Musical Reproduction, Power, Universal Remote, AC-3 Processor, Backplain Connections

Lack of more than 2 auido out, No DTS, No S-Video

Wow, never a better integrated AMP for the money ($287 on Ubid.com). When first connection the system, it quickly became clear the quality of the design. The backplane was very well laid out, though I did miss more than 2 video out connections.
In compareing the Stereo sound to my Rotel 990 Amp/995 Pre-Amp, that this is a system that can do MUSIC. Though much brighter than the Rotel equipment (also made in UK), it offers good musical reproduction and strong dynamic range. (Though I will keep my Rotel equipment connected to my Magnapan speakers for music). The amp has somewhat "mellowed" with burn in, making it even more enjoyable. Not just like live music, but very good.

After connecting the digital COAX output on my RAITE 711 DVD player and turning on to "The Matrix" for a test ride, I realized that this amp is great for video sound reproduction. With plenty of range, and quick response, it sounded better than your average movie theater. My Accoustic 803 speakers w/ 12 woofers and powered Yamaha sub shined (or bone rattled!). Good solid Mid-fi equipment!!!

price

QC

got this as a cheap experiment with HT. i believe it is in fact a rebadged Rotel 965. anyone else notice that? was excited by that at first, then i hear and experience that even Rotel is not what it used to be. (see reveiews on the rotel l965). god save the queen!

Similar Products Used:

none, others all high end stereo.

Quality, Sound, Remote

None

I have now had my R-925 for almost 5 months, and I could not be more pleased. I've seen some reviews which have less than kind remarks. One person said they need to play their R-925 at 55 to sound good. At 55, my walls are rattling. By far, for the price, you will not find a cleaner sounding AV receiver. As I said in an earlier post, the lack of S-Video hookups can be solved with a switch from Sima or Radio Shack. On DVDs, the 5.1 is incredible, with clean separation. Built in test tones make it easy to set up the correct volumes. Cinema bass really adds punch if you are looking for it (works well on stereo side as well). I cannot understand some of the very poor reviews other than to say that perhaps the units they received were somehow damaged goods or seconds. My experience with Sherwood support has been outstanding. They are immediately responsive and ready to help. You will not go wrong with this receiver.

Similar Products Used:

None in this price range

Build Quality
Sound
Power
Ease of operation
Looks

All stated in previous reviews

I only use this receiver for home theater. For what I paid at ubid.com ($307 + ship, one of the higher prices for the unit), this was the deal of the century. Considering the pace at which technology is changing in the world of digital (already a 6.1 surround at the CES show; the extra channel is a rear center channel), why spend a fortune on a receiver for a maybe slightly better sound. Also, if only using for home theater, we're not exactly looking for the kind of sound quality as if one were using the system for music, as well. Even if also used for music, for most folk's speaker systems out there, this unit is still terrific. This is from someone with a $50,000 music system. I brought the unit into my local high-end boutique to make sure I was getting the right size banana-plug to spade adapters and they bad-mouthed the unit up and down. of course, they sold Nakamichi and suggested I buy that. Then I heard their $30,000 home theater system (not including the TV monitor). Yes, it sounded great. But $30,000 to watch a movie? For my 13' x 15' den/home theater room/extra bedroom? Anyway, you get the point. This is a fine unit available at an incredible price.

Similar Products Used:

Receivers of my childhood

HEAVY solid construction, great universal remote,
Great price!!!

No s-video, no osd(on screen disply)
somewhat difficult to operate for us amatuers.

This is my first ever receiver so my review doesn't contain much contrast, however I've been involved in music my whole life (orchestra, band, etc.) so I do have an ear for good sound and man I've got that in this receiver.
The highs are crystal clear and the bass is full and rich. All I have in the way of speakers so far are a pair of Paradigm Phantoms and a Yahama YST-SW300. I can't wait to get some more speakers and try out dolby digital surround!
I am also one of the FORTUNATE people to have gotton this unit $287 after shipping from ubid. If they're still auctioning them off, go get one!!!
The remote is great also, highly programable. I have a new Toshiba tv with every option in the book and the remote controls all of them (PIP, menu, etc.). It also controls my CD player which I bought 4 years ago and never had a remote! I got one now! The blue light and LCD read out are cool too! I can also control my sub from the remote!
The lack of s-video is no big deal I've got that on my TV. The reciever however is loaded with inputs, outputs, sub-outs, pre-out, this-outs and that-ins (all 24K gold plated)
All this and a gorgeous look and price! I don't know about all these picky "AUDIPHILES" but I'm pleased with the unit.
Thanks audioreview for the chance to review this product before I bought it. I couldn't be happier with it!
Very Happy, a very enthusiastic five stars!!!
For a more detailed view of the unit go to www.800.com, than go to recievers in the audio section and find this reciever in the list. You can get a good look at the remot, front and back of it.

