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Denon AVR-2308CI A/V Dolby Digital Surround EX 7.1 Receiver w/ HDMI Switching | 
 enlarge | Brand: Denon
Category: CE
New (7) Used (5) Refurbished (2) from $420.00
Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 4634
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Shipping Weight (lbs): 27.8
Dimensions (in): 16.6 x 17.1 x 6.8
MPN: AVR-2308CI
Model: AVR-2308CI
UPC: 043152032239
EAN: 0043152032239
ASIN: B000WF8SQ6
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| Features:
| • | 100 watts x 7 channels | | • | DCDi Faroudja video processing | | • | XM ready tuning | | • | Video up conversion | | • | Power amplifier assign |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The AVR-2308CI has been redesigned to become the focal point of today's advanced home theater system. The AVR-2308CI's audio and video circuitry have been revised to the latest designs offered today, yielding high-end surround performance in an upper mid priced A/V receiver. HDMI 1.3a ports allow for playback of many of today's audio video formats, and at the same time, provide ease of use and operation. High power, low distortion rated amplifiers deliver pure clean sound for enhanced listening enjoyment. External system control has also been considered for integration into home control systems with the employment of an RS-232C control port. The AVR-2308CI also provides IR and D.C. ports for expanded control and integration. Setup has been simplified by simply plugging in the included calibration microphone and starting the calibration process. Dual remotes are provided for multi-room operation.
100 watts x 7 channels DCDi Faroudja video processing Video up conversion to HDMI 1080P compatible HDMI 1.3a switching Auto Lip sync Audyssey MultEQ calibration Power amplifier assign 12 volt 150mA assignable trigger outputs RS-232C system control Serial IR ports Detachabel A.C. cord Dedicated iPod port for optional ASD-1R D-dock Network ready with optional ASD-3W/3N iPod dock XM Radio Ready (Connect and Play antenna sold separately) 2-way remote capability with optional RC-7000CI and RC-7001RCI remote system
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| Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...
 Excellent quality for a bargain price December 20, 2008
The quality of the audio is excellent, far better than that of a very good Onkyo receiver that cost about twice much 13 years ago, which I've replaced with the Denon. I bought this Denon 2308CI largely to listen to music either on CDs or Apple TV. It matches nicely with my B&W DM602 S3 speakers, when bi-amped. I'm very pleased with the result. I also use this for playing DVDs and watching HD channels with digital audio.
The best advice I can give those who have trouble setting this up is to not use the remote, but the buttons on the front of the receiver itself, which is what I ended up doing until I later figured out the funky remote control.
For those who get frustrated with all the remotes and all the "modes" that have to be set to use each kind of media device, I would highly recommend getting one of the Logitech Harmony remotes. Just plug it in to a USB port on your computer, tell what your devices are, and then set up each of the activities. After that, you just need the Harmony remote, and life gets much simpler since it turns on the appropriate devices and puts everything into the right "modes" so it all works. My wife loves it.
Also, you need to know that the Denon 2308CI is being replaced by the newer 2309 model. So the 2308CI is about half the price it was before, around $450 where I bought mine online in Nov., 2008. If you need more HDMI inputs, then you'll need to go with the newer models. A lot of the frustration in the initial setup could be avoided, if you use only the buttons on the back of the main remote control, or you use the buttons on the front of the 2308CI itself. Even so, once I got my bi-amped speakers wired up to the 2308CI, I was playing CDs my DVD player in about 5 minutes.
Granted, I'm experienced in setting up electronics, home networks, computers, etc., so I did not pay attention to the manual much (and that's why I missed the part about using the back of the remote). If you use the buttons on the front, some of them do not work in the Menu setup--e.g., the Return button, to go back to the previous menu--so you end up getting stuck).
The Denon engineers ought to do some usability tests of their menu systems for setup, which sometimes use unconventional ways of selecting or setting things and are inconsistent in some button functions which have further "modes". For example, in the setup menus, the left-arrow button is sometimes used to go forward to a sub-menu, whereas the convention in most user interfaces is to use the right-arrow. At other times, the left/right arrows are used for scrolling through horizontal lists of choices.
The main remote control that comes with this 2308CI is also laden with "modes" especially when it comes to controlling different devices--using the combinations of different positions on the 2 slide switches at the bottom. This can drive you nuts, if you're not paying attention. E.g., if the left switch is not set to audio, then the buttons on the back for the Menu setup won't work, yet another obstacle to doing the initial setup that is frustrating.
