Denon AVR-3802

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CNET editors' rating: 4.0 stars Excellent
Detailed editors' rating

Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 38 reviews
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Product summary

The good: Great sound; impressive build quality; DTS ES 6.1 Discrete processing; seven 110-watt channels; bountiful features and connectivity options.

The bad The bad: Lacks THX certification; tricky setup chores; poorly written owner's manual.

The bottom line: This receiver's stellar sound will appeal to demanding listeners.

Specifications: Product type: AV receiver; Sound output mode: Surround Sound; Amplifier total output power: 770 Watt; See full specs

CNET editors' review

Reviewed by: Steve Guttenberg
Reviewed on: 05/07/2002
Updated on: 03/31/2003

Denon's sterling reputation among home-theater cognoscenti is based on the superlative sound and build quality of its products, so we had high expectations for the company's popular midrange receiver, the AVR-3802. Did it live up to our hopes? In a word, yes--the 3802 is easily in the top rank of receivers that we've heard. However, we're less thrilled with its user interface. In fact, if it weren't for that shortcoming, we would have awarded this otherwise impressive receiver an Editors' Choice.Denon's sterling reputation among home-theater cognoscenti is based on the superlative sound and build quality of its products, so we had high expectations for the company's popular midrange receiver, the AVR-3802. Did it live up to our hopes? In a word, yes--the 3802 is easily in the top rank of receivers that we've heard. However, we're less thrilled with its user interface. In fact, if it weren't for that shortcoming, we would have awarded this otherwise impressive receiver an Editors' Choice.

Beauty on the inside
On the outside, the 3802 is nothing special. We found its styling uninspired and bland--it's a basic black component. Ah, but when we popped the cover and looked inside the 3802, we noticed a massive power transformer right behind the faceplate. This receiver's innards are jam-packed with circuit boards and quality parts that wouldn't be out of place in a high-end component.

There's plenty of connectivity options here, too--everything from HDTV component-video switching to a phono input for vinyl lovers. It's too bad that Denon didn't squeeze in a set of front-panel-mounted audio/video connectors for gamers or video camera owners.

As noted, however, this isn't the most user-friendly receiver. Setup chores and menu navigation may confuse even fairly experienced home-theater fans, and the remote's ergonomics are only so-so. Also, the owner's manual will be of just marginal help in sorting out the various features and surround capabilities of the 3802. That said, day-to-day operation is straightforward.

Features aplenty!
While many so-called 6.1- or 7.1-channel receivers come equipped just with 5 amplifier channels, the 3802 boasts 7 110-watt channels. Dolby Digital 6.1 and DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix surround processing are handled by Analog Devices' highly regarded SHARC 32-bit processing chip and Denon's proprietary DDSC-D (Dynamic Discrete Surround Decoder-Digital) circuitry. Dolby Pro Logic II and DTS Neo:6 are also onboard to synthesize surround effects from CDs; FM broadcasts; older, stereo DVDs; and videotapes.

The Dual Surround Speaker mode is unusually flexible. You can hook up A and B pairs of surround speakers: one pair affixed on the sides of your room for movies and another rear-mounted pair for music surround formats such as Super Audio CD or DVD-Audio (DVD-A). And when you're playing DTS ES or Dolby 6.1 content, you can play all four surround speakers simultaneously in addition to the left-, center-, and right-front speakers--that's where the seven amp channels come into use. Oh, and the 3802 can also be configured to run a set of stereo speakers in another room. Continue reading

User reviews

Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 38 reviews
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Showing 3 of 38 user reviewsSee all 38 user reviews
1.0 stars

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

"Something DENON customers should be aware of...."

on June 21, 2002

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4.0 stars

"Another top preformer in the denon lineup"

by culpritprod on February 18, 2007

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4.5 stars

"Great AV System"

by enniszd on May 30, 2005

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