Denon DRA 397 AM FM Multi Source Zone Stereo Receiver w 80X2 Audiophile Power
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Denon DRA 397 AM FM Multi Source Zone Stereo Receiver w 80X2 Audiophile Power
Stereo may not be home-theater surround but you can still connect your TV and DVD player to the DRA-397 for far superior sound than you would get from your TV. For most people, who aren’t ready to deal with 5 or more speakers, using 2 speakers is just fine. Hey, let’s not forget listening to music. That’s where stereo still reigns supreme. Video/audio signal mixing for simulcasts Discrete Multi-room, Multi-source audio and video outputs for 2 Source, 3 zone control Independent, remote-controlled volume for second and third zones Discrete Main and/or Zone activation by remote or front panel Discrete Source select Speaker A/B Selector Subwoofer preamp output Phono Input Tone controls and tone control defeat Loudness contour Record out selector Serial IR ports Digitally-tuned AM/FM/FM Stereo tuner with 56-station auto preset FM memory XM Satellite Radio Ready - Connect and Play system (XM subscription and antenna required) Dedicated iPod (audio/photo/video) input for use with optional ASD-1R iPod Dock, with front panel display and remote control New S-Series Simple Remote Control
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars very unsatisfactory experience
I concur with the previous reviewer that this is a difficult to use product. Nothing either in its design or in the confusing and unhelpful manual that accompanies it is at all user friendly. I had the thought that this product was designed by someone of sadistic bent for someone he/she didn’t like. I still (3 months later) struggle to figure out how to perform basic functions. Also, regularly I have had to ‘re-initialize’ the device simply because it stopped working correctly. The manual assures me that this is ‘normal’.
Stay away from this product!
2 Stars User Unfriendly
I just bought this and I am taking it back, I think this thing is way too user unfriendly. It takes a long time to figure out how to do anything on this. To save a station # takes three steps. Their are too many buttons on the remote. I accidentally turned off the display, it took 1/2 hour to figure out how to get it back. For example, I have not figured out how to use the tape monitor function yet. Even simple things like changing a station, you have to go through a seek function, it takes forever to get to the other end of the numbers (maybe there is an easier way, but it is not obvious). The instructions are not helpful. This thing is very annoying because it is so hard to figure out how to do anything. The sound is good though.
5 Stars Ignore the other reviews and LISTEN to this stereo
First of all, I don’t know why anyone would say this product is confusing. I’m no tech wiz, and I didn’t need to consult the manual for basic operation. Programming in stations wasn’t hard either.
But even so, this is a fairly picayune matter considering that a receiver is a device for listening to music (and other audio sources) and should be evaluated as such. What matters most is sound quality, and this receiver sounds excellent. No, it’s not an audiophile product, but it’s probably the best sounding receiver you’ll find in production for this price range.
I’ve had mine for a few months and I’m very satisfied. I have it driving a pair of JBL HLS-610’s which I consider to be about the same grade of product — mass-market mid-fi producing great sound at an affordable price. Overall the sound is very pleasing; the bass is palpable and detailed, the highs are clear and smooth. The detail at low volumes is impressive, which in my opinion is what distinguishes a good amplifier from one that’s just loud.
About the best thing one can say about a stereo component is that it allows them to hear things in their music they hadn’t noticed before. This receiver has delivered that consistently. The phono stage is particularly nice; my records have never sounded better.
In contrast to commercial audio companies which deliver “big sound” by manipulating frequency response like crazy, the engineers at Denon have gone to the trouble of designing a stereo that adds very little coloration to your music. In fact, my favorite feature is the “pure direct” function — basically a tone defeat on steroids — which allows you to circumvent all the unnecessary circuitry to deliver a signal that’s true to the original recording.
If I have any complaint about the product, it’s that it’s a bit bulky. I understand this is an artifact of the design. Still, it takes up a lot of room on the shelf. Also, the volume knob feels clunky.
I’ll repeat that this stereo is not in league with truly high-end integrated amps or separates. You have to be prepared to spend a lot more money to get that level of performance (not to mention the cost of an audiophile inputs and loudspeakers). But if you’re on a budget, or just don’t want to pay at least twice as much for incremental improvements in sound, don’t overlook this stereo. It might be the best value going.
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