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frontpage Posted by eddie21j • Sep 29, 2022
frontpage Posted by eddie21j • Sep 29, 2022

Denon AVR-S540BT 5.2-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver

+ Free Shipping

$279

$347

19% off
Denon
139 Comments 69,283 Views
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Deal Details
Update: This popular deal is still available.

Denon.com has Denon AVR-S540BT 5.2-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver for $279. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member eddie21j for finding this deal.

Features:
  • 5.2-Channel AV receiver with 140W power per channel.
  • Front panel USB input for playback of MP3, WAV, FLAC, ALAC
  • 4k/60Hz, HDR, Dolby Vision, HLG compatible
  • 5x HDMI Inputs

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is $70 lower (20% savings) than the list price of $349.99.
  • About this product:
    • Rating of 4.5 from over 240 Denon customer reviews.
  • About this store:
    • Information about Denon's return policy here.
  • Please read the Forum Thread for more deal discussion.

Original Post

Written by eddie21j
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Update: This popular deal is still available.

Denon.com has Denon AVR-S540BT 5.2-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver for $279. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member eddie21j for finding this deal.

Features:
  • 5.2-Channel AV receiver with 140W power per channel.
  • Front panel USB input for playback of MP3, WAV, FLAC, ALAC
  • 4k/60Hz, HDR, Dolby Vision, HLG compatible
  • 5x HDMI Inputs

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • This price is $70 lower (20% savings) than the list price of $349.99.
  • About this product:
    • Rating of 4.5 from over 240 Denon customer reviews.
  • About this store:
    • Information about Denon's return policy here.
  • Please read the Forum Thread for more deal discussion.

Original Post

Written by eddie21j

Community Voting

Deal Score
+65
Good Deal
Get Deal at Denon
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Top Comments

This is basically the cheapest entry level avr. If you do like 10 minutes of research you'll probably find that you'll want to upgrade fairly quickly if you actually get into home theater. If you're someone who just wants to power the speakers you have so you don't have to deal with TV speakers then this will be just fine. I would recommend trying to find an older higher tier used model at a thrift store/Craigslist etc if possible.
I have this. Zero issues and it gets uncomfortably loud if I crank it, . Does freak out with pc inputs so those I have on the tv. Also Firestick 4k remote and Samsung remote both control volume on tv. Def great buy
Thank God AVRs are finally going back on sale below MSRP

138 Comments

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Oct 7, 2022
711 Posts
Joined Jan 2011
Oct 7, 2022
Forerunner343
Oct 7, 2022
711 Posts
Quote from reezick :
No atmos support? Pass
I don't think people looking for Atmos are looking at 5 channel receivers
Oct 7, 2022
503 Posts
Joined Jan 2010
Oct 7, 2022
turbomission
Oct 7, 2022
503 Posts
Quote from KMFers :
You control the volume of your receiver with your roku remote while using rca?
Not exactly. My TV is connected to my receiver with analog RCA cables. When I adjust the volume on my TV using the Roku remote, it changes the volume of the audio signal from the TV to the receiver. So I never actually have to change the volume on my receiver.

And since my sources (Blu-ray player, Wii, and computer) are all connected directly to my TV (with HDMI), the TV acts as the switching device. So I never actually have to mess with the receiver to change volume or switch sources.

Quote from KMFers :
Do you have an hdmi connected from the TV to the receiver?
No, and my receiver does not even have HDMI or video capabilities. It is a Sony STR-DH190 2-channel stereo receiver. It's strictly there to provide power for my speakers.

Here's how my setup looks, and you can see how the Roku home menu has links to my devices. It makes everything easy.
Oct 8, 2022
152 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
Oct 8, 2022
el_terrible
Oct 8, 2022
152 Posts
Quote from edwardsa02 :
This is basically the cheapest entry level avr. If you do like 10 minutes of research you'll probably find that you'll want to upgrade fairly quickly if you actually get into home theater. If you're someone who just wants to power the speakers you have so you don't have to deal with TV speakers then this will be just fine. I would recommend trying to find an older higher tier used model at a thrift store/Craigslist etc if possible.

Well you have to be careful and tech savvy if you are looking for "older higher tier" used models with the way HDMI/video standards have changed rapidly over the last 20 years. This one is pretty modern, it will work for HDR video switching. If you get something 10 years old, it probably has an earlier HDMI standard and wont support 4k or HDR ect.
Oct 8, 2022
159 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Oct 8, 2022
NotInThisEconomy
Oct 8, 2022
159 Posts
Quote from el_terrible :
Well you have to be careful and tech savvy if you are looking for "older higher tier" used models with the way HDMI/video standards have changed rapidly over the last 20 years. This one is pretty modern, it will work for HDR video switching. If you get something 10 years old, it probably has an earlier HDMI standard and wont support 4k or HDR ect.
You are correct. I'm fairly tech savvy so I guess that's why I said 10 minutes of research. Obviously people who aren't as in touch with the latest and greatest will need to look into it more.

