After much searching for a good AC-3 without spending 4 digit dollars I was selecting between the Onkyo, Denon, Pioneer and Yamaha units. I only need a unit to drive one room so the multiple room option was not required. I also felt that after intial set up the remote control would be my only feed into the box so I did not worry too much about the touchy feeling sensation from the switches.
The GUI tv interface set up takes some getting used to but most people should be able to figure it out. The owners manual could use a little more work, especially in the more complicated areas.

I attached a pair of Polk RT-12, CS250 and PWS300 with two BA surrounds and the sound is great. Keep in mind you can't adjust this thing like a conductor at a symphony hall but for $425 you can't go wrong. If you want to spend triple amount of money but get only a little more in the satisfaction level you can go with the others but for the bucks its A-1.

I bought this receiver around 3 weeks ago for $313 ... none can beat the price ...compared to others D-D (ac-3) receiver. Overall is quite good... it is inferior if compare to Yamaha DSP-A1 which is almost six times its price. The basses are tight, high freq not quite good but still acceptable .. but midrange is ok. Output rated 8 ohms ... 120 watts for left center and right front...... 60 watts for rear surround speakers.
When I played DVD movies or CDs .... hmmm .... what a pleasant surprise... !!
One other point for buying this ... is the GUI universal remote control that even my blind dog can use..... so easy and pretty.... :)
Buy this if you are on a budget ..... but don't be surprise if it'll exceed your expectations.

Awful, awful, awful. Bought this thing because a friend recommended it; couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Sounds terrible (OK, almost fine in stereo mode, but once you turn on any processing...), has a remote from the ninth level of hell (six very technically literate people attempted to program it using the abysmal instruction manual and all failed; also phone upgrading doesn't seem to work as the only number provided is "disconnected" and Kenwood's tech support can't seem to help). Digital volume knob skips wildly when turning. No convenient way to switch between coax and optical digital inputs (limiting your selection of digital sources to one). Receiver crashed a couple of times, requiring a hardware reset.
Fortunately I sold it for more than I paid for it, and ran, not walked, to buy a Sony 825 (which, ironically, sounds so *good* that I want to get rid of it, just to get a Sony ES to see what they can do).

Damn, this receiver sucks!!!! I got it for $305( refurbished). It is so suck that I just want to throw it away. The remote comes with it really hard to use. the structure of this freaking thing confuses me when I try to set it up. And it broke down the day I bought it. Don't ever buy this model, even though it is one of the cheapest AC-3 reveiver you can find in the market now. One more thing, No DTS decoder is built in that model, which means 1080vr is going down!!!

If you compare this product with receivers of today this receiver will disappoint you. But if you bought this last year or so it was great. It was the only receiver that had ac-3 that's not going to make a big void in your pocket. I have one and planning to upgrade.

Good (not great) sound for the money

Terrible quality, terrible support/customer service

Let me start off by saying that I would never recommend this (or any other Kenwood receiver) to anyone. Like most other reviewers, I also have experienced the bad hum at -29db. I can tell you the problem...there is a screw on the back of the unit that is losing its ground contact with a signal processing card in the unit. However, it can be fixed. I know, because mine has been "fixed" about 6 times in the past year. Once I finally got it fixed, something in the power supply fried on me (a capacitor, according to the repair person). According to them, this was the result of a power surge, so was not covered under my warranty. Interesting, since this supposed surge happened on a totally clear day. And, I had this unit, my DSS, a CD player, a TV, and a VCR all plugged into the same surge protector, and nothing else was affected. Everything on the unit works, except no sound comes out of the speakers. I have had it in the repair shop (again!!!) for the past 6 weeks, and after a lot of hassle, they agreed to fix it. I guess the fact that It has been in the shop almost 3 months out of the first 12 I owned it contributed to their decision. During all of this activity, I found their support staff to be almost impossible to get in touch with (usually taking about a week to respond to email or phone calls), and quite unhelpful (even surly) when I finally did get in touch with them. Frankly, I would just as soon have my money back (so I could go buy a Denon 3300). But, that isn't going to happen.

I need to know some feedback about the Kenwwood 1080. Interested in buying the reciever but do not know much about it. Thanks for your help.

The 1080 VR is the most gnarly receiver I have ever used. The sound is Crisp and clear...so clear that it makes the Yamaha natural sound sound like an old man's fart! HK has a lot to learn from the guys at Kenwood. I suggest marrying this system with a set of KLH speaker for optimal performance!! Happy listening.

I bought this reciever after much considerations between it anda Dolby Digital Pioneer model. I opted for the Kenwood since it
was 100 bucks cheaper. I've notice the sound quailty from the
built in amp is extremly clear and not distorted at all. I've
peaked the reciever a few times and noticed only a minimal bit of
distortion and/or static. Although I'd wish it'd have more DSP modes,
the GUI is pretty kickass.
Another thing about Kenwood Recievers I don't like is the fact that the
volume controls use decibal references. But for the price, it's
a good deal.

Great Sound, Easy to Learn modes.

havent found any yet

Bought this from a friend, have it hooked to a pioneer dvd, and a sony stereo vcr. the speakers are sony centre/rears and JBL fronts. it sounds amazing!
played T2 special edition on dvd the other day (once i got the dvd set up) and i caould almost feel the motorcycle driving around my head when it drove off the right side of the screen then on the left, the sound rounded your head so clear.
i can only wait til i get a sub for it, i am not running one now, but i get enough low end in my fronts ....for now.. <:

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