Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH - AV receiver - 7.1 channel - black Review

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(More customer reviews)I love this receiver... let me say that first. It does it all! 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs, Dolby True HD, DTS-MA, crystal clear sound. I would expect nothing less from a Pioneer Elite product. I am blown away by the amazing sounds the receiver can produce when watching a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD encoded with True HD and DTS-MA. Uncompressed audio is great and there is no way to do it justice until your hear it. That said, there are a few areas of concern that I have experienced.
1. "NOT SUPPORT" message blinks occasionally across the screen of the receiver. This is most likely due to your component or your display having an issue with HDCP. But, after talking to the Pioneer Elite team on the phone and trying to troubleshoot it, I was left with the intermittent problem. I believe the root is my Sony VPL-VW60 projector not accepting a 1080/24p signal. I think I may have eliminated the problem by outputting only 1080/60p from my Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD (Another GREAT piece of equipment).
***FOLLOW UP - The "NOT SUPPORT" was blinking because I had the HDMI Control turned off on everything. However, the HDMI control on the Receiver itself does not actually turn off (even when "off" is selected and the machine is restarted). To remedy this, I turned on the HDMI control on every piece of equipment even though I am using a universal remote and really don't need it to be turned on to select inputs. The reason I turned it off on the receiver was based on the advice from Pioneer via the telephone. They were 100% incorrect in their diagnosing of the problem. Hopefully this will be solved with future firmware updates. Using HDMI control on all components and the receiver does work almost flawlessly. I say "almost" since HDMI control is not 100% compatible between devices from different manufacturers. You can research this point many places on the web.***
2. The onscreen menu for adjusting Receiver features and setup is HORRIBLE!! Not only is the color scheme b/w, but the text looks like something out of a 1978 PONG gaming system box. C'mon Pioneer. i know the setup menu is not super-important in the big scheme of things. But...
Other than those two minor complaints, I can't imagine owning a better receiver. This receiver comes at a high price, but I believe it is well worth it if you want the best. I ordered from ButterflyPhoto via Amazon, and the unit arrived perfectly. I am very happy with this purchase!

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Pioneer Elite SC-05 - AV network receiver - 7.1 channel Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently purchased this SC-05 by Pioneer Elite. This new AVR replaced a Sony unit that was 10-12 years old. My reasoning for upgrading was to have an up to date unit capable of video switching today's HD video sources, converting playing the most current HD audio codecs such as DTS-MA and True HD. In the past year I had bought an HDTV (Sammy 1080p) and a PS3, so my existing AVR w/ only Dolby Digital and no HD video capabilities became quickly outdated.
I had looked at many different models, and was critically considering the Onkyo 806, Denon 3808, Sony ES and Pioneer. I had heard the Onkyo's run very hot and that the current 806 was not living up to the expectations set by the prior 805. The Denon 3808 is receiving many solid reviews but some criticisms were in regards to sound quality and ease of use. The Sony's were still not yet readily available nor reviewed and the previous Sony ES models had not gotten very positive feedback.
Then I listened to both the 3808 and SC-05 at my local BB-Magnolia store. The SC-05 really blew me away, both in SQ and asthetics.
I began researching the SC-05 extensively and found the following thread at AVS Forums maintained by CHP_VR, exceptionally useful.
[...]
After careful consideration I purchased the SC-05 and with its MCACC capabilities my home theater has been revitalized. It has made my B&W 602 S2 speakers come alive. It works very well with my TV and PS3 as well as my D* STB, legacy SD-DVD player and Wii. The SC-05 does all my switching and upconverts my non-HD sources to 1080p. While my TV was doing this previously, the SC-05 is more convenient for switching inputs and sources. The SQ is phenominal.
Other cool features are Home Media integration, internet radio and Neural THX radio.
I definitely recommend this AVR...the price is hefty, but worth it.

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Yamaha RX-V461BL 500 Watt 5.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)The price range of this Yamaha receiver should make anybody who doesn't live in a tiny apartment or on a really tight budget reconsider cheap all-in-one systems. I got this receiver, and was using average quality speakers, and the sound was still very natural. I've been using Yamaha products for years, and have never been let down.
