Denon AVR-988 7.1-Channel/5.1+2-Channel Multi-source/Multi-zone Home Theater Receiver
 | Average Customer Rating: Recommend The AVR-988 has been rebuilt from the ground up and has been outfitted and updated with the latest A/V theater technology allowing for enhanced multi-room operation and performance. The AVR-988 now has HDMI v1.3a which brings with it the new surround formats of Dolby Digital TrueHD and dts Master Audio decoding providing for the ultimate surround experience. Audyssey processing has been updated which… Product details and pricing info |
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21 Customer Reviews Posted
- Great Receiver. Amazing Deal
- Denon is a premium brand with a known reputation for 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.
My audio system sounds noticably better with this Denon receiver than with my old Pioneer receiver. I am usually suspicious of such claims, but the sound quality is noticably better (and terrific). It has more power than I will ever need, and it has just about every feature you would ever want for future innovations. It's also made in Japan (high quality) and not China, Taiwan, or elsewhere in Asia.
Denon receivers are especially renowned for outstanding video and digital audio quality. This receiver handles Dolby TrueHD and many other formats, including formats of the future. The upconverting video ability is outstanding. Denons can't be beat.
Some say the Yamahas sound just as good, but are a little cheaper, than Denons. However, Denons 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 significantly cheaper. However, Denons are simply better, and Onkyos have a reputation for running very hot -- unacceptable to me. My Denon runs only warm. Denons are known for having especially-good heat sinks and amps. I bought this Denon on deep sale, making it an amazing bargain when compared to other receivers.
I bought this receiver on sale at Amazon.com for less than $600 -- easily the best offer anywhere on the internet. At that price, the Denon AVR-988 is a premium receiver at a price that beats lessor competitors in both performance and price. 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 are all I will ever need, so this was the best choice -- and an incredible deal -- for me. If you need more HDMI inputs, move up to the Denon AVR-2809CI or the Denon AVR-3808CI. The manual is also somewhat 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. The subwoofer also took me a little extra time to set-up. 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 first-rate and is worth a day of your life to get it going. It will serve you well for a long time. - 2008-11-30, 2 of 2 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Great sound but tricky with a subwoofer...
- 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.
- 2008-11-18, 1 of 1 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Excellent quality and value!
- 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. - 2008-10-25, 8 of 8 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- DOA, but resolved
- When this product arrived, I took it out of the box and spent over an hour hooking up all of my speakers and cords. I got to the final step of turning the power on (which the directions specifically said to wait to last before doing so) and it would not power up at all...dead on arrival. The return process was fairly easy to do through Amazon and they refunded me for most of the shipping cost of sending back the dead product(they were short a few dollars...not sure why). They sent a new receiver immediately and upgraded the shipping.
The new receiver sounds great, but it definitely is a bit tricky for the average user to figure out how to connect to the tv, cable box, and blu-ray, but I think I have got it. There are a ton of features that I am still trying to figure out, but the sound so far is great! - 2008-10-24, 1 of 1 people found this review helpful, Rated:
- Great AVR/Amazon&UPS NOT!
- Absolutely a 5 star AVR. I was set to pull the trigger on the 1909 when I saw the 988 at Amazon's price of $599. I compared on Denon's web site, and AVS Forum (check the "official AVR-2808 thread for some great tips), and easily made my decision.
I have a Denon DRA-685 Stereo Receiver for my music listening room with a pair of Boston VR950 speakers. I knew I'd go Denon again.
Lots of others have posted the pro's & cons of this unit, and yes, it is a very sophisticated piece of equipment. Patience, and reading the manual (as poorly organized as it is) will get you through, and the rewards are worth it.
I purchased the Def.Tech ProCinema800 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System, and the Panasonic BD-30 Blu-Ray Player, coupled with the Samsung LN52A650 HDTV, and I'll never go to the theater again!!
For a great price on the Def Tech line of speakers, check Abt. They post MSRP prices, but call the sales department for the discount.
So now I love my HT, and I'm not spending as much time with my Stereo system, because the AVR-988 & Def Tech Speakers are REALLY Impressive.
The bad news:
The 1st receiver was damaged in shipping. Amazon's Customer Service in India is awful,and it took 3 calls before I got a US CSR. It was Thurs. before Labor Day, and they refused to ship until after the Holiday, so had to wait home again for UPS.
The driver came to the door with a box that was hanging on by a thread!
Totally trashed, the Styrofoam was hanging out, it was mutilated.
The driver said it must have been shipped to Amazon that way.
I refused delivery, and got on the phone w/ amazon.
I was promised next day delivery, but didn't get a tracking # till 6PM with 3rd day shipping! Spoke to another rep, who was most sympathetic, but only offered to issue a credit to my account for a small amount.
At least the 3rd unit was unscathed, and by the time it arrived, I had enough time with the original unit to understand the menu system, and set it up.
The Audessey Auto setup was great, but it set my Sub crossover to 250 HZ. After dialing it down to 80HZ I was home free.
Bottom line 5 star AVR & zero for Amazon customer service & UPS. - 2008-10-04, 3 of 3 people found this review helpful, Rated:
