tons of inputs, excellent for Prologic or digital

Remote is way too small

I upgraded from the vr-357 which is also Dolby Digital but I still havent gotten to test the digital or dts inputs(will get a dvd player in another week. I can say that even prologic movies sound amazing compared to my older sony or even the vr-357.

The model is definately the best dts reciever for the price(I have heard it and stores) and I have looked at almost every make and model available the lowest I found for a similar model was a sony strde 835 for about 300 more.

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Kenwood vr-357

Value for the money and very good sound playing back DVD's and Cd's. Remote operates all the other components.

Remote is a little small but can live with it.

Bought as part of the HTB 503 package. I, am the family, have been very pleased and impressed with the whole package. The setup is not overly complicated. DVD's sound great. There is plenty of horsepower to crank up the volume. The subwoofer really adds to the overall effect. Aliens and Apollo 13 really rumble. Music CD also sound very good. A very impressive asemble for the money and I really see no reason to spend more.

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None

the amount of things that this receiver can do for the price is outstanding.

The REMOTE is horrible, its tiny, for a receiver that has a lot of features the remote seems like it is from a 13" televisioin. can't Kenwood stop being so lazy and make an instruction manual for a product instead of a manual for about 12 receivers. reading the instructions is similar to taking a calculus test with all the if ... then statements it has to use because it incorporates all the products in one manual. also the wires included are good for nothing, cheap and useless. spend that money on a new remoted design.

i bought this at Circuit City for $500 with the speaker package, the HTB503. the speakers and subwoofer with this receiver are great for my bedroom. i would definitely buy this product again.

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none

DTS, Dolby Digital, easy to set up and use; great price

rather unattractive faceplate; lightweight; questionable "100 watts per channel"

I was all set to buy the higher end Denon model featuring Dolby Digital Surround-EX, at a cost of almost $2000. However, the May issue of WIDESCREEN REVIEW reported that true 6.1 sound was now being developed, which of course, makes me pause to think why I should pay that much money with a new surround system around the corner. So what do I do? Look at the real cheap receivers for temporary use until 6.1 is fully developed and released. I finally choose the Kenwood VR-409 based on good reviews and a superb price (less than $200).

Well, the Dolby Digital and DTS blows away my Pro Logic system, for which I originally paid almost $1500 to build (using a separate Pro Logic decoder, a four channel integrated amp, and a separate amp for the center channel)! I was completely impressed for the incredible value for the money. Now I will use my separate Pro Logic decoder (for which I originally paid $400!!!) to extract the Surround EX channel and enjoy the latest in Dolby Digital until 6.1 is released. I recommend this receiver to anyone who wants a bargain.

Other equipment used: Panasonic 310 DVD Player; six Paradigm Mini Monitors; Bag End ELF subwoofer.

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Sony STR-DE 445; Pioneer VSX-D309

Great Package deal the HTB 503 was. You get basically everything you could ask for for Under $500. I have listened to DVDs, Cds and even old records. everything sounds Crisp and clear.

Kenwood could have spent some time on better Remote. its very small and the buttons are very close together.

The Reciever is a great product. its not perfect but its gives you what you need for the money. and if you get teh HTB 503 package. the speakers compliment the Reciever very well. I highly recomend this product

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Pioneer, Kenwood, Teac

Easy set-up, affordable, clear sound.

Cheap remote control.

Excellent receiver for it's price range. I purchased a JVC-7000 V last month but I was disappointed with the results. Under the reccommendations of this web site, I purchased the VR-407 and found a true gem. The sound is clear and crisp. According to me, it's the best receiver you can buy unless you're willing to pay for high-end machines.

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JVC-7000 V

Lots of whistles

Hard to believe it's 100X5

First a question. I have the Polk rms6200 with psw250 subwoofer. Polk recommends hooking up the sub to the front speaker outlets of the receiver (presumably to let the sub woofer filter the sound before sending it to the satelites). Will this prevent the receiver from playing DTS and dolby digital because it thinks it only has 5 speakers to play and not 5.1? I can not get dts or dolby digital to even register, I have been limited to pro logic, stereo and 3 stereo modes even though I have optical conncetions etc. to dvd and have troubleshot everything I can think of.
Any way the package was on sale for $899 at ccity and that is the price of the polks with subwoofer on the net so I picked it up.

Cranked up Galaxy Quest for the kids and it was incredible. The floor was shaking when the rock monster was attacking tim allen. Effects were excellent! Very good overall.
Not an audiophiles system by any stretch of the imagination (limited adjustments for tone etc...) but great for Home theater. With a 36" jvc with s-video connection in an 18X20 room it was better than a theater.
Eagles "Hell freezes over" DVD was very good but can't fine tune the audio as I can with my real stereo. If I get the DTSDolby digital figured out it may be a 5 star.

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Yamaha and sherwood receivers

Inputs,outputs,power, setup

guillotine connectors for surrounds...yuck. No DSP..but who gives a crud,remote isnt great

This receiver rocks... it's definately number one in its price range! I recommend this to people who don't need a receiver that costs thousands of dollars but want decent sound. Lots of bells and whistles, easy to setup. Sound is very good, nice and clean. The remote looks like it should be for a CD player, it definately doesn't suit the receiver.. all the buttons are cramped up and it takes a little getting used to, but all things considered all I use it for is switching inputs and turning the stereo up :) I bought it as part of the HTB-503 home theater system and so far im very happy... I'm giving it a 5 overall for its price and performance!

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Yamaha,aiwa,panasonic,jvc,sony,H&k,etc

Price was great. Subwoofer kicks ass for only being a 8".

Remote is pretty lame. Seems like you have to turn the volume knob up over half way before you hear anything. not very loud. rear speakers do not ballance out with front speakers well in any mode.

I really like this setup it sounds good and clean but the one thing about it that kind of pisses me off is that you have to turn the sound knob up like over half way to get any sound and at almost max it is at a good level but not a loud level. If anyone knows how to fix this I am all ears but if this is truly all the amp can push I'm sorry but this is more like 25 watts per channel then 100. But oh well the sub kicks A-S-S and the sound is clean so why am I b-i-t-c-h-i-n-g..

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JVC RV6000

Price, Features

Lousy Manual, Remote

I bought this for a relative who asked me to get him Dolby
digital and DTS receiver for $200 or less. I hooked it up
to my system to test it and was quite impressed. Powered sub
worked well with front speakers set to the smallest setting
(This is normal for almost all receivers even expensive ones) Glad that I hooked it up without looking at the manual. It is written by someone with very little knowledge of english. The remote is useless unless you have 20/20 vision and tiny fingers. Cheap construction, overrated amp,
chinsy feel all typical of this price range. That said,
this is a very functional receiver that sounds pretty good.
lots of plug in options including s-video. If you are looking for a receiver for a dollars down HT setup, look
no further.

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Many