Here are my Pros:
- Automatic calibration: Using the included mic, I was able to setup my speakers in under a minute, and my surround sound is very natural. It even automatically adjusted the equalization of the center speaker to match with the front speakers. I left the default calibration and watched several movies, and have been thoroughly pleased with the results.
-Natural Sound: The amplifier is very transparent, and even when using signal processing, the resulting sound seems natural, it is not fatiguing to listen to. My speakers sound a little better with acoustic music, but everything from Miles Davis, John Lee Hooker, Bad Religion, Thievery Corporation, Carl Craig, and Iggy Pop sounded clear and "alive". I used to have a Sony receiver, and it only sounded good with the "right" CD.
-MP3 Playback Enhancement: When using an iPod or the MP3 playback of my Philips HDD/DVD recorder, the sound was greatly improved, but not artificially so by using Yamaha's "Music Enhance" processing. This algorithm is designed to make compressed music sound better, and with high-quality rips (192Kbs or better) you really can't tell the difference from the original CD.
-iPod Dock: Get the Yamaha iPod dock, but check around for the best price. Got mine for around $50 from an Amazon dealer. The iPod dock lets you control the iPod from the Yamaha remote, and if you hit "display" it will load the song list into the receiver and you can browse the menus using your TV and the Yamaha remote. There are caveats with this, see the Cons. I will say, that the speed of managing the iPod with the remote is very fast, and the whole iPod experience is much faster than using Apple's Front Row to control iTunes (OS X only). The current song is displayed, scrolled as needed, on the receiver's display. The iPod menu is displayed your TV and using the remote buttons, it is very quick to move through the menus.
-Bright Orange/Yellow Display: Yamaha has kept with their tradition of using a bright orange/yellow display that is easy to read day or night. I can even see the iPod song titles during the day with little problem.
-Remote Control: The remote control is very well-built, stands up to dropping, and is well organized. I was able to setup my Sony TV and my DirecTV Tivo with no problems.
OK, here are my beefs. I must state that for the money, you get a plethora of features without sacrificing sound quality. But, as expected, there are a few sacrifices to be made:
-No Video Transcode: C'mon guys, analog video processing chips are like 10 cents a piece, would it really hurt to allow users to mix and match video inputs and have the video signals appear on all the video outs simultaneously? What I am saying is that the composite, S-Video and component signal paths are isolated from each other. (Sony receivers will transcode the inputs to all the outputs. But, Sony sound is lackluster)
-FM Sensitivity. They could do a better job with the FM stereo blend, and include a tuning meter. I only listen to a couple of stations and a tuning meter would make it easier to "aim" my antenna. If the signal isn't strong, the highs aren't adequately blended to remove all the static and you have to switch to mono.
-iPod Caveats: Don't get me wrong, I am addicted to my Yamaha iPod dock. But here is my (minor) complaint list:
-You have to hit "Display" to load the iPod menu. This occurs very quickly (I wish my car iPod integration worked this well.) But, there should be a system setting to do this automatically if you wish.
-The menu is displayed on the TV, very readable, but the text is straight out of the 80's. Kind of reminds me of the old monitors at the airport. Seriously, it is Courier fixed font.
-No screen saver available. There is a setting to make the iPod display stay on the TV forever, but there is no screen saving function. The only way to prevent burn-in is to use the default setting of blanking out the menu.
-No album art. This isn't a big deal, the integration of the dock with the receiver is amazing, but I'm just letting you know if album art really matters to you, then think twice.
-Play/Pause are slightly different depending it you are simply remote controlling the iPod or using the receiver to read the menu on the TV. This is probably because on an iPod, play and pause are the same button. So in remote control, you toggle the Play button, but in on-screen-menu, you use the individual Play and Pause buttons.
