Plenty of features including s video switching,assignable digital inputs and EQ features. Very good 2 channel and di
gital surround audio.

Hiss in center and surround channels at higher volumes in analog surround modes.

A very smooth operating and sounding receiver with solid features. The overall quality of audio, especially in the digital processing, is dynamic and clean. The hiss/hum that so many people have noted is much more prominent while utilizing the analog DSP processing at about 60 or so. If you do not listen normally at high levels, you might not notice the distortion and in two channels there is just a trace of it. It is a bit frustrating because JVC is so close to creating a receiver that compares to anyone's under $800.00. This is a situation that JVC could and should solve.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha Rxv 795a/Denon Avr 2800

Cheap for the number of features. Including 3 digital connections and 4 Svideo in 2 Svideo Out. Front Panel has a nice clean look.

100W per channel, ya right ! If you compare this to a Yamaha with a 100W, the Yamaha is twice as loud.

Too much Hiss at high volmumes. It is particularly noticable in the rear speakers.

THINGS I DON'T LIKE:

Remote -

Why is there a Standby button for the Receiver - What is wrong with a toggle button.

Stupid Audio/TV/VCR - CATV/DBS switch - having the switch is not that bad the problem is, if you have 3 things hooked up to the digital inputs, along with having an analog connection to for the tape player hooked up, you have to move the switch every time you want to use the TV/DBS button. This is real annoying, because my computer audio is hooked up to the TV/DBS port and I frequently switch between my CD that is connected to my stereo and the computer audio. I do not know why the TV/DBS button does not just work regardless of the switch position.

Remote does not learn.

The one button that always seems to not get mapped is the TV/VCR button from my Sharp VCR Remote, having this button would be very usefull, as then for most cases I would not need the the VCR remote.

No Disc Skip button on remote, I have a JVC cd player with the link cable hooked up to the receiver. You can change directly to a specific CD but you can not just skip.

The center buttons with the arrows are confusing and just do not work logically without the onscreen menu on the TV.

Power -

100W per channel, ya right ! If you compare this to a Yamaha with a 100W, the Yamaha is twice as loud.

You can not go past 70 on the volume control because the power output starts distorting, adding this to the low power output in the the first place, it results in the Receiver not being very load.

Hiss -

What can I can, I guess all cheap receiver produce hiss at high volumes, and the this receiver is no different.


THINGS I LIKE:

Good number of feautures for the money.

A Svideo input is outputed simultaneously to 2 S-Video outputs.

Non-linear Volume control, this is very nice because it allows you to control lower volume levels more precisely.

I like the way the front panel shows when seperate signals are being receiver for the speakers.

The front panel display is large enough that I can actually read it when I am sitting on my couch, the front display is well layed out. The only drawdack with it is it is a little on the bright side, and there is no way to dim the front panel.

The remote is ergonomic.

SUMMARY

I think the biggest thing with this reciever that would stop someone from getting it is the power output. One of the problems that I have, Is with my current DVD setup (Hollywood + card in computer, using Digital Coax for audio) when I watch a DVD, I have to turn the volume on the reciever WAY up, like to 60 - 70, and at these volume I get too much hiss. While I know the cause of the hiss is a combination of the Reciever and the hollywod + card, the hiss is not acceptable. If this receiver just had more power you would not need to turn the volume up so loud and the hiss would most likly amount to less.

I do not think I would have bought this reciever with the information I know now. I probably would have opted for a Yamaha Receiver (probably the 995 model)

Having read through some 100 reviews, I became concerned over several comments regarding this receiver. I had owned one about a year and a half ago, and loved the sound and features, except for no pre amp outs. I bought that one from Netmarked, but I dont remember the price. They ttok it back and replaced it with the next model up (with pre amp outs for all channels), but it had no DTS. Soooooo...I sent THAT one back and asked for another RX88, but they were out of stock, so I bought the Kenwood 3080. The Kenwood has fine sound and features, except the remote finally drove me crazy!...and, there were no modes or sound adjustments except volume for DD and DTS. Soooo...I bid and won another RX888 on uBid, for $351. Having just found this web site AFTER buying the RX888, I became concerned over a few things and did a side by side comparison with the Kenwood. Thge equipment I connected was the JVC DVD XV-D701BK, and the JVC CD Changer XL-FZ258BK. There were two basic problems I wanted to investigate 1)Does it play DTS CD's? and 2)Do the center and rear channels hum. Regarding DTS cD's, the Kenwood played them fine. The JVC ALSO played DTS CD's, but the rear channels produced less volume than the Kenwood at normal listening settings. So I increased the rear volume level on the JVC to +6, and it then matched the Kenwoods volume output for the rears. I expected to hear a hum, but there was NONE. The DTS CD also played DTS through the DVD player. I then double checked to see if the JVC was decoding all channels discretely, rather than just Dolby Surround, and confirmed the JVC did decode all channels. One strange thing...when I connected all the JVC compnents together, the CD player would NOT decode DTS, but the DVD DID decode DTS CD's. (?). However, during my comparison tests, I noticed I reconnected the JVC CD player first while the receiver was UNPLUGGED. When I then plugged in the receiver, the CD player did decode DTS CD's. It seems the SEQUENCE of installation may have something to do with it. AS for the reports of buzzing in the rears and center, I just have not experienced it, even at volume set at around 60. I have cheap speaker wire, and the Wharfedale speakers I have are only "fair to middlin", yet no buzz detected. I used the optical digital connections for this test on both the JVC and the Kenwood.
Anyhow, overall I must say I am satisfied. The JVC gives me center channel sound options, and the equalizer helped a great deal in settling down some room anomolies I had that couldn't be adjusted with the Kenwood. It seems to work just fine for me!! For the price, I feel it is a great value.

