REMOTE, ADJUSTABILITY,

WEAK BASS

I ended up with the THX version, it was shipped from Japan, dont know if its on the market stateside yet. it replaced a kenwood (junk) that i paid about the same for 3 yrs ago. Lets start with the remote--- Kick butt, it learned everything i had including a 3head denon tape deck that didnt even come with a remote! you can macro everything and turn on the whole system with desired sound fields with one button. I used the pre outs for a yamaha MX1000 amp that powers my Klipsch Chorus II's. the pioneer let me adjust the output level so they dont over power the surrounds and centerchannel. and when i switch back to stereo for audio play it puts all the power back to the front speakers and amp so i can blast my friends.Even my woman said the remote was easy to use. it even has a section totally dedicated to the tv so you can turn it on adj. vol , change channels. without firing up the whole system. its nice to see one remote where seven used to lay around cluttering up the coffee table. you can adjust out put levels with the remote for all spkers without any "pause" in sound for customizing system. it sounds incredible! i cant wait to hook up a dvd to it. the only thing its alittle weak in is the bass, but i dont have a sub yet so that will probably be an easy remedy. excellent buy!

Great value, great for home theater, good remote, lots of digital inputs

remote backliting is a little 'funny', DSP modes not all that great

Bought this receiver on an ebay auction from spidergear.com for $300 + $40 shipping. It was a refurbished model, but came to me in totally new condition, with everything fully functional. This is the second piece of refurbished Pioneer equipment I have purchased, with no complaints so far. The receiver I bought is actually the VSX-D908S, unlike some of the other variations reviewed below. Don't be fooled by the 'brushed' metal picture of the receiver that you see all over the internet. The one I received is the standard dull black metal that all low-end pioneer receivers have. Overall I am extremely happy with the overall performance of this receiver. I upgraded from the Pioneer VSX-D606S (I know, not much of an upgrade), primarily based on the fact that this receiver had all of the digital inputs that I needed without breaking the bank. After extensive listening to the 908S, I think that for 2-channel music, the 908S is very similar to the 606S. However, for home theater, I think the 908S is slightly superior. Not a lot, but at least noticeably better. I bought the 606S for $600 (new) when Dolby Digital 5.1 was just becoming mainstream. In hindsight, I probably could have waited 6 months and gotten all the features I wanted for $300. So I guess the point I'm trying to make is that for $340, the 908S is an outstanding entry level receiver. If you really want to save the money, go on ebay and buy a 606S for ~$100-$150.
Other things I liked about the 908S-
1) Easy on-screen setup
2) Ability to control other manufacturers equipment with the same remote
3) Tons of digital inputs
4) S-Video switching
5) Extremely clean sound. I have Infinity RS-8s with built in powered subs, and the receiver has plenty of power to drive these speakers.

The only thing I didn't like about the remote is that when you depress a button, it becomes backlit, but doesn't stay backlit for very long. I know it's to save batteries, but if I can afford a receiver, then I can afford batteries. Also, some of the DSP modes don't really sound that good, but I'm sure some people like them.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-D606S, Pioneer VSX-D498

Sound, Power, Ease of setup/use

LEF channel output, if volume is not turned up to at least 30 there is no output to the LEF channel.

First off I have the VSX-D908TX model. I have the system setup with a Pioneer 414 DVD player a Yamaha 775 CD player and Klipsch senergy series speakers all around and a Klipsch kws-12 sub. Dolby Digital movies are outstanding, I am amazed every time I put a movie in the DVD player. The surround sound reproduction blows me away every time. CD music is also great. The system power is also outstanding, with the sensitive Klipsch speakers very high volumes are no problem for the amp. The only problem I have had with the system is that after over a year of flawless operation, now when the system is powered on there is no audio output to the speakers. If you go into the system setup GUI and then exit the system setup GUI you will then get audio output to the speakers. If you do not go into the system setup GUI sometimes after a few minutes you will get audio output to the speakers but not always. Any ideas you may have on this problem would be great, I am out of ideas. Other then the above problem I highly recomend this a/v-receiver.

Sound, Upgradability, Power, Built

No Composite Video Outs, No Banana Plugs for Speaker Wire Outputs

I think this Pioneer amp is one of the best amps that came around in our country. Similar products auditioned like the Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, Sony and others still resulted with the Pioneer having a better built and greater sounding machine in the similar price category. Though only two things are lacking with this amp, and as mentioned previously in the weaknesses category, no banana plugs and no composite out. Still, this amp rocks, and it even made some of my older sounding speakers sound wonderful, with clarity and purity. And with the fact that it sells only at 650 dollars here in the country brand new, this is a great deal that shouldn't be miss by anybody who lives out here and is reading my review.

