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Amongst the big bonuses with this model are the extremely clear and powerful sound with a host of features you would not normally expect at this price level, the audyssey auto setup and multi EQ function, excellent HDMI upscaling and a build quality that belies is meagre pricing. This is an all round winner and highly recommended for those in the market for a sub $400 home theater receiver.

Standout Features

• 5-channel equal power, discrete amplifier. With 75 watts RMS per channel
• Ability to wire “B” speakers, in parallel to main speakers, for listening to the same audio source in another room.
• Audyssey: Auto setup and MultiEQ function, helping to improve your rooms sound.
• Dynamic Volume: Dynamic Volume – Resulting in less annoyingly loud commercials and clearer sound all round
• Multiple Surround Surround Modes with a by source memory.
• Direct Playback: In this mode, this audio signal bypass the tone adjustment circuitry for higher quality sound.
• Auto Lip Sync (Audio Delay): audio signal manually delay to match the video signal (0-200ms.)
• AM/FM Tuner: Preset 8 AM/FM per bank with 7 banks for a total of 56 AM/FM presets.
• Analog-to-HDMI Up-Conversion: Analog video input signals get converted to digital video signal and transmitted to the HDMI output port.
• On-Screen Menu: The Denon receiver features an on-screen menuing system
• Personal Memory Plus: For each input, the receiver memorizes its various settings for parameters.

Manufacturers Details

• 75 watts x 5 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD
• Dolby® TrueHD, DTS-HD™ Master Audio, Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS-HD™ High Resolution Audio, Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES™, Pro Logic® IIz, and DTS Neo:6 decoding
• Audyssey Laboratories’ MultEQ® six-point auto setup and room calibration system (microphone included)
• iPod® integration (requires optional Denon ASD-11R or ASD-3N)
• Compressed Audio Restorer for better sound with compressed music sources like MP3 files
• Audyssey Dynamic Volume mode to keep listening levels steady
• high-current, low-impedance amp design
• 192kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters for all channels
• multibrand remote
• 17-1/8″W x 5-13/16″H x 16-1/4″D
• warranty: 2 years

System Connections

• 1080p-compatible HDMI digital audio/video switching (3 in, 1 out)
• analog-to-HDMI video conversion (480i to 480p only)
• HDMI version 1.3a with support for 1080p, Deep Color, and x.v.Color
• component video switching (2 in, 1 out)
• digital audio inputs: 2 optical, 2 coaxial
• 3 audio/video inputs, including:1 front-panel input with composite video & 3 rear-panel inputs (all include composite, 1 includes S-video)
• 3 audio-only inputs
• 2 sets of main speaker outputs

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When we start looking at the feature set this is where the Denon D-M37S starts to really shine. It has a single slot CD player which features both MP3 and WMA playback an AM/FM radio as one would expect. The D-M37S really has a lot to offer when it comes to digital format playback. It has a front panel USB connection port for playback from USB based MP3 players or USB drives. We found the USB function worked impeccably with common or garden memory sticks we even plugged in an external 250 GB USB hard drive and had no problems playing back audio files. There are also a few iPod compatible docks you can buy as optional extras (Model Nos: ASD-11R/3N/3W).

Denon D-M37S Mini Hi Fi System

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The system comes with an output for an optional Sub Woofer, we tested the system without but in all honesty we didn’t find it lacking in the bass end at all. One minor complaint is that it may be a little lacking in overall power for some, it only outputs 30 Watts RMS which may be a little limiting depending on your room size but should be fine in a bedroom, kitchen or smallish living room. So while the system may have a limited overall power level the actual quality sound from this unit is at the upper end of what one expects from a unit at this kind of price. The mids are flat and nicely clear, the top end is perhaps slightly accentuated at the 4-6Khz range but not so as to be unpleasant and it handles bass in a confidant and easy manner never feeling like the sound is being artificially “pumped”. Our feeling is that the Denon D-M37S is a great little system for use in a domestic situation where loudness is not a major concern but clarity of sound reproduction is.

