Denon AVR-988 7.1-Channel/5.1+2-Channel Multi-source/Multi-zone Home Theater Receiver (Black)

I bought this amp to replace a low end Onkyo that came with a packaged HTIB system. I had already replaced the Onkyo speakers with Kirsch reference series all around. After purchasing a blu ray player it was time to upgrade the amp so I could get Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio along with all the other pre existing codec's. The set up does take a bit of work but once it is done you are really cooking with quality sound.
The remote is awful and I use my Harmony One instead. Some of the remote functions are not in Logitech's data base and need to be "learned" by the Harmony , but once this is done the AVR-988 is a joy to use and operate.
I listen to stereo music as much as movie and TV sound so I appreciate the ability to bi-amp my front Klipsch RB-81's. The sound quality is just SO MUCH BETTER than anything I have previously used or owned. There is a true difference in how the dynamics and frequencies are handled. Truly it is music to my ears.
I find this amp has more than enough power for my needs and never chokes during "busy" musical passages or heavy effects laden movie soundtracks. Regular TV viewing with sound in 5.1 Dolby Digital has become more of a joy lately as well.
The amp is a quality piece of gear and right now the price is truly unbelievable. I have been using it now for 2 months and can't find anything I do not like about it except for the remote. You can even pre program your own custom inputs with individual parametric EQ's and sound fields and recall them with a touch of a button. The auto calibration worked well for me and I used 8 locations and let the onboard computer really do it's thing to give me the best it had to offer. Build quality is high and this unit is made in Japan, not China or Malaysia.
Basically, everything I listen to sounds better now. MUCH better! Other than only 2 HDMI inputs the choices for input modes is almost endless. Get an Oppo HDMI switcher is you need more than 2. This is easily the best purchase I have made since buying a Pioneer Kuro 6 months ago. Home theatre has never sounded so good....

VERY 'VERY CLEAN MOVIES/MUSIC AT ANY LEVEL,MANY FEATURES,MY 52INCH HDTV PICTURE QUALITY IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY ALSO.THIS RECIEVER IS THE SAME AS THE AVR-2808 SPEC FOR SPEC AT A MUCH LOWER PRICE.REMOTE CONTROL IS NO GOOD AS YOU'VE READ BY OTHERS'I USE THE HARMONY ONE ,WORKS GREAT,MENU CAN TAKE ABIT OF GETTING USE TO,IM A PREVIOUS DENON OWNER SO I HAD THE BASICS DOWN PAK .I HAVE A SET OF RF-82 FRONT WITH THE COMPLETE KLIPSCH SURROUND'I FEEL SORRY FOR MY NIEHBORS,LOL

I am very happy with this Denon receiver. It sounds fantastic -- noticably better than my old pioneer receiver. My new home theater system is simply stunning with this Denon receiver perfectly handling the video and sound flawlessly. This receiver will anchor my system for decades to come.

Denon is known for great amps with excellent power handling, and this model has more than enough power to handle my complete home theater experience with clean and accurate sound quality. It has just about every feature you would ever want for future innovations. It's also made in Japan (highest quality) and not an obscure country.

Denon is a premium brand with a known reputation for especially outstanding video processing (A+), excellent sound (A), and overall great performance (A+). This receiver lives up to that high standard. It sounds and looks great.

For home theaters, Denon receivers are especially renowned for the absolute best video processing and great digital audio. The video in my home theater system is outstanding. This receiver handles Dolby TrueHD and many other formats, including Dolby Pro Logic II (must have) and formats of the future. The 1080p upconverting video ability is outstanding and a very valuable feature. Denons can't be beat for overall home theater performance, unless you pay much more.

Some say the Yamahas sound just as good, but are a little cheaper, than Denons. However, Denons definitely have better video processing and are overall better, but cost a little more. The Onkyos are nearly as good overall as the Denons, some say, but are cheaper. (The Onkyo SR606 is a particularly good model.) However, Denons are simply better overall (both sound and video) for a home theater. Onkyos do not sound as good as Denon's, generally speaking, and do not have the outstanding video processing capability of Denon. Onkyos have a reputation for running very hot -- unacceptable to me. I would never buy an Onkyo for that reason. Denons are known for having especially-good heat sinks and amps.

