Bass management, low THD, many great surround enhancing modes, and price.

Remote eats up batteries and some buttons are whitesh that glow but have light green print. I miss the 5-D Theater mode of my Pioneer VSX-D608 which has the same effects as Pro-Logic II

I have had this receiver now since May,01 and it is fantastic. My theater is made up of a Sony NVP-300B, a Harman/Kardon FL8380, a pair of modified Optimus Front 3-Ways, I added a new pair of mids and bass cones which took the old FS(75hz-20kHz) to (35hz-20kHz) They sound much better now I have a Yamaha NS AC-40X Center FS(80hz-20kHz) A pair of Optimus Pro-LX 2-way rears FS(80hz-20kHz) According to my calculations of the room size and decibal gain they have an FS(63.281hz-20kHz) and last but not least a JBL PB12 Subwoofer which has a 250w RMS amp and 12in Four ohm cellulose cone with butyl rubber surround FS(25hz-150hz) with room dB/frequency gain (18hz-15hz+/4dB). Testing this receiver''s limits was actually fun. When listening to music in stereo mode (A.F.D.) there is little to no immediate THD, that is untill i turn the volume up more than 70% The playback of multichannel Dolby Digital and dts is phenominal. My reference movies and audio cds are (included are the modes of the receiver) The Generals Daughter(HDCD) A.F.D.; this is a good disc for testing the spatial imaging of the receiver in stereo mode, the soundtrack contains full range responses and wide imaging. Gladiator (DVD DTS:ES), Virtual Multi Rear; Even though the receiver can not decode 6.1 its Virt Multi Rear Mode can provide a very convincing 6.1 feel. Ohter widely used modes are Cinema Studio EX: B cause it is not as laid-back as A or C and C has too much of an artificial sound to it even with the reverb and mode turned down. Virtual Multi Dimension which gives the track a more spacial feel. Virtual Multi Rear which is a good supplament to 6.1 it also means not needing a surround back channel Opera House for my Copacabana CD with the mode setting turned up just a bit Game for my computer when I lay Diablo2 and Mono Movie for the AMC channel and vhs. Another strength is the bass management I am able to set my front channels to large while using the LFE out. Most receivers make you choose small and 80hz-200hz xover settings in 50hz steps while the 845 lets choose small or large and if you choose small you have choice of 60hz-180hz in 30hz steps. that is all i have to say!

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-D608 AiWa DV-70

Sound field options, remote control, quality

I purchased this receiver as part of a home theater package and I am very happy with it.
The amp has plenty of power for most home theater applications as well as for jamming to CDs once in a while. There are plenty of input hookups, although the one thing that seems to be missing is component in/out hookups for switching multiple HD signals to one monitor. Also, the S-video inputs/outputs are on a separate bus, so if you want to use the S-video out to your TV, the inputs for video sources have to be S-video as well (no an option on my digital cable box.)
Otherwise, I am very impressed. The remote is multi-function with an LCD and handles all of my equipment (Sony, Pioneer, even the General Instruments cabe box) and it has a neat macro function that lets you complete up to eight tasks with one button push. I used this to set up my system to turn on the cable box, TV, and receiver, then select TV/SAT on the receiver, and select the proper input on the TV. My girlfriend is very pleased with that feature as it allows her to get all of the equipment set porperly to watch TV with only one input (it also keeps her from pressing too many buttons trying to get everything to work.)
I would recommend this receiver to anyone looking for a moderately priced, good quality receiver. It also has >20 surround modes with DTS/Dolby 5.1, etc.

Built in Dolby Digital and DTS decoder. Plenty of power @ 100x5 Watts per channel. I like the remote after reading the well informed manuals. Some neat programmable features including name changing of program sources.

I'm very picky about hissing, I hate it, and this receiver hisses a lot when playing movies in Dolby Pro Logic. Not so bad when movies are played in Dolby Digital and DTS.

If you want a great receiver that won't break your wallet then this is the one to get. The Signal to Noise ratio could be a bit better but what do you expect for $350.00. When you hook up a good quality coaxial cable from your DVD player to this receiver it sounds great. You can hear some internal noise from the receiver when playing Dolby Digital and DTS movies but only when the volume is up a quarter of the way or higher. I recommend this receiver for those who are starting out in home theater or just don't have the cash to buy an Onkyo THX Ultra receiver ($2,999.00) like my rich friend has.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo, JVC

this is a good receiver with lots of power. i hooked up 2 subs to this baby and when the bass hits it makes my heart skip a beat. i am 14 and really rich, thats why i can afford it.

none really

i am extremely rich. i am 14 years old and my parents make a ton of money. they bought me this receiver, 2 sa-wm40 subwoofers, ss-mf515 speakers, a center speaker and 2 surround speakers. it sounds great in my room. it hooks up wonderfully to my 61" kp-61hs10 television. i am extremely rich and i have used all kinds, but i love this receiver and the speakers on it. when i invite over my friends we can all watch tight movies and stuff in my room/theatre. it pays to be really rich and have tons and tons of money so you can buy cool things like this. buy this set up if you can afford it. if you are not rich then go buy yourself a piece of crap mini-system.

Similar Products Used:

bose, yamaha, onkyo

Non-graphical EQ. Remote I have not taken the time to study up on.(though it has potential)

I use JBL Control 1 Plus speakers, plus jbl center, satelites, and 10" sub. Awesome sound. I use my Dell computer as my 'entertainment system' (Digital out TB Santa Cruz sound card & s-video out w/ATI AIW Radeon card). I felt that this Sony would be a good choice to handle all of my music (MP3's on this thing rock!) CD's are excellent (as expected), as well as audio from cable tv, tv tuner card, and dvd-rom. Works like a charm! The difference between digital coax and analog rca is noticeable (computers add a lot of hiss on analog, but not any detectable amount with digital coax). I wish it had a graphical EQ, to easily adjust the settings, instead of cycling through all of the choices, and increasing frequency and dB one at a time. I did not mind spending over 300, because I didn't have to buy a CD player, as 100's of MP3 files on the Dell is the best way to random suffle your entire music collection (plus Napster helps too). All in all, a good buy.

