Low price vs. important gadgets: DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Prologic II for stereo audio CD and stereo VHS.

Warming up. I hope that it is not dangerous!

Bought Kenwood VR 509 from Golden Electronics, Yonge St. Toronto, for 359 CAD + TAX = 412 CAD in February 2002. I am very happy with this receiver; the DTS soundtrack from "Pearl Harbor" and "Gladiator" was very impressive for me, far better than the Dolby Digital encoding. I have no sound problem skipping the chapters and I can suggest using optical cables. The unit is getting warm playing from CD /DVD input, but I am using a very open cabinet. I did not notice special warming when I used the built in radio tuner. I had a very pleasant surprise in Dolby ProLogic 2 mode listening to the soundtrack from various stereo VHS movies played on a HiFi VCR: I was able to hear some spatial refinements from the original stereo source, like waterfalls dripping and whispers in the back speakers, thus the back speakers become alive, enriching the sounds and the sensations.

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Remote highly configurable, subwoofer out, DVD-A 6 channel input, highly appreciated sound coming from such a low price point receiver.

no substantial binding posts for the surround or the 'B' speakers, no preamp-outs.

All in all this receiver fits my budget and my musical and movie selections. Although a bit complicated at initial set-up, thoroughly reading the manual as well as using a bit of common sense can you playing music or movies within 2-3 hours. I suggest to get familiar with the remote. It took almost 3 days for me to be comfortable enough to operate it in the dark. Although the cycling of the different DSP's might take a bit of an effort, I've discovered that when experimenting with different musical styles, the comparisons can be quite entertaining. Yo Yo Ma's Soul of the Tango is an excellent example of hearing the dynamic and fast transition of music that the receiver is able to handle. Bobby Caldwell's voice on 'Come Rain or Come Shine' album is breath-taking as I can hear his vocals and strings of the band very naturally without hints of compression. The pairing of my Boston Acoustics VR950's clinical characteristics are balanced by the amplifiers warmness and natural delivery. The sub woofer out as well as the speaker outs for mains and center were very handy and able to handle thick ofc speaker cables. Only glaring criticism is the smaller connecters relegated to the surrounds and 'B' speakers. The unit runs very cool, but I recommend keeping it in a very ventilated area. The only time that the overload protection clicked on was the extremely dynamic portion of Aaron Copeland's 'Fanfare For the Common Man' which was very loud. Only this slight shortage in dynamic headroom would belie the comparatively affordable price. But for anything under $500, you cannot expect the better than average imaging, the deep soundstage, and high end extension nor the multitudes of connections that is offered. I highly recommend this receiver to anyone who would like a nice introduction to both Dolby Pro Logic II music and HT.

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Sound quality, sound field options, price and phono jack.

Can''t listen to music from one source while watching video from another. Possibly the worst manual ever written.

First I''d like to say how helpful this site is and thank everyone for posting. I''ve only had this receiver for a month, but I am very pleased with it. At first I was concerned that the sound quality would not be very good through this receiver especially since its connected to a Psb 8C center, Psb Image 1B rears and front Accusound monitors, but the sound is great at normal listening level. I haven''t been able to give it a good test run since I live in an apartment. The manual is vague at best and does not fully explain the features of the remote/receiver or how to use them. I made the choice to try this receiver since it was very inexpense, had all the features I wanted and had a phono jack. I listen to a lot of vinyl and was impressed by the excellent sound quality that is lacking in a lot of other machines. The only compliant I have is that I can''t listen to music from one source while watching video from another like I could with my Sony. If anyone else knows how to do this, please let me know. Over heating is possible. I did it. However, I keep the machine in a stereo cabinet (your not supposed to do this). I now leave the door open and it cools down fine. Overall, this is a great receiver at an even better price.

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they cut my review so.. Also, I''ve played DVD''s with dts tracks and my DVD player supports dts but the 509 always selects Dolby Digital mode when using DVD''s. I''ve never had it go into dts and I don''t know why. What am I missing? (one time on a DVD title page both the dts and DD lights came on but the dts went off as soon as I hit play.) In response to the earlier claims about loosing the first 1 or 2 seconds of audio while the 509 determines the signal. I too have this problem. My DVD player is a Phillips 711 connected via Toslink. This sucks and it makes me mad that I''m now thinking I have to upgrade my DVD player. It only happens when using the prev and next keys for chapter or track. By the end of the first night that I had it, the remote had learned all the functions of my other remotes and I retired 4 remotes with this one. That ROCKS.

remote, power, great for home theatre...movies sound life like...

instructions

This receiver packs a lot of punch for the price. I agree that the instructions aren''t very clear, but once you figure them out it is a great piece of audio equipment. Just play star wars ep. 1 dvd and you will be sold....

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remote, PLII music

no bass or treble adjustments in any mode except 2 channel stereo. no information on effect of "Cinema EQ". loud click when it auto-selects an audio source.

