Denon 788/1908 Owners Thread

[bhampton]

Hi,

I finally managed to break into the world of HDMI Audio with the Denon 788.



FEATURES

GENERAL
Power Output; Watts Per Channel 90
All Channels Rated @ 0.08 THD

SOUND MODES
Processor(s) – Bit Depth and Type 1 - 21367 x 1 - 32-bit Floating Point
Dolby Pro Logic IIx – with Cinema, Music, Game Modes
Dolby Digital Surround EX Decoding
dts ES Discrete 6.1 Decoding
dts ES Matrix 6.1 Decoding
dts Neo:6 Stereo-to-Surround Cinema and Music Modes
dts 96/24 5.1 for DVD-Video Processing
Audio Signal Delay (Sync. Audio with Video signal) – By source
Stereo/Direct Modes w/Pure Analog Path
Video Game Mode
Mono Movie Surround Mode
Rock Arena Surround Mode
Matrix Surround Mode
Jazz Club Surround Mode
Virtual Surround Mode – For 2 Speakers/Headphones
Multi-Channel Stereo Mode 5/6/7
DSP Effect Modes 7
Auto Surround Mode (Analog or Digital Input Type)
Active Center Channel In All Surround Modes
Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit - Digital HD Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit - Digital HD
CONNECTIVITY
True 24-bit/96-kHz Digital Input Capability
True 24-bit/192-kHz Digital Input Capability (Denon Link & 1394) HDMI
Assignable Digital Inputs 4
Digital Inputs: Coaxial 2
Digital Inputs: Optical 2
Digital Outputs: Optical 1
Analog Audio Inputs, Incl. Tuner 9 Incl. XM
Source Function Renaming
Analog Record Outputs 2
Front Panel A/V Inputs w/Cover * Composite and S-Video
Video Conversion –Composite to S-Video to Component
Video Conversion – Composite to S-Video to Composite
DVI/HDMI Video Inputs – Compatible with 1.1 Spec. – Multi-Channel Audio *1080p HDMI 2 HDMI/1.3a Audio/Video repeater type with 36-bit Deep Color, xvYCC Color Space, 7.1 Uncompressed 24/96 Audio
HDMI Video Outputs *1080p 1 w/Deep Color support, xvYCC Color Space
Composite Video Inputs 4 Incl. front
Composite Video Outputs 1 Plus Mon
S-Video Inputs 3
S-Video Outputs 1 Plus Mon
Component Video Inputs x Bandwidth - *Assignable *3 x 100MHz
Component Video Outputs 1 Main Zone
8-Ch. External Analog Input
Banana Plug Speaker Terminals, All Channels
Cinema EQ
Front A/B Speaker Selector
56 Station Auto-Preset Memory Tuning
XM Satellite Radio 'Connect and Play' Ready – with optional antenna
Direct Function (Tone Bypass)
Volume Control Un-muting
Selectable Muting Levels (Full/-40/-20)
Video Select Control
IR Serial Remote In/Out terminals
Multi-Source/Multi-Zone (*Uses REC OUT) 2 Source/2 Zone Audio
Pre-amp Outputs for Multi-Zone
Multi-Zone Pre-Amp Outputs – Selectable Output Levels Fixed
Discrete Remote Power On/Off, Source Selection and Volume for Main and Second/Third* Zones
Assignable Amplifier Configuration of Surround Back Channels Y/Plus Front Bi-Amp
Speaker Time-Delay and Level Controls: L/R, Sub, C, Surr. L/R, Surround Back
Pre-Amp Outputs Sub
iPod Dock Control Port (Using optional ASD-1R Denon iDock) ASD-1R/3W/3N
COMPONENT TECHNOLOGY
Equal Power Amplifiers 7 ch
Low Impedance Drive Capability
High-Current/Discrete Amplifiers
Independent Power Supplies
Dolby Digital, dts and DSP Modes – Analog Devices, HammerHead SHARC
24-bit/192-kHz DACs - Analog Devices AD-AU1328
Analog-to-Digital Conversion - Bit Depth/Sampling Rate 24-Bit/96kHz
Variable High/Low Pass Crossover Points (12/24dB) 40/60/80/100/120/150/200/250
CONVENIENCE FEATURES
Front Panel A/B Speaker Selector
Auto/Manual Room Equalization
Audyssey MultEqxt Room Eq. with up to eight position setup Mult EQ 6 position
Auto Setup Microphone Included/Type Y/Mold DM-A405
Icon-Based On-Screen Display Y/with screen saver mode
Front Panel System Setup Control
Personal Memory Plus
Relay-Controlled Protection Circuits
Microprocessor User Re-set Y/pg. 47
Pre-programmed (10 Devices) Glow Key Remote Control with Punch Through Commands Y/RC-1077






And... Wow. This AVR is awesome. Priced directly to compete with Onkyo 605, these were recently on sale at Circuit City so perhaps a few other members picked one up.

