Power, price, Circle Surround, sound quality. Sounds much, much better than my friends Sony DTS/5.1 receiver for much cheaper!

Remote (I bought an RCA RCU1000B instead), DSP pretty useless

I've owned this receiver for a little more than 6 months now. I have it in my college apartment, and it fills my listening room with plenty of sound (cathedral ceiling). It has plenty of power, is very clean, and the number of inputs is convenient. I have it set up with JBL northridge speakers all around and a Sony SA-WM40 sub. It sounds fantastic. For CD listening, I have the Sherwood CD-680T 5-disc changer, and the sound quality is extremely good. I wish I could find a CD-980T to purchase to use with this unit. Circle Surround is fantastic with television and PS2/XBox games that don't support DTS or 5.1. The other DSP modes are useless, although I will try the theatre setting as suggested below. Overall, this receiver is perfect for those on a limited (college student) budget, as it has plenty of features, inputs, and more than enough power.

Similar Products Used:

Older sherwood, onkyo, JVC, Sony

Ample power,speaker binding posts,ease of operation,build quality(very heavy for it's size) and value(Thanks uBid!).

Lack of DPL II, two of the DSP modes are terrible

This a long overdue followup review. I've grown rather fond of this unit. I discovered that the DTS Decoder never stopped working afterall. It was my error...don't ask...LOL.Anyway,we used to use the Circle Surround DSP setting for CD listening and TV viewing but we found that the Theater mode works better in most instances.The other two DSP modes are essentially worthless....WAY too boingy and echoey. It has more than enough power to handle the typical HT setup(100 watts RMS X 6) and it's easy to operate. It also has binding posts for all of the speaker connections and that's a major plus for any AV Receiver...spring clip connections are the worst. I had originally planned to replace the RD7106 with something that offered DPL II but I think I'm gonna wait a little longer. This unit is keeping me very happy right now and I don't see any need to get something else. If I did get something else it would be the Panasonic 100 AV Receiver. That's what I had my eye on a year ago and I noticed that Sound Vision placed it on their Best Buy list of value-priced gear a couple of months ago. Panasonic's units are hard to beat for the money(IMO).

Heavy,solid construction Circle Surround Connection possibilities

No DPL II DSP Modes(with the exception of Circle Surround) are essentially worthless. Amp is bright and thin...you need to tweak it for the best sound reproduction.

I picked up this receiver for $160(shipping included...its MSRP was $400) from uBid last November. I had always wanted a Sherwood A/V Receiver and this unit got some very strong reviews in the mags so I decided to go for it. Well, first off, the DSP modes on this unit are terrible.They're WAY too boingy for my taste. The only one worth using is the Circle Surround mode...which I use all of the time..the others are essentially worthless. I also thought it sounded very thin and bright right outta the box with the factory bass and treble default settings set at zero. It sounded SO bad that my wife and I thought something was wrong with it. I fiddled around with the bass and treble levels until I found an acceptable result. I ended up with the bass cranked up to "6" and the treble lowered to "minus 2....ahhh much better. The manual was OK but it definitely could've been better. The wording in some of the directions were kinda vague and misleading but I eventually figured it out. The other reviews were correct about missing the first note on CD's when you use the digital connections. It's not a big,big deal but it is a little annoying. The unit is very heavy and seems to be put together very well. I was just starting to warm-up to this unit but then the DTS decoder went AWOL after owning it for a month....arrrggghh. It just stopped working. It worked fine one day when I plopped in the Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" DVD but I tried using it the next day for another DVD and it wouldn't engage no matter what I tried.I tried several other DTS DVD's and the result was the same...no dice. Yeah, I could send it back to Sherwood since it's still under warranty for another three months but that proposition is one big pain in the butt. I think I'll suck it up and use DD for everything and wait a little longer and pick up another A/V Receiver with DPL II( this unit was made before its introduction). This unit will eventually end up in a secondary HT in a spare bedroom or den. I know it sounds like I hate this unit but I've grown to like it quite a bit. My major gripe is with the DTS going AWOL after one stinkin' month...everything else is workin fine.

Similar Products Used:

Technics AX-530

Circle Surround

Circle Surround ... what more can I say ? This is the DB when watching normal TV or just listening to music. It makes the stereo sound into psuedo 5.1 so you get rear effects on normal programmes. Good examples are when people clap and cheer. You feel like you are in the crowd with them :-) The normal 5.1 is good too and it drives my Celestion speakers nicely.

Features, connections, sound programs, sound quality, power (110 watts pc), circle surround for a stereo signal.

a limited DSP without a psuedo surround option. The box is a bit heavy and not the best looking (a silver finish might be nicer). The remote is a little poor but as long as something like that doesnt detract from the audio experience it doesnt really matter.

This is the first AV amplifier that I've bought and I have no regrets at all! When using it with my Eltax Symphony floorstanders the sound quality is incredible. Its fantastic for both movies and music. For the low price I dont think that you'll find any other amp that can give as good a audio experience. On top of that it has a huge array of great features. Its got 2 optical in's, 2 coax in's, 6 channel input, about 5 phono in's, 4 video in's (although I havent used it for video switching yet because my TV doesnt have S-video) and radio aerial in's. It has an incredible range of sound programs including DD5.1, DTS, Pro-logic, Circle Surround (needs to be heard to be believed when it comes to music), Dolby Virtual. The DSP is pretty good although I would have liked a psuedo surround option in there. Overall this is an awesome piece of kit for the price, and I would recommend it highly if you want a good AV amp at a low cost.

Similar Products Used:

I tried a Kenwood and some others I cant remember. Nothing compared in terms of features and power in the same price range.

