Plenty of room for expansion, 4 assignable digital inputs, DTS & Dolby, Compulink, all channels have banana clips terminals.

No Linux support for USB? Remote is so-so.

I bought this receiver because there aren't many units close to this price range with as many features as this. Dolby and DTS decoding, TONS of inputs/outputs and some decent power for $250 US.

For inputs it has 2 component video, 5 S-Video, 3 digital optical audio + 1 digital coax. That's not to mention the slew of lower quality RCA type inputs.

For outputs, there is 1 component and 3 S-Video, as well as a digital optical audio output.


The only weaknesses I see are the lack of linux support for the USB and the remote control. I dislike the fact that some buttons have multiple uses (i.e. 2,4,6 and 8 double as up,left,right and down respectively for DVD menu navigation). These are minor complaints, especially relative to all of the other features that you do get.


I'm going to disagree with Bob (below) on the impedance switch. I'm new at this and had no problems with setup: I bought 8 ohm speakers, ergo I flipped the switch to (what I thought was) the clearly labelled 8 ohm side. Otherwise, I am quite agreeable to his comments.

My receiver has handled automatically detecting Dolby and DTS with ease thus far. I'm curious if the people having the switching problem are using a DVD player that has a DTS Digital Out logo on the front or not? Maybe unrelated, but it's a rookie guess.

Another guess, for the people hearing fuzz in their speakers: Is the volume on your source device cranked? I've found that when you amplify a weak signal you get a fuzzy sound, especially with a DBS signal.

To sum it up: I plan to build my home theater up over the next year or so, and this receiver leaves plenty of room for upgrading the other components in my system. I'm very happy with the 8010 and look forward to building the rest of my system around it.

Similar Products Used:

None.

See my posting on 12/27/01

See my posting on 12/27/01
Additional comment - When switching sources, the receiver makes a loud clicking noise. This is a personal preference thing and has not impact on the performance of the receiver.

Well, I've received a lot of positive feedback from my posting on 12/27/01. I am re-posting because I've had a chance to play with the JVC 8010 a little more and want to clear up a few things that I originally stated. It really wasn't fair of me to post so early in my ownership of the receiver but I guess you can say that my experience with it is indicative of a first impression at any rate!

* I still strongly support this unit. For the price, it can't be beat with the features, connection options, sound and userarability. *

Surround sound is still great and, now that I've had a chance to watch a few movies in DD, I like it even better. All channels come through cleanly and the sound is dispersed very well. In prologic, my wife likes it even better compared to our old Onkyo 515 pro. The JVC is 24 bit yielding a much better sound recreation as compared to the Onkyo. My wife didn't like the Onkyo because I was always fidgeting with the delay adjustments, levels etc. to get an optimum sound. These were always different too, because each movie soundtrack on tape has different levels and dispersions. She also though that it was unnecessarily loud (due to the adjustments I kept making). With the JVC, the receiver blends the sound so well, that I haven't really been inclined to adjust anything. I can keep the level down to her listening tastes and still be pleased with the surround effects. This is great!

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Ok, now to clear up my previous posting.

1) I ripped on the manual pretty well. In retrospect, I have a lot of equipment to hook up. TV, VCR, DVD, Phono, CD player, Minidisc, Two Tape Decks, DBS, camcorder, which, was why I bought the JVC in the first place. Lots of connections and expandability. What I didn't want was to always have the JVC on every time I watch TV or the VCR. Using the manual as a guide, connecting the s-video and audio from the VCR and TV right to the JVC, I always have to have the receiver turned on. So, to avoid this, I have splitters and diversion amplifiers which allow the signal to go either to the JVC or directly to the components I want to run. I apologize because I said that the manual isn't clear and is lacking alot. While there is a lot of information in it to guide you through the set up proces, for the normal listener who might own a DVD, VCR, CD and TV and those who don't mind having the JVC on all the time, the manual is fine. I guess I wrote the original review right after setting up the receiver and I was a little flustered. I still maintain the the manual is unclear in parts and it took me a long time to get the jist of addressing my optical connections.

2) Contrary to my statement that there was not information in the manual on the ohm switch, it isn't true. I scoured the manual one more time and found a very small description of it.