My previous AVR was a Denon 2700 which was great but nothing like this.

I haven't even run the Audessey Multi EQ stuff yet but I'm amazed at the improvement in SQ.

Anyway,... If you're looking to get into HDMI Audio make sure to consider the Denon with the Onkyo and Yamaha because they all have some Pros and Cons.

-Brian

[bhampton]

First Impressions...

I got this AVR a few days ago and thought I would mention the first impressions I have.

First off the Sound is great. Sorry I can't provide a more scientific description then that but I replaced a Denon 2700 with this and run Paradigm performance speakers (titans, CC-170, PDR-10) and have never experienced sound quality like this before. I don't have experience with higher end stuff and I guess that's a good thing because I've very happy with the sound quality from this AVR.

The Manual is pretty basic and setup is pretty complex. The manual seems to have been translated from another lanquage for example check this quote..

"Always set the crossover frequency to 80 Hz when using small speakers, however, we recommend setting the crossover frequency to a higher frequency."

So,.. If you're using small speakers, which is very common, they recommend you to set to higher then 80Hz while telling you directly to set to 80Hz.

The remote works well and I like it but it is not very nice looking and I only use it for setup because I use a universal remote for day to day operation.



Half of the buttons are hidden in the back side of the remote.

Value ... This AVR is said to be competing with other entry level AVRs that have HDMI Audio capabilities like the Onkyo 605 and some Yamaha models. However, the 605 has upconvertion of video and this AVR does not. That wasn't a concern for me as my only source is my PS3.

I've read that Yamaha AVR's clip the video output of HDMI video to limited specs (16 to 235 instead of 0 to 255 with RGB sources) and the Denon's don't which was a consideration.

Also the Onkyo and Yamaha AVRs had some problems with DTS MA which I understand have been fixed via Firmware updates but getting the FW updated for some means shipping out the AVR to a offsite facility.

By the way,... This Denon AVR does not have onboard decoding of DTS MA or Dolby True HD which could (should) be a concern for some but since I output everything as PCM from my PS3 it's perfect for me.

Also... Onkyo and Yamaha AVR's in this price range typically have better rated power but each company does their own measurements of this and either way I knew the rated power was fine for me as my HD is small.

-Brian

[Beta Man]

nice receiver! good choice!

[bhampton]

Thanks Beta,

I'm very happy with it. I can see the appeal of both the Onkyo 605 and the Yamaha AVR's too. The main reason I went with this is my previous AVR was Denon and it was great.

-Brian

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Thanks Beta,

I'm very happy with it. I can see the appeal of both the Onkyo 605 and the Yamaha AVR's too. The main reason I went with this is my previous AVR was Denon and it was great.

-Brian

I would take the Denon (generalizing models here) over Onkyo/Yamaha any day for sound quality/build quality.

[bhampton]

To my information this is the cheapest current Denon that will do HDMI Audio.

(I think there was another in-expensive model with HDMI Audio but I could find it when I was shopping.)

It's not like I was out to get the cheapest possible thing but I suppose that was the best fit for me right now.

But,.. Being the cheapest model that will still let you get all the PS3 audio goodness including DTA MA,.. I figured it would be of interest for many of our community.

-Brian

[Beta Man]

that's certainly priced right for the entry level HDMI market.......

nice pick-up.

[bhampton]

The place I bought it from still has it (it's gone up $5 to $309)

http://www.dakmart.com/itemdetails/31897/18/

It was a little scary buying refurbished but I didn't know about the CC sale when I put in my order and was looking to fit the purchase into my current budget rather then wait till I could afford something better.

I also had a friend that bought refurbished Denon before and it showed up perfectly fine. Anyway, I was worried maybe it would have some cosmetic damage which is possible with a refurbished device but I guess I got lucky because mine seems perfect.

EDIT- Thought I should mention if you are near Ft Lauderdale that this company allows pick up directly therefore avoiding shipping costs and giving you the chance to make sure the unit you buy does not have some type of cosmetic damage.

-Brian

[Beta Man]

all good info, but I'm not in the market for one!!!! thanks though

Hopefully other people looking for options will give this one a try, because Onkyo and Yamaha gets the most word-of-mouth around here, but people should really know all the options out there.