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

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)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.

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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. As well, the AVR-1709 features on-board video up-conversion, along with three HD component video inputs for additional video signal handling flexibility. For optimum surround sound quality, the Audyssey MultEQ in-room acoustic measurement and optimization system measures the loudspeaker's overall response (at up to six different measurement points) and tailors the audio signal for the smoothest, most natural-sounding tonal balance throughout the listening space. And, the AVR-1709 is one of the first to offer Audyssey's Dynamic Volume leveling system, which eliminates jarring volume jumps between TV shows and commercials, as well as Audyssey Dynamic EQ to ensure rich bass and smooth tonal balance, even at low volume levels. Two remote controls are provided – one for the main room, and a second easy-to-use remote control for second zone audio control.

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