Customer Reviews

Denon DRA-395 Multi-Source/Multi-Zone AM/FM Stereo Receiver

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

 

 

If I could "easily" return this unit, I would - unfortunately I bought it via the web. The bottom line is that the unit just sounds OK, that's it. Yes it has lots of features, but the sound is just slightly better than a boom box. I hooked the same speakers, CD player, and monster cable interconnects up to another amp and it was much, much better - night and day. If you're OK with something that looks decent and has plenty of features, then maybe you'll like this unit. If you care about the quality of the sound and want "high fidelity", look else where. Denon has become a provider of mass market, made in China stuff these days - no where near the quality they delivered 10+ years ago.

Sound is only ok. FM tuning is not fantastic.

But the big problem is that if there's a problem, a fuse (hidden inside the case, that the manual doesn't mention), blows. If you open the case and find it, you discover it's a 125V 6.3A mini fuse, which Radio Shack does not stock. (I can't tell if it's a slow blow or fast fuse, either. The manual should specify that; did I mention the manual does not mention the fuse exists at all?)

This is just ridiculously poor design. Fuses should be in externally accessible holders, they should be mentioned in the manual, there should be a spare in the shipping box, and in home use products, a shorted speaker lead shouldn't blow a fuse in the first place - the receiver should display a message and turn off the audio.

I don't know what they were thinking, but I'm thinking I'm sorry I bought this.

I bought this product in 1/06. The LCD & audio to the speakers died by within 9 months. I had it repaired and it died again a little more than a year later. Now it's out of warranty. There is no servicer nearby so I'd have to mail it in and it's not small. What a waste of money and time!

What a piece of junk. The sound is fair and I would take that just to drive some in ceiling and outside speakers, but not long after I purchased it it would shut off after playing. I got it fixed and it worked for awhile then died. It just won't turn on. I have had receivers last for decades. This one only made it a couple of years and with only very lite use.

I've had mine for four years and I have high quality Polk Audio speakers and the sound comes through great. The AM and FM tuning is not very good. And it does heat up a little bit. But I can't really complain. The dual zone speaker option is great as I have one set upstairs and one set downstairs.

I picked this unit up from Fast Freddy's Pawn one year ago (July 2010) for $100.00. Freddy said "It's a Denon, so it must be okay?!" I agreed, but who cares? I was only dropping $100! He had the remote, the manual and now an extra $100 in his pocket.
Over the past 12 months I've listened to my Dual CS515 turntable, Tascam MD350 minidisc player, Optimus CD-100 CD changer, Technics SL-PD807 5 disc CD changer, Sony TC-K615S 3 head tape deck and of course the built in receiver through this unit into my Roland RSM90 monitors. I have other amps (carver and an akai am2800) and gear in other parts of the house, but this is the main unit to be played when guests gather, or when I want sound throughout the whole house (i just CRANK it up and i can hear everywhere).
The Denon is clean, sounds smooth, gets terrific compliments (even from my wacky audiophile friends) and hasn't let me down yet. If presented the opportunity, would I buy this unit again? YES!

Let us say you go after a Denon. It may last forever,but what if any accessories, such as a lost remote had to be obtained from a contracted supplier in Florida with no close personal relationship to DNN Holdings, the Denon-Marantz outfit,from what I garner. My efforts to get a remote for a Denon deck,I bought just two years ago,ended in a one hour phone merry go round. Fortunately, there are third party learning remotes. Me, for a receiver, I would go with the big names, like Sony, Pioneer and JVC. They hold parts for many years. Regret a somewhat negative review for this essential aspect.