Considering the price, none thus far.

As with any consumer electronics product, "If it don't fit...acquit!!!" Return it, and be happy with something else.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood 3090

price,looks,dd,dts,optical inputs

have to read the manual

BUY IT IF YOUR LOOKING FOR AN DTS OR DD AMP ,GREAT VALUE .I'M TELLING YOU IF YOUR ON A BUDGET GET THIS FOR YOUR THEATER YOU CANT GO WRONG.

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harmon kardon

price

surround sound

Got this receiver a couple of months ago and have been satisfied considering the money i spent until the DD decoder stopped working. Changed cd's, pressed play on the DVD player, and now it refuses to recognize a digital source. only plays audio through an RCA connection. on its way to the shop.

DTS, FEATURES

MANUAL, REMOTE

I have had the unit for over 3 months. No hiss!!! The volume does need to be turn way up for movies??? The manual is very poorly written and the remote has no codes to control anything else. But... once I got it set up, it has been outstanding. I have a Sony DTS DVD player...you have to watch Waterworld (DTS) version, you won't believe your ears. Truly outstanding. I have Definitive Pro Tower 400 front speakers (with powered sub-woofers), Definitive center channel and Polk A-udio rear speakers. I strongly recommend the JVC receiver. Features to dollars, this unit is unbeatable!!!

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ONKYO

Value-per-Dollar, JVC Compulink, Great customizability, DD, DTS

*some* hiss at necessary highish volumes

There are a whole lot of negative comments on this receiver, most stemming from the hissing in the rear speakers. I love this receiver, but will admit that yes, there is a bit of hiss from the rears in surround modes. you have to really listen for it, however. It's not that obvious.

If you're watching a loud movie, you do have to turn the volume up to 65-70 out of 90 to get some real window rattling sound, but the difference between 70-80 is more than from 50-70. There's a real non-linearity with the volume, which I like. If you want to listen to some quiet music, you have a great deal of control between 0-20. My last receiver was always either too loud or too soft. This one allows perfect control.

For the $350 I paid for it (from eCost) there just isn't anything else out there that can match it. Sure, there are $700 Yamaha or Sony receivers that can beat it in sound quality, but you're talking about a receiver that costs twice as much!!

It's a truly great receiver that deserves more respect than people give it. If you have the extra money and want exceptionally good audio quality, go with some other brand (as the 1028 isn't any better). If you want excellent quality, tons of features, more inputs than you'll need, and ultimate control of all your JVC stuff, for my 350 clams, nothing else comes close.

Good Luck!

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JVC 5(something)

Everything

NONE

After a month, I have set-up the system(all JVC). I think this was an excellent purchase for the price.
Excellent futures. Using the optical cable with this unit I get excellent sound.
I am very happy with this receiver.

Great sounding, DTS/DD, too many features

remote sucks, user manual sucks

This amp is great and I am happy with my purchase, I upgraded from Dolby Prologic and DD is amazing! I have yet to try out any DVD's with DTS encoded but I'm sure I won't be dissapointed. The remote on this unit is terrible, the controls for a DVD player are in the upper right and kind of awkward to use. For a DD amp, one would assume that the only two things that can provide a digital signal is a DSS and a DVD player, those controls should be better laid out. I can change channels for my DSS but there is no button that I found that could bring up the menu for the DSS. But one day when my wife will let me...I will buy a good universal remote.

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sony

clarity of sound, full featured remote, good looks

confusing manual for setup

I heard this unit at a friends house and as I was in the market for a new receiver to go with my new DVD player I did a bunch of investigating and chose the JVC 888. Great value for the money. Lots of s-video connections. Large, well arranged rear panel. Good clarity and volume. I like the unit.

People complained in this forum about the remote and I think it is fine. I programmed it to enable me to get rid of several of the other remotes so now I only have to use two instead of the four I used before. What is there to complain about??? My only beef is the manual is likely a little confusing for most people. Even the salesman at the store told me it would be. I am fortunate in having an electronics background.

I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend it to anyone (who could figure out the manual).(My wife could never have set this up but then again she says that is what husbands and 1-800 lines are for.)

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Much older Sansui receiver