I AM VERY IMPRESSED WITH THIS UNIT. IT IS NICE TO SEE STRONG ENTRIES FROM SHERWOOD LIKE THIS UNIT AND THE 945 RECEIVER. KEEP IT UP SHERWOOD!!!
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. EXCELLENT SONIC PERFORMANCE STEREO
2. EXCELLINT SONIC PERFORMANCE MOVIES DD/DTS
3. BEAUTIFUL FINISH-FEEL OF QUALITY.
4. FLEXIBLE-INDEPENDANT SUB LEVEL CONTROL
5. DUAL SUB OUTPUT
6. VALUE---PERFORMS LIKE UNITS 2 TO 3 TIMES THE PRICE!
7. NOTHING IN PRICE RANGE EVEN COMES CLOSE

DRAWBACKS:
1. DOES NOT DETECT DIGITAL SIGNAL AUTOMATICALLY (DD/DTS).
2. COULD USE MORE DIGITAL INPUTS

Clean pre-amp that does most things u want without breaking the bank. Problem is very weak Tuner, noticeable clicks when u change the volume (thought not very important to me unless u're 1 meter or so away from the speakers) And I can't seem to turn the unit on without a remote. Best advice, buy a denon 3300 as a preamp.

I've used the Sherwood in my HT system for about 6 months. I'm using Paradigm Monitor speakers and the Harman/Kardon PA5800 amplifier. For the $800 I paid for it, I'm thrilled with the Sherwood. This has to be one of the best values in HT. The Sherwood is built well and looks nice. It sounds great in DTS, DD, DPL, and stereo. I'm using the internal DACS for CDs which are great. I a/b'd the Sherwood with the Sony, and while the Sony had better build quality, it didn't sound as good for music. The Sherwood is easy to use and setup, and the remote is great. It's got tons of inputs and outputs and all the features you need, including 6 ch. inputs. You'd have to spend $3000 on a Classe' SSP-25 to get better performance. Highly recommended.

Simplicity of design and operation.
Clear and ample hookups for the "non-audiophile".

Low level hiss in all modes...!
Busy "industry standard" remote.
Minor design shortcomings.

I bought this unit in January because of glowing reviews in many publications based on sound quality, features and price. I wasn't going to spend $3000+ for a Sunfire or like product and I needed a phono input, wanted DD and DTS as well as minimal digital processing (most surround modes are pretty lousy to begin with) and a subwoofer output so the AVP-9080 filled the bill.

Out of the box, the unit worked well and met my expectations except for the low level hiss that came out of the speakers in any and all modes at all volume levels. I HAD had my CD player (Adcom GCD700) plugged directly into my Adcom GFA7500 (using the variable output for volume control) and out of my Infinity SM122s, there was dead SILENCE. But once the AVP-9080 was in the path, HISSSSSSSSSSS! So I contacted Sherwood (luckilly in the area) and they generously offered to replace the unit for another. They even went so far as to let me demo the unit before I took it home but their lab was so noisy I couldn't detect any hiss and made the exchange. Unfortunately when I got home, the hiss was still there so I think they need to work on their output stage or add a filter somewhere...

After another month or two, the fluorescent display went out and I had to have that replaced. Thankfully warranties exist! Since then however, the unit has not displayed any further problems.

The volume control is finely gradiated though it does "tick" through each level as others report. This is annoying as I think it should also be DEAD QUIET. I do not like the remote though it is included with many other high end makes so SOMEONE must like it. I also don't like the tuner buttons being on the drop down panel as they don't work all that well and I don't seem to be able to tune freely with the remote (I can only step through the memorized stations as far as I know). I also don't like not being able to adjust the bass and treble from the remote though maybe I am just missing it for some reason.

The DTS feature is excellent (working very well with my Denon DVD-2500) and the simplicity of the unit is great. Set each mode once for each component and you never have to change anything again. Well, except for when I use the bypass feature because I have to tell the unit to use the subwoofer every time when I do that (according to the Sherwood people, that is what's supposed to happen because the bypass switch turns off ALL processing including the subwoofer crossover circuit).

