Denon AVR 1609 7 1 Channel Multi Zone Home Theater Receiver
Affordability and versatility are the hallmarks of the AVR-1609, which features a powerful 7 channel amplifier section to drive a 7.1 multi-channel speaker system, along with the latest extended surround decoders, including Dolby Digital Surround EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx and DTS ES. Equipped with the latest HDMI v1.3a digital video signal pass-through technology, the AVR-1609 provides 2 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output, allowing a single HDMI cable run to your HDTV display.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Best $200 piece of audio equipment I’ve seen
Was just looking for a basic receiver to replace an old one that died. It was just for some speakers I have outside & in a formal dining area. I’ve already got 2 pretty nice Denon’s for the 2 home theater areas in my house, and love them. Couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this one on sale for just over $200 with free delivery.
Delivery was quicker than promised and it came in perfect condition. Crutchfield was excellent. They even provided their own guides on hookup & tips.
Haven’t really cranked it yet – it really just runs ‘background music’ – but I think it would be OK. Has a ton of options / inputs / outputs on it, including the Denon Multi zone, an ipod connection (controller sold separately), and satellite radio connection, so I would think it would have enough variety & capabilities for the average user.
And again, for the price, I don’t think you can beat it.
Would definitely order from Crutchfield again, too.
5 Stars Awesome receiver!!
Very eye pleasing,but most important,ear pleasing!! Pushing a pair of Polk’s TSI 200’s,sounds awesome and clear!! Easy to set up and operate!
5 Stars Unbeatible Value!
I would like to challenge anyone in finding a better AVR in this price category. I purchased the Denon AVR-1609 two days ago for under two hundred and am absolutely amazed that they can sell such a nice product for so little and make a profit. I hooked this up with a 6.1 speaker setup… small speakers, nothing special, and the sound is fantastic. It took me a bit of time to setup because it defaults to 5.1 and 7.1 speaker arrangement and I had to scour the manual to figure out how to add one speaker in the back and nobody likes to read manuals… The manual is actually very well written despite what other reviewers have said and has everthing you would ever need to know about using the auto setup feature as well as fine tuning and making adjustments afterward to suit your listening style and other interesting programming features in a very simple and easy to understand layout. Regarding other reviewers comments… If you call yourself an audiophile then Denon makes plenty other AVRs to suit your needs at 10x the price… This reciever is for people who enjoy fine sound WITHOUT breaking the bank and the resutltant screaming wife. The comments about the HDMI inputs/outputs not passing audio is plain silly and nothing more than a convienience issue, there four are digital audio inputs for your components to be routed separately… I would rather Denon cuts out bonus features and convieniences such as these rather than sacrifice sound quality and choose cheaper amplifiers, etc… If you want features of a high end AVR then spend a few hundred extra and get it. Also, I actually like the doube sided remote… they hide some infrequenty used type buttons in a closable compartment on the back of the remote. Its nice for setup and configuration adjustments. The remote alone is worth a couple hundred bucks… Go ahead and buy this thing, you’ll be getting a lot more for your money than you ever expected and wonderful sound from a respected manufacturer!
1 Star Sending it Back
I purchased the 1609 after reading the reviews on Amazon. Nearly all the reviews were favorable and I had heard good things about Denon so when my old Kenwood bit the dust I purchased this receiver.
It doesn’t work.
I am somewhat of an audiophile so setting it up wasn’t too difficult. I thought the manual was pretty much junk. It skips around: Turn to page 27 and then turn to page 15, etc.
I called Denon yesterday and the guy said, “Just send it back”. I thought that was unusual so I called again this morning and the guy I spoke with walked me thru a few checks but the outcome was the same… send it back to the retailer.
Although I purchased the product off of the Amazon website, it actually came from another vendor. The return instructions specify that you have to have a pre-approval before you return a product. I called the number and got the run around. The guy wanted to convince me that I was doing something wrong and it wasn’t the product but I finally wore him down and told him that I needed to return the unit. He said they would e-mail me a return postage label and they would pay for shipping but I haven’t gotten the label yet and it’s been almost 24 hours.
I like the looks of the machine and all the features. I think I’m going to swap it out and try another one but if the next one doesn’t work I’m going to ask for my money back.
4 Stars Denon AVR
Good sound, a little complicated to set up for the a/v challenged. Lots of optiions if you are in to that (Maybe some day I’ll sit down and try to figure it all out, or find a techie geek to help). The remote also has alot of things I haven’t figured out yet. I’m sure it will be great once I spend more time to figure it all out.
