I have been "sort of" in the market for a receiver, what I currently have at home is a stereo system from the '70's Crown D150 power amp and IC150 preamp.

I certainly didn't intend to purchase yet but I was talking to a local store and they are having a special on the Denon 1602 they are letting it go for $550Cdn. List from Denon Canada (probably meaningless) is $770Cdn.

It seems like a good deal and frankly I had been thinking about either it or the HK AVR125, that is going for about $725Cdn before you start to "play the game" with the salesperson.

Now I admit to very little knowledge about the current state of receivers other than enough to knoew that just basing the decision on wattage is meaningless. One thing I do like about both of these units is the weight, I believe 22lbs for the Denon, 24 for the HK, I presume this translates into equipmewnt that can run all day without a complaint.

As much as I would like to wow you with dreams of $1500+ receivers that is just not in my future, I am downsizing my house (getting ready to retire) and for once in my life intend to buy something practical as opposed to overkill.

So to make an already long story short will I be happy with the Denon? Any thoughts at all on the subject are more than welcome. I'll let me ears try it tomorrow.

FordPrefect

i own the Denon 1602. I bought it for 700$ taxes included with a 5 year extended warranty. I don't believe i have ever heard anything capable of beating it in that price range when it comes to clean power, decoders, and build quality.

GO FOR IT! unless you can wait and afford the Denon 1803 which will come out REAL soon!

thanks for the input Ravi!

I did a search on Denon USA and found the pdf file for the 1603,it's power has been upped to 80w from 70w, a redesigned remote and I've heard it now does "component video switching" ..something else to learn about

....stereo was soooo much more simpler

I can live with the older style remote and I doubt if another 10 watts will make a significant difference.

anyone else with thoughts on the 1602 or Denon/HK?

At the risk of becoming a pest, I have two other questions.

Nothing is perfect, what are your criticisms of this receiver? Keeping in mind of course the complaints should be in line with equipment in this price range.

How good is the AM/FM section? both sound and sensitivity.

better go before I outstay my welcome

FordPrefect,

Ask away! I'll tell you everything there is to know
If you're in Montreal, or want to drive here, you can come take a look/listen at the receiver.

I don't think the 10 watts upgrade will do much difference at all

The 03 line does look better than the 02 line, however the 1803 is where the real improvement starts

Dislikes about the receiver are, in no order of importance
1) no pre-amp outs for non-sub channels.
I actually don't mind much because if i could afford a seperate amp, i could also afford a better receiver. This is really a budget, high quality all in one

2) the remote is bad. I can't find anything in the dark. it really does suck. but this does nto affect its performance, so i never really cared.

3) people say the instruction manual is bad. i think those people are bad readers. i got the system up in no time, reading the manual in french and english. easy to understand.
that was more of a response to a complaint by others....

Now, the AM/FM tuner? i like it! easy to use, sounds good, you don't get interference. I'm not big on radio, but i do love classical on the radio, and it sounds real good. that's really all i can say. The antenna it comes with helps a whole lot, and you can put it just about anywhere and you get real good reception.

The only other things i have seen in this price range (considering we both got very good prices) are trash from Sony which made me wish i was deaf, and some half decent Technics which had so little detail in the sound and had mass market features (like Xtra Bass Booster) and no DTS decoder.

I wouldn't hesitate buying the 1602, it will be cheaper now that the 03 line is being released. For a receiver in this range, it has great features, tons of decoders, excellent detail, a very good amp section that i have used to power a 4 ohm speaker from the 70's by Braun, and that makes my Axiom go so loud with clipping that it would damage my ears to keep it that high.

Is the $550 cdn for the Denon 1602 with or without taxes? The regular price before haggling is $599cdn, so $50 is not that great of the deal especially with the 1603 soon to be hitting stores soon. From what I read, the 1603 is the equivilant of the 1802 (upped to 80watts per channel) with the addition of component switching.
The new 1803 will have component swtiching and Dolby 6.1 ES.
There is also a new lower model 1403 which sounds like the 1602 (70 watts per channel).
The good thing is the prices for 02's should be the close to the 03.
Therefore, the it might be better to wait for Denon 1603 if the difference is only $50. Also, the 03's have a much improve remote control.
-note, these conclusions are drawn from the technial specs given by Denon and may not necessarily be correct.

Hope this helps a bit...
Spaz.

It is true that the 03 line has the newer decoders. If I was buying today I would wait for the 1803 (if i had the money, as well).

However, if you are not looking for 6.1, the 1602 is a very good deal.

I have been thinking of selling mine, however, so I can buy a 1803.

FordPrefect, wanna make me an offer I can't refuse? It still has 4 and 1/2 years warranty left on it from Audiotronic / Dumoulin!

Well I have the Denon 882 (exact same model as the 1802) and I could not be happier with its performance. Ordering it on-line for $354 (American) delivered was a great price, so I jumped on it. Ravi is right about the remote, the buttons and lettering are small, and they are hard to see in the dark. Also, the manual is fine, it explains everything clearly. Other than that, I auditioned Outlaw, Yamaha, and Onkyo A/V recievers and could not find one within $200 that PERFORMED as well as the 1802. I don't know when the 1803 comes out, and if it will be more expensive or not, but those new features sure sound nice!

I have compared the new Denon 1403 which IS available in Canada. It is an almost identical package to the 1602. I think the only difference is that the 1403 is CHEAPER and has a slightly different video section, it is has one.

FordPrefect, check out the 1403 before buying the 1602!!

Hi FordPrefect
I'm been looking at new receivers aswell.I would consider the ONKYO LINE.
I'm really inpressed with the TX-SR600 model(6.1 channel) for $749 Canadian Funds.
The TX-SR500 model(5.1 channel)for only $539 Canadian Funds, is more in line with DENON 1603.

Spaz, that was the price before taxes. I have now started going down the "overkill" path and am thinking about the 1803. Thanks for putting the price into perspective for me.

In any event the purchase won't be until after I move, by then I'm sure I will have researched this issue to death and driven most of you up the proverbial wall.

thanks everyone for your input 'preciate it.