3) Volume control - I still don't like the way that the volume control is calibrated. Optimal listening is between 40 and 55 depending on your tastes. This leaves from 0 - 45 or so on the control to play with quiet listening. However, after owning the thing now for over a month, I don't even notice this issue anymore. Forget I said anything about this as it really make no difference whatsoever.

4) Wattage. Although I still don't think that the JVC approaches 120watts (in stereo by the way, I didn't clarify this in my original posting), it certainly handles sound cleanly and it is very punchy. You may not agree with me on this and it might come down to an apples to oranges type thing with my speakers through the Onkyo and the JVC which, was pointed out by "John" who e-mailed me this morning.

5) While the hissing noise I stated in my posting is still there, I don't seem to notice it any longer unless I am specifically listening for it. And, this is only at very high volumes like in the 80 and above range. I think when you get a new piece of equipment, you tend to be super critical of it to try and "find its faults."

6) Equalization - I still don't use it because I think it makes stereo listening "fake" but I must confess that I have bumped up the low end a bit when watching action movies. Helps explosions sound a little more punchy.


Well I've droned on long enough and I just wanted to write to clear up a few things. I know that when I'm condsidering a purchase I like to know the details so, I've probably been detailed long enough!

Thanks!

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Onkyo 515 Pro

Audio,Video Connections, USB Jack, Price, Assignable Digital Video Connections, USB Jack, Price, Assignable Digital
Audio,Video Connections, USB Jack, Price

Set-up (so far)

Too new to critique completely but thought I would save the next person the frustration I went through in setup. Unit is shipped with TV sound as default. I never needed to choose between viewing a picture and listening to TV sound only. After reconnecting many times I found that if you want to change from TV sound to DBS you need to hold down the TV Sound / DBS button on the front of unit until ASSGN. DBS appears. These directions follow a statement "When changing the source name from TV to DBS..." NOWHERE DOES IT STATE CLEARLY THAT YOU WILL NOT GET A PICTURE IF YOU DON'T DO THIS! Why ship it this way?
I was not unhappy with the Kenwood I tried out but purchased this for other features. I found the entire set-up process unclearly documented and frustrating and think it will take a while to get it tweaked.
I have other issues but will give it time and re-write.

Klipsch KSC-1 Center
Sony SA-WM40 Sub
EGO EL12 Front/Rear

By the way price and service at E-tronics was great!

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Kenwood VR-407

It's a good produkt and it give you much pleasure

Great Surround sound. Very powerful

none yet

I have been searching for a digital receiver for some time now. After reading reviews on other JVC models I thought the 8010vbk would really be a nice receiver especially for home theatre. I've been really pleased with it. A lot of power, different settings available are great. I've only had it for a couple of weeks, but am really happy with it. It's my first digital receiver. The sound is a lot better than my old pioneer pro logic. I also have a JBL PB-12 subwoofer which I am very happy with. The digital sound and dts available really makes movies come alive. I am very pleased with it.

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pioneer vsx d307

Multitude of Video inputs and optical inputs. Terrific cost value. Equal power to all channels in surround modes. Binding posts for all channels.

Amplification a bit weak. Strange volume settings. Lack of Sub tone in setup.

I hadn't shopped seriously for a Rx for over three years so I must say I was a little stunned at how many inputs this Receiver had for the price. Knowing going in I would be using a VCR, PVR, DVD player, and 3 satellite receivers I thought I'd have to spend better than $400 for something capable of handling all of this while still offering a healthy amount of power. After connecting the DVD player (Toshiba SD-2108) direct to the TV using the component video, it saved me an input and provided better picture quality. Now I needed only 5 video inputs with at least two having loops, the RX 8010-VBK handled all those requirements with ease.

Having 5 digital inputs (4 optical, 1 coax)and usb port for playing mp3's through my PC leaves room to grow. It also has 2 components ins and 1 component out should I ever decide to use a HDTV tuner and/or HD DBS Receiver in the future.

Having been using an Onkyo Integra RX-DS838 for the past 3 years I'd grown accustomed to clean and plentiful power. Though this receiver doesn't provide the ample strength of my previous receiver it gets plenty loud enough for my 18 X 15 living room while using a pair of Infinty RS-5's, a smallish Yamaha center channel, two Advwent Baby II's for the rears, and a Velodyne VA-1210 powered sub.

