Customer Reviews

Denon AVR-1709 7.1-Channel Multi-Zone Home Theater Receiver

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

The AVR-1709 is an exceptional buy. I got this for 218.00 delivered including tax. The Multi-EQ function works really well. I have 5 Polk ceiling mounted speakers and with my older Onkyo 602 it seemed most of the time that you could tell that the speakers were in the ceiling. After running the multi-EQ on the 1709, the speakers disappear, but also sound much more open and life-like, and not just from a single "sweet spot". CD music is amazing as well.

The Dynamic EQ and Dynamic volume are great for watching television since the "so-called Engineers" at the TV stations are basically 2nd string A-V club dropouts these days, with no clue about level equalization of programming material.With both engaged you can move from channel to channel, and never touch the volume, you don't have to dive for the mute button when a commercial comes on, or crank up the volume to hear dialog, only to get deafened at the next commercial break.

I use this with a Harmony remote and it integrated into existing activities with ease, needing only the new functions to be added.

The gripes about no audio pass-through are made by idiots. I have DVD player via component and DVR/Cable box via HDMI directly to the TV, with Optical from device to 1709. HDMI switching is not utilized. TV sound is never used. The Harmony handles all input switching like a charm. I even have a function for Patio music using the zone 2 function.

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.

I purchased the AVR-1709 in January of 2009. Got it, set it up, very happy with it for about 4 weeks. One night while watching tv, there's a deafening sound that actually blows the cover off 3 of my wall speakers. The receiver stops making sound the next day. I drive it 30 miles to a service center, wait 3 weeks, drive back to get it and find out that the HDMI board went out.
I used it for about 3 more months and occasionally, you could hear a speaker "pop" a little. After a couple of weeks of this my wife and I went out one night and left my in-laws watching our kids. They're watching TV at around 10pm when BOOM! Speaker covers blow off, 4 little kids awake screaming, my inlaws calling us and 911 together, total mayhem.
I return it again, am without it (as well as TV, video games, movies, etc. because it's remotely installed) for another month and finally get it back and they tell me not to plug the cable box HDMI into the unit, but to use the components.
Ok... Four months go by, and kaboom, again, then it stops making sound at all. I called Denon and asked them about cross-shipping a replacement and their only answer was to take it to the repair facility.
Now I've had it a year and been without it almost a quarter of the time, so I decided to call Amazon and see what their advice was.
As usual, the whole exchange took about two minutes, they issued me an RMA (1 year later, I might add) and I'm off to buy a Yamaha! Never, ever, buy anything that might break, fail, or come damaged from anyone but Amazon.

We ordered this receiver and installed it with our existing surround sound system, replacing a Yamaha receiver that had died.
Within 4 days, the receiver simply turned off. The next morning we were able to turn it on again but it only stayed on for about 5 minutes before it shut down again.
It sounded fine while it worked but we packed it up and shipped it back.
We are going to try something else.

it worked for about 3 months.......totaly disappointed! Definitely wouldn't recommend it. I wasn't satisfied at all, if I wasn't so busy at the time I would of sent it back even if they didn't give me a refund. It is still collecting dust with the rest of the junk! I kept it because I thought I would have a friend of mine take a look at it, it could not possibly of been broken it just stopped working. I'll have to toss it soon, it has been to long! Just don't have the time for junk.

Bought this a few years ago and never hooked up or opened box.I knew about the No audio HDMI pass thru[ found out after I got it, kinda stupid but i could work around that issue]Got new TV last week and hooked the Denon up and it sounded great...for 1 WEEK.Now no sound!!!I should have researched this Piece of crap!Apparently this is a common problem.Now I am out almost 500 bucks!Cant really take it back so I have a nice looking paper weight!Never again DENON!