- Low cost - Solid 100 watts delivered per channel - Open, clean sounding amplifier section - Solid DTS, DPL,and DPLII performance - Quality Digital-to-Analog section - Easy of setup

- Limited digital input options - Only composite video switching, but for many this is not an issue - Fairly lightweight construction compared to some of it's upmarket siblings - Not to many more at this price point

This review is for the RCA badged STAV-4180 as sold at Radio Shack. It is cosmetically and functionally identical to the VSX-D412. I'm the quintessential budget audio enthusiast. That, backed with a decade of pro audio experience, has taught me that, despite popular press and opinion, the differences in electronics are few, especially for the variability in price. This does not mean that a $100 receiver is in the same class as a $1000 one. It does mean that in the end, the tangible, audible differences are fewer than you would think. This is based on personal experience, a/b comparisons, measurement, and reading. The late Julian Hirsch new this, and I am a firm believer in this philosophy as well. Given that preamble, I can say that I have had many hours of enjoyment from my budget hifi setups. My main stereo listening system has been a late 80's era Yamaha Natural Sound preamp driving an Alesis RA150 reference amp. This has been a pleasing combination, with the warm Yamaha mellowing out the accurate but sterile Alesis. Speakers have been a mix of studio monitors (Hafler M5, Samson Resolv 65) and bookshelfs (Paradigm Atom, JBL S26II). I want to experiment much more in multi-channel sound, so it was time to get a receiver. My last AV receiver was a Sherwood 7103, a budget workhorse that, while lacking refinement, provided a solid 100 watts x 5 at a budget price of $85. This time around, though, I wanted three key features: Crystal DSP chipset, 96khz/24bit DACs, and Dolby ProLogic II (DPLII). So it was with delight that I found this RCA/Pioneer unit on clearance. Comparing this receiver to it's big brother, the VSX-D712, you are missing quite a few things: S-Video and Component switching, binding post speaker outputs, some DSP modes, and a/b speaker connections. The core of both units is the same though, the same core Crystal DSP, 96/24 DACs, and identical amplifier sections. So, while missing some nice and some gingerbread features, I still have a solid foundation for a surround system. Speakers of choice for auditioning are JBL S26II bookshelfs and a JBL PB10 150watt subwoofer in a 4.1 configuration. All speakers are set to Large and the sub crossed over around 60hz. The JBLs offer a revealing high and and solid bass response that helps illustrate the character of the receiver or amp. Source is a Pioneer DV-563A multi-format DVD player that supports both DVD-A and SACD. Software included the DVD of Rush: Live in Rio, Victor Wooten's Yin and Yang CD, Journey Escape on SACD, and Steely Dan Everything Must Go on both CD and DVD-Audio. Well, let me say this up front: this is a capable receiver at under $300, it is simply peerless at $99. A new VSX-D412 runs around $150-175, and I would recommend it at that price. At this price it is unmatched. The only thing in the same price class is Sherwood's 6108, which I auditioned side-by-side with the RCA in my home. While capable, and probably a little more gutsy, the RCA/Pioneer outclasses it with a superior digital signal chain and easier setup. Yes, setting up the receiver is simple. It walks you through a quick setup, and from there you can tweek individual settings to suite your environment and likes. Setting up a 4.1 configuration took less than 5 minutes! Two quirky things to note though on setup: 1) there are two digital inputs, a COAX and an optical. They are pre-routed to DVD and SAT respectively. I don't see a way to re-route these inputs, unlike the Sherwood that lets you map it's three digital ins to any source; 2) larger gauge speaker wire can hang-up in the clip-type speaker connections. Be wary of this, I would recommend adding pins to your cables to simplify this end of your wiring. Digital processing here is excellent. DTS, DPL and DPLII all deliver as expected with good steering, low noise, and reliable format detection. The other DSP modes are a matter of taste, and are too few in number, but that said I usually am listening in DPLII or Stereo Direct anyway. The amp section is a hybrid, meaning it is probably an A/B configuration driven by a switching power supply. Indeed, this receiver is somewhat light for its rated output, and while I felt the more traditional discreet output section of the Sherwood was weightier, the RCA/Pioneer delivered expected levels with minimal distortion into four channels. It is certainly more open sounding than the Sherwood, though this likely due to superior digital processing more than anything. So, easy setup, ample clean power, decent looks, and a beer-budget price. Certainly this receiver, in RCA or Pioneer form, delivers for the money. I doubt you would see much of a gain outside of input features and superior connectors for more than three times the price.

Similar Products Used:

Sherwood RD-7103, Sherwood RD-6108, various Denon and Yamaha surround receivers.