Denon AVR-1909 7.1-Channel Multizone Home Theater Receiver

5 comments

1. 

   Chuck Martin on February 13, 2010 at 7:32 pm

   Denon AVR-789 630-Watt 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver Yes, the Denon AVR-1909 is exactly the same in terms of specs as the AVR-789 with two minor exceptions:

   1. the 1909 includes a small, second remote intended for Zone 2 operation, and
   
   2. the 1909 has a plug on the back labeled “RF/RC 2WAY”, next to the Sirius plug. The function of this plug is to allow you to hard-wire a two-way RF remote controller (sold separately) to use in a different room.

   See this link (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1050097) for more details and reviews.

   So why would anyone pay $50 more for this one?

   The Denon is at the top of my list for my next AV receiver purchase, along with the Onkyo TX-SR606. The reviews I’ve seen suggest that the Denon runs cooler and does a slightly better job with audio and video (although I probably wouldn’t be able to tell), but has an awful UI and remote, while the Onkyo has one more HDMI input and can be found for a better price in many places (and is also bundled with some nice HTiB setups, most notably the HT-S6100, which can be found in the $500-600 range).

2. 

   Aaron Dorsch on February 13, 2010 at 7:37 pm

   In short, I have had THE MOST negative experience of my life with both DENON customer service representative D&M HOLDINGS, as well as my brand new AVR-1909. After purchasing my unit in Sacramento (no local DENON dealers), more than 5 hours away from my home I hooked everything up and everything worked for 20 minutes tops. I attempted to return the unit to the store (BEST BUY) but they have no means to accept shipping returns, so I turned to DENON corporate, relying on their reputation to take care of this situation. I would have to drive 10+ hours, get a hotel room, and pay for gas to return an item that worked for less than 1/2 hour.

   I contacted D&M Holdings, who are the corporate headquarters for DENON as well as other high quality audio equipment. I spoke with Mary St. John about the problem, and suggested that since the unit was BRAND NEW and obviously failed as a result of a faulty part that they send out a new unit instead of making me wait for a repair. I was told the turn around for repairs was approximately 1 month. I informed her that waiting 1 month for something that has only worked for 20 minutes was unreasonalbe. When I asked to speak to her supervisor, she told me that she was the supervisor and there was no one else for me to talk to… However, she did offer to place my unit to the front of the repair queue upon arrival and return it to me via next day air. This occured 5/1/2009. I was just informed today after I called that my unit had shipped out July 1…and not even overnight as promised. Lets see…average time is 30 days, but being placed in front of other repairs should get things out a little quicker than that…however over 9 weeks later I still do not have the unit. Needless to say, the item wasn’t even shipped overnight, and I doubt it was placed in the front of the queue. What a worthless company with no regard for people spending their hard earned money during tough economic times.

   I would suggest to those of you considering buying a DENON product, that you buy an alternative… I know Yamaha has great products and service, among manny other offerings. I would stongly advise that purchases of DENON, McIntosh, Marantz, Snell, Escent, and Allen&Heath be avoided at all costs as their US service center representatives D&M HOLDINGS misleads consumers and offer the POORSET customer service I have recieved during my 36 years on this earth.

   I plan on selling this receiver…most likely at a loss, and I personally will never own another DENON product in my life.

   MARY ST. JOHN
   
   [...]

3. 

   Philip Allen on February 13, 2010 at 7:54 pm

   I purchased a refurbished Denon AVR-1909. It works perfectly. The only issue is that the knobs on the front are scuffed up. It appears that they were rubbing the packaging when originally shipped, this rubbed the black off of the rim of them (surprisingly since they are black plastic and not black anodized aluminum). This is unnoticeable in a darkened room. In fact it is difficult to see in normal room light without close inspection. This was mentioned on the outside of Denon’s packaging’s as the reason it was returned. Since there was no issue with the way it worked, they sold it as refurbished without fixing the knobs. I would say that this minor cosmetic issue is worth the discount for a refurbished unit. As I said, the unit functions perfectly. Dakdepot (same as Dakmart) shipped quickly.

4. 

   T. Vaughn on February 13, 2010 at 10:13 pm

   THIS IS MY SECOND DENON RECEIVER. IT IS AN ABSOLUTELY AWESOME SOUNDING AND FEATURED UNIT. IT DOES NOT OVERHEAT, OR HAVE HDMI CONNECT PROBS REPORTED ON COMPETING UNITS. HOWEVER, THE SETUP IS A ROYAL P.I.T.A. MANUAL NOT CLEAR ENOUGH TO HELP, NOT VERY INTUITIVE. PREVIOUS DENON EXPERIENCE HELPED ME BUMBLE THROUGH IT, WORTH THE TRIP BECAUSE THIS UNIT PAIRED WITH INFINITY SPEAKERS IS AWESOME IN SURROUND FOR MOVIES AND ON STEREO FOR FM OR CDs.

5. 

   billem on February 14, 2010 at 12:34 am

   I ordered this receiver in the first week of January. It did not work and after talking to tech support, they advise that it be returned. The supplier, Electronics Expo, received the receiver back on 1/29/10. I have left one voice mail and sent two emails asking them when they would resend a good machine. I have had no reply. This service is miserable!!!!