OTHER than that, the unit is pretty good and I DO like it.
I just wish it wouldn't hiss...... Points lost for that.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom GTP-740

I bought AVP9080 preamp and matching AM9080 amp. I am very happy with both units. Sound is very good to my Magnepan MGIIc's, very clear and sharp. Both unit's appear to be very well made. And have had no problem's. Highly recommend these
products.

I have used the 9080R for about two months and am very satisfied, especially considering its low (comparative) price. No one with reasonable expectations could be disappointed by the 9080. Certainly, it--together with the amp(s) of your choice--is a much better solution than the many (sometimes costly) DTS/AC3 receivers out there. I admit that I had low expectations of Sherwood-Newcastle, but those have been changed by this fine product. S-N, if you're listening, keep up the good work!

WOW, WOW, and WOW, it sounds looks and is amazing. Easy to use, has everything I would ever want (could have a couple more coax inputs). This pre amp has gotten amazing reviews from magazines as well as individuals and I agree with every one of them. I would have liked to have the green light not be that bright because when viewing in dark it is a bit distracting, but other than that the design is absolutely perfect. It has all the inputs I will ever need, and all the features I need. I have the pre amp hooked up with an awesome ATI 1505, and B&W CDM-1SE speakers.

I have been using this unit for the past two weeks, primarily on movies (DVD). Overall I would say the unit performs well sonically and offers a great deal of value for the money. I would have to agree with others that the build quality is excellent, look and feel is great, and the added features of 6 channel input, dual sub-woofer and center outputs, and s-video to composite conversion are all real pluses. Limited digital inputs are of course a drawback for some.
Unfortunately I plan exchanging the unit for another brand sometime this week. Perhaps the only drawback that becomes a show-stopper for me is the lack of automatic signal detection (DD/DTS/Pro Logic). If I were the only family member using the box this might not be a big deal, although one could argue that even a "low priced" pre-amplifier should have this capability. Several members of my family like having the capability of playing a DVD without reading the box to find out which sound system to set the pre-amp for. Of course they could just press each button until they hear sound but I would prefer to avoid that if at all possible. The only other quirk I would mention is that the volume must be set to 1/2 - 3/4 to achieve theater-level output even though I have fairly efficient speakers and an ATI 1505 150W X 5 amp. The manual claims up to 9V output and the ATI specs say 1.2V required for rated output so someone is not telling the truth but I have not have time to pin it down. It may not be the Sherwood.

In summary, great sound and great value regardless of the single drawback that makes it less suitable for me personally. If automatic signal detection is not a requirement, then I would strongly recommend you audition this unit.

I have now had this unit installed for a couple of weeks and I wanted to give my comments. Most are repeats of earlier comments so I won't elaborate too much.
Sound is wonderful, particularly for the price. Analog stereo is particularly good. Set up is pretty easy especially from the front panel. I am still fighting the remote. I often find it easier to get up than to use the remote for some items. Marty mentions that it does not auto sense the incoming format. That is true HOWEVER it is important to note that it does remember the LAST format used for each input. So if the last DVD input used was DD then when you select DVD input it will automatically switch to DD. If the last input for CD was stereo it will automatically switch to stereo. When I select TV or VCR it is automatically on DPL. I find that this is all I need 99% of the time. The only time I have to select the decoding format is when I switch from a DTS to a DD DVD which isn't very often.

As Marty alluded to, the volume control is VEERRRYY gradual. I like this since it allows very small adjustments to volume. But to go from low volume to high volume requires a large adjustment. I have absolutly no problems achieving earsplitting volume even with relatively inefficient speakers.

All-in-all this piece is a great unit and I think someone would have a hard time justifying spending 2-3 times as much on competing units.

I feel this preamp is one of the best values in upper echelon equipment available! It’s loaded with features and quality. Many high-end preamps tend to focus mainly on quality and tend to lack nice convenience features. It has the sonic quality of the better ‘music only’ components while providing the latest in DD and DTS audio decoding for movie viewing. It’s like getting two units for the price of one.
Keep in mind, this is not a Z-Systems Digital pre, nor is it a Mark Levenson. However, the quality is not far behind. It holds its own against even the toughest competition. The Z is about 15% better for five times the cost! The Newcastle’s value is tough to beat!