Home > Consumer Reviews > Denon AVR-3808CI 7.1-Channel Multizone Home Theater Receiver with Networking

This unit is the real deal. It provides the granularity a semi-technical person will inevitably want. Other AVRs sound just as good, but the cutomization and outstanding GUI is the difference, and the video scaling is solid. The negative posts I see regarding the genesis chip are not from those who own this product. This thing runs rather cool compared to what I have observed with competitors such as the Onkyo 875. And for those who are hung up on THX certification; look at any of the high end speakers, THX is rarely even mentioned as a variable. Not to mention, who really has a THX certified room...good luck with that!

[Before purchasing this receiver I highly recommend going to the Denon web site and downloading the user manual]

I am using this receiver in our bedroom for TV and music. I purchased after weeks of careful study. It was a close call between this unit and the Yamaha RX-V3800BL Yamaha RX-V3800BL 7.1-Channel Network Home Theater Receiver (Black), but the Denon won out for the following reasons: (1) Yamaha made me register with them to download the manual (2) The Denon has better video upscaling (3) In October Denon is supposed to release a firmware update which will add HDMI-CEC support, a feature I really like. If this had been primarily a music system, or if I didn't need to up-scale my standard def satellite box, the Yamaha might have won out.

As the Internet will tell you, the main remote which comes with this unit is annoying to use, and I am expecting to receive a Denon RC-7000CI two-way remote from Amazon sometime today. (NOTE: You need the RF unit (RC-7001RCI) if you want the two-way feature to work.) From downloading the manual for this remote I suspect that it is being outsourced from Universal Remote. It is PC programmable, and I hope it will be a good controller for my 3808 and my other home theater components. I will post a review on it when I know more.

I am a very technical person so factor that in to the following. Initial setup was fairly straightforward and was done with very little reference to the manual. I did have to restart the receiver to get the network to come up. While it is easy to get a little lost in the menu system, there isn't anything that is overwhelmingly obscure, and after a couple of weeks of use it becomes less of an issue.

When my son and I first set the receiver up we were a little unhappy with how unstable it was. Too many lock-ups, especially when controlling the receiver over the web with my Mac. Updating to the latest firmware has greatly improved stability, and made some small refinements in the interface. Also, I lost my OSD until I fully powered down the unit and powered it back up.

Things I like:
Internet Radio (but then I like shortwave radio too)
Nice Upscaling
Flexible Configuration and Labeling
Web Interface (wish all my components had this)
RS-232
Phono Input
XM
Functional auxiliary remote

Things My Wife likes:
iPod Interface

Things I don't like:
Miserable main remote
XM User Interface Needs Work
GUI could be better

What's Missing:
HD Radio
3D (9.1)
HDMI-CEC (promised in October, and I'm naively counting on them to keep their word)
NOTE: HDMI-CEC currently passes through, so my TV and other components CEC just fine, it is just that the Denon ignores it all.

Most Amusing Feature:
Has a jack for Denon's $500 cat-5 cable Denon AKDL1 Dedicated Link Cable. Fortunately I don't need this feature, so I don't have to figure out if this is just a plain old cat-5, or if it has some sort of non-standard pinout. (I know if you have other Denon equipment this may be a nice feature, but you have to poke fun at that cable)

My Setup:

Samsung 40A750 (CEC supported) Samsung LN40A750 40-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

Denon AVR-3808CI (CEC planned)

Denon RC-7000CI two-way remote Denon RC-7000CI IR/RF Remote Control

RF unit Denon RC-7001RCI RF/IR Remote Base Station for the RC-7000CI Remote Control

XM mini-tuner (Integrated with AVR)

iPod Interface (Denon ASD-1RBK iPod Docking Station (Black Finish)
(NOTE: You probably should just buy the basic iPod interface. As I understand it, the wired networkable interface Denon ASD-3N iPod/Network Connectivity Client Dock (Black) and the wireless Denon ASD-3N iPod/Network Connectivity Client Dock with Wifi (Black) duplicate some of the functionality of the receiver.
(If anyone knows otherwise, please leave a comment and I will correct my review - thanks)

Panasonic DVD Recorder (CEC supported) Panasonic DMR-EZ28K 1080p Upconverting DVD Recorder with Built In Tuner

Samsung BD-UP5000 HD/Blu-Ray (CEC supported)
Samsung BD-UP5000 1080p HD-DVD Blu-Ray Disc Combo Player

Boston Acoustics MCS 130 5.1 Speaker System Boston Acoustics Horizon Series MCS130 5.1-Channel Surround Speaker System (Black)

Boston Acoustics MCS 130 Additional Surround (x2) Boston Acoustics MCS 130 Surround Single add-on rear-channel satellite speaker for MCS 130 system Midnight

Apple-TV (CEC Not Supported - time for an update to HDMI 1.3a/CEC capable product Apple!) Apple TV with 160GB Hard Drive - MB189LL/A

Load Balanced Dual DSL (CEC N/A) Netgear FVX538 ProSafe VPN Firewall 200

(I've exceeded Amazon's silly 10 product link limit, so you'll have to cut and paste the last few if you want to view the items - sorry)

We upgraded from a Yamaha RXV-1070 to move into the HDTV world last year ago when this receiver was released. It has been an excellent choice. The receiver has allowed us to simplify the set up by connecting all our components - from cable box to the old turntable - to the receiver with just one simple HDMI output to the plasma HDTV (for video only). The receiver is able to automatically set the parameters for each device - from the 5.1 channel sound for the HD channels to stereo sound for the turntable. It does an outstanding job of upscaling the picture from our old Sony DVD player to our HDTV's 1080p resolution. The sound is fantastic thanks to the Audyssey microphone that recognizes the speaker setup and optimizes it automatically for all viewing / listening positions. The Internet connection allows for all software upgrades to keep the system current. The connection is however very slow when it accesses music on the Internet or on our PC with a long lag between the command and the action. The remotes are complex and consequently, you cannot realize the full potential of all the features unless you are technophile [hence the one star penalty!]

I received my 3808CI last week. What a great value! When I was younger I worked as a sound engineer and even though I have moved on professionally since then I have always chosen my audio equipment with an emphasis on quality and value - bang for the buck. I found myself wanting a new AV receiver with lots of HDMI inputs after setting up a high definition video system. The 3808CI sure fits the bill.

What impresses me most, aside from all of the flexibility and internet features, is the quality of the sound. Plenty of power, very clean, with the wonderful Audysey automated EQ software. This unit as far as I am concerned is the best value on the market.

Pros:
1. The on-screen menu is easy to use, and all settings can be controlled from it.
2. The networking functionality is excellent. Once you get it working, you will love this feature.
3. The USB connection is great as well. Get an 8-16GB USB key, place your MP3 files on it, and enjoy. It even has random play!
4. Full 1080p looks flawless, and the units ability to upscale is excellent. Any video source is going to be served well with this unit.
5. 4 HDMI connections

Cons:
1. Not really a con per say, but this receiver is definitely aimed at the video crowd. While music sounds great, the real power with this receiver lies in its video.
2. The auto speaker calibration. It did a fair job, but in the end, I took the time and did it myself. Not really that difficult if you are patient.
3. The remote. It is not terrible, but you will be getting an all-in-one in short order.

However, none of these cons would keep me from buying this unit again. It is hard to beat the price with this feature set.