This is a good receiver for the money -- it sounds good both on music and as entry-level home theater.

The VSX-505 reciever kicks ass!!!It's the best and most powerful reciever you can get for this price range!
It is very warm sounding and has clarity that only comes from a more-than-adequate power supply. Although this Pioneer does not have DSP circuitry, it still sounds better than some recievers that do.
Well, I love this reciever cuz I only paid $250 for it at Fry's Electronics (brand new of course).

I bought last year's model (which is almost identical to this year's, except for the lower power ratings)on a clearance rack at an audio chain. The assosciate cut me a deal, and sold it to me for $100.
I was amazed at the clarity of the sound. The surround fields are very handy options, especially
when considering I'm still in the market for a good center channel. The programable remote is
well laid out and very easy to use. It works great with other Pioneer components. I still love my
old Sherwood integrated amp, but this Pioneer blows the doors off of it. I run my Advent sub/sat system off of
the Pioneer and the sound just engulfs you. This is a great reciever at a fabulous price, even if
I would have paid retail

VSX-602S/VSX-702S are by far the best audio/video receivers I have seen for the money.

This blows.

the Pioeer SX-3600

US$200!!!!! Here in Aussie, we have to pay AU$1000 to buy this amp! The only reason that i bought this amp was because of its capable volume levels. It also didn't run out of steem on extremely loud actions scenes and when the volume was pumping at half way (120+dB/m on my speakers). Apart from that, there are amps around the place that produce a much clearer sound for the same money. But ah! I got this amp off the factory showroom for AU$800, and at that price, nothing that could produce enough volume to fill my fairly large living loom came even close. Thank you to Pioneer for producing an amplifier with such high levels of power output, quality sound production, and user friendliness (the intelligent system controller) in one package. combined with my Panasonic top-of-the-range VCR, it kicks ass!!!!

I own the Radio Shack version of the Pioneer VSX-505 (Optimus STAV-3590) There are a few more minor differences from the pioneer than the optimus, which aren't much. It has a clean 150w*2 at 8ohms from 20hz-20khz @.09%THD stereo mode or135w*4 in Dolby Pro. I push 4 15" 3way speakers for my a@b front mains, and the LX5's with the 360 degree Linaeum tweeters for surround and the matching center channel. I have owned this reciever for almost 3 years and am very satisfied with it's performance. I do have one complaint. That it should have a little better tone control. The Bass knob boosts at 150hz which sucks. It doesn't have Dsp, but I feel that it is cleaner than the ones that do. I know it isn't an Adcom but for the doller you cannot beat it. A pritty good design.

Detailed review for Budget Audio Enthusiasts! This is in regard to the Pioneer VSX-504s (the earlier model of VSX-505S, only difference is remote layout and wattage 110w x 4 instead of 135w x 4) I bought a Sony STR -515 in mid 1996 from a moving college student. $125. I bought a used RCA laserdisc player LDR400 ($200 used--one of the best investments I've ever made in my life!!! What a pleasure!!! Used it like hell and never had a problem! Laser discs are so much fun!) When I rented "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and played it on the Sony in Phantom Pro-Logic surround sound I realized that the surrounds were virtually nonexistent. I was mad. Ya, I know, I shouldn't complain, it's low end....Anyway, I took it into the shop and had them increase the gain. $25. Ok, so the surrounds were more present. However, my suspicion of the coldness of the whole Sony sound finally got to me after a viewing of "Blade Runner" on laser disc. The rain at the end sounded very 'tinny' and harsh/ forced.
I will say that I liked the remote layout, and I like the hall surround mode for chamber music. Though hall surround music was also cold.
I sold it for $135.
I bought a Pioneer VSX-504S early `97 for $199.