The fact that I'm very happy with the quality of the audio (and HD video) outweighs the initial frustration of dealing with all the "modes" that need to be understood to do the initial setup. The excellent quality of audio/video engineering this receiver and the bargain price, for me, outweighs the usability challenges in the remote control in setting this system up, due to all the modes. In my opinion, as one who has done hundreds of usability tests of software interfaces, Denon ought to hire some usability evaluators, and observe the problems people have in trying to user their manuals and remote controls. Then maybe they would improve their manuals and remotes, which unfortunately are a far cry from the excellent engineering of the audio and video quality.
 Receiver could have been a great unit June 21, 2008
1 out of 10 found this review helpful
(This review was written about the nearly identical AVR 888.)
Reviews on other sites lauded the build quality and quality of the power this unit puts out but warned about a shoddy manual and remote control. Those comments were right on both counts, but understated how difficult it is to program this this unit due to the manual and remote, which are both POS.
My wife, a geek who maintains our networked, 1-Mac, 2-PC household (and built one of them), built her own DVR, and programmed our Harmony remote, is stumped by this equipment, able only to grasp the basic functionality. She's spent 8 hours so far searching for information to supplement the manual, which incorrectly describes many controls on the remote, which itself seems defective.
We can watch our DVDs and listen (with Belkin dock) to our iPods through the receiver, but we can't take figure out how to take advantage of the many advanced features listed in the documentation because it's so bad.
In addition, the user interface on the front of the unit is screwy. For example, the default volume display goes from -100 dB to 0 dB, with 0 being the *maximum*. If there's an alternative way to display the volume, we haven't figured it out. For another example, to play music on the ipod, you have to flip the remote over, open the back, and press a special button to switch the surround sound mode to -- get this -- "DTS Neo:6." How much more convoluted could that get?
The 2803CI and its kissing cousin, the AVR 888, could have been outstanding units, if Denon had spent a few bucks more to get the user experience right. As it stands, though, stay away from both these units.
total frustration May 3, 2008
2 out of 7 found this review helpful
I've owned Denon equipment for years and loved them but after this I will never buy another. Other reviewers can say what they want but this was the most complicated piece of equipment to hook up I've ever seen. We finally had to hire a professional to hook the machine up and now can't seem to get our new OPPO DV-981 DVD player to sync up with it. I know I'm old fashioned but what happened to bass, mid-range and treble or loudness. When you change from "Rock" arena to jazz it quits playing for a second or two, very annoying.
The only reason I give this machine ANY stars at all is that once you finally get it working it has lots of power and clear, clean, beautiful sound. Sorry Denon but this machine is not worth the effort.
 Stunning sound, difficult to program! March 19, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
The sound is amazing on this unit, but oh... the SETUP!! The wiring on the back isn't the bad part, it's figuring out how to program this BEAST! There is no more "spin to the left" for left channel or right for right channel, no preset buttons for AM/FM and no push button selectors for function. It's super-digitized, everything is a pull down menu with on-screen selections. Also, setting up "Zone 2" is annoying. Right out of the box, the last set of speaker plugs (7.1) are pre-set to Zone 2. Why? You have to tell it NOT to be there, and assign it. It's frustrating, but the pay-off is worth it. Stunning, powerful sound. I'd give it 5 stars, but the remote prevents me from doing that...TOUGH ONE. Also, don't think you can go HDMI in and component video out (I have a slightly older plamsa with no HDMI) It cannot be done. BUT, all the things i have trouble with on this unit, do not take away the end result: Earthshaking power and clarity. Just be prepared to call customer service and wait in the que.
love love love it March 15, 2008
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I was apprehensive about the trouble I would have setting this up since we have an earlier Denon at my father's beach house. No one can figure out how to configure the Denon in the beach house. (sorry, I don;t know the model number).
This one.... on the other hand, was quite easy to set up. This is the least expensive Denon that uses full hdmi switching including audio. Many of the receivers in the $500 range from yahama and pioneer don';t. Don't buy them. Setting up components with HDMI out (most new equipment does this) is a breeze. Setting up the audio profile was a breeze with the auto set up. I am really pleased with the sound, the flexibility etc. My 14 year old can easily use the system without getting confused .
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