Home > Consumer Reviews > Denon AVR-888 7.1-Channel/5.1+2-Channel Independent Zone Home Theater Receiver with HDMI I/O and Serial I/R Control (Black)

Denon AVR 888 brings a whole new awlsome digital sound comparing to my previous analag receiver. Since I saw many Review comments that the instruction and the remote features can be confusing, so I spent a little time ahead to read the manual and familiarize with the remote and the receiver features. Then I spent a little time on the surround sound set up but the outcome is rewarding. After all, I am very happy with the receiver and the price I paid for at Amazon.com

WOW!! I was thrilled to get this receiver (in Dec. 08)for the price and received it very quickly...thanks. It is now mid Jan. 09 & I have finally set up all components and utilized the auto set up function on the receiver to adjust the speakers (front/rear/center/sub) for the room. Wonderful sound thru all channels. Only Con was Manual....difficult to follow & not consumer friendly. Amazon transaction was smooth and would use again

always new i liked denon but kept buying onkyo for features for money , although i liked the 2 onkyos i have owned i was just missing the clearity and separation of denon i never even noticed the features i bought the onkyo for but this denon woke up my home theatre and just blows me away on sound quality

I purchased this receiver from Amazon during the 2008 Holidays for an unbelievable price. It is used to anchor my new projector based home theater. The criteria for the receiver purchase was a good quality receiver that had good sound quality but could also provide high quality HDMI switching since I was using a remotely placed projector with one HDMI input. All I can say is wow.

I wanted to address two subjects that many reviewers have discussed and were a source of concern prior to my receipt of this unit. First, the user unfriendliness - Sure it isnt user friendly, but I actually read the manual and with a little bit a patience, I feel that I have mastered enough of it to get 90% of its abilities out of the unit. For further user insight, check out the avsforum where they have a sticky dedicated to this receiver and the newer versions. I agree that there could be a much better interface, but it shouldnt discourage you unless you are completely technologically challenged. Two, the upscaling function. The foroujda upscaling chip sealed the deal for me, but what I didnt realize is that it only upscales analog signals (ie - component, s video, composite etc.. connections) into the HDMI output. It will not upscale HDMI inputs (ie - digital), thus you will need to rely on your HDMi source such as the cable box or DVD player for the upscaling/upconversion. Apparently only very very high end receivers have digital upscaling. However the HDMI 1.3 switching function is flawless and one of the real reasons to buy this unit.

Amazon has such awesome deals. This may be last year's model because it has only 2 HDMI inputs (and an out, of course all pass audio) and is cheap but don't let that stop you. This is one heck of a receiver. Bought this as a replacement after my THIRD Sony croaked. I am an engineer and I don't abuse my electronics. Sony makes JUNK..plain and simple. Great specs and work well for 1-2 yrs tops.

Anyway, the Denon AVR-888 has 2 features that were really important to me.

1. It allows 2 channels to be used in another room as stereo, with its own input select independent of the main. This leaves you with 5.1 channels (I don't have room for the side speakers of 7.1) and it STILL sounds fantastic. We like music throughout the house, this does it.

2. It uses an automated setup process (Audessey) with a (included)microphone and it is AMAZING. In the past, I used a sound level meter to set up all my Sonys and it took all day. This took about 15 minutes and is dead-on. Excellent sound images in the whole listening area and the hardware is really well made.

So yes, per other reviews, the remote is a real stinker. Ever see a remote with a front AND a back set of buttons (lots of them) behind a door? This puppy's got it and that's just ridiculous but I don't use the beast anyway. Mind you, the remote works fine, but it just leaves you looking for the foot pedals and gear shift. I use a Logitech 550 universal remote (another unbelievable product. It uses online PC programming with all the latest control codes) and that works prfectly. So after all is said and done, this little negative, is not really one for me at all.

If you're thinking about a surround receiver on a budget, need HDMI for a blue-ray and your cable DVR and can live with optical, digital and component inputs for the rest of your sources, you're good to go with this one. (There are HDMI expanders sold if you ever need one, but you don't really want your kid's video games burning Mario into your expensive Hi-Def screen anyway)

So,think no longer, just BUY it !