[hmen]

I'm mainly a 2 channel guy and I've been using a Marantz SR 7200 for home theatre for about the last 10 years. My girlfriend just bought me a hi-def TV so it's time for new receiver. I have very basic requirements.

• I need pre outs to integrate the HT with my stereo
• I would like decent upscaling

I really don't need anything else.
I settled an the Denon 3803 ci because it fit my budget and had good upscaling. I saw a place on the internet selling the unit $1099  so I ordered it. The next day I got an email asking me to call in and confirm my order. I called and the guy tried to sell me an extended warranty. When I said I didn't want it he said that there was no warranty (even though the add clearly said there was a three year warranty from Denon)  and that Denon doesn't honor warranties on anything sold below MSRP ($1599 in this case.) I called another place that had it for $1249 and was also told that Denon doesn't honor the warranty, I called Denon and was put on hold for 45 minutes and then cut off. I think I might look for another brand.
Any sugestions?   

[Airborn]

Lots of choices out there for what you want, including Marantz, Onkyo, Emotiva and Outlaw to name just a few.  Check them all out instead of dealing with the BS from the Denon dealers.  There is not enough difference among all the receivers to justify the hassle, imo.

[JP78]

hmen - i'm sorry you got a bunch of bs from some dealer...that shouldn't turn you off the denon brand.  i'm not sure who told you denon doesn't honor warranties below msrp, but that's totally inaccurate.   the company i work at is an authorized denon retailer, and i'm pretty sure the sales guys discount the entire system solution (most of them include some denon component or another).

maybe the policy is that the warranty at msrp only must be for mail-order / internet transactions?

i will tell you my favorite piece is the 3808ci...it works amazingly well, has a ton of inputs, and and is reasonable at 1599msrp.  i don't see any reason you can't pick this up at a local respectable retailer for 1500.  the remote is mediocre at best though...usually we replace the remote with some crestron or control4 system.  if you're really counting on the remote that comes with the unit to be your main form of control, you may want to look at onkyo / integra instead (much better stock remotes).

good luck.

jp

[Doublej]

The Onkyo 805 has been getting great reviews from a number of sources.

[opnly bafld]

Denon does not honor warranties on unauthorized internet sales, same as many other companies.
If a person buys through an authorized dealer there should be no problems.

Lin

[Bob in St. Louis]

I can't speak highly enough of Harman Kardon. I had an issue with a unit that turned out to be "unrepairable" (by their definition). Their solution was to GIVE me another unit that retailed for 50% more than my discontinued unit.
If that's not good customer service, I don't know what is.

My current unit is a AVR 645. It has PLENTY of inputs and outs, both line level and amped:

http://harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&prod=AVR%20645&sType=C

Bob

[zybar]

hmen - i'm sorry you got a bunch of bs from some dealer...that shouldn't turn you off the denon brand.  i'm not sure who told you denon doesn't honor warranties below msrp, but that's totally inaccurate.   the company i work at is an authorized denon retailer, and i'm pretty sure the sales guys discount the entire system solution (most of them include some denon component or another).

maybe the policy is that the warranty at msrp only must be for mail-order / internet transactions?

i will tell you my favorite piece is the 3808ci...it works amazingly well, has a ton of inputs, and and is reasonable at 1599msrp.  i don't see any reason you can't pick this up at a local respectable retailer for 1500.  the remote is mediocre at best though...usually we replace the remote with some crestron or control4 system.  if you're really counting on the remote that comes with the unit to be your main form of control, you may want to look at onkyo / integra instead (much better stock remotes).

good luck.

jp

I have the 3808ci and love it!!

Hmen,  if you are interested, send me a PM and I can point you to an authorized dealer who has excellent pricing.

George

[jqp]

you can get two Outlaws on that budget

[JLM]

I'll 2nd HK.

Bought a factory reconditioned stereo receiver for $160 delivered.  Sounded great, better than a $700 Rotel, huge power supply, big/heavy beast for the price.  But after several months got heavy left channel distortion.  HK allowed me to take it anywhere for repairs, where a diode was replaced.  Failed again a few months later (still under warrantee).  Same repair story, but this time HK wanted to know who had done the factory reconditioning as per a small sticker on the back.  Unfortunately when the thing died for the 3rd time it was no longer under warrantee (it was in a 2nd system).  Had it been under warrantee, HK said that they would replace with new (on the 3rd strike).  But by then I no longer needed a 2nd stereo receiver.

I like that manufacturer's offer reconditioned pieces.  It offers a low cost purchase option with warrantee and lets them see how their stuff holds up out in the field.

[opnly bafld]

I like that manufacturer's offer reconditioned pieces.  It offers a low cost purchase option with warrantee and lets them see how their stuff holds up out in the field.

If it held up in the field, would they have any reconditioned pieces to sell? 

Lin

[Bob in St. Louis]

If it held up in the field, would they have any reconditioned pieces to sell? 

Sometimes units are returned to manufacturers for reasons other than a mechanical or electrical failure.

Bob

[tyree91]

I can't speak highly enough of Harman Kardon. I had an issue with a unit that turned out to be "unrepairable" (by their definition). Their solution was to GIVE me another unit that retailed for 50% more than my discontinued unit.
If that's not good customer service, I don't know what is.

My current unit is a AVR 645. It has PLENTY of inputs and outs, both line level and amped:

http://harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&prod=AVR%20645&sType=C

Bob

I've had the same experience with Yamaha.  The gave my customer a 1.3a RXV-3800 for a defective 1.1 RXV-2600
As for Denon the 3808 is a great peice, but obviously your dealer was a fly by night internet house.  Denon will not honor any warranties from their type.  In fact Denon keeps track of every unit by thei MAC address which is electronic and cannot be altered.  The Onkyos are very good as well.  I've used all three with good results.