Value, video/audio switching including 5 s-video, 3 digital inputs

Noise on AC-3/DTS, remote control, linear volume control

Did anybody notice that it's very noisy in AC-3/DTS modes? I'm using Pink Floyd's "Wall" DVD in AC-3 mode and DTS demo CD with Panasonic A-120 DVD hooked up to coaxial input. At 55 volume noise not only present but disturbing! That's my first "digital" receiver, so I don't know if unit is faulty, or generic 9090R problem or else.

The other issue - it can't mux s-video signal to composite video output and vice versa, so you have to switch TV input from s-video to normal video. I guees it's common problem of most receivers except may be expensive ones, since it would require S-video --> comp.video mixer and comp.video --> s-video splitter.

PRICE! Autodetect DD,DTS and Prologic. On Screen Display. Memorizes speaker trim for each surround mode. S-Vid in/out

Manual is weak. Remote is bad as others say, but who cares - buy a cinema 7. Surround modes suck, but again who cares. Use Stereo for music and DD/DTS/Prologic for movies&TV. Volume memory by mode has already caused some loud bangs in the night - only a small qualm.

It looks like Frys is working their way up the coast using this unit as a loss leader. At our store, there were 6 units on sale for $199. I got the 4th one at 9:20AM the first and only day they had any of these - and had to fight for it with a retarted or corrupt store manager(they open at 9:00). Pretty lucky that a floor worker went in back and "found" the crates (which I'm sure this manager was saving for his buddies), since others on this board are happy they got it for $400.

I'm an "enthusiast" which equals "audiophile wannabee with a wife who will NEVER let me pay for top end". Given that, I am thrilled to death to have this unit.

First of all - the step up from Prologic to DD is IMMENSE. The step up from DD to DTS is significant. I'm amazed at how my DVDs come to life with this unit.

It took me a while to figure out the ODS, but once I got the hang of it, this is a super feature - easy to screw around with the speaker trim and tone control.

In playing some music CDs, I came to the realization that artificial surround modes are a total hoax. It is an interesting gimmick to get that echo and delay - but WHY? This unit plays beautiful stereo! You don't listen to live music with speakers in back of your ear do you? For movies meant to be in 5 channel, it's a different matter.

But if you like fake surround with your music - a little speaker trim and delay adjustment will let you get the sound you want in at least one of the 3 DSP modes. Me - I'd trade all 3 modes for $20.

This unit is coming highly rated from a lot of sources on the net - there's a guy in England who says that the top Sherwood gear is better than the bottom end of the Newcastle gear - and I believe it. It seems that this is a good company to buy from right now, since they have a quality product but their name recognition/image sucks right now (HK, Dennon, Yamaha - you pay for that name).

If you can find this at a store as a loss leader - run and get it. Otherwise, the 8090R is always being peddled by the on line auction companies (ebay, ubid) and can be had for <$200.

Sherwood today is the right time/right place for a tremendous bargain in Digital AV receivers. Don't miss out.

By the way - to the guy below who wishes he could manual select his surround mode - you can as long as it isn't DD or DTS - and in those cases you have no choice. So that is kind of a goofy comment.

Similar Products Used:

Teac Prologic Receiver