The SA-AX720 along w/ the SH-500D decoder I purchased from Crutchfield as a package, really delivers! I miss the loudness button my old Technics reciever had, but a Polk PSW 140 (I planned on puchasing anyway) remedied this--in a big way. The only hiss I hear comes from my surround speakers when there is no media coming through them. The only problem I had (and remidied) was the remote having trouble passing a signal to the sensor through the tinted glass in my cabinet, and by simply turning the unit at a 33degree angle fixed.
The unit along with the speakers I have (Polks all around) really kicks butt. I am super pleased with anything Technics/Panasonic I've owned, which to date is a lot. The DTS is simply stunning! I for one can't wait until DTS is the standard and the market is innudated with DTS DVD's.

ROCK ON!!! AND ON, AND ON AND ON.....

Price, 2-channel sound quality

Hissing, 5ch sound coloration

I picked this receiver up for $180 at Best Buy, and for the price, it's a pretty good receiver. There's a noticable (at any volume) hiss from the center and surround speakers, which is annoying, and the front three channels have noticably differently colored sound. Two channel music reproduction is quite good though, and for the price, I'm pretty happy with my purchase.

I have the ax620, which is the same thing as the ax720 except for the remote control, and which is sold only in Canada.

I don't have much to compare this receiver to, but I have to say that I believe it was a great buy! I've used it for close to a year and the only problems I've had are the same that other people are complaining about: hiss on center and rear channels (though tolerable) and the remote control isn't very powerful. The hiss doesn't bother me, though, since I'm not using a surround mode.

I give it 5 stars for the value and 4 for the overall rating due to the hiss.

Price, power, Dolby Digital inputs!

Slight hiss at low volume center and surrounds.

All this talk about hiss must be from people turning the treble all the way up or defective units. I have a slight hiss but nothing that is covered up with even low levels of sound. What do you expect for $200 give or take a few!

I have a Panasonic A320 DVD player that has onboard Dolby Digital and DTS decoders. It hooks directly to the SA-AX720 and I have the latest technology for less than $550.

If you want a good sounding set-up, dirt cheap this is the way to go. By the way, this is a very powerful receiver for the money and easy to use.

I'm rating this unit 5 stars based on performance at this price level. I would rate lower if comparing against a Sony ES unit or better.

You can't go wrong at this price!

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Pioneer

Just purchased this unit is a "stereo" only unit. (I don't, as yet, have a home theater)..For my purpose, it is an outstanding unit...powerful, beautiful sounding, and easy to use..I particularly like the "ambience" feature, which tailors the bass and treble settings to concert hall, theater, live, etc. I paid only $231 for the unit..It was well worth the price.

I bought this receiver at a discount price of $199. The major reason I bought it is that consumer report said it's a best buy. After I hook it up, I found out that it's wrong to listen to consumer report. The hiss from the rear and center channel is obvious. Sound from surround channel is boring. The remote works only if you are within 2 meters. I will return it and try the Yamaha receiver instead.
I give this receiver 3 stars. (If it were not the discount price, I would rate it 2 stars.)

AX720

I just picked up the SA-AX720 with the SH-AC500D DD/DTS decoder at Best Buy on sale for $499--a great price for 100W X 5 and DTS decoding! However I was disappointed with the lack of features: no loudness switch, no front A/V jacks, no VCR2 jacks, no direct station input on receiver, cheesy remote, and truly lame speaker terminals. Additionally, it sounds muddy. Though the treble is pleasant, the 720's bass simply has no kick (even with DCM-KX12s and a Velodyne VA12).
I had exchanged a Pioneer VSX-D606S with the above receiver because of the Pioneer's idiotic lack of an optical jack despite its built-in DD. The Pioneer had all the features above that the Technics lacked, plus it had a terrific learning remote, a bass/treble bypass button, and multi-use jog dial. The sound was a bit bright (I hate brightness)and the DPL was noisy, but at least it felt like 500 watts.

I hate to go back to Best Buy and exchange again, but the Technics just doesn't deliver. I think I'll hold on to that SH-AC500, but couple it with a Nakamichi AV500 (just don't tell my wife.)

Performance compared to price paid

Remote

I don't know what hissing is being referred to. I've never had a problem with this unit. It's never been in the shop either. I currently have it pushing 2 Mission 702 fronts, 2 B&W in the back, a StudioLab centre channel speaker(Only in Canada) and a Mission 70ASA subwoofer for my home theatre. I listen to a lot of bass heavy music like R&B and Hip Hop, as well as treble laden music like Rock and Pop. The sound created by this set up is nothing short of incredible. This is just temporary until I get the Sony STDRE845 I plan on getting in the near future. And, I'm only doing that for the digital sound. Other than that, I don't need any more power than the Technics produces.
Great buy for the money. Perfect for use in a system where digital sound is not a priority.
The remote is too small and crowded with buttons. Has to be pointed at the unit from the front to work.
Other than that, it's well worth the $300(CDN) I payed for it.

Similar Products Used:

JVC XV521BK, Technics SL-PD8.

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