Denon DRA-397 AM/FM Multi Source/Zone Stereo Receiver w/ 80X2 Audiophile Power

by Denon

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 17.1 x 16.4 x 5.9 inches ; 23 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 25 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000HD5FWI
• Item model number: DRA-397
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,201 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

Denon DRA-397 AM/FM Multi Source/Zone Stereo Receiver with 80X2 Audiophile Power

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ignore the other reviews and LISTEN to this stereo, March 28, 2008

By 

joe man - See all my reviews

This review is from: Denon DRA-397 AM/FM Multi Source/Zone Stereo Receiver w/ 80X2 Audiophile Power (Electronics)

First of all, I don't know why anyone would say this product is confusing. I'm no tech wiz, and I didn't need to consult the manual for basic operation. Programming in stations wasn't hard either.

But even so, this is a fairly picayune matter considering that a receiver is a device for listening to music (and other audio sources) and should be evaluated as such. What matters most is sound quality, and this receiver sounds excellent. No, it's not an audiophile product, but it's probably the best sounding receiver you'll find in production for this price range.

I've had mine for a few months and I'm very satisfied. I have it driving a pair of JBL HLS-610's which I consider to be about the same grade of product -- mass-market mid-fi producing great sound at an affordable price. Overall the sound is very pleasing; the bass is palpable and detailed, the highs are clear and smooth. The detail at low volumes is impressive, which in my opinion is what distinguishes a good amplifier from one that's just loud.

About the best thing one can say about a stereo component is that it allows them to hear things in their music they hadn't noticed before. This receiver has delivered that consistently. The phono stage is particularly nice; my records have never sounded better.

In contrast to commercial audio companies which deliver "big sound" by manipulating frequency response like crazy, the engineers at Denon have gone to the trouble of designing a stereo that adds very little coloration to your music. In fact, my favorite feature is the "pure direct" function -- basically a tone defeat on steroids -- which allows you to circumvent all the unnecessary circuitry to deliver a signal that's true to the original recording.

If I have any complaint about the product, it's that it's a bit bulky. I understand this is an artifact of the design. Still, it takes up a lot of room on the shelf. Also, the volume knob feels clunky.

I'll repeat that this stereo is not in league with truly high-end integrated amps or separates. You have to be prepared to spend a lot more money to get that level of performance (not to mention the cost of an audiophile inputs and loudspeakers). But if you're on a budget, or just don't want to pay at least twice as much for incremental improvements in sound, don't overlook this stereo. It might be the best value going.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Receiver!, March 3, 2010

By 

Bernard K. Skoch (Northwest Arkansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Denon DRA-397 AM/FM Multi Source/Zone Stereo Receiver w/ 80X2 Audiophile Power (Electronics)

I have been an audiophile for over 40 years. I think I know my stuff, and I KNOW I can tell a low distortion signal when I hear it.

This receiver is awesome. The THD (.008%) is so low I can hardly hear any imperfection in music, even at high volumes. I am driving a pair of old Advents, and they sound terrific. (The fact that this receiver is stable with 4 ohm speakers is a big plus for me.)

Rise time is fast (quick pulses of bass sound great), and high frequency response is awesome.

I do not find it difficult to use at all. It has every input/output I want. It has lots of flexibility for routing signals, too.

Can't say enough good things about this receiver. Glad I chose it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very pleased, September 9, 2009

By 

Early Rider "ER" (Townsend, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Denon DRA-397 AM/FM Multi Source/Zone Stereo Receiver w/ 80X2 Audiophile Power (Electronics)

I was very pleased with the quality of the product and how fast it came. I thought I had needed new speakers
too, but the receiver sound so good that I'll wait for a while. Some reviews mentioned it was more complicated than what us older folks are used to so I let my son set it up and it's really quite easy to use. I'm back into the music in my house and on my deck.
It works well with my Zen MP3.