image calibration. You can choose to learn about this, or you can hire a specialist to do it for you.

The best HD resolutions today have 5 times more pixels than the old Standard Definition. The old format can not be compared to HD images: today, every detail of the image can be seen sharply. If you want to have the best technology available today, buy a 1080 capable HDTV.

The term of percieved sharpness relates to resolution. It means users can sharpen artificially the image without modifying the resolution by creating a crisp edge along the border of the image. This also gives the impression of better image quality.

Edward McKellen is an HDTV expert who writes HDTV reviews for HDTVreviewlab.com. To check out the latest Pioneer HDTV reviews or learn more about HDTV visit HDTVreviewlab.com