Huge power output on all channels, excellent stereo separation coupled with high quality sound. Dolby Digital mode is first class

Remote control is one of the worst I have ever come across but don't let this put you off this high quality machine.

I was never happy with the Kenwood 3700 which was a Dolby Pro-Logic only A/V amp so when I decided to upgrade to Dolby Digital the search was on. The search didn't take too long because as soon as I came across the Yamaha A5 I was hooked and in its price range, nothing else came close.
I had to decide whether or not I wanted Dolby Digital EX but in the end I decided that ( for now ) Dolby Digital and DTS was enough.
I use a Pioneer Dv 340 conencted via the Co-Ax Digital output and the Dolby Digital is worth the wait if you are thinking of upgrading from Dolby Pro-Logic.
There are plenty of audio inputs for VCR / Digital TV / CD / MD / Phono / Tape and there is even an input on the front of the machine ( Video and Audio RCA )- ideal for Video Camera input !!
There are two inputs for Digital Co-ax - there are also Optical inputs ( ideal for MD ).

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Kenwood 3700

Loads of power, good sound even without a sub. Nice for music

Spring clips for Rear and centre speakers, Remote is not as good as it could be, Can't dim the display.

After a house fire I got this amp to replace the burnt-out shell that used to be the Sherwood. I decided to get the Yamaha based on the reviews on this web site.

I was very happy with it. The claimed power levels seem to be a little conservative as it easily managed to bottom out my KEF Cresta 3's during a loud viewing of U571. It doesn't click or pop during sound format switches (pro-logic/DTS etc) like the Sherwood does.

However my Yamaha developed a fault. In the beginning it started out as not being able to select certain input sources when turning the amp on. The relays that switch those inputs simply weren't working. Then, after a few mins, it was sometimes possible to go back and select what you want.

Then I started now being able to change sound modes (Stereo/ Prologic etc). It would change on the screen but the sound would be cut.

Then, the final straw, it stopped a DTS track right in the middle of a film. We couldn't get it back that evening but then it was possible the next day.

I took it back and got a identical replacement. That was a display model and never worked from the time I got it home.

I'm having the Yahama fixed right and, hopefully, it'll work better next time.

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Sherwood 8090RDS

Awesome power.

None so far.

Excellent DVD playback with both DD and DTS. Sound is very crisp and clear. Excellent acquisition at this price. Living room shaking more than ever. Plug in a good set of speaker and be blown away.

Sounds Superb, great remote, flexible

none that spring to mind especially as I paid £80 less than SRP

I bought this to replace the Pioneer. As with it's predecessor the front channels are handled by my venerable Pioneer A400 Stereo Amp. The leap from pro-logic to Dolby Digital/DTS is incredible with DVD. The enhanced pro-logic mode is great, adding new life to VHS and TV. All of my sources are plugged into the A5, giving the added bonus I can now select a new source, adjust volume etc as well as control most of my source components with it's nifty learning remote.

Sound with movies is excellent. The sound field moves as it should, steering affects around the room in a disturbingly lifelike way. The dynamic range is superb, handling quiet dialogue and room shaking explosions equally well.

I can't really comment on how good it is with music as I don't use the A5's built-in front channel Amps (I will try it at some point), but it certainly doesn't adversley affect stereo performance through the A400. With the tone controls neutral, the difference between hooking the CD player etc direct to the A400, or via the A5 is negligable.

If like me you love music, but want to add the ability to watch movies with 5.1 surround and have a similar setup, then this product rocks. If you never intend using it's front channel amplification you may be better off with somthing like the Yamaha DSP E800, but thats about it.

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Pioneer VSP200 Prologic decoder

Huge power, detailed and clear sound, masses of inputs, excellent remote control, plenty of surround sound modes, phono stage.

Large size, only spring-clip terminals for rear and centre speakers, no display dim function (people with Sherwood receivers will know what I mean)

I bought this for £280, and it has to be one of the best components I've seen in a long time - on sound quality it's beaten a £500 audiolab amplifier, and there's power to match. There's officially 70W per channel (fronts, centres and rears) but you've got switching for two speakers, and this amplifier can drive almost ANYTHING you throw at it.

Bass performance is absolutely exceptional - I don't have a sub on my system at the moment but my NAD 804 main speakers (normally very light at the bottom end) can easily compete with separate-sub systems if you're interested in giving the system some stick - the old track "I Got 5 On It" really shakes the house.

Of course, bass is all well and fine, but at the end of the day any serious enthusiast is going to want sound quality, and the DSP-A5 excels here too. That powerful bass adds weight and depth to songs, and there's enough clarity to pick out the subtle guitar amp distortion in classic Hendrix. There are some parts of music that are absolutely exceptional - the sudden crash of electric guitar in Radiohead's "Paranoid Android" is absolutely amazing.

As far as tone goes, I would say that the Yamaha is a "heavy" kind of amplifier - it's fine and detailed, but you'll get the best results from rock and indie music, and especially blues. That's not to say there's anything wrong with the way the DSP-A5 handles classical, jazz and so on, just that in my opinion you'd be missing out on its best performance. Tough chemical, industrial and dance tracks it also handles with ease, although your neighbours might not be so happy...

As far as surround sound goes, it's pretty good. It's annoying that there's no way to send unprocessed sound to the rear speakers, but if you're watching video the surround sound ambience is handled nicely, with some beautiful front-to-rear sweeps. Placement of sounds is top-notch.

On the minus side, there's no tuner, and the all-in-one remote can't control my Sherwood multiplayer. But a great buy nonetheless. Well recommended.

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Sherwood RVD-8090RDS

High power on all channels, ac3/dts decoder, unified remote, dsp modes

a little weak in bass

I just bought the m/c to replace my aiwa because it didn't have ac3 and dts decoder. the power as other reviewers have said is high. even with 25% on volume control the room fills with music whereas I had to go to 40-45% with aiwa evn though its rated 130w on front channel. The universal remote is excellent as I am able to control all my other components. However with the same set up as my aiwa the bass is not good enough. The T-bass in aiwa was great. I have 2 yamha sw-160 subs one connected thru the speaker terminals and other thru the lfe out but still bass is weak. Can any one out there suggest any modifications? For buyers who are not very particular about deep pulsating bass this amp is as good as any and worth the value.
My set up as follows:
Yamaha a5
4 ohm energy floor speakers
yamaha central and rear. rear hooked up thru yamaha sw-90 sub
2 sw-160 subs on one line terminal of front speakers and other on lfe pre out.

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aiwa av d-55

None

Sound is shallow and weak

Wish I had bought anything else instead.

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I'll buy a Sony next time.

power, clear sound, lots of connections

remote, no volume meter on the display

Good value for the money. 5x70W RMS @ 8 Ohm is more than enough for my bedroom.