Good read: why comparing specifications is pointless

"Every Denon and Marantz review is done with prior consultation with the company"

LOL! -what is your price tag for “agreed" review? 

@westcoastaudiophile 

"Every Denon and Marantz review is done with prior consultation with the company"

LOL! -what is your price tag for “agreed" review? 

Well, you tell me.  Here is the conclusion of the Denon AVR-X3800H Review:

Conclusions
I had high hopes going into this review thinking the company had seen the advantage its superior objective measurements in the past and would try to capitalize on them. Sadly, the reverse seems to be true with the DAC section taking a large step backward. Considering that the 3800 costs $500 more than 3700H, this is very surprising to me. Yes, inflation has a lot to do with that but surely the eye needed to be focused on making sure they at least met the same level of performance as last generation.

The good news is that the amplifier seems to be same design as last generation and has only taken a small hit.

Denon had been my "goto" recommendation for AVRs and even AVPs. When anyone asked me about either, I would just say "get a Denon AVR." While subjectively the performance of this new generation may be similar, I can't accept the regression in objective measured performance.

It is with much sadness that I cannot recommend the Denon AVR-X3800H.

You think this is something they would pay for?  I would think not.

I have an informal agreement with D&M to run my measurements by them in advance of a review.  It is an exception to the rule of testing membership products.  I am not sure of their reaction to the latest review so maybe they break the relationship for the future, I don't know.  What I do know is that the few of you keep shooting from the hip trying to sow discord.  :(

@kota1 

I am not being critical of your ability to use a laptop and a mic. The fact that Denon’s own measurements matches yours is good The issue I am bringing to your attention is obvious, you have to review it under the conditions it is designed to be used. You can’t do that with just 2 speakers, OK?

No, it is not "OK."  I just got done explaining all of this to you. Go watch that video.  If you don't understand it, ask questions.  If you understand it but disagree, come back with comprehensive research that I showed there why you don't want to test multichannel EQ systems in multi-channel.

But maybe you think I should do what other "reviewers" do.  Play some movies through the AVR and write fiction about how said movie soundtrack sounded.  I don't do stuf like that.  Go and seek our those sources.

Finally, I have a separeate dedicated theater.  If there ever was a need, I can test in there but there never has been.  No company has asked for that either and that list includes some of the highest-end AV companies such as Trinnov, Storm, etc.

So don't keep bringing up these lay arguments.  Go and fix the sound of your system.  Measure what it is producing now and post that.  You are the best example of how science and engineering can help  you.  You screwed up following online stuff you heard.  Now is your chance to improve your system sound and instead are wasting time with all these complaining....

@amir_asr

How did the Denon "perform" when you set it up in your home theater as it was designed to be used? Good luck with that, this is why you keep getting comments about not listening to gear.

You said:

Go and fix the sound of your system.

I started a new thread here on setting up an Atmos system, you would like it, lots of technical detail, feel free to check it out and fix the sound of your system..

 Again you just validated what many here have been saying. You should not even be considered in the realm of professional reviewer's. 

You keep stepping in your own poop. 

@amir_asr ,

I perform 2-channel testing because a) a lot of people want to use their AV products for music also and b) I use 2-channel systems as the standard that the AV industry needs to strive to match.

I know they are better equipped in both staff and technology, and they are dedicated to one mission or job, Reviews. 

Quality not quantity. You just validated what many are saying here. 

Seeing how I review nearly 300 audio devices a year, that is a hell of a lot of listening tests!