Reading the manuals is very painful.
Understanding the manuals is, for me, impossible.
I nearly went with the 1802? just to get something going.
I decided that if half the contradictory info in the 3802 manual was true then I would see a benefit. If not now then within a year.
I found a local dealer willing to deal and went for the 3802 over the 2802 and split the price difference.
The 4 inch spacing on all sides requirements is a bit stiff. I use it as a pre/pro so I'm not pushing it.
Had some volume control "clicking" but it vanished and am content so far.
Remote is cryptic on 3802 and you can't set the main balance levels without invoking it's own internal blasted noise generator.
Actual roll-off rate for the LFE xover freq is also a mystery.
Am sure most of these "features" are replicated in the 2802. Once you "play" with it a while, the stress level drops.
By the way if anybody ever gets the DD "indicator" lamp on the RIGHT side of the unit to light up, tell me how!
Still convinced Denon is Bang for the buck leader.