Similar Products Used:

none

The R-925 is the little brother of the R-975 that is reviewed often on this site. It is identical with the exception that it does not process DTS (and without 5.1 inputs never will)and does not have s-video inputs. The R-925 also does not have onscreen set up. Otherwise it is using the same body, the same internal (5 x 100 wpc)amps and power supply and the same 24-bit DSP 56009 Motorola Processor. They both come with the Universal SL-8000 remote. The R-975 is now selling for $800 in many places and I paid $700 for the 925. I would have paid the extra $100 if I had the option, but I was working with a trade-in and didn't have much leverage. In any event, for the price, either of these is a great value.
I have spent 3 weeks breaking it in and added a new Toshiba SD-3109 dvd player with HDCD and MIT Terminator6 speaker cables going to my vintage :>) Boston Accoustic A60s and SW10 sub.
In am very pleased with musical reproduction, especially using the HDCD player. There is no lack of power and seems to be very crisp. I would call it good "mid-end".
Moving to movies, it is outstanding. There is no lack of power anywhere. I have blasted T2 and Super Speedway and it just keeps going.
I looked at the Denon 2700, Onkyo, Yamaha and Harman Kardon AVR-75. For $700-$800 I definetily believe the R-925 or R-975 is the way to go. If I was buying from scratch, I would have gotten the 975 for the DTS.

Paul

current equiptment:
Sony KV-27S20 27” Trinitron TV
Sherwood New Castle R-925 A/V Receiver
Boston Accoustics A60 Speakers (front)
Boston Accoustics CR2 Center Speaker
Boston Acoustics SW10 Powered Subwoofwer
PSB Alpha Surround Speakers

Cables:
Main Speakers: MIT Terminator 6 (3 front Speakers)
Surrounds: Tributaries SP12W (70 Feet) (with RS Gold Terminations)

Interconnects:
1 Tributaries DCV 100 Video Cable (A/V to TV)
2 Audio Quest Video 1 (Coax Digital and Video from DVD to A/V)
2 XLO/VDO ER 5 (THX) (2 channel analog out for CD player to A/V)

Obvious build quality, ample clean power, ease of use

as previously noted, however see below*.

*First, let me point out that I am reviewing the R-925's sister receiver, the R-725. It is identical to the R-925 with the exception that it does not have the Dolby Digital Decoder built in and it features an Analog Devices processor rather than the Motorola. However, it is Dolby Digital and DTS compatible with 6 channel inputs for an external decoder(s). It also has pre-outs for all 6 channels.(Lack of DTS decoder and upgradeability is one of the complaints cited in prior reviews of the R-925) If the lack of DTS is your only complaint, buy this model!!! You can pick up a Millenium DTS decoder from ebay or this site's classifieds for under $150. Also, many DVD players now come with Dolby Digital Decoders built in for not much more than the basic DD & DTS output models. Problems solved! Now, as for value, I recently picked up the R-725 at UBID for only $172.00!!! This unit was obvously worth the several hundred dollar retail price.

I've owned an upper end sytem for years with a pair of ADS L1290 tower speakers rated at 300 wpc power handling driven by Yamaha's top of the line stereo receiver, the R-9 with 180 wpc peak dynamic power. Last year, I picked up an entry level Kenwood Prologic receiver. Since then, I've been wanting a receiver which could serve two purposes: 1) the power and performance for purely critical audio listening to replace the Yamaha, and 2) have Prologic capability and upgradeability to Dolby Digital and DTS to replace the Kenwood.

I must say the R-725 has more than met my expectations. For music, I've got 165 wpc @ .05%THD and for surround -130 wpc x 3 front and 130 wpc(65 x 2) rear. ((By the way, I've seen the power specs quoted as 100 x 5 in surround for the r-925. However, I'm looking at the Sherwood spec sheet showing the 925 & 725 side by side and identical!??))