Manufacturers Specifications

• Amplifier: The Denon D-M37S is equipped with a 30 watt x 2-channel high power amplifier. The unit’s circuit board configuration has been designed to achieve lower impedances.
• Simple & Straight Circuit Design: The Denon D-M37S give you high sound quality based on the “Simple & Straight” concept. Circuitry is uncomplicated, signal paths are short, and all adverse influences on sound quality have been minimized. The circuit design and the way the chassis is built ensure the sound you hear is faithful to the original performance.
• Smooth Dynamic Sound With Negligible Distortion: Distortion from the input selector, electronic volume, and power amp has been suppressed to improved the signal-to-noise ratio and produce an even smoother, dynamic sound.
• CD/MP3/WMA Playback: The Denon D-M37S features Repeat (Single/All/Folder), Random (All), and Program (up to 25 tracks) playback, as well as direct track/folder access (using remote control)
• AM/FM Tuner: The D-M37S features a built-in AM/FM tuner and comes supplied with an FM wire antenna and AM loop antenna. The built-in AM/FM tuner supports up to 40 station presets in any combination. You can manually tune your presets or have the unit automatically (FM only) select your presets using the area’s strongest stations (auto preset is not possible with AM broadcast stations). You can label each preset station with an 8 character name.
• USB Port: The Denon D-M37S is equipped with a front-panel USB port for easy, direct connection of a USB mass storage device. The front-panel USB port supports playback of MP3 (32-320 kbps) and WMA (64-192 kbps) audio files recorded in FAT 16 or FAT 32 onto a USB mass storage device. The unit can recognize up to 255 folders and 255 files per folder. When a USB device is connected, playback will start automatically. You can control basic operations (Play, Pause, Stop, Fast Forward, Rewind, Repeat, and Random) of your connected USB device.
• Minijack Audio Input: The D-M37S features a front-panel 3.5mm minijack stereo audio input for connecting an external portable audio source.
• iPod Compatible: There is a dedicated 3.5mm control terminal on the rear-panel of the unit (labeled Dock Control) for connecting an iPod Denon control dock (ASD11RK, ASD3N, and ASD3W-sold separately) so you can listen to audio from your iPod through the D-M37S. You will also need to connect the AUX2 stereo input of the unit to the optional iPod dock. Once an iPod is docked in the separately sold Denon iPod dock, you can control it using the Denon unit’s wireless remote control or from the iPod’s click-wheel/touch-screen. The iPod’s battery is also charged when docked.
• RCA Analog Inputs/Outputs: The Denon D-M37S is equipped with a two pair of rear-panel RCA stereo audio inputs and one pair of rear-panel RCA stereo outputs (AUX 1 and AUX 2) for connecting an external home component audio source and recorder.
• Subwoofer Preamp Output
• Stereo Power in Watts RMS: 30
• Main Speakers: 2-way
• System Frequency Response: 45-40k Hz
• Parts & Labor Warranty: 1 Year
• RRP: $399 (Check current D-M37S pricing on Amazon)

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Basic Features
The AVR-2809CI comes with 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs and a Faroudja FLi2310 to allow convertsion of analogue signals to 1080p, audio wise it also decodes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio ensuring great audio from Blu Ray players. Overall the AVR-2809CI does a fantastic job with diverse video and audio sources.

Denon AVR-2809CI Front - Click to enlarge

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Interesting features

The AVR-2809CI comes with Audyssey Dynamic Volume, and Audyssey Dynamic EQ the first of which is an audio mode that keeps a stable volume level to stop the annoying tendency for commercials to be played at a louder volume than programming that gets on so many peoples nerves these days, I see this feature as a great boon that is likely to be used by many owners. Secondly there is the Audyssey Dynamic EQ which is supposed to make quiteter passages sound richer. We felt that this option didn’t really deliver and in fact we felt the unit performed better and with more clarity with this feature left off. Denon has also fitted the AVR-2809CI with Audyssey MultEQ® XT, a proprietary automatic speaker calibration system. The units included microphone is used to analyze sound from up to eight different listening positions, then automatically adjusts level, equalization, and delay settings for each speaker. We found this feature quite interesting and fairly simple to set up, likely to keep the tweakers amongst you happy for quite some time.

General Sound & Specifications

The surround processing section of the AVR-2809CI is powered by two 32 bit floating point DSP chips, and features extremely high resolution surround decoding with 192kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters for all channels. The  seven channel amplifier section features 115 watts of power per channel, and provides the choice of driving a 5.1 channel system in the main room, with another stereo speaker pair in another room with independent source selection.

