Price, Sound, Hook-ups

Bass & Treble adjustments

I've owned nothing but Pioneer recievers, due to quality for the price ratio. This is my first Dolby Digital/DTS receiver. I spent a lot of time comparing sound and price at BB and CC, and after months of deliberating, I finally made my decision. The sound is incredible for the price you pay. It's ability to recreate and separate channels of movie soundtracks is awesome. Definitely more crisp and punchier than my best friends Sony, which sounds a little muddy in the bass at standard aptartment listening volumes. The digital out is a big plus if you own or plan to own a CD recorder, something other receivers don't offer at or near that price. There are inputs for basically everything the working man can afford to buy. The multiple s-video in's and out's is really nice too, expecially if you have more than 1 componet with s-video but your tv only has 1 s-video in. 2 optical and 1 coaxial in's is plenty, I'm optical in on my DVD and mini-disc and I still have a coaxial for something, I don't know what yet. The midnight feature is very helpful, especially for those of us that live in an apartment. The only thing I don't like are the controls for the bass and treble, you only have a choice of +2, 4 or 6 or minus, it's like low, medium or high with no in between. I have my Bass at +2, +4 is too much but +2 isn't enough, I need +3. The loudness switch really kicks in the extra sound but you can't make enough of an adjusment to make it just right. other than that, the remote is really great, I don't need back lighting 'cause I dont watch tv in the dark. The DTS is awesome! Unless you have the money to go into the Elite series or top of the line Harmon Kardons I don't think you'll find a better sounding receiver with more options and extras than this for under $1000.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer

S-video Switching!!! DD, DTS REMOTE!!

stereo mode, if any

Yes, I got it for $235 at Sears...they matched the price of an internet printout that I brought in (retails there for $349!)
absolutely love the receiver. I plan on sticking with pioneer for most if not all of my future upgrades. This receiver is the best one you can find for less than $400, with all of the best features.
I recently bought the pioneer 5-disc DVD Changer, and they go great together. S-video switching is the best, and saved me $30-80 on buying an external switch. I know some people complain about the rear speaker terminals, but I am just glad they put good hookups for the 3 front speakers.
Since I am working with budget equipment, I don't expect that much, but this receiver really performs. You can set up everything from speaker size to distance, to individual speaker levels.
Don't worry about getting power from your sub, If the people writing the reviews below would have even glanced at their manuals, they would have found how to set everything up perfectly. And, unless you particularly enjoy blowing up your speakers, you won't have a problem with the power, period.
The best thing about the system is the remote. It is fully programmable, (and very easy to program, believe it or not), and controls whatever the hell can be controlled by a remote...you could probably program it to control your blinds and lights! The only issue is that it is still hard to find buttons in the dark because there are so many small round ones.
If you are looking for features and quality, all packed into a budget receiver, this is definitely the one for you!
the only reason for the 4 stars is the fact that it's not thx certified, yadda yadda yadda. best deal in town though.

Similar Products Used:

Teac AG-D9100

Good Sound quality & features, for its price.

Not much Tone control (Bass & Treble), no GUI and sometimes tends to clip/distort if i/p signal from CD or Tape etc.. too strong for its liking. NOT MADE IN JAPAN

Like it alot though.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX D 9 series with GUI ... MADE IN JAPAN

Plenty of S-video and digital inputs, Very good programable remote.
very good price.
Very good to excellent analog and digital sound processing.

Could use more FM signal sensitivity.
I would prefer a larger display #s @ letters with more information.

Excellent value. Very good Sounds(Analog & Digital modes), Good remote.
Ok Display and FM sensitivity.

All

Terrible Users Manuals

1st I was a bit irriated after seeing these reviews that I paid $299 for the unit, Circuit City threw in some trashy Technics Surround Speakers which went promply in the trash. I guess I feel for that one. Up the price and put it on sale, "quote". Overall very satisfied. Lots of tweaking and learning... I really wanted a Sony but for twice the price Sony only offers 2 S-Video inputs. What's up with that? Looking at Sony's web page the new models are out, but know one has the units... Xmas is a bad time of year to play hard to get. Sorta like getting a PS2, I guess... Like the fact on this unit can use my old amp to add the two addition speakers for full 5:1... Remote is so-so... So tired of these companies producing poor remotes that requires glasses to read, how much would it actually cost to produce an intutive remote...