Excellent value for all of the features: 4 S-Video inputs, Dolby Digital, DTS, 5.1-channel pre-outs for adding additional amps & speakers, DVD audio inputs

Remote (not a big deal if you have a learning remote)

I have been using this receiver for several months now, and I must say that I have been very pleased with its overall performance. It really took my DVD-viewing experience to a completely new level. I was a bit concerned about the quality of the receiver given its extremely low cost; however, after reading several positive reviews of this receiver, I decided it was well worth the risk. This receiver has plenty of power, and the bass management works as it should when switching between speaker settings. The on-screen display is a nice feature as well. As several other reviewers have mentioned, the remote is definitely not the greatest, but it's nothing that a decent learning remote can't solve. I am using this receiver with the following components:

Fronts- Paradigm Monitor 7 v.2
Center- Paradigm CC-370
Rears-Klipsch KSB1.1
Subwoofer- Hsu Research TN1225HO

Power, DTS, Dolby Digital, 6 Pre-outs!, Front AV Inputs

NO - DTS ES!
Nothing else.

I have now owned this reciever since The summer of 2001, and i am still impressed with it! Except im finding myself more power hungry, so i would like to hook up power amps to this reciever for the Front 3 channels! Currently i have a complete Paradigm Monitor series speaker Setup. This amplifier is Bridged to 4Ohms for the two front channels. 175Watts per channel @ 4 Ohms acording to sound and vision magazines benchmark. So my paradigms Scream when i turn it up. Movies in DD, and DTS Are so smooth! This amplifier is not the warmest amp, but for live recordings it sounds GREAT, i also listen to everything else. This amp gets pushed often, and never breaks a sweat! When you look in through the top vents, this amp is builts perfectly. very inovative curcits. This amp is set up exactly the same as Marantz amps on the inside. Nice to have OSD with this amp also. I have not found an amp for under 600USD that i would buy to replace this amp. I have hooked an onkyo up to the pre-outs on this amp to bi-amp my towers and it sounds seemless. Im not saying this amp is The best amp out there, but for the 125.00 USD it cost me! wow, 5/5 stars

Similar Products Used:

kenwood... ashammed!
Onkyo, Sony, Marantz, Yamaha.

very clean sound, plenty of imputs, onscreen display, price

none, at this price range

Before i purchased this receiver I went to sherwood's usa web site. There was no info for the rd 7106 listed there, however I did find some info at the sherwood europe web site. I also called there usa office for info. I believe the design of this unit may be based on sherwood's higher end newcastle product; only in a more stripped down version.
Whatever the design; this is a well constructed, very clean and clear amp/receiver, with lots of features for the price. I was so impressed I had a relative purchase the unit in california and had it shipped to n.c.. It was well worth it. I dont think there is a better unit out there for quality , power, and features for the price, period!
ps. the remote is a little odd but it control all the functions for this unit as specified. The onscreen display helps.

High quality sound, lots of power (500w), various speaker configurations, 4 s-video inputs (one on the face), 4 digital inputs (2 coax, 2 optical) -- all s-vid and digital inputs are assignable, binding posts for all speakers, ability to control the brightness of the display panel, on screen menu, DTS, Cinema EQ, DigiLink,

TERRIBLE remote ugly, large, and is not learning capable, bass & trebel controls are digital (i prefer knobs), poor interface, manual isn't great, ugly design.

I purchased this unit after a slightly dissapointing venture with a Yamaha RX-v496. While I would have perfered the sound features, interface, and overall look of the Yamaha, it simply lacked the input flexibility of the Sherwood.

Overall the 2 are nearly undiscernable to my ear - at default levels the yamaha lacks a litte bass and is a slightly "brighter" than the Sherwood, yet it sounds cleaner. In addtion with some slight configuration changes the Yamaha really compensates for the bass and brightness.

What left me looking for more in the case of the Yamaha was it's limited s-vid and digital inputs (the rx-v496 is held to 2 s-video, and 2 digital inputs that are not assignable- in addition, they are strangely configured: see my review of that model for more info) The Sherwood really shines here with its fully assignable 4 svid and 4 digital inputs, allowing you to hook up just about anything and everything that is out there.

While I would have liked to see some additional DSP modes on the sherwood, the circle sound setting is nice... in comparison however, the disco dsp setting on the yamaha blows it away.

I'm really torn between these two receivers... If you're not looking for s-vid or digital compatibility, I would hands down recomend the Yamaha... however if you're in the market for a home cinema amp, go with the Sherwood... it delivers a HIGHLY comparable sound, great component handling, only at the cost of a small level of sound configuration (and attractiveness).

Additionaly I tried out a Harman Kardon AV100. While I truely enjoyed the power this unit produces, it fails greatly when it comes to component handing. It has ZERO svideo inputs. If you are in the market for a HK I would recommend seriously considering your HTX needs before purchasing... and also look into warranty service since HK relaibility is in question ever since their move to China.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V496, Harman Kardon AV-100, Sony Str-d565

Price, ton of features, solid construction

None so far, I can live with the remote.

Only had this receiver for a few days, but I'm impressed so far. Purchased this to upgrade my brother to DTS. He was previously using the Sherwood Newcastle 925. The unit seems to be an updated 8090 with S-Video connections and some added DSP modes. I really like the Circle 5 surround mode for watching TV.

Solid Dolby Digital and DTS sound. Like the 8090, lacks a little in terms of bass to the subwoofer, but not a problem with the proper subwoofer. Like the other two Sherwood units I've purchased, this receiver seems to have solid construction and good parts. Every Sherwood receiver I've owned is heavy as hell, including this one, and is usually a good sign of quality construction.

Can't beat the receiver for the money, would definitely recommend this to anyone who was looking for a sold home theater receiver.

Similar Products Used:

Sherwood Newcastle 925, Sherwood 8090R