The Denon AVR-5803's stereo analog frequency response, left channel, from the CD or 8-channel input to the speaker output, measured -0.12dB at 20Hz, -0.15dB at 20kHz, and -0.88dB at 50kHz. The Dolby Digital response (optical input to speaker output) measured -0.08% at 20Hz and -0.13% at 20kHz, left channel; the center channel was essentially the same. With the surround left channel set to Small and the crossover frequency set to "120," the highpass filter responses were -3dB at 122Hz and -6dB at 92Hz. The A-weighted signal/noise ratio measured -102dB. THD+noise in stereo at 1W into 8ohm measured 0.007% at 20Hz, 0.008% at 1kHz, and 0.006% at 20kHz.

At 2W into 4ohm, the THD+noise figures were 0.008% at 20Hz and 1kHz and 0.007% at 20kHz.

With five channels driven, the AVR-5803's power output at clipping (1% THD+noise) into 8ohm measured 170 watts per channel at 1kHz and 141Wpc at 20Hz, left channel measured to the nearest watt. With two channels driven at 1kHz, clipping occurred at 206Wpc into 8ohm and at 308Wpc into 4ohm, left channel measured.

Driving all five channels into 4ohm, the Denon delivered 228Wpc before clipping. At this point, however, the review sample failed. Its front panel continued to glow, but no signal was passed to the outputs. Attempts to revive it, including replacing accessible fuses, were unsuccessful. MF experienced no problems with this unit under normal use, but I recommend caution when mating the AVR-5803 to speakers having a nominal rated impedance of less than 6ohm.—Thomas J. Norton