In summary, good unit, lots of S-Video In, gota use optical for input though... analog pre-amp is pretty bad, user manual is in Chinese.

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Sony, Dennon

Sounds great....powerful....

Sucks when you only have one speaker because you are a dumbass who accidentally blew the other three...

Worth the money, I am surprised that so many people are having so much trouble with the reciever overloading. I can crank mine all the way, no problems, I'm also content with the bass, whereas not many othe people on here have been.

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70's sterao equipment...

Ease of setup, Learning remote control and great Dolby/DTS sound. S-video in/out !!

Not much adjustment to Bass/Treble and only in 2 channel stereo mode. It would be good to have different colors on display for each Dolby/DTS input line(Analog/Digital) so its easy at a distance to see which one is selected

This is my first receiver. The installation and setup went without a hitch. The sound is great and the ability to get rid of all my other remotes in favour of the pioneer one is great - a couple of generic programmable function keys would be good for the functions that don't quite map over to a specific key on the remote.

None of the weaknesses detract from what I believe is a great product at this price point. If you are like me and just getting into the Home Theatre realm, you cannot go wrong with this unit ... Enjoy!

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None

Good sound and good features.

None.

This is a great reciever. There are better out there, but not at this price. I would have expected to pay $500 for this reciever, but it only cost $329. When I recieved it, I hooked it up right away, and it was simple and quick. I could instantly hear a difference from my one year old Yamaha reciever. This one wrecks major @$$. Definately worth the money. You get Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic, S-Video inputs, and much more. Overall, an outstanding reciever that is well worth the money.

Value, Sound quality

Display, Remote ease-of-use

I bought the 509S based on the comments in this forum. Combined with my new Pioneer DVD-434, all I can say is wow - I should have upgraded earlier. Crisp, clean sound - Dolby 5.1 is truly an experience with this receiver.

The only thing I can really add to the earlier comments is that I bought this at my local Sears for $248 on an internet price match. Yes - Sears will match internet pricing, with just a printout from any net store. The tax is also less than shipping (at least in my case).

Similar Products Used:

Akai AAV-205 (yeah - this model is 18 years old)

Great Sound, Tape Monitor, Remote works great !

None Found

This Reciever is great ! I always had sony's. Just sold a 3 yr. old 965. I had it hooked up to a 10 band equalizer just to get it to sound right. I have the Bose AM-10 system. The sony made the AM-10's sound like a transistor radio. Guys is work kept telling me to get the new Sony STRD - 935 ( I think thats the one). Anyway, I went to give it a listen. Sounded like crap. No highs and no lows. Plus, they have some stupid "equalizer" built in that dont help the cheap amp. I bought the Bose cause I like to hear the "crystal clear" highs. No Sony could do it without the Equalizer hooked up. Also, the Sony's don't have a "tape monitor" button. I love this feature and thats why I wanted the pioneer. The "monitor" dont shut off when you switch modes with the remote. With Sony's you have to turn on the reciever with the remote, then get up and walk to the reciever and hit "tape" to get the Equalizer to come on. Then, if you change modes, (from Video to Tuner) it turned off the EQ and you would have to get up out of your chair and walk to the reciever and hit "tape" again. Real pain in the @@@. This reciever is very nice. Once, you learn the remote it is very easy to find your way around. It amazes me they sell this reciever at this price with all these features and such a great sound ! If you want to spend a lot more and pay for a name like " Harmon Kardon, Nakamichi, go ahead. As for me, I think I will stick with Pioneer from now on. Give it a try, the sound is very pleasing. That sony reciever almost had me selling my Bose system. This reciever brought out the "sparkle" I knew they had. I still need to finish programing the soundfields. Every time I try to do so, I end up putting on a movie to make the adjustments, and then I get into the sound so much, I forget I'm supposed to be seting it up.

Similar Products Used:

Sony older model 711 , and STRD 965