Product Description The AVR-988 has been rebuilt from the ground up and has been outfitted and updated with the latest A/V theater technology allowing for enhanced multi-room operation and performance. The AVR-988 now has HDMI v1.3a which brings with it the new surround formats of Dolby Digital TrueHD and dts Master Audio decoding providing for the ultimate surround experience. Audyssey processing has been updated which will provide improved auto calibration results for even smoother sound reproduction. The Faroudja FLi2310 processor, one of the best in the industry, has been employed to allow for video scaling to 1080p resolution. An RS-232C system control port and serial IR ports are provided for ease of integration for complex home audio installations with 3rd party controllers. Additionally, the AVR-988 now comes with dual remotes for improved multi-zone applications and control. Expanded HDMI v1.3a ports with Deep Color, xvYCC and SACD Support Analog Video to HDMI Scaling - 1080p Digital to Analog conversion for multi-zone connection flexibility Assignable +12V D.C. triggers Network ready with optional ASD-3N/3W Denon D-docks for iPod Rear Panel RS-232C Discrete IR remote codes Comes with dual remotes - learning remote and standard 2-way remote capability with optional RC-7000CI and RC-7001RCI remote system
Where is the high current?January 8, 2009 Although Denon is known for great quality and sound, I was a bit disappointed in the "feel" / "oomph" (for lack of better words) that this unit has. My older Harman Kardon (HK) 320 AVR had a little over 1/3rd the power rating of this unit, yet will round circles around it in the "Total Sound" arena. I still prefer the Denon AVR-988 since it has the HDMI inputs that my HK did not, and the newer HK offering left out "dependability" & "workmanship" out of their product.
I had been a true HK fan for decades, but could not see going back to them when the Denon just keeps improving as they have, and HK is getting worse by the minute.
The only fault I have with Denon is that it truly is not a high current AVR despite what their manual/brochure may state, and when it comes to the full impact of home theater, it still does not match the "older" model HK.
It may not sound like it but I do recommend the Denon AVR-988. It is a solid performer, its just that I was spoiled by HK's "High Current" capability, and given that HK's new offerings are truly horrible ideas.... Denon has taken first place in the Mass Market arena (IMO).
I'm HappyJanuary 7, 2009 This is my second Denon. I purchased the AVR-988 because I wanted HDMI. I was happy with my first Denon, just as happy with this one. The extra bonus was the $500 price that I got this from Amazon. There is not a better deal in the market.
denon 988January 6, 2009 Ordered this product at a very good price as a closeout after denon announced their 989 version. Very little difference except price and number of hdmi inputs. Set up was pretty straight forward if you read the manual and had some experience. Running straight HDMI from bluray and HD cable box to HDTV makes the unit very easy to use. Set up with Audessy room equalization was simple and effective. Set up and ready to use within an hour. Highly recommended and includes a phono input which is unusual these days but necessary for me.
Great unit but it took 3 to get a good one.January 6, 2009 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I like Denon products and have owned a few. I bought the AVR 988 to replace mt AVR4800 because I wanted HDMI and 7.1 without a second power amp. gave up a little power and hefty amps but the AVR 988 is a very fine unit. Remote is terribl. THE REAL ISSUE: It took three recievers to get a good one. The first one had no sub-woofer output, the second one worked one day, enjoyed Dish and DVD's. turned unit off. Next day NO AUDIO or VIDEO would pass thru the HDMI. Spent about 3.5 hours on phone with Denon. The technical support had me repeatedly doing the same things I already tried no resolution. I got the third one on Dec 24 and it has performed wonderfully. Great AVR but 2 out of 3 bad that effects the rating.
Complex - But Perhaps Worth It?December 27, 2008 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a very heavy and capable receiver judging by the comparison with my Sony STR-DE197 it is replacing. Its about twice the size and twice the weight which is a good thing since you can't run high current and high power without some size. So it scores very high on power and construction. Now the down side -- it is very very complex. Overly complex. If you love the ipod for its simplicity, this is about 180 degrees the other direction. Lots of switches, menus, plugs etc. Its complex. For my application, I am powering a 5.1 surround sound system in my family room, then for a second zone, I have speakers in the kitchen, dining room, living room and outside.
I got frustrated enough that I boxed it up and was going to ship it back. I started to looking for another high power amplifier (like an onkyo) for my application-- guess what. No one seemed to have figured out how to easily do this. So I unboxed the Denon and started again.
Now I am growing to like it as I figure out some good features. First - the second zone has separate volume controls. Since most of the speakers in the second zone have independent volume controls in the room, the receiver allows you to set the volume for zone 2 and keep it fixed allowing them to be controlled independently in each room.
Second, the 5.1 configuration has a front A and front B L/R speakers. So essentially supports 4 front speakers plus the center channel. For me, this allowed me to connect the family room speakers and kitchen essentially together. Since the rooms are next to each other, have all the speakers on the same system makes sense.
Finally - the system supports an iPOD dock and the remote can run the ipod dock. Cool feature, but extra.
So -- if you have a complex, multi-room set up, this receiver is good. otherwise, you may find it overly complex.
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