Strengths:Quality, quality, quality. Wide support for input signals and formats. Sounds GREAT.
Weaknesses:EL display, horrendous GUI menu and remote.
Posted 1 year ago - I purchased Denon AVR-3808CI receiver because I needed something that is capable of decoding all the modern digital signals and do HDMI switching for my projector. I owned a 12-year old Denon receiver, and it was time to upgrade. Basically, I got what I wanted. However, there are some gotchas people need to know about.
1. Display. EL display technology reminds me of '70th. Information on it is highly inconvenient for perception. Also, this type of a display creates crosstalks to analog signals, and manufacturer turns it off in Pure Direct mode. Denon should seriously consider upgrading future models to graphic LCD or OLED screens. Nice color screen should not be too expensive considering the price range of the receiver.
2. Menu. Denon definitely should fire their usability expert. This is probably the most stupid menu I have ever seen in my life. There are industry standards for building GUIs, and Denon totally ignored them. Important settings such as surround modes as scattered deep inside different subtrees of the menu, even the left arrow button may mean different things depending on where you are.
3. Main remote control. This is a very logical complement of the menu system. Almost as stupid and un-intuitive as the menu. Don't even think of finding your way around without thorough reading of user manual.
4. The need to use a TV for GUI menu. One major disappointment is the need to keep my projector turned on for navigating through the menus. I even thought of purchasing a small LCD TV for that. Well, you *can* use the built-in EL display for menu navigation, but it's sort of a masochism.
5. As I said, I use an HDMI projector as a display device for my theater. Sometimes I watch movies on my computer. I connected the receiver to the secondary DVI port of my video card. Not sure if it's an issue with NVidia drivers or with the receiver, but each time I turn off the receiver and then turn it on again, my video card disables the output to the secondary DVI port, and I need to use NVidia Display Control Panel to turn it back on. Before I purchased the receiver, my video card was connected directly to the projector, and this issue was non-existent.
6. One feature I'm definitely missing is the ability to switch the phase of the analog preamp outputs. I have PSB Image 7 spakers that have separate amplifiers for their woofers. I connect each speaker with two wires - one high-level for mid-highs (regular speaker output from the receiver), and one low-level for the woofers (preamp output from receiver). There is no chance to switch the phase of any of these two to match the other.
Having said that, I would assure you that the receiver itself is a real thing. After all, you purchase equipment like this for its audio performance, and only then for the usability. Solid built, high quality piece of hardware. Clear undistorted sound (very pleasant to the ear), wide support of formats. Real HDMI switching with audio support over the same interface. Automatic speakers setup, plenty of inputs for all situations. Firmware upgradeability over the Internet. Once I have it set up, I'm really enjoying the unit as a centerpiece of my home theater.
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Rated 
Well worth the money.
Comment about this review
Great sound, HORRIBLE remote
