Denon AVR-2801 5.1 Channels Receiver

The Denon AVR-2801 is one of today's hottest A/V recievers on the market. It has a high MSRP, but you can find it in the $400 price range. Denon is a well respected brand, I consider it to be in the "Big Three" consumer audio companies. Those companies are Onkyo, Marantz, and Denon. Onkyo didn't have anything up its sleeve to match the quality of the quality of the Denon AVR-2801. But, Marantz had two contendors. They were the Marantz SR-5000 and the Marantz SR-7000. The Marantz SR-5000 is the more comparable to the Denon AVR-2801. Marantz is currently my all-time favorite brand, and it was very exciting to put the Denon AVR-2801 head to head with the Marantz SR-5000. Anyway, here's what I found with the Denon AVR-2801 against the Marantz SR-5000:

Price:
You can find the Denon AVR-2801 for under $500 if you look hard enough. Don't buy in stores, but try finding it online through respectable companies. I found online prices to be much cheaper overall than any store, plus there is no sales tax! So, then the government won't be getting their hands into your wallet! Also, a lot of sites offer free shipping, or at least free shipping on expensive purchases. I think the Denon AVR-2801 is incredible with the price tag of $475. If you're trying to decide between the Marantz and the Denon in this price range, I'd have to say go for Denon. The Denon AVR-2801 actually sounds better than the Marantz SR-5000 in most ranges. Also, if you need it, the Denon AVR-2801 packs 20Watts of extra power within each channel. The Marantz SR-5000 can only handle 70Watts x 5. Both receivers have DTS and Dolby Digital. However, there are fatal flaws in the Marantz SR-5000 that set it far apart from the Denon AVR-2801.

Looks and Styling:
The Denon AVR-2801 is an alright looking reciever. I prefer the styling of the Marantz SR-5000. However, when you're listening to music or watching a movie, you're not staring at the receiver are you? Nah... So I don't think that the looks of it should determine what you buy.

Durability:
Denon has a reputation of making high quality durable components. Most components from any respectable should last you for many years. I don't think that the quality of the Denon AVR-2801 is questionable. When I felt it around, the Denon AVR-2801 felt like a very solid and durable receiver. There shouldn't be any problems regarding durability with the Denon AVR-2801, it should last you for many years to come!

Installation:
The Denon AVR-2801 came with a detailed instruction manual, and the backpanel was similar to other receivers. The Marantz SR-5000 was a whole other story. The instruction manual that came with it was just terrible... so bad that I couldn't figure out what to do! On the backpanel, it had different speaker connectors, some said 'small' and some said 'large'. I didn't at all know what I was doing. I was doing this all at a store, so I had to ask the clerk for help. I couldn't figure out how to set the Marantz up for optimal performance. Also it was difficult to set the subwoofer up with the Marantz SR-5000, but it was rather easy with the Denon AVR-2801. Setting up the Denon AVR-2801 was easy though. This is one aspect that sets the Marantz away from the Denon.

Sound:
At first, both receivers sounded very nice and warm. But in the lower volume ranges, the Denon AVR-2801 sounded much warmer and clearer than the Marantz SR-5000. You have to set the Marantz SR-5000 to more than 1/3 of the volume level to get the performance that you are expecting. Now, those volume levels are very LOUD. This can upset other people in your house, and neighbors possibly. The Denon AVR-2801 sounded much better overall in the lower ranges. Now, the Marantz sound quality is easily capable of beating the Denon quality. But regarding the Marantz SR-5000, you had to do this at very loud levels. Now, I know that there are very many people out there that don't listen to music super loud, so the Denon AVR-2801 might be a much better choice. The Denon AVR-2801 didn't sound that much worse than the Marantz SR-5000 at high volumes... The Marantz just sounded cleaner and more natural. The overall sound quality of the Denon AVR-2801 regarding the low volume levels still beats the Marantz SR-5000. The Denon AVR-2801 also packs more wattage than the Marantz SR-5000. The Marantz SR-5000 contains only 70Watts x 5, while the Denon AVR-2801 contains 90Watts x 5. Both receivers have Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS decoding. Both recievers handled well in both music and home theater. If you were listening the sounds from home theater and music at low volumes, the Denon AVR-2801 would have overall better performace. At high volumes, both handle nicely, but the Marantz SR-5000 simply comes out on top. Both recievers sound good, but regarding the whole scale, the Denon AVR-2801 is a better choice.

Ease of Use:
The Denon AVR-2801 is alright considering its ease of use. I found the Marantz SR-5000 to have a much cleaner design which made it easier to use. It is not impossible to use a receiver, so eventually you will get the hang of using the Denon AVR-2801. The Marantz was easier to use overall, but that shouldn't influence your buying decision.

The Verdict:
The Denon AVR-2801 is overall an excellent receiver. It seemed to destroy the Marantz competition in the midfi arena. Marantz however remains king in the hifi arena! The Denon AVR-2801 is loaded with lots of power, features, and it's also a Denon! With Denon, you get receivers that sound great, and that are still priced great! I found the Denon AVR-2801 to be a very popular choice about consumers, and I think it is a great pick! It provides excellent sound at a more than excellent price!