I was just trying to say this is a pretty bottom of the barrel avr. It'll work for many people, but spending some more now will get you some features you'll quickly find yourself wanting, or spending the same/less on the used market can get you the same performance or better.
Oct 8, 2022
503 Posts
Joined Jan 2010
Oct 8, 2022
turbomission
Oct 8, 2022
503 Posts
Quote from el_terrible :
Well you have to be careful and tech savvy if you are looking for "older higher tier" used models with the way HDMI/video standards have changed rapidly over the last 20 years. This one is pretty modern, it will work for HDR video switching. If you get something 10 years old, it probably has an earlier HDMI standard and wont support 4k or HDR ect.
I don't think you understood his comment. He was saying if you just want the receiver to power some speakers, then you can you use an outdated-but-higher-end receiver, since you will not be passing video through. Therefore 4K, HDR, HDMI versions etc don't matter.

The receiver I'm using, for example, doesn't even do video. It's strictly a stereo receiver with no video inputs.
Oct 8, 2022
5,769 Posts
Joined Mar 2008
Oct 8, 2022
dclive
Oct 8, 2022
5,769 Posts
Quote from edwardsa02 :
You are correct. I'm fairly tech savvy so I guess that's why I said 10 minutes of research. Obviously people who aren't as in touch with the latest and greatest will need to look into it more.

I was just trying to say this is a pretty bottom of the barrel avr. It'll work for many people, but spending some more now will get you some features you'll quickly find yourself wanting, or spending the same/less on the used market can get you the same performance or better.
Here's what some people might miss that they would get on a step-up model:

1. Networking. The ability to control this unit via an app on their iPhone or Android device.
2. Easy firmware updates, because #1 - so all firmware updates must be done via USB, which is clunky.
3. 7.1, obviously; the 540BT is only 5.1. And for the vast, vast, vast majority, 5.1 is plenty.
4. Obviously, any networking related technologies (Airplay2) won't work, but normal Bluetooth works fine.

For most, there's nothing there that they'd "quickly find yourself wanting", but YMMV.

Power difference isn't significant, particularly if you have a subwoofer (which has its' own power) to relieve the need for boomy bass from this unit directly.

Aside from that, this is perfectly fine for the vast majority, and most people never update any firmware anyway, so it's a nonissue. This device has the current audio standards suitable for a 5.1 system, plus fully complaint 4k at 60hz. If you're not a gamer that needs 120hz for your 4k screens, this is perfectly fine, and will save hundreds of dollars.
Last edited by dclive October 8, 2022 at 04:13 PM.
Oct 8, 2022
159 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Oct 8, 2022
NotInThisEconomy
Oct 8, 2022
159 Posts
Quote from dclive :
Here's what some people might miss that they would get on a step-up model:

1. Networking. The ability to control this unit via an app on their iPhone or Android device.
2. Easy firmware updates, because #1 - so all firmware updates must be done via USB, which is clunky.
3. 7.1, obviously; the 540BT is only 5.1. And for the vast, vast, vast majority, 5.1 is plenty.
4. Obviously, any networking related technologies (Airplay2) won't work, but normal Bluetooth works fine.

For most, there's nothing there that they'd "quickly find yourself wanting", but YMMV.

Power difference isn't significant, particularly if you have a subwoofer (which has its' own power) to relieve the need for boomy bass from this unit directly.

Aside from that, this is perfectly fine for the vast majority, and most people never update any firmware anyway, so it's a nonissue. This device has the current audio standards suitable for a 5.1 system, plus fully complaint 4k at 60hz. If you're not a gamer that needs 120hz for your 4k screens, this is perfectly fine, and will save hundreds of dollars.
That's a lot of words to agree with me that It'll work for many people

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Oct 9, 2022
5,769 Posts
Joined Mar 2008
Oct 9, 2022
dclive
Oct 9, 2022
5,769 Posts
Quote from edwardsa02 :
That's a lot of words to agree with me that It'll work for many people
I don't agree with you.

You said it's a bottom of the barrel AVR and would leave people quickly wanting features (that this is missing), and I disagree on both counts.

