Sounds good, I guess.

Couldn't "usability" its way out of a paper bag.

Others have focused on the audio qualities of this brick. I'm no audiophile, but it has sounded just fine to me. However, while the sound might be okay, I must warn everybody that the usability of this device is, well, for poop. My problems with it might all be addressable, with sufficient time and energy dedicated to examining the manual (yes, I *have* read it several times already), and performing trial & error experiments upon the box. But that doesn't count as good usability to me. I mean, come on folks, this thing isn't an F16. My main complaints: 1) The remote control is a nightmare, overloaded with buttons for other Sherwood devices etc. 2) Tuning a radio station is hell. Seems like you have to preset everything once and then you are okay. I have not grokked how to get it to scan nicely, and save stations I like. 3) The OSD is all in block capital letters. Yeah, that's rule 1 of all usability manuals I'm sure.

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My old Sony STR-D1090.

Great sound in every format! Low Heat dissapation Trouble free performance for over 3 years!

Not much. Best sound for not being seperates!

I know that I'm late for this review. I bought this receiver in hopes to add home theater to my life while still enjoying my music collection. I have had the RVD-9090 for about 3 years now. I can tell you that it is one SOLID VALUE with great transparancy and an overall sweet sound. I listen to all genres of music esecially classical and jazz. The sound of each individual instrument has to be realistic to my ear. This receiver paired with a good speaker system that takes up to 100 watts, great speaker wire and of course good individual components make a surprisingly great sound (for a really inexpensive price)! Someday I will try what others have done with their 9090, using it as a pre-amp and powered their speakers with a seperate amp. But I have been more than pleased with the sound quality on music and movies. My system: Sherwood RVD-9090 NHT New Wave 5.1 Speaker system Replaced NHT sub w. PSB Stratus Sub 7 (15") Denon DVD-2900 w. Art DIO tube DAC on Analog Wireworld Horizon Speaker Wire Various mix of Wireworld & AudioQuest Cables

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Old H/K Citation Amp Old H/K 330 receiver Phase Linear Amp

TONS of inputs, Awesome DD/DTS Sound Reproduction, 6 Pre-Outs, 6 Channel Direct Input, Dynamic Range Control, Good DSP modes, 4 Digital Inputs including 2 Coaxial and 2 Optical, Low heat output

Huge remote with tons of buttons, No Pro Logic II,

This receiver is a godsend for anyone looking for excellent Dolby Digital/DTS sound reproduction in a sub-thousand dollar product. There are TONS of inputs on the back and one, including S-Video, on the front. The DSP modes are fair, and stereo and pro-logic reproduction are very good, but the Dolby Digital and DTS reproductions are incredible. Anyone with a satellite/powered sub system should have no problem getting enough juice from the power supply of the 9090R. Those with larger speakers and pre-amps can take advantage of the 6 separate pre-outs. I have used this product for 18 months now and have not been disappointed yet. Wonderful receiver that can be had for a great price.

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Old JVC Stereo Receiver, Sony Dream System, Kenwood A/V Receivers...This is better than any of those by a long shot.

Has all the in/outs and decoding formats (even 5.1 inputs and 5.1 preamp outputs), powerful amp and nice looking all at an unbelieveable price!

Sherwood name has taken a beating in recent past but products like this one and all the Newcastle gear is turning it around again.

Bought for a second home theater in recroom. Just wanted something decent and inexpensive ($435 Tek).

Was really surpised with unit, damn near on par with my H/K AVR65 that I paid twice as much for last year.

Hey, if I had paid $1,000 for this unit, I would have a few gripes here and there but at this price I'm smiling!

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Denon, Yamaha, Sony ES

power/price, 4 digital inputs,

Remote, binding posts

Got this after looking at the pioneer and yamaha 5150. Sounds awsome. Supports DTS and DD5.1, along with the other defacto standards. Great number of I/O ports for the price:

Inputs:
2 COAX and 2 Optical Digital
4 Video inputs* (4 S-Video, 4 Composite) (VCR1,VCR2**,DVD)
1 6 Channel direct input set
3 L/R Audio Inputs (CD/AUX/Tape Monitor)
+ Am/Fm antenna, and 2 Sherwood DIGI Link II/III ports for connection to other sherwood products. Also has 1 switched AC jack.

