I just picked up a Denon AVR-1082 for free from an uncle that had moved on to a Bose setup. I know that this is an old, discontinued receiver that doesn't have the latest connectivity (multiple HDMI ins/outs) or support the latest audio and video processing (Audyssey, 3D, 4k upscaling, etc).

My question is is this still a decent receiver within its old-tech limitations? If I hooked this up to a decent set of speakers for a 2 or 2.1 setup for music only, how would it compare, sonically, to newer receivers with newer tech? Is it worth hanging onto or should it be discarded?

I have an Onkyo 818 hooked up to my LCD while I wait on my M60s to arrive, so I don't have any need for this old Denon. I would hate to just get rid of it as I'm a pack rat by nature, but I don't know what it's worth to sell to somebody else. I don't want to just give it away, but it surely must still have some use for someone somewhere. If this dinosaur could find its way into a living room instead of a landfill, it would make me happy.

nothing wrong with that receiver, I still use my 2805 in an upstairs theater.

Details:
Dolby Digital, DTS, Pro Logic II processing
80 watts x 5 into 8 ohms (20-20k Hz) at 0.08% THD
DSP modes: 5-channel stereo, Virtual Surround, Jazz Club, Rock Arena, Video Game, Matrix, Mono Movie
digital inputs: 3 optical (one front-panel), 1 coax
digital output: 1 optical
5.1-channel input
3 audio (including phono), 5 A/V (including 1 front-panel and 4 S-video) inputs
4 preamp outputs (front left/center/right and subwoofer)
subwoofer output
multibrand A/V remote
banana plug-compatible speaker binding posts for all channels
96kHz/24-bit D/A converters
high-current, low-impedance amp design
40 AM/FM presets

I doubt it is worth very much if anything at all.

Would still be good to keep around for a 2 channel music setup somewhere else in the house, keep it near your kitchen for some nice background music during dinner.

Arti, if it's still in good operating condition there would be no problem with the basic amplified sound quality when operated within its power limits. Differences arise, of course, when processing such as Audyssey, tone controls, etc., which is intended to affect the sound is put into effect.

I own this receiver. It has a massive transformer and is very heavy. I find it to be an extremely powerful and extremely clean receiver. I run a TosLink cable from my MacBook pro into one the digital inputs. In my opinion, this is a fantastic receiver, cleaner and more powerful than most currently available receivers. Just make sure to set the speaker sizes correctly in the setup menu.