Back to the review: The transient response rate and base attack are comparable to the Yamaha. Mids and highs are strong and clear yet warm and natural sounding and without any sign of harshness or brightness. I have listened at levels that will peal paint and ample headroom is still evident. I feel pretty confident that the published specs are real and not over-rated. Another nice touch from Newcastle is that the unit comes with a Certificate of Performance from a factory technician who has individually tested and certified the unit before shipping. I was fortunate to get the UK unit also.

If you want performance, obvious quality, and upgradeability, I suggest you jump on this opportunity while it lasts. A solid 5 stars across the board!

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha R-9 Stereo Receiver

Outstanding dynamic clean sound
Great remote
clean styling
very solid build

no DTS no s-vidio can be complicated with settings for those who aren't gifted with button and knob adjusting skills

This reciever sounds better than any I have heard in the past. I have it running to a pair of Klipsch 10.5 and Klipsch center channel in the front with Klipsch shorthorns in the rear and a JBL 10" 300 watt digital powered subwoofer.

I replaced a Sony 925 that had been running this system. The Sony worked well but I wanted better sound quality. I found it with the Newcastle 926. The Newcastle running ac3 sounds better than the Sony running dts sounded. On the Sony dts sounded much better than ac3, however the Newcastle without dts makes up for it with a better amp. I found that dts was a waste anyway because you can't find the software encoded with dts. Ac3 is readily available.

The newcastle has better range, better sound quality, and you can adjust the volume better. You can really set the volume accurately with the Newcastle. The sony was difficult to adjust at low volume because a slight turn of the know made a big volume change.

The Newcastle weight is much more than the sony its larger and the payoff comes in the sound. Direct side to side comparison demonstrated that the Newcastle was much more musical and natural sounding. I never expected such a difference.

The Sony has more sound field settings - but the fact is that it needed them to make up for a weak not very dynamic or accurate amp. I found I never used most of the sound fields anyway. The Newcastle simply sounds outstanding and doesn't need artificial processing to please the ears.

I am very happy with the Newcastle.

Similar Products Used:

Yahama, Sony, Sony es, and Dennon

Sound
Styling
Power Rating (Accurate)
Construction

No S-Video (maybe)

Like many others, I purchased the Newcastle from UBid ($250 shipped). I did this after going to a pure audiophile shop in my area which had the R925 set up in and among some of the most expensive gear you could imagine. Even their price for the R925 was considerably more than UBid.
From a personal use side, I had a very good (still is) stereo only integrated amp from Yamaha. The Newcastle does a wonderful job on the stereo side. The Home theater side is just plain outstanding. Clean separation, no unexpected hisses, just good sound!
The lack of SVideo connections can be solved with an external SVideo switch (got mine at Radio Shack). I have out Toshiba 3109, and SVHS VCR plugged into it. The digital audio from the 3109 goes to the Newcastle It would be nice if it were built in, but it isn't, and at the price you can get the Newcastle for, it is worth it. You really can't go wrong with this unit. Speakers are Wharfedale Modus 1.6 in front, Wharfedale Modus Center, and BIC Venturi (the originals) as rears.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha Integrated Amp (12 years old)

Home Theater Sounds

No DTS(overrated anyway), No S-Video(This is worth it, but you can get from outside sources anyway so no big deal), a little disappointed with the stereo sound-Any advice?

Home theater is great, especially at UBID prices(about $250 shipped for me). Home stereo sound wasn't as good as my old Onkyo stereo receiver, but maybe there are ways around this. Any advice? Bass just doesn't seem to kick with my mains like they do with my old Denon unit. Subwoofer would obviously help but that's a few months down the road at least for me. Nice remote, which beats any crappy Denon or Onkyo remote I've seen. Hate to say it though, but probably should have paid an extra few hundred for the Denon 2800. Still a great value and the stereo sound is still very good. Energy eXL-25 mains. Energy eXL-2 Center Channel(or something like that). Whatfedale Sapphire 83 rears(another UBID steal for around $130 shipped. For what you pay, you can't complain too much. Honestly, don't know what model year this unit is, but it's the one everyone seems to be getting on UBID.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo ? Can't remember the number. E-mail if you want to know bad enough
Denon AVR-1700
Denon AVR-2800(Friend has one)
Denon AVR-5700(Obscenely nice but obscenely expensive. Same friend has this unit.)