Outputs
2 Video (2 S-Video, 2 Composite) 1 for Monitor & 1 for VCR1
1 6 Channel preamp out set
5 Speaker outs (FR/FL/C/RR/RL)
2 L/R Audio Outs (1 for Tape Monitor/1 for VCR1)

* S-Video in goes to S-Video out, Composite in goes to composite out. S-Video will override Composite. So if you have a mix of inputs, the TV better have both S-Video and Composite.
** VCR2 can use one of two input sets: front or back. Easy switching between the two.

The unit is easy to setup once you realize that it defaults to headphones for output (hint: if the little light is not on above the second button below the power button, and there is no sound, press that 2nd button). The remote sucks. Small buttons and it is "Universal" only if your universe includes All sherwood products.

The onscreen display is worth the price of admission. This is the big difference between the 9090 and the 8090. Makes setup MUCH easier and is really cool when combined with the test tone to be sure you have the right speakers in the right place or when setting individual speaker trim.

The binding posts could be better. They feel cheap and are a bit hard to use.

The unit has no bass/treble knobs. It uses buttons instead. I prefer knobs, but this is more of a user preference.

All in all, this is a good unit for the price (379 from Jo MaMaS) and great for the building a entry level system around.

Price, features, versatility, on-screen display, dim or blackout front panel(cool),5.1 inputs, complete set of pre-outs, S-video switching, etc.

sound

I bought this receiver to replace my 2080 which lacked pre-outs for the main L&R channels to add a separate amplifier.
I noticed right away that the sound of the Sherwood wasn't as good as the Kenwood. Movies were OK but music was really flat sounding. I wasn't really sure if the problem was the Sherwood's decoders or it's amp section.
Well, I bought a Rotel 5 channel amp and hooked it up between the Sherwood and my B&W speakers(with Tara Labs cable) and WOW what a difference!
The dynamic range opened way up, soundstage was much bigger, instruments had an almost live sound. The improvement was incredible which leads me to believe that the Sherwood's amps are the culprit for the dead sound previously.
As a receiver the Sherwood has it's faults but as a pre-pro in a 50/50 music/HT system, you could spend 5 times what I did and not do better.

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Sony pro-logic receiver

Great sound, easy to use

none found

Great bass and sound. Using American Acoustic speakers and sub which sound awesome during movies. Using the digital sound with DVD's. Easy to use. Paid $299.00 at Consumer-direct - much more expensive elsewhere. Remote is easy to use also. Looked around at other receivers but didnt find anything better unless your willing to spend a whole lot of money. Obviously cant compare a receiver that costs over $800 dollars to this receiver.

DD/DTS S-Video, Looks, Sound, Flexibility

At this price level, none!

Features compare to many receivers costing up to three times as much. I've heard that this is made by the same company that makes many Harman Kardon, Denon, Marantz and Pioneer receivers.

After searching the net I found mine for $426 plus $14 shipping and handling. Just try and find a better eceiver for $440! MSRP $699. Good Luck!!!!

My rating is based on price range under $1,000.

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Pioneer, JVC, Kenwood and Sony.

Great Price, Many inputs,

Remote takes a while to learn

This is a big step up from a dolby pro-logic receiver. I paid 275 with free shipping at 800.com. It is powerful with 100x5 surround power and it has a dolbgy digital and DTS decoder. Its got plent of inputs, S-Video switching, on screen display, and all that other good stuff. This is a great product for this price range. Most other receivers in this price range offer 55x5 watts, which is almost half as much. HIGHLY reccomended.

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Decoding and switching. Perfect for an AV command center

Power

This is an update. If you have the Sherwood RVD9090R for around $300 or less, and you add a power amp for your fronts - you are IN BUSINESS!

I enjoyed this receiver right from the start, but I have to second the other reviewers' criticism about power. I have 4 ohm speakers as fronts, and while it sounds OK, it doesn't sound excellent.

I pulled my old Sansui integrated amp out of mothballs and use the Sherwoods pre-outs to let the Sansui power the fronts. A powered sub handles the bass and the Sherwood just drives the center and rear.

Set up in this fashion, what I basically have is an awesome value in a pre-amp, with the power to the center/rear as a bonus.

With all the excellent switching/decoding in this unit, and the super-convenient on screen display, this is just a tremendous value!

I'm mainly updating my review so I can urge everyone with this receiver to get a budget power amp for your fronts - and you will see a world of difference. Set up this way, I don't give one inch to Harmon Kardon, Dennon, Yamaha, Onkyo, or anybody else.

I'm confident I have the most performance possible for the money with this Sherwood - provided I get some help driving the fronts.

Score a 5 all around. If this had better power (could drive low impedance speakers), it would cost > $1000 and be worth every penny!

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