Similar Products Used:

Old pioneer that the ex has. Rock solid 10 year old JVC that the parents have (has graphical EQ, which I miss).

I don't have any.

I have found very few weaknesses with this product worth mentioning.
Having DTS, Dolby Digital, excellent sound fields, and a coaxial input for my Toshiba DVD player this product will be around awhile.

I took a major leap in technology with this receiver, something like going from a 4x86 to a Pentium 4. I upgraded my old Technics SA-GX350 Pro-Logic Receiver I bought back in '93, and WOW where the hell have I been.

You should see my grin on my face when my girl field starts looking around at the rear speakers during movies !!!

I have yet to go half way on the volume, and I live in the middle of a two-acre plot.

Anyhow, my system is:

Sony STR-DE845 Receiver
Toshiba SD-1700 DVD
Raite 711 DVD (good for VCD's)
JVC HR-S3800U S-VHS VCR
RCA DRD-515RB DirecTV w/Optical DDigital out, and RF remote.
Sanyo 31" TV -Wal-Mart for $369 / you can't go wrong!!!
Yamaha NSA638 Front
Yamaha YST-SW90 Sub
Technics SB-C21 Center
Technics SB-S27 Rears
I over killed them with 12 gauge speaker wire.
Everything is S-Video, and patched through a RCA control center.

Similar Products Used:

Technics SA-GX350

Ease of use.

Sound Quality.

This is a pretty average product. A few fun 'bells and whistles'. However, we all know once you find the sound settings you like, they never change much. I found the sound extremely flat. I recently replaced this unit with the 3801 from Denon - and WOW - you would not believe the difference. It's as if my speakers have come alive. I wouldn't have thought there could be that big of a difference. I think I just became very complacent with an average product until I took the time to discover something special. This product is completely over-rated - look elsewhere.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 3801

Power, Features, Looks, Price

Remote control, Lack of digital input for CD, Noise interference from motorised volume control.

This is a very capable amp/receiver and I would recommend it as the center piece for a decent home theatre system. I have a pair of Wharfdale valdus 500s and a D-Box 300 sub and this baby really rocks.

I have not yet found it necessary to turn the volume past half way and even then the room shakes so much that the CD starts skipping (jumping). With onboard DTS and AC3 (dolby digital) and dedicted 5.1 RCA input home theatre never sounded so good.

There are however a couple of things that really pi## me off about this unit.

1. The colour scheme used for the remote control (light green on white for the function buttons). That is just plain stupid. I can't actually read the thing in dim light so have to memorize which function button does what.

2. The remote control design. The flip top secondary control panel is flimsy (mine is already broken).

3. Lack of a Digital input for the CD (I prefer optical). I have had to hook my CD player up to the TV/SAT input for digital. I have also used RCAs to the CD input but the DAC in this unit is good and preferable to the one in my CD player.

Other than those couple of things this is really quite a good unit for the price and I do not regret the purchase.

Similar Products Used:

none

Plenty of soundfields and power. Back panel easyily laid out, is not difficult to decipher like other brands.

None physical. Remote can be cumbersome.

Reciever is great, I feel. In-laws of the extreme High End brand of Sony, they paid over $1000 for their unit, however I don't notice any difference in overall sound quality. The 845 compared to theirs is almost identical. Set up is detailed for Home Theater. This is good if your tuned to the small details of sound, however it your not or just plan to use if for music, you don't really need to bother with it or change the default settings. I liked it becuase I can better dial in the sound to my specific listening area.

I have the STR 845 hooked to KLH surround and center speakers which are good, other speakers are better but these are great in the interim until I can get the ones I really want. The front speakers are Kenwood floor speakers, which, for Home Theater, should really be placed higher for better sound. Overall it sounds 10 times better than the old set-up.

DVD's and movies sound excellent. Music is awesome. The biggest change there is if your used to defualt stereo. With this reciever there are so many SoundFields, it's findin the right one and adjusting it to your listening preference.

Overall, it's a great system for the price. And comparable to their High End systems. Highly Recommended.

Similar Products Used:

JVC, Pioneer

Remote & Lots of connections

No coaxal cable input

I love the remote..easy to use.
The receiver produces awesome sound for hometheater & stereo. If you got 5.1 speakers hooked up, I recommend you set your receiver to "Live House" for stereo. After I hooked up this receiver with BicAmerica speaker set and played Matrix & The Mummy...WOW...sounded like I was in the theater. This system I put together is much more impressive than the overpriced Bose system.

One thing I am little disappointed with this receiver is that it doesn't have coaxal input for cable,so I have to use the VCR with RCA connections.

Complete Hometheater system setup for 18'x24' room (Total Paid approx.$1100)
Sony STR-DE845 Receiver: $289 from Videodirect.com
Sony DVP-C660 5 DVD Changer: $299 from Sears
Sony CDP-CX53 50+1 CD player: $99 from Videodirect.com
BIC Adatto DV52Si speakers: 2 sets at $19 EA from Ubid.com
BIC DV62CLR center speaker: $119 from Ubid (highly recommended)
BIC V1210R 200 Watt Powered Subwoofer: $119 from Ubid (recommend diff. brand)
check bicamerica.com