Better than the Elite 24TX, almost the same as the 26TX only without the THX certification (whihc I am sure it could get..). If you want a great receiver and are not willing to pay for marketing (Elite 26TX is 150$ more) I would recommend you ask for the 908.

Very nice machine. I did not expect to be able to find a receiver of this quality for under $800. It processes DD and DTS very well. Configuration and setup are pretty straight-forward. While not quite a high-end Elite model, it is not far from it. The DSP modes are awesome for stereo inputs, and the advanced modes will impress your friends. I would be wary of putting it in an enclosed cabinet with little ventilation. It tends to get pretty warm.

ease of use
solid buid
has it all
great remote

can't think of any

After 16 months of using this machine I can say that it does deliver, and does it very well. At first I was a bit disappointed with the stereo sound, but after making sure that all the power plugs were adjusted to avoid common impedance coupling as much as possible it sounds OK. As it turns out my subwoofer (sony) was the culprit. Now it stands on a big chunck of marble and spikes. That did it for me. I use a sony DVD s7700 as a CD/DVD player (RGB-output, (which by the way does play cd-r, contrary to what I read in reviews, just not all CD-R's. Use TDK or Philips and you should have no problem). The video is awesome. The 5.1/DTS sound in my fairly large living room is very satisfactory. Stereo sound is crisp en doesn't fatigue at all.
Of course there are better amps than this one, but not for this money. If you can buy it for a discount (let's say around 500,-, then go for it.

Similar Products Used:

none

Great Sound, THX Ultra, DTS, Build quality

Can't use banana plugs or spades, Pioneer Customer service

I have the VSX-D908TX model which I bought in Okinawa Japan. The driving factor for buying this receiver was the power, ease of use and THX and DTS. I use my unit in a home theater setup with Acoustic Research speakers all around and a Pioneer DV414 DVD player. I also use home made braided speaker wire for the fronts and straight runs of CAT-5 cable for the rears with amazing results. The sound reproduction in the DTS and THX modes is nothing short of awesome. DD and DSP modes are great too. Beautiful highs and great lows come very natural to this receiver. A great reference DVD is Disney's Tarzan, the music and effects are amazing which the 908 has no problem recreating with accuracy. The only thing lacking is Pioneer's customer support which is very disappointing to say the least. I had a problem with the digital sound processing circuit(I later found out), and Pioneer said they couldn't help me because it was bought overseas. But they politely offered to sell me a NEW unit for $100-$200 off MSRP, and I not so politely told them where to go. All that while my reciever still had 6 months of warranty left. A great company in NY by the name of UNITED RADIO SERVICE helped me out and I'm enjoying my favorite DVD's once again. For Morten if you shelled out so much for speakers and cables you might have thought about buying something more high end. My receiver has no problem producing enough power to send my ears into overload.

Similar Products Used:

Auditioned Yamaha, Denon

THX ULTRA!! Power, looks and a great remote.

?? Can't think of one...

I was very lucky to get this amp very cheap. $AUS 1400. I have it running with a pioneer dv636 (also in gold - looks fantastic together!) large magnat motion 200 (180W rms) and matching surrounds. I have been able to compare it to a similar product by denon and must say that it easily matches it. As far as power goes i have never had any problems, it powers the magnats with easy and never seems to strain. I must politely disagree with Morten who seems to be very impressed with his own system (complete with $40/m cable) but seems to know little else. I have read a number of other independent reviews and all (except for Mortens) agree with its 100W output (or 110W dinn, which permits more distortion than IHF-A202).
It is very easy to set up (except for connecting large speaker cables - which takes patience...) and the remote is great. (Complete with backlit buttons for use during viewing sessions...)
It only has a few DSP modes (which is a good thing! - ever used a sony?) but they all work well.
THX Cinema is a big selling point, i just wish i could afford a set of speakers to do it justice.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 3801

beautiful machine with all options that you can wish

none

I use the european version with ventilation on the backside.
The pioneer is in gold colour en looks also fantastic. The menu is clear and in combination with the dvd 717 it is the couple of the year. I have never been so glad with a new stereo. I use dynaudio speakers : Contour 1.1 front
Audience 40 rear en c120+ for center. Marvelous.

Similar Products Used:

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