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Hi,I have purchased a Denon AVR-1603 receiver and its performance using Dolby Prologic II and 5-channel stereo on my digital cable movie and music channels is a big step up from my old pro-logic unit. I will purchase a DVD player next, but I find watching recent movies on my digital movie stations in PL II to be pretty satisfying for now. The surround effects are so much more spacious. I can't find many reviews on this new Denon receiver and would appreciate some feedback. Does anyone else out there own one? What are your impressions? Thanks in advance!
Follow Ups:
I recently purchased a 1603. I had an older Denon Prologic reciever that had 5.1 inputs and was runing my DVD using it's internal decoder. It was 100 w across the fron but only 25 per in the rear. I felt the 1603 was a bit of a step down with less power acroos the front and an inferior remote and no on screen menus. However I needed a 5.1 decoder, more digital inputs (for my x box) and more power to the rears.I am running Definitive Technology Dr7s and a a c2 center (that are a bit power hungry) and Paridgim Atoms in the back as well as a PDR12 sub.
Setup of the 1603 is easy. I really like just setting the disatnces of the speaker rather than delay times.You have to set the subwoofer level separatley for 5.1, Prologic stereo etc. It is a good feature but is not mentioned in the manual and you could end up with bad settings if you don't know Power is adequate at 80 watts. I do think a little ounch is missing especially in stero just pushing the front speakers. Obviously it is a big improvement in the back 80 vs 25. This the most powerful in my opinion in the price class though. 80 Denon watts are superior to 100 sony or JVC type watts. If you look at other comperable amps they only offerr 70-75 w such as Onkyo or Yamaha. To get more power in a Denon you have to go over the $1000 mark as the next step up the 1803 is still 80 w (just X6 ).
The bass managmnet is superior to what I had and the ability to set crossover at 80,100 or 120 would be great for sub sat systems.Pro Logic 2 is fantastic with TV shows or digital cable that dooes not have 5.1 Connections are OK with 3 s video, component, 1 coax and 2 3 digital ins. I don't like the fact that the front (vidieo game) panel has no S video.The 5.1 decoding is very good. The sound is not a bright as a Yamaha (which I find too bright) but a little warmer than an Onkyo. The remote basically sucks (but so do most). I miss the learning function of my old remote.
Overall I would say this is the best in the class. I could not find a non chip (Sony JVC etc) model in this price range with better power. To get more would mean at least a 2-300 Canadian price jump. If you are going to drive a sub sat system with it it will be perfect. If you plan to drive bigger speakers I would (if you can spend more) either going to a Harmon Kardon for another 3-400 or something with pre outs (wich the 1603 does not have) so that down the road you could add power amps if you need to.
Overall I am happy with the 1603 I just wish my budget was more and hope I do not regret saving money now only to have to spend more down the road because of lack of power and the lack of ability to add power amps.
I have just received my new 1603... and new to dolby digital or surround in any quality.
but after the very / very disappointing manual i am working my way through the receivers features and also discovered the best settings for the normal stereo sources connected through the 1603.as I am still waiting for new dd sources (ordered) and used my brothers dvd player to test the 1603 I was pleasantly surprised by the point-blank precision ~ were the sound is located in the surround space... as well as the awesome effects.
I am satisfied with its performance however still unaware of all features... as the manual discribes all the buttons, which are on the receiver but that is it.
clearly a flaw that their is no phono input.
Knowing I am a newbee in this field it will need some experimenting before I can
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