For someone who wants a normal 5.1 AVR but doesn't require network capability, and wants a good brand name, this (at $279) is essentially perfect, particularly in today's times (of hard-to-find AVR deals).

If you meant something else, pls can you clarify?
Last edited by dclive October 8, 2022 at 08:53 PM.
1
Oct 9, 2022
159 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Oct 9, 2022
NotInThisEconomy
Oct 9, 2022
159 Posts
Quote from dclive :
I don't agree with you.

You said it's a bottom of the barrel AVR and would leave people quickly wanting features (that this is missing), and I disagree on both counts.

For someone who wants a normal 5.1 AVR but doesn't require network capability, and wants a good brand name, this (at $279) is essentially perfect, particularly in today's times (of hard-to-find AVR deals).

If you meant something else, pls can you clarify?
Lmao you literally just explained how it's a bottom of the barrel avr. It can do basic 5.1 and that's about it. It's THE bottom of the line avr. There's nothing wrong with owning it but it's the BUDGET option for a reason. It does the bare minimum.
Oct 9, 2022
971 Posts
Joined Dec 2011
Oct 9, 2022
aztecsurf
Oct 9, 2022
971 Posts
If this unit has pre-outs you could send the audio to a decent amplifier that can handle more difficult or demanding speakers. Also what DAC is built in this?
Oct 9, 2022
5,769 Posts
Joined Mar 2008
Oct 9, 2022
dclive
Oct 9, 2022
5,769 Posts
Quote from edwardsa02 :
Lmao you literally just explained how it's a bottom of the barrel avr. It can do basic 5.1 and that's about it. It's THE bottom of the line avr. There's nothing wrong with owning it but it's the BUDGET option for a reason. It does the bare minimum.
You said people would quickly want more features (ie this is a bad choice, since it would become obsolete quickly as people needed more functionality) and I think that's completely wrong.

You said it's a bottom of the barrel AVR, and in Denon's lineup, it's the least expensive option, but if you browse Amazon, you'll see there are plenty of cheaper options, plus there's the proverbial Goodwill Store diving too. Not to mention the last-gen stuff.

The main point, obviously, is that this is a good setup for the majority, but that's the opposite of what you appear to be saying.

If you're in fact saying most would be happy with this, please clarify. Unless one needs one of the features I spelled out, it's very likely this is sufficient for them.
Oct 9, 2022
159 Posts
Joined Aug 2011
Oct 9, 2022
NotInThisEconomy
Oct 9, 2022
159 Posts
Quote from dclive :
You said people would quickly want more features (ie this is a bad choice, since it would become obsolete quickly as people needed more functionality) and I think that's completely wrong.

You said it's a bottom of the barrel AVR, and in Denon's lineup, it's the least expensive option, but if you browse Amazon, you'll see there are plenty of cheaper options, plus there's the proverbial Goodwill Store diving too. Not to mention the last-gen stuff.

The main point, obviously, is that this is a good setup for the majority, but that's the opposite of what you appear to be saying.

If you're in fact saying most would be happy with this, please clarify. Unless one needs one of the features I spelled out, it's very likely this is sufficient for them.
I'm just gonna recommend that you personally buy a sound bar if you're unable to read AND comprehend the multiple comments I've posted on this thread. One of them is a top comment so clearly everyone else here understands this is a basic avr for sale. That's all I wanted to get across and have clearly done that.

Good luck in future life lol
1
Oct 10, 2022
210 Posts
Joined Mar 2013
Oct 10, 2022
shun2112
Oct 10, 2022
210 Posts
Quote from wandering_soul :
What do you mean by that? my denon loudly pops from the pc as soon as the audio stops.
I have this model and everything is fine too. No pop sound.
Oct 12, 2022
585 Posts
Joined Jan 2016
Oct 12, 2022
Dannny22
Oct 12, 2022
585 Posts
Quote from reezick :
No atmos support? Pass
5.2 with Atmos are you kidding??? At this price???

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Oct 12, 2022
23 Posts
Joined Jun 2011
Oct 12, 2022
snehne
Oct 12, 2022
23 Posts
Just want to share my experience... I own this unit, a friend has the S530BT (of which this is a minor upgrade). Both units just lost video output one day (his after 4 years, mine 3). I looked online and found Youtube tutorial on fixing this (to swap out certain chip!), which seems to indicate this is somewhat a common problem. I'm not skillful enough to do the chip swap, so I just reconnected all video sources back to TV and use digital out from TV to this unit for audio. Still works, but a royal pain if I want to change settings since I would not be able to see the menu.

Before that I had owned two Denons, the first dating back to early 90s; both had zero issue. Time has changed I guess ...

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