excellent power, internal control features

runs hot, remote is a c-

For the price the receiver proveids good value. Its full featured, perfect DD and DTS decoding. The built in amps are powerful enough as to not exhibit audio compression when played loud. The previous reviewer who mentioned that it doesn't play loud enough is either deaf or has crap for speakers, all that heat is from the amps! You need to adjust your levels during setup. Individual controls for FR,FL, SR, SL & CT allow the max in home theater setup. Even time delay for speaker position, distance from listner. spool up the movie The Matrix on this and stand by for a treat. Use a sound meter for the best setup with something like video essentials to make the adjustments. Make sure you leave plenty of space -AV Receivers that pumps out that much power, they do get hot.

Dolby Digital, DTS, setup, remote

AMPLIFIERS

Been there, done that, got my money back.

First of all, let me say that this is not a bad product. As far as cheap receivers go, for $269, I would (did) recommend it to almost anyone. However...

I have a Denon AVR 2500, and though it's Pro-Logic, I decided that I could live with it more easily than the Pioneer. There is only 1 reason - the amplifiers. The Pioneer yields little sonic detail, but is overly bright, and lacks warmth (you could use it to chill wine). The detail added by channel separation is great, but isn't rewarding enough for me to abandon the power and pleasure of the Denon.

Listen to the difference between DTS and Pro-Logic (which is where most of your components will operate) on this component (without a subwoofer) if you want to see what I mean. It made anything not on DTS not worth listening to. Coupled to a subwoofer, this receiver would be (is) fine for Home Theater, but music still would (does) suck. However, to anyone who has not ever owned audiophile equipment (a class the Denon doesn't touch but more closely approaches), this receiver is truly a step up. For others, it will be a disappointment. Buying better power and using it as a pre-amp would be one solution, but buying a more powerful receiver would make more sense to me. Wish I had the money to do either.

So... I'm still caught in the dark ages with my Denon AVR 2500. It lacks the sophistication and technological advances of this receiver, but is much more enjoyable for me.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR 2500 (Pro-Logic)

Note undocumented remote features

Pioneer OEM's the remote for this unit from One-For-All
(OFA) and I have discovered that some handy OFA feature
codes work with it though undocumented by Pioneer (for
example, 976 to clear a learned key). Try codes you
find at www.hifi-remote.com/ofa or elsewhere.

Powerful, clear sound. Nice Powerfull built in AMPS.

No On Screen Display.

For the price I paid, that included shipping, this AV Receiver cannot be beat. Its full featured, perfect DD and DTS decoding. The sound seperation is incredible. The built in amps are powerful enough as to not exhibit audio compression when played loud. All the inputs one needs. My subwoofer was reborn after calibrating the receiver. The previous reviewer mentioned that it doesn't play loud enough. It does, and more. You need to adjust your levels during setup. This machine has pre-outs on all channels if you want to use external amps. I plan to fill them soon, even though the built in amps do a terrific job, 100 watts can't beat 200 watts per channel. The set up was quick and easy. This is just a great product. Crank it up and feel the sound and hear your walls and windows rattle. Make sure you leave plenty of space above to keep it cool. As all new AV Receivers that pumps out that much power, they do get hot. The front panel is clean and uncluttered. I like that kind of design. You won't regret this Machine, and you will be hard pressed to find one of this caliber for the price I got at etronics.

Similar Products Used:

None

Very good sound for a receiver. A lot of features for a receiver that price.

doesn't have a on-screen display. poor DSP modes.

This is a very goood audio component for the price, even compared a pre/power combination.very good Dolby decoding and very usefull Bass Level adjust.
P.S.: for the guy that had to crank up the full volume to get sound, try to increse the gain of the front channels. The Pionner 709s offers this feature on the channel level setup.

Similar Products Used:

Pre/power combination (Nashville/Marantz MA 700), JVC A/V Receivers.

tons of inputs (inluding 5 s-video), very clean sound, lots of opions. Very handy remote.

no on-screen-display (GUI), or mid range-control

Very clean sound with no little hiss if any. The remote is actually very well layed out but could use a backlit. you have control of up to seven dsp including 5 channel stereo which isn't present in sony's de series (i'm not sure on the db or es series). In dolby digital and dts and a powered sub (without it the receiver lacks bass) the receiver sounds incredible, even at high volumes! I figured It would be the closest thing to an Elite (their specs are the same but most of the Elite series have GUI and decoralation and other insignificant thing which make them either THX select or ultra) so I purchased it after returning a sony da945, couldn't be happier. But if your looking to have on-screen-display (GUI), go elsewhere. If you're looking to have great sound and not have to worry about remotes then this is for you.

Similar Products Used:

Sony str-de945, jvc 9000

Good Price, Good performance

Manual is not easy to read, no on screen display

Strong and powerful remote control,easy to program for other device
Sound is nice and solid
A lot of input.
For the money, I think this is a good buy, other people I ask this think you have to pay at least 200-300 to get something similiar to this model.
Setup is little bit difficult, especially this is my first av receiver, that I have to learn all the delay and setup for the speakers.

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood 701