Love: the liberty of the surrounds' volume
Love: the warmth/ mellowness of the surrounds and the front speakers
Love: the Center pre out jack (though I haven't used it, the Sony didn't have this option)
Love: the Sub Woofer pre out jack (I've borrowed my bosses sub woofer--wow! what a blast!!) the Sony didn't have this nor do some other low end similar units....
Love: the programmable remote (though it has inherent limitations, see below)!!
Love: Arena surround music (different from hall), fun with some music, sometimes makes music sound very real (but not often).
Love: the volume output power with no distortion (1/2 to 3/4 up on volume nob). Power.
Love: the sleep timer 30 min, 60 min, 90 min: I use this frequently. All of my future receiver purchases must have this energy saving feature!

Miss: Accuracy, though I mentioned "warmth" above, while this is true, sometimes sounds become muddy and lack discretion and clarity
Miss: Remote layout, this layout is fouled up, it took sometime to get used to, a 'Casual Listener' would probably have fits with it.
Miss: Hall surround mode for chamber music
Miss: DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology to increase detail of imaging, accuracy, spaciality, and musical direction. More discrete of directional sounds.

Could care less: Auto Source Control, utterly confusing
Could care less: Intense detail of radio programming

Mad: Insensitive remote to low volume control settings, sheesh!!! I couldn't agree with other reviewers more about this. You're laying on the couch or your bed, you feel sleep coming on and you want to turn the stereo down at a nice level with the remote beside you. Good luck. It either goes off or is too loud. Polar!
Mad: Constant "Humm" of receiver. What is that, a fan? Low levels of music or nothing will reveal this humm. For sure annoying. (Again, yes, I know, this is what ya get for a low end unit) It sounds like a power vibration of the unit; maybe it has something to do with Barry Haire's review/ disaster (see below March 6th of 1997 review)....
Mad: Bass boost is reckless. It sounds like I walked over and just cranked up the bass nob all the way. Very boomy and distractingly-- not real, you keep thinking, 'what's wrong with the sound...?'
Mad: Remote only programs up to 20 signals. That's not good, ie, you start programming the VCR's chanels, 1,2,3,4,5.... and you've used up half!!! Not good if you have more than a few units that you want hooked up through your Pioneer receiver. Must be bare bones about what you want programmed, I've managed....However, I really like a programmable remote over a universal. I know...that's what you get with a low end Pro-Logic....

Whew, am I long winded !!??!! Well, I wanted to cover some bases for those who can't spend lots on receivers like most others of this cool web site. I'd say that this receiver mostly lacks DSP more than anything. It advertises "accurate imaging" however, that's a crock. Though, ironically, the sound is warm and full at times and quite satisfying in certain movies and music, but sacrifices audio discretion and a clear, resonant direction of sound.

I would give this review a 4 speaker since this Pioneer basically delivers for a decent price. ( However, I wouldn't pay more than $120 for this unit used at this point in time.) Due to the lack of DSP, insensitive low volume control remote, constant "hum" and Barry Haire's disasterous double experience, I gotta knock this review down to 3 speakers. (By the way, don't ask what kind of speakers I use....ugh....boy do I need new ones!)

I would recommend spending a $100 or 2 more for better units reviewed on this web page of Audio Review. I probably wont buy a Pioneer again due to the fact that I would like to try out a different brand and something with DSP. Some of you that spend fortunes on your audio systems I envy you! Some of you have no financial ceiling when it comes to "the best." Wow. Damn! I look forward to upgrading to Digital Dolby receiver in the future, that sounds so fun.

I have enjoyed reading reviews, they have been very helpful in molding my opinions about what I will purchase in the future when I have more $. Best wishes in getting the best audio gear, folks! It's all great fun! Applause Applause to Audio Review for creating such a functional and liberal page--you guys are great!

Power

remote volume control, newer technology DSP,DD,DTS.....

I have used this AV amp for three years now and I am still very please with it's performance. I don't crank my music any more, but I do enjoy the clean sounds from this receiver. I may be upgrading soon, just to get the newer sound technolgy, but my DVD's and VHS tapes sound great now and it will be hard to find a AV receiver with the power that this one brings (most only have 100w per ch). I will keep my eyes open for another deal like I got on this one $150.

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