I bought this premium, $1,000+ receiver on sale at Amazon.com for less than $600 -- easily the best offer anywhere on the internet. Buy now! The Denon arrived at my home in perfect condition, brand new. (I think a few refurbished or previously-opened Denons were sold that way at Amazon, but mine was brand new and in perfect condition.) I highly recommend this receiver at this amazing deal.

There are a few minor weaknesses with this Denon receiver. There are two HDMI inputs, which is what I need (one for blu-ray and the other for HD cable), so this was the best choice -- and an incredible deal -- for me. If you must have HDMI inputs, move up to the Denon AVR-2809CI or the Denon AVR-4308CI. Although this receive is ready for XM satellite radio, it cannot decode HD radio. If you want to listen to local HD radio, buy a HD radio decoder, such as the Sony XDRF1HD HD Radio Tuner, and connect it to this receiver. The manual is also confusing, so be ready to take time to read it carefully from the beginning. Hint: If you become lost, back-up to a previous page, because I found two solutions when I realized I had missed a piece of information at a previous page. If your mind cannot handle mild complexity or you do not want to invest four extra hours for set-up, then buy a simple, cheap receiver.

The performance of the Denon is outstanding and is worth a day of your life to get it going. This is a great receiver to anchor a home theater system. It will serve you well for a long time.

Got this unit to update my parent's home theater system. The 1080P upscaling makes everything look nice on the 52" LCD. The receiver has more than enough inputs for all the new and old components. The setup is a bit tricky an I am still tweaking it with a new Klipsch external subwoofer that I also picked up for them. The sound level for the subwoofer is LOW if you are running full sized front speakers (JBL's) and I need to work that out. Otherwise, great unit.

I have been using the Denon AVR-988 for a month now. Excellent sound, build quality and aesthetics. Reviewers before have covered many points, so I'll just address the following:

- Shipping experience: I had opted for next-day delivery. The receiver arrived as promised in original factory packaging. There were a couple of nicks and dents in the box, but nothing significant.

- Hook up: Didn't take too long to set up the system. I see many comments on the user manual being complicated etc, but if you have dealt with any A/V receiver before, there isn't a whole lot different here. In fact, you probably don't need the manual at all to hook up your components.

- Audessey set up: The first time you need to consult the manual is to figure out how to start the Audessey auto set up. Specifically, you just need to know how to get your On-Screen menu display going, and after this, you can just follow the instructions. The system can take up to 8 measurements, but I needed only 3. This took a few minutes.

- Remote: As with most receivers today, the remote is cryptic and requires some figuring out. Especially, the 988 remote has a hidden set of buttons in the back, where some of the useful functions are kept (why put it in the back?) Also, it has a weird slider switch mechanism to select components to control other components like CD, which is odd. The remote could have been better, but this is no big deal considering many other positives.

Overall, I'd suggest that people don't get put off by prior comments on set up and complexity. Even if you're not familiar with A/V receivers, this is just a one-time effort.

- Build: Solid build quality in terms of weight of the unit, and the feel of it as you lift it and operate it. Note that this unit is made in Japan, not in China or Malaysia (unusual nowadays to find such products).

- Aesthetics: Very nice to look at, buttons are hidden under a flap, and the display is clear and functional (no jazzy colored lights). Of course, like all receivers, you have to go up close to read the volume level, active channels, but looks good overall.

- Sound: I have a 3.1 set up (don't like to run wires for rear speakers), and the sound quality from both stereo and 5.1 sources is crystal clear, nuanced, with tight bass. You don't have to jack up the volume too much (I mostly listen at -40 DB, the receiver goes up to +18DB). Some DVDs require me to raise the volume to about -25DB, that's the max I have gone so far in a medium sized room. Receiver automatically determines the type of source (Stereo, digital, etc), and plays it accordingly. Audessey automatically sets the tone controls, but there is also bass and treble settings you can manually adjust (plus levels of all 7.1 channels). Overall, extremely pleased with the sound. Pleasure to watch movies like Matrix with both great instrumental sound and effects, or listen to music.

- Running it for hours: I sometimes have it on for several hours, and the unit just barely gets warm. Compare this to Onkyo heating/flaming issues, and this is another reason to consider buying this unit.

In summary, as someone said before, this is a $1200 unit selling for less than half the price. It's not much different from the new 989 or 2809, at half the price! Great value, IMO, and I recommend 988 whole-heartedly.