Denon AVR 1709 7 1 Channel Multi Zone Home Theater Receiver
Music around the home is now easier to realize than ever before. The AVR-1709 features a powerful seven channel amplifier section that can be easily configured for a 7.1 channel surround sound loudspeaker system, or to drive a 5.1 channel surround sound system in the main room, while at the same time able to drive a pair of stereo speakers in another room. Featuring tremendous video signal handling flexibility, the AVR-1709 features three latest specification v1.3a HDMI digital video inputs and one HDMI output that handles HD signals up to the highest 1080p resolution.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Solid Receiver!
I’ve always wanted to own a Denon Receiver because in my eyes, they seem to be the best. They always seemed to make the best quality products, and when I had the chance to get a Denon, I did.
The Denon AVR-1709 is an awesome receiver that puts out a very nice 80 watts x 7 channels, which is more than enough. This is an extremly loud reciver with it’s volume range goes from -80 db to a whopping +18 db. My buddy’s Harmon/Kardon only gets to +0 db. The set-up was sorta tough but but the calibration mic makes everything better. People conplain about not having an On Screen Display, but I love that it doesn’t, its much easier. I was annoying that there is no 3.5 mm port of Ipods, even though it has an “Ipod mode” but it was just another cheap cable I had to buy.
I do alot of research on my products before I buy, so I knew that it is only HDMI pass though. In all of the desciptions it clearly says that it only handles video, so anyone who complains about it is foolish because they did not read. I don’t really use HDMI that much, and anyways I just let my TV handle the video and audio conected though optical cables. this has a very nice amount of inputs which is more than enough for anyone looking for a receiver in this price level.
I did have a small problem with overheating, but that is my fault because it is in a small area. I fixed that problem with a fan as the Denon does not have one. Over all the Denon is a very solid buy, and I recomend it to anyone.
4 Stars Does a bit of everything
This receiver is a good value and gives you great flexibility for the dollars you spend. Set up is not fast, but if you read and follow instructions you will be very satisfied with the results. It customizes the sound to your room for your listening pleasure. I’d like to have seen more remote control of the Sirius radio’s display as it always defaults to station and you must go to the receiver to see what’s playing, but the sound is great. This receiver cannot send audio over the HDMI cables so you will have to wire both video and audio. It does let you program just about any input/output to any device. All in all you get a good bang for the buck.
2 Stars zone two does not get audio through optic or coaxial connection
Ok I was aware that HDMI does not output audio but i did not need to connect the video signals through the receiver. I got the optic cable and connected it from tv to the receiver and sound in zone one was awesome, but I did not have any sound output in zone two. After hours of going through the manual and playing with the receiver I came across a one line sentence that said that optic or coaxial input can’t be played in zone two. I connected the audio cables directly to receiver and it works like a charm. So buyers beware, it is going to take you some patience and finesse to get this thing going but for the money you are paying it is worth the hassle.
5 Stars Under-rated!
I was amazed at AV products prices at amazon are so much cheaper than in singapore. I got mine at around the listed price here, a bundle offer. If not, i won’t be getting at such a low price in Singapore.
Design
I had the silver version which was gorgeous to me as the first AV receiver i’ve bought. A personal preference which i love silver. 2008 design with the top curve makes it almost looked like the high-end models.
Performance
This is out of this world for the price. Wonderful entry level, with all the necessary decoding and 80 watts per channel. Even it does not has true HD decoders which most pple are raving about, the DD EX processes the 7.1 smoothly plus plenty of fine tunning. I have to thank Denon for releasing this budget line product for me to start off my Audio interests. Currently only Onkyo’s prices are lower than Denon with their amazingly THX certified AVs.
*many reviews critic that it does not carry audio for hdmi (7.1 pcm), disappointing, ofcos! But at this price, you can’t complain.
Conclusion
If you don’t have blueray/HD contents, this AV could process your dvd to 7.1 with a touch of class.
4 Stars Great product for price
Think of hookup this way: The HDMI basically carries only video to this receiver. If you want this receiver to send audio directly to the speakers, you must use the audio connections. The cable HDMI connections do send video and sound to the HDTV via the HDMI cables (as if you would ever want to use the TV’s speakers). The setup sounds archaic, but once it is set up, it produces great audio and video.
This receiver demands that you read the manual before and during setup. It took two of us a full afternoon to make all the proper connections and adjustments and to get the pre-sets on tuner and the remote they way we wanted them. The Audyssey system was time-consuming but well worth the effort.
If you have an iPod plugged into the VCR/iPod terminals, you cannot also use the VCR terminals — you have to choose one accessory or switch them. (I did not see a warning in the manual about this, but my connections refused to work.) I decided that the cable box, TV and Denon iPod dock had to stay put, but the DVD player and Internet digital video player could be switched. So I bought an audio switch ($50) and an HDMI switch ($100) because I could not find a combination unit that was under $700. This setup will let me add still another HDMI accessory.
Now that all the components are setup, the system is a delight to use. We get much better sound out of our bookshelf speakers than we knew possible. The sound quality is why we bought the Denon.
Buy/More Info