I found setup a little sloppy and the on screen menus a little counterintuitve at times but the manual should provide any help you may need.

Though I'm not a big fan of DSP modes I too found the 5 channel stereo to be nice for watching television and other stereo only broadcasts. It helps fill the room, and provide a fuller experience. There is also a electronic EQ for adjusting tones, at 5 (or maybe 6) different frequencies which will provide most with some control over personal preference.

The DTS and DD provided an engulfing environment in which I could tell no sonic difference to my previous receiver, only that I seemed to need to turn the volume up to a higher overall level.

All in all this receiver likely has all the goods you are looking for, where it lacks mainly in its output power. If you are like me though and aren't trying to win any SPL contests, I dont see any reason not to get this RX, especially if you're looking to spend under $300.

*********************************************************
In reference to the above issue of the hi- lo impedence switch. Just read your speakers manual, and set it to the correct setting. I don't see it as an issue at all. I wouldn't recommend using a PASSIVE sub with this system anyway because it robs you of power. Having two crossovers in line will do this.

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Tons of home theater options & connections

Power output in stereo mode

This is a good Receiver for Home Theater use, but I was disappointed when it came to using it in stereo mode. When I really try to crank it up; just when it starts to sound good with a lot punch, the receiver overloads & shuts off. The manual claims it's a speaker overload, but I am using 300 watt Cerwin Vega E-712's, so there is no way a 120 watt receiver is overloading my speakers. I believe it's the other way around- the receiver can't handle the speakers which are begging for more power. I'm not sure why JVC made the receiver with 120 watts if you can't even use it all before it overloads. It might as well be an 80 watt receiver. However, for the price it's still not a bad deal, as it works great for home theater sound. If you are looking for mainly a home theater system, I would recommend this receiver, but if your primary use is for a home stereo, I would suggest looking at something else. Overall it is worth the price, as I only paid $250.00.

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Audio,Video Connections, USB Jack, Price, Assignable Digital inputs

None

I was a little wary of this reciever when I first saw the price since it was $150-$200 cheaper than comparable recievers from other manufacturers. But after I saw all it had to offer I bought it and have been extremely happy ever since. I am currently using all of the digital audio inputs and the sound is great. I like the fact that you can reassign the digital coaxial to any component. It set up from factory to be used with your dvd player but I switched it to the digital cable box.

The othe reviewers have covered most all the other features so I won't go into all that. I'd just like to confirm the 5 star rating.

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Marantz

Number of inputs both analog and digital. DD and DTS. Decent DSP modes including 5-channel stereo

A little bit of hiss in the surround channels at high volume

I replaced my earlier JVC receiver because it lacked DTS and I also needed more inputs. Why don't they give you 2 tape loops anymore. I bought a JVC mini-disk recorder and that takes up the tape/MD loop. I put my cassette deck on the CDR loop. Everything else works really well on this receiver. This is my 2nd one. The first one would drop out of DD or DTS after 1 hr. Everytime I played a DVD, all the speakers would stop after 1 hr. This only happened on the digital inputs. Everything worked fine in analog. I took it back to the BX and they gave me another one. This one works fine.

Power is adequate. I have a small room right now but I hardly have to turn this up. I am using some Kenwood speakers, 2 8" woofers, 1 4" midrange and a lineaum tweeter for the front and a smaller size for the rear along with a matching center channel speaker and a Kenwood SW-305 (?) subwoofer.

The DSP modes are decent without being too artifical. They now give several parameters for each mode now. Much nicer than the older receivers.

Time will tell if it holds up but no problems so far.

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Great price, amazing sound. Looks sweet, and really cranks. Compu-link is the shiznit!

None that I can find at this price.

Well after owning this thing for a week, I can say that I am pleasantly surprised at this amazing unit. Great features, amazing sound, great looks are just scratching the surface of the true potential of this unit. I have all CV LS speakers and a CV cvt-200a sub..It's the best sounding system I have ever heard. For a budget receiver at a great price. This one is for you. It does click when switching components. But I mean..how picky can you get. the compu-link is a sweet touch..i got a jvc cd player and use the receiver remote, cus face it..we all have too many remotes..

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Pioneer, and kenwood receivers.