I was looking for a receiver that could effectively use 4 speakers (minus my center) to play music and also one with good HT options. (I''d previously used my old Harmon Kardon''s 4 speaker Hall mode for all my music listening) I''d heard that circle surround was great on these things. I have 4 Cambridge Soundworks Model Six speakers, a 12" sub and a CenterStage Center. I''d prefer not to use the center for music because it just doesn''t have the frequency response of my mains. However, it seems that Circle Surround sends most of the important information to the center channel while throwing some high frequencies randomly around at the 2 fronts and 2 rears. It sounds swooshy and very dynamic but still, excessively pinned on to the center channel. I could remove the center by setting it to "off" but then the CS just seems to be lacking. So, on to PLII music mode. This mode allows one to set the "Center Width" setting to all the way "wide" which re-directs info that would normally go to the center to the fronts and rears. I prefer this mode for general music listening. The bass also seems to be more pronounced in PLII music than in CS. I''d like to see comments about how people choose to listen to music with this thing. I learned early on that if you set the speaker sizes to anything except normal, you handicap this receiver (loosing sub output, for example). If anybody has hard data about what the crossover frequencies are for the different speaker sizes or what Cinema E/Q does (other than make midrange almost inaudible) I''d like to know. They should specify it in the manual something like "Cinema E/Q boosts the Bass +10 and treble +10" but they don''t and the Kenwood support was no help. Funny that they offer Cinema E/Q in the "music" modes. All the dsp settings, disco, jazz club, etc. were completely worthless to me. They all murdered the sound. My main gripe is that, because my speakers tend to roll off the highs, I''d like to tweak the treble up on the PLII and CS modes. NOT POSSIBLE. This is very lame if you as me. You''re stuck with the default. The only way to tune the sound is to lower the level of a specific channel, like turn down the sub for less bass. (and, with no pre-outs, there''s not much hope to use an external EQ.) Also, I''ve played DVD''s with dts tracks and my DVD player supports dts but the 509 always selects Dolby D

Without getting into all the detail some of the other reviewers have about this product, I would like to add my two cents. This reciever is replacing my 2 year old nakamichi av10 reciever that has spent more time in the shop than my house. Ironic because I bought the nak to replace my denon which sucked for music, but at least played when I wanted it to. The nak was supposed to be way better musically which I convinced myself it was. Anyway to make a long story short I didn''t want to pay a lot of money for a ht reciever this time around after being burnt twice. I though what the hay I''ll buy this for now and if it sucks I''ll buy another down the road and won''t be any worse off then with the nak or denon. Here it goes: The remote - better than both previous recievers remotes put together. The sound - good to pretty good, but uninspiring like the denon, not as good for music as the nak, but better for ht than denon. Reliablity - 8 months in the house not in the shop. So way better than the nak. Features - par for the course in this price range maybe a wee bit better. Satisfaction - for the amount I listen to music and watch movies (which is a lot) I ain''t complaning so far. I''m not in la la land but I''m totally not dissapointed for how much I paid. I drive the piss out of this reciever hoping it will blow so I have an excuse to go balls out for a high end product (with ball & chains approval), but this thing keeps on going and doesn''t even run hot. I''d buy this again no problem. I use to think Kenwood was childs play, but now I think the attraction of bargain priced equipment has finally bit me - why not, more money in the jeans. Oh yeah, without knowing how the cross overs are set I can definetly tell you this reciever gives me way more sub output than the denon or nak - boooom, boooom.

Price and Pro Logic II. The 800 # Help Line was good.

You have to be a genius to know everything that this receiver and remote can do. Fortunately I have a resident 14 year-old!

I don''t know a lot about HT and this was my first exerpience buying this product. I also bought Energy Take 5 speakers. I think that the Kenwood vr-509 was the most for the money. I read one review where the person said that he did not want to get the top of the line because it would be obsolete in short order. That made sense to me.

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none

Extremely flexible for whatever technology will be thrown at it in the future. Easy to set-up. Most importantly- fantastic sound.

Did not expect to gain this much AV Received for $280 bucks. I'm not easily impressed, but was this time around. Here's what I found:

1) Taking a look at the back panel will probably sell you, there's numerous optical in/out, s-video, etc. Probably has a hook-up for to an EKG for when I'm in the hospital with heart palpatations after blasting "Saving Private Ryan."

2) Easy set-up. The manual, which is always a pet peeve was clear enough.

3) RF Remote control doesn't look like a small keyboard yet is very functional. It's intuitive. It even allows you to write and store Macros!

4) Dolby Pro-Logic II. Great for radio.

5) Surround sound modes are great. Taking plain sources like FM and TV and making them active. Of the last 4 products I've owned with various surround sound options, this is clearly the best.

6) Even with my well-worn front and satellite speakers, the sound was great.

Certainly could have spent more $'s on this, but doubt I would have gained much more bang for the buck. Highly recommend this product.

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circle surround,
Circle Surround, Dolbt Prologic II

Owners Manual could be better

Great Reciever for the Price. Be sure to negotiate down at FutureShop. I as about to leave when I was offered $400CDN (plus taxes).

Sounds better than the Sony (except the Sony does have better bass management) for both music and more importantly movies. Prologic II is a great improvement over gimmicky sound fields.

Prologic II is great for watching television programs and circle surround is great for music.

Unless you must have a receiver that is THX certified, which means very little in this price range, I suggest sticking with the VR 509 over the VR 510

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