Given the similarities of receivers and knowing that Denon wanted to distinguish this unit, it is a real shame they did not really do anything to make this unit
visually stand out!
To all appearances, it looks like just another $400 to $1500 AVR.
The Marantz AV7005 is an excellent example of a unit that turns heads and makes you look closer:
Obviously, they wouldn't want to copy the Marantz, but if Denon had done something like this, I think they could have easy charged another $500-$1000 and sold the crap out of them as a true collector's item. They are not catering to the "value" market, and I believe anyone who has the bucks to spend $2500 on a receiver, would be happier paying more and getting something more unique and visually intriguing.
I expect they'll probably do fine with what they are selling, but they are missing the opportunity to produce something special that is likely to become a bit of a "signature" product for Denon.