The AVR-2809CI’s channel isolation is second to none and provides excellent signal purity, the unit also includes denons “Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit” technolgy which gives you discrete circuit blocks for such tasks as DtoA conversion, AtoD and surround decoding. All of which makes for an extremely clear, responsive and pure sound.

Manufacturers Specifications

• 115 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.05% THD
• 192kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters for all channels
• Dolby® TrueHD, DTS-HD™ Master Audio, Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS-HD™ High Resolution Audio, Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES™, Pro Logic® IIx, and DTS Neo:6 decoding
• Audyssey Laboratories’ MultEQ® XT eight-point auto setup and room calibration system (microphone included)
• XM Satellite Radio Ready (requires XM subscription and optional XM Mini-Tuner package)
• Neural Surround decoder for XM’s HD Surround channels
• ALPHA 24 Plus upsampling for stereo digital sources
• Dolby Pro Logic IIx – with Cinema, Music, Game Modes
• Active Center Channel In All Surround Modes
• Pure Direct/Direct/Stereo Modes on Digital/Analog inputs
• Analog Audio Inputs, Incl. Tuner: 11 (inc XM)
• Phono Input: MM type
• Analog Record Outputs: 2Composite Video Inputs: 7 (inc 1 in front)
• Composite Video Outputs: 2 (plus Mon/Z2)
• S-Video Inputs: 7 (inc 1 in front)
• S-Video Outputs: 2 (plus Mon)
• Component Video Inputs: 2
• Component Video Outputs: 2 Main Zone
• Dolby Digital Surround EX Decoding
• dts ES Discrete 6.1 Decoding
• dts ES Matrix 6.1 Decoding
• dts Neo:6 Stereo-to-Surround Cinema and Music Modes
• dts 96/24 5.1 for DVD-Video Processing
• dts-HD Master Audio
• SIRIUS satellite radio capable (requires SIRIUS subscription and optional SiriusConnect™ home tuner kit)
• iPod® integration (requires optional Denon ASD-11R, ASD-3N, or ASD-3W)
• Compressed Audio Restorer for better sound with compressed music sources like MP3 files
• Audyssey Dynamic EQ™ for fuller sound at lower listening levels
• Audyssey Dynamic Volume mode to keep listening levels steadythree-room/three-source output:
• line-level and powered stereo audio output with volume, balance and tone control for 2nd room (using powered 2nd room stereo output allows 5.1 home theater in main room)
• composite video output for 2nd room
• line-level stereo audio output with volume control for 3rd room
• conversion of optical or coaxial digital signals to analog audio output for 2nd and 3rd rooms (PCM signals only)
• high-current, low-impedance amp design
• Pure Direct modes switch off all unneeded circuitry for the cleanest possible sound
• on-screen display for easier system setup and operation
• learning/multibrand touchscreen electro-luminescent remote
• basic remote for second or third listening room (requires remote control extender system, not included)

Denon AVR-2809CI Back - Click to enlarge

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Connectors

• 1080p-compatible HDMI digital video switching (4 in, 1 out)
• analog-to-HDMI video upconversion (up to 1080p) with Faroudja DCDi™ video processing and scaling
• HDMI version 1.3a with support for Deep Color, x.v.Color, auto lip-sync, 7.1 uncompressed 24/96 audio, DVD-Audio, SACD, and HDMI-CEC
• component video switching (3 in, 1 out)
• component video conversion (composite to S-video, or composite and S-video to component)
• digital audio inputs: 3 optical (including 1 front panel), 3 coaxial
• digital audio outputs: 1 optical
• 7 audio/video inputs, including: 1 front-panel & 6 rear-panel inputs with composite and S-video
• 2 audio-only inputs (inc phono)
• 7.1-channel analog audio preamp input
• 7.1-channel analog audio preamp output
• RS-232C port for automated control systems
• detachable power cord
• 2 sets of main speaker outputs
• back surround speaker channels re-assignable for bi-amping front left and right speakers

Physical Specifications

• Weight: 28.2 lbs
• Width:17.1 inches
• Height: 6.75 inches
• Depth: 16.55 inches
• Warranty: 2 years
• RRP: $1,199.00 (Check current Amazon Pricing on the Denon AVR-2809CI Home Theater Receiver)

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