Integration with JVC components, tons of digital inputs,
S_video out (work great with JVC TV), power

Volume Control takes a bit to get used to

I purchased this unit mainly for the Compu-Link integration with my JVC VCR, DVD, CD-changer, and TV. Once set-up everything works great, although I still have to figure out how to automatically turn off surround when I switch to CD Digital, as I prefer to listen to cd's in two-stereo mode.

Futershop had it on for $599.00, but a quick check of their web-site in-store, showed it for $549.00, so the salesman gave me the $50.00 off. Be careful.

The receiver itself is definitely a solid piece of electronics. I have seen reviews where some people don't like the dials on the front. I find them really useful and quick when drilling down through menus. This unit pumps out the power, but you have to get used to JVC's exponential volume control. Volume increases gradually from 0 to about 50, then it ramps up at an exponential rate from there. This allows tweaking off your system at low volumes, but you have to crank it up to piss off the neighbours. My older JVC had a linear volume control, so it just takes a bit to get used to.

There are only two real gripes I have. First, when assigning your digital inputs, there is a certain sequence you have to have them hooked up in or it won't function correctly. The first digital input is coaxial and the rest are optical. If the coaxial is set to CD for example, then the optical assignments are based on this. Tough to explain. The second gripe is the remote. If I select "DVD' for example, all the DVD controls work. However if I adjust the sound using the remote, I have to select DVD again to make the controls work. The remote should be able to distinguish between selecting audio controls vs. selecting a new source.

Other than that the unit has performed extremely well. The Gladiator and The Matrix are unbelievable and the receiver does a great job of running the speakers. I live in an apartment and don't run a sub (yet!) so the JVC's SEA equalizer lets me up the bass on the Monitor 7's. Some people have complained of the unit running hot. I haven't had this problem at all. It actually run quite cool when turned up loud. I have it on top of my audio unit, so there is tons of ventilation.

Highly recommended, especially if you want to run all JVC components from the reciever.

Set-Up
JVC 32D501 - TV
JVC 8000vbk - Receiver
JVC MC334 - 200 CD Changer
JVC 511bk - DVD
JVC 4-Head VCR (older model - but who cares- DVD!!!!)
Paradigm Monitor 7 - Fronts
Paradigm CC-370 - Center
JBL 800's - Rears
No sub - live in an apartment

I hope this helps. I used the reviews on the 8000v to finalize my decision.

Similar Products Used:

JVC 661V, Old Marantz, Technics, Pioneer

Features, features, features.(and inputs!)

Remote should learn or have more pre-programmed choices

JVC RX8000VBK with Dolby Digital® and DTS®120 Watts
I bought this because I wanted a receiver with DTS and enough inputs and outputs to accommodate all my equipment.
I have a DVD player, vcr, camcorder, monitor, computer all hooked into this thing with room to spare!
I definitely wanted multiple s-video inputs & outputs for all this equipment. This has 4 inputs and 2 outputs for s-video.
It has inputs on the front for my camcorder which can be either s-video or composite.
The digital optical inputs are cool because you can assign them to different equipment. There is also a coax digital input that I chose to use with my DVD player.
There is plenty of power here with 120 watts/channel. The sound is excellent as expected.
One thing that was a disappointment was that it can only pass s-video signals to s-video and composite to composite. It would be nice if the receiver could convert the signal internally so you could mix equipment. I have never tried this with other equipment so I am not sure if this is a problem with most receivers. Get Yours For ONLY! $319.95

Clean, clear sound

No 5 channel Stereo

Great sound quality, features and looks for the price. You can't go wrong with this receiver. Missing 5 channel stereo but I'd rather use a 7 speaker setup having 4 front speakers (A+B) to get a surround sound effect.

Great sound, easy setup, easy connections, great jog-dial. I love it!

No Pre-AMP OUTPUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Love this A/V Reciever. Great amp, but I am really cheesed that this doesn't have a preamp output! What's up with that. If anyone has any tips on how they solved this I'd love to hear it. jpollock@kana.com

Other than that this amp does just what it should. great surroun processing, easy to navigate menu's, and clean crisp sound.

I may downgrade this if I can't figure out a better preampout solution... But for now all fivers.

Similar Products Used:

JVC Older model...

lots of inputs/outputs, great power

overloads once in while

The receiver is really great for its price, i paid over 500 dollars for my last receiver Sony STR-DB840, but it didn't really offer me a lot of bass, and had a lot of useless features. The JVC 8000 vbk provided great sound, less harmonic distortion compared to my sony receiver. and the best of all it is affordable.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DB840

DTS, STEREO, WATTS, ON SCREEN SETTING

DISPLAY

THE SOUND IS GREAT . THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE WHITH THIS RECEIVER IS THE ON RECEIVER DISLAY IN THE GRAPH OF THE EQUALIZER I HAVE IN TWO COLUMNS OF THIS LIKE DUBLE DOT IF YOU KNOW INFORMATION TO REPAIR THIS E MAIL ME.

