Healthy number of A/V inputs, and outputs, ample power, dual source and zone, Macro Functions on Remote.

Some key functions not available from remote.

I have lived with this receiver since Feburary of 1998.

The good:
This reveiver can be had for bargin prices these days. Remember that this product was released in 97 so forget about DTS being included. BTW Who was even doing DTS in 97 ? This guy has 150 Watts x 5 (this measurement is at 1khz into 6 ohms). According to my sound pressure meter, I can generate over 100db in my theater with this receiver into Definitive Technologies BP8s, BP2Xs, a C1, and one PF15TL. It has 5 Video Inputs (2 of which have record outs Video 1 and 2) all with S-Video Connections. Three AC-3 Inputs (2 Coaxial, and 1 Toslink). Video-2 has the Toslink, Video's 3 and 4 have Coaxial inputs.

The Bad:
No Audio Digital Inputs or Outputs.

The tape-2 monitor, and loudness controls cannot be on with a AC-3 input. They cannot be controlled from the remote either. So if they are on and you want to watch a AC-3 source, you must walk up to the receiver and disable these controls. The Remote can be a pain to use. You have to press 2 keys to output a menu command to a RCA DSS receiver (One of the most common commands I use with DSS).
There is also no S-Video Output for Second-Room Video. It will not simulcast video on both composite and S-Video. It will not upconvert Composide to S-Video.

I like being able to do video switching. I have a dolby digital DSS receiver, a Toshiba DVD Player, a S-VHS recorder, a Tivo video server, and a PlayStation hooked up to this guy. I also like Kenwood's audio control system. I have all kenwood audio peices including one of their MD recorders, the 1070KE, a CD changer, and tape deck. Kenwood's CCRS system is great for making recordings, and the active audio input switches the receivers input.

Similar Products Used:

Various NAD, Sony, and JVC reveivers.

Inputs. Dolby Digital

Needs more digital inputs and component video switching.

Overall a very affordable receiver for the wattage output and the features. I had a AV-1080 prior to this one and the upgrade was worth it. Easy to set up

Similar Products Used:

AV-1080

I purchased the 1090 about a year ago for 899.00 at Sound Advice as a discontinued item. They are still around mail order for around 500 or so which is a steal. I use the receiver with a Sony S3000 DVD, Pioneer Laser Disc, Hitach DSS Sat system. The specs say 150 watts per channel but at 6 ohms which puts 8 ohm wattage around 110 or so. Not that impressive but the receiver includes preouts for 6 a channels with video out and 2 b channels or room b with video out. I have connected seperate power amps to the unit using three for the main system and one for the room b which is actually 4 pairs of outdoor speakers for the pool and deck areas. Essentually I am using it as a pre amp. The remote is awesome once you get the hang of it and with the on screen display it doesn't take long. The DSP modes are wasted, If I want reverb, I have a seperate eq/reverb unit attached to the tape monitor. The best part is being able to watch a DV D in the den while listening to a CD outside with seperate volume controls for both. AC3 decoding seems fine and it has inputs in the rear for anything you can think of, and then some. For the price, you can't beat it. Yes, maybe some of the others have better specs, but you will pay four to six times the money for better specs that your ear can't hear anyway. You know that anything below 0.1% distortion is inaudible to the human ear so do you think going from 0.08% to 0.008% for a thousand more bucks matters. I don't think so. Give it a good look when shopping. You won't be disappointed with it, but you will always wonder why you spent 2 grand on a 60 watt H&K or Yamaha system. I give it thumbs up in quality and price.

Vast array of s-video inputs and outputs

No DTS

I bought this unit refurbished for approx $450.00, so my views may not be the same as someone who purchased this unit new for over $1000!! The unit and the remote have operated flawlessly with great sound.

It is very flexible with lot of extras like a front panel s-video input for your camcorder and seperate source for a second room speakers.

price, audio quality, dolby digital performance

No DTS, remote control lacks sophistication to control other types of equipment, audio power lacking

Biggest flaw is the remote control, it does control most of my other components but some functions are not available and I think they should be. I've tried the Sony 2000 remote control to eliminate some of my many remote controls without success. One button is used to cycle through your attached video components VCR, DVD, LD etc. which cannot be learned by MANY remote controls.

Audio amplification power seemed to be down as compared to my older amp with less wattage, 100 versus 150!

Audio quality was cleaner than my older amp

Lacks DTS capability and limits upgrade paths, IE DTS cd players and DVD...

Purchased in April for $899, and paired with the energy take5 and a marantz cc48, I am quite happy with the performance and capabilities of the 1090. I seriously considered the denon3200 as is heavily pushed by many others. However, I believe CDs sound richer and are more detailed (digital) on the Kenwood, while AC3 was similar to the denon. The DSP modes, like on most makes / models, are of little practical use. I also like the dual room control feature. The remote is a hassle and cumbersome to learn, but one gets used to it after a couple weeks of use.

I must admit buying this receiver when my Yamaha died on a whim. Based on a store demo, plus a Stereo Review test drive, I purchased same mail order about six months ago. Little did I know how impressed I would be. I really liked the old 80 watt Yamaha. However, I love this Kenwood. At 150 watts to all five channels, I have yet to be disapointed. Home Theatre is top notch, while the ample selection of music ambience settings are more than adequate. The stereo setting is still my favorite for rock or country though. As goes with any good reciever, speakers make or break the system, in this case Defenitive BP 30's. If your speakers are up to the task, trust the review and then be patient in the set up process. The dividends are worth it.

Just bought the European equivalent model (KR-V999D)today on sale (for about $760). I am using 120W speakers on all channels and it sounds great ! But really I need to play a little longer to tell you more about it, it has so many gadgets. Also need to try my DVD player on it (but they are not selling films here in the Netherlands yet until the end of this year). I just wanted to start some reviews on this model and see what others think. I will try to comment again on it later when I know more. I'll start it of with a 5 star as this really is the cheapest AC-3 receiver I could get and it seems to be a really nice deal !!

The kenwood is definetely a receiver that fools the uneducated buyer by offering alot more power than other better brands that offer less power with more amps and we all know amps are better than watts anyways the denon avr-3200 blows the kenwood away.

I went with a friend to Gramophone LTD. to help him purchase an AC-3 Receiver. The Salesman showed us the Pioneer VSX-05, DENON AVR-3200, Marantz SR-80, Sony STR-DA90ESG, Kenwood 1090 VR, and Yamaha RX-V992. The Kenwood had good performance but if you find a receiver in the same price range as the others but the others have ALOT less power you begin to wonder.The Kenwood did not have that good AC-3 Performance. The Digital Filters did not filter out the Jults in the Audio. The DSP Processor however was very good. But the Yamaha is alot more believable. Out of all of the receivers the Yamaha and the Sony were the most recommended. The Sony had very good Amplification and good AC-3 Processing. The downside is the DSP Processor. It seems as if it just puts a delay on the surround channel. The Yamaha had the Best AC-3 Performance and the Amplification was top-notch. the DSP Processor was very believable and made you believe that you were in a actual Theater. After hours of testing and negotiating, he decided to get the Yamah RX-V992.
ps.Trick to getting good deals. Never tell the salesman what you're looking for but just say "I'm looking around". Also don't say "How Much" but more likely say "Can I get a Price Quote on the ________?" that means that the price they give you won't have to be the MSRP. (but often times it is)

All in all the Kenwood 1090VR is a good receiver but is definently not worth paying 1,200 dollars for.

I got the Yamaha RX-V992 for $749 the MSRP is $999.
If you want a really good receiver purchase either the Yamaha RX-V992 or RX-V2092 or the Sony STR-DA90ESG.