Made in China - but still good

With a heavy heart I had to separate myself from my Sony STR-DB780 receiver since I switched to Full HD. Since my budget was limited, I had unfortunately in the segment below 400, - Euro Search. The biggest challenge was the connectors. The required receiver should be ready for the following devices: BlueRay, PS3, Apple TV, Sky receiver, MiniDisc, DAT and turntables. Theoretically, even a CD player and a tape deck. Since I have the 2, however, is no longer used for 2 years, I have seen this as "option". The whole should then be output in parallel on a FullHD Beamer and a TV. Alone with 2 HDMI outputs to find a device in this price range is difficult. My decision for the Samsung therefore fell mainly because of the many connections, because the technical features are similar to those of several competing products from Sony, Yamaha and Onkyo. Since I could unfortunately find neither tests nor reviews about the D700, I had hoped that with Samsung AV receivers a similarly good value for money hinbekommt as with television sets.

Now on to the device:
When unpacking, I was shocked at first because of the weight, because the amplifier does not weigh much more than a PS3. When I still had to read "Made in China" the words, I was very skeptical (which probably now most receivers come from the Middle Kingdom). The optics is relatively high despite plastic and processing seems to be OK. The connections are arranged very clearly.

The following is offered:
4x HDMI in
2x HDMI Out
2x Component in (depending 3x RCA)
1x Component out (3x RCA)
3x analog video / audio in (Composite depending 3x RCA) Back
1x analog video / audio in (RCA Composite 3x) Front
1x analog audio in (2x RCA)
1x analog video out (1x RCA)
3x Digital Audio in (Optical Toslink)
1x Digital Audio in (coaxial)
1x analog audio out (2x RCA)
2x Subwoofer out (1x RCA)
7x speakers (depending 2xBanane or screw)
1x iPod Dock
1x USB (for update)

Then when connecting I realized that the assignment of the inputs are suboptimal. There is the input selector for selecting only the following devices:
BD / DVD (HDMI, Composite, Component, Optical)
SAT (HDMI, Composite, Component, Optical)
Game (HDMI)
AUX (HDMI, Composite Front)
TV (Composite, Optical)
CD (RCA, Coaxial)
iPod (iPod Dock)
Tuner

Now if I want to connect my MiniDisc player, then I use for the Optical 1 (BD / DVD) and then you have to select in the selector BD / DVD Select and then 2 times press Audio Assign until the display reads "Optical". I do not know exactly how it is with other devices in this price range, but I find that confusing and somewhat confusing. I think other receivers have the ability to assign the inputs free what actually technically can not be so complicated. Perhaps happened here still something after a software update from Samsung ...

The remote control is not very stylish by the relatively large buttons, but works fine. The OSD (menu on TV) is very rudimentary, but still present. Automatic measuring using the supplied microphone worked very well with me. Although I must say that I think it's good when the rear speakers are not too loud. One caveat: the measuring should not be done late in the evening when neighbors want to sleep or the child, because it sounded saulaute orchestral excerpts. And 5 times out of every box! The bass rumbles violently here. I would have done me in shock almost in the pants ... :-)

The sound is very accurate, but you can hear that it is a digital amplifier. Who is more at warm sound, should stay away from the D700. Personally, I find the sound of movies very enjoyable because the voices are clearly understood. Never fear, the basses are still bold and balanced. Is the "Smart Volume" function also very interesting. Here are extremely loud sound effects "neighbor-friendly" attenuated, while the soft passages are still well understood. The stereo sound I've tested only briefly, but it sounded pretty neat. Again, something more "digital" than warm.

My reference BDs "Die Hard 4.0" and "Avatar" have made to the receiver in every respect a lot of fun. The picture is sharp and with no visible loss. The upscaling of DVDs (eg Madagascar) was so good that it almost like HD worked. PS3 and Apple TV also in every respect that would work with the D700.

Totally for the feet, the iPod's dock. It works, but you can see neither the title on the screen, yet select Playlists. You can press Start / Stop and Skip. And since it's a dock, you can not even control directly from the iPod music. I still hope to a software update from Samsung.

Pros
+ Many inputs
+ 2 HDMI outputs
+ Good automatic detection
+ IPod dock is included
+ Good upscaling
+ Clear Connections
+ Good design (a matter of taste, I like it)
+ Low power consumption, as digital amplifiers

Cons
- Inputs are badly assignable
- IPod dock provides no navigation options
- No Phono input
- Plastic front despite aluminum metal look
- Display is quite difficult to read (too dark and too small)

Neutral
+ - Accurate and balanced sound, but the very "digital" sound
+ - OSD looks like Atari video game from the 80s
+ - Very easy, even for a digital receiver

Conclusion: Overall, I am very pleased with the Samsung HW-D700. I did not expect in this price range to find such a well-equipped and neatly-sounding receiver. A strong buy recommendation for FullHD beginners and price-conscious people. However, anyone who has a good level of processing, value and analogue sound, I would recommend a higher price range to search or to forego some features. My Sony I grieve only because of wertigeren processing (metal) and the warm, analog stereo sound afterwards.