Similar Products Used:

KENWOOD I CANT REMEMBER THE MODEL

DTS,dolby digital,lot's of power,easy working remote,on screen setting.

none yet, i've only had it for 2 weeks.

It was five years ago since my laser disc player died and i sold all the movie discs. i was running a jvc pro-logic, and it's funny this new 8000 the pro-logic feature sounds so much better? anyway, now with dvd's,dolby digital & DTS it was time to get back into home theater and upgrade my gear.this JVC is awesome so far, many,many features,set up was very easy and i can use the remote to run my other gear. the system sounds great in dolby digital and the pro-logic, it has alot of power when in stereo.
one thing, maybe some of you could help me out?
i'm not sure how the DTS/DOLBLY DIGITAL SOUND works? do you choose when you set the dvd up? 'cos when i put in a DTS disc the jvc defaults to dolby digital eveytime? also what is the differance in the two? they are both 5.1
anyway so far for this price i'm very pleased with the 8000.
here is my set-up:
JVC rx-8000vbk a/v receiver
JVC hr-j633u HI-FI vcr
JVC 27" T.V.
samsung dvd-m301 dvd player
old kenwood tape deck
JBL 800 fronts
JBL CENTER
Paradigm atom rears
paradigm pdr-10 SUB.
i may upgrade my front JBL's to paradigm titan's??what do ya think? the jbl's sound fine, but i'm really like'n the paradigm stuff.

Similar Products Used:

others in this price range.

Many outputs/inputs, pretty solid all the way around

runs a little warm/hot, DTS signal doesent always kick on..

I upgraded my Kenwood to take advantage of DTS. I am still learning this reciever. The digital sound and modes are great. I am still getting used to the controls. Volume control at about 40 is my normal listening level. This reciever seems to get warm/hot fast. Is that normal for this type of unit?...e-mail me to let me know...I use a small fan to help cool it in my audio case. remote works well. Setting the individual sounds for each speaker is a learning process. You have to be quick to set the various levels..all in all I am pleased for the money I spent.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood 107VR

See previous review

SUPPORT!!! CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!

***UPDATE***

I just had my first problem with this receiver. Three weeks ago I bought a satellite dish and plugged the S-video from the satellite receiver into the 8000vbk. I figure that the JVC can do all the video switching.

Well, I turn the TV on and sit down for some nice satellite sound, and *pop*. The receiver shut right down and the word "OVERLOAD" started flashing on the screen. The user manual explains that this is caused by overloading the speakers. I had it at 37 volume and I didn't touch any of the speaker configurations! I tried all the troubleshooting procedures, but nothing worked.

To make a long story short, I emailed JVC Canada (they don't have a support phone number) and then a week later I emailed them again, since I didn't receive a response. Now we are going on two weeks without a response. I received a notification that they received the email, but so far, nothing. So right now my receiver is just sitting there - a total waste of money. I can't turn it on because I can't trun the volume up past 30 or it shuts down again!

As an owner of a JVC TV, DVD player, two receivers, VCR, CD changer, and car stereo I am a big fan. However the next piece of equipment will definitely not be JVC!! They just lost a customer for life. I am considering selling this hunk of metal and buying the Denon 3801.

Plenty of power, High-Current capability, Ease of setup and use, Nice remote, Great sound and build quality...

No preamp outs (what does in this price range??), Does not prepare my espresso for me in the morning...

I am employed by MartinLogan, an electrostatic speaker manufacturer and own several MartinLogan products in a Home Theater system. Our electrostatics don't necessarily require huge amounts of wattage, but they function best with a high current power source. This JVC fits the bill as it can easily drive my entire system to intense levels...something neither the Kenwood VR-407 or the Sony STR-DE445 could. I wanted to purchase a semi-temporary A/V receiver in the $500.00 and under price range until I am ready to move to an upper-end Theta or B&K system. To be honest, this little receiver really blows me away in terms of it's sound quality. Even at loud levels it doesn't sound strained or compressed...In my opinion this is pretty amazing, considering the price range. Also, I believe that someone else reviewing this receiver mentioned the volume control. Yes, it is Exponential, as it reaches about 2/3 of the way up, db's really kick in. This particular design, Linear/Exponential, allows you finer volume control at low to medium levels. The remote has most of the features I need to control my system components logically and ergonomically.
My system:
Denon DVM-3700 DVD
front - MartinLogan Ascent
center - MartinLogan Theater
rear - MartinLogan Script
subwoofer - custom designed Bradford Paradox
In a nutshell, this is a great little A/V reciever in the under $500.00 price range.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood VR-407, Sony STR- DE445