Denon AVR-888 7.1-Channel/5.1+2-Channel Independent Zone Home Theater Receiver with HDMI I/O and Serial I/R Control (Black)

Amazon has such awesome deals. This may be last year's model because it has only 2 HDMI inputs (and an out, of course all pass audio) and is cheap but don't let that stop you. This is one heck of a receiver. Bought this as a replacement after my THIRD Sony croaked. I am an engineer and I don't abuse my electronics. Sony makes JUNK..plain and simple. Great specs and work well for 1-2 yrs tops.

Anyway, the Denon AVR-888 has 2 features that were really important to me.

1. It allows 2 channels to be used in another room as stereo, with its own input select independent of the main. This leaves you with 5.1 channels (I don't have room for the side speakers of 7.1) and it STILL sounds fantastic. We like music throughout the house, this does it.

2. It uses an automated setup process (Audessey) with a (included)microphone and it is AMAZING. In the past, I used a sound level meter to set up all my Sonys and it took all day. This took about 15 minutes and is dead-on. Excellent sound images in the whole listening area and the hardware is really well made.

So yes, per other reviews, the remote is a real stinker. Ever see a remote with a front AND a back set of buttons (lots of them) behind a door? This puppy's got it and that's just ridiculous but I don't use the beast anyway. Mind you, the remote works fine, but it just leaves you looking for the foot pedals and gear shift. I use a Logitech 550 universal remote (another unbelievable product. It uses online PC programming with all the latest control codes) and that works prfectly. So after all is said and done, this little negative, is not really one for me at all.

If you're thinking about a surround receiver on a budget, need HDMI for a blue-ray and your cable DVR and can live with optical, digital and component inputs for the rest of your sources, you're good to go with this one. (There are HDMI expanders sold if you ever need one, but you don't really want your kid's video games burning Mario into your expensive Hi-Def screen anyway)

So,think no longer, just BUY it !

Denon AVR-888 7.1-Channel/5.1+2-Channel Independent Zone Home Theater Receiver with HDMI I/O and Serial I/R Control (Black)

Serial Number: 8021514423

I can not get any sound from the unit. I tried to connect Polkaudio system 5.1 speaker system and it would not work. I contacted Tech support and he tried to help, but he told me it was an internal problem with the receiver. I had to return the unit to the New Jersey at a cost of $39.00 shipping.
D&M Holdings
Attn: Repair Department
100 Corporate Drive
Mahwah NJ 07430-2041

Needless to say I am not one bit happy with Amazon to allow defective products to be sold.
milt
milters2000@yahoo.com

Since I already have a PS3 for bluray which decodes the HD audio, this receiver was a perfect match to hear lossless audio. I wanted to pick this up in the beginning of the year (deciding between the Denon 888 or the onkyo 705). I'm glad I waited since I saved over half of the cost thanks to Amazon. I was a previous Onkyo owner (Onkyo 304)and wanted to stick with the same brand like the Onkyo-606, however with all the negative reviews with Onkyo's heating issues, buzzing, etc....I wanted to try something new. The only negative comments from the Denon AVR-888 was the useless manual, which I could live with. I downloaded the latest manual on Denon's website and the setup was a breeze.

I've researched AVRs for months. Started with Onkyo, looked at Yamaha and Denon. Finally decided on the 2309/889 because of it's features and acknowledged Denon superiority in stereo sound and was waiting for reviews. Then I saw the 888 for $350 and did some more research. Discovered that the fancy new DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD wouldn't work with my PS3 as it doesn't bitstream that format. But, more importantly, it DOESN'T MATTER and it's better not to do it that way. The PS3 can decode all the current formats into LPCM which it sends to the AVR for the digital to analog conversion. It's better that way because of sound mixing on certain BD titles that can only be done by the player anyway. So these new formats are just selling points for a new amp that are essentially useless. The 888 has all channels rated at .05%THD as opposed to .08% on the 2309/889. Why it's worse in a new model I can't figure out. Cheaper components? The 888 doesn't have a 12v trigger nor RS232 so you can't hit a button and have the shades lower and light go out. But if you had those systems you've be looking at a much better amp to begin with. Both have Audyssey Mult EQ. It boiled down to is their Dynamic Volume function worth $400?? I didn't think so. I bought the 888 and am thrilled to get it at such a good price and still have the warranty as I bought it from Amazon which is an authorized Denon retailer. (see Denon's site about this.) If you need more power or pre-out I just saw the 988 on Amazon for $540. WOW!
ps- yea, the manual sucks (no explanations) and the GUI could be better. Much much better.
pps- if you want you can bi-amp your speakers if they are capable. Make sure you hook them up properly using the Front A or B + the Surround/Assignable wire posts and select it in the setup.

Don't buy this product. It is the world's worst manual. When I set it up I did not know whether to call their help line or the suicide hot line. The remote is an just as bad.
I returned a Onkyo 606 twice because the video from my Directv box had lines and flutter. At least this product has a stable picture.