Other Cons:
-Combination input for V-Aux and iPod Dock. C'mon guys, the iPod dock has a dedicated connection and dedicated controls, would it have really hurt to separate the V-Aux and iPod dock inputs? To use the V-Aux, you have to remove the iPod from the dock. Strangely enough, the XM input is dedicated. (Hmm, maybe XM paid more for integration)
-Lack of Bass. This receiver doesn't produce as much Bass as my previous receiver, because it doesn't have a "loudness" control. But it's not really a lack of bass, rather the lack of added bass. I solved this by tweaking the speakers control to send all bass to the sub and then turned up my sub a little bit. To perform that tweak, go to the audio setup menu, than tell the receiver your front speakers are "small", them go to the "bass" menu, and specify all bass should appear at the sub. Some experimentation here will get you outstanding results.
-Limited Tone Controls. There are only Bass and Treble tone controls, and they don't have a large effect on the sound. I miss the classic Yamaha "loudness" control, which really made a difference in quiet listening environments.
-Front Speakers A and B can't both be active at the same time.
-NO HDMI connections. I don't have an HDMI TV yet, so I don't care. But make sure if you buy this receiver, that your TV has enough HDMI inputs AND your TV has digital sound output. Then just control all your video through your TV, and connect this receiver to your TV's digital audio output.
-Remote Control Con: I can't get the remote to control my Phillips HDD/DVD recorder. This particular Phillips DVR is a strange beast, it's not quite a Tivo, but it's more than a DVD recorder. I love the Phillips DVDR3575H, but I just can't get my Yamaha remote to work with it. The downside is that there is no "learning" capabilities. If I could just manually "teach power", play, pause and the arrow keys, I would be completely satisfied. So, I still have to have two remotes.
My overall opinion. I would want more EQ options, and more power. The next model up (which is selling for $500 or a little less here) would be the perfect receiver. But, I had a budget, and sticking to it gave me very pleasing results. I listen to a lot of different kinds of music, public radio, and watch DVD's. I love the iPod dock, even with the caveats. The iPod dock works way better than any car integration I have ever seen.
EDIT: March 2010. This receiver is still going strong, and if I replace it, I would still look to Yamaha first. I purchased this over two years ago.

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Onkyo TX-SR706 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am an audio/videophile. I know about almost every piece of audio system, TV, IPod, gaming, speakers, cars, etc. on the market. I have followed the advancement of electronic technology for the past 25 years. This is not to impress you, but so you know Bozo the Clown is not writing this review.
OK- I was a Denon fan. I was a Marantz fan. Yamaha makes great stuff and you will most likely be happy with any "new toy" you buy ....but after extensive research I chose the Onkyo.
1. Why did I not go for a Denon? Denon's are great. However, over the past few years their overall quality and feel has declined. Simply put, the premium on their name no longer justifies their price. I own three Denon receivers so I am not slamming them. If your heart is set on a Denon look at the 1909.
2. Why did I not get a Marantz? My new Onkyo replaced my Marantz 5200. Marantz, back in the day made the best stuff (in my opinion). Then they went down hill and resurfaced strong about ten years ago...right about the time Dolby "Digital" technology hit the market. I believe you do not get your bank for your buck until you go over $1000 with Marantz. Marantz just does not have the switching, high quality video AND audio, or inputs at sub $1000.
3. Why did I not buy a Yamaha? Yamaha is a tough competitor to the Onkyo. Yamaha has always made incredible a/v equipment. Sound, video and build quality are amazing. The AVR-663 is awesome, but at a higher price than the Onkyo 706 and two less HDMI inputs it was eliminated day one for me. However, if you must buy a Yamaha- under $1000 the AVR-683 is fantastic. The price is $100's more than the Onkyo...for what? A name? Not enough in my book when your a/v receiver is the least important component in your system (I'll explain more later on that topic).
4. Why the Onkyo?
a. Onkyo has a fantastic name and reputation
b. Build quality and design are terrific.
c. 4 HDMI's!!! This IS huge and WILL BE even more important in the future.
d. 1080p upscaling. This not really important now, but in the next few years, if you have a 1080p TV, you will regret not having this ability. This is the sole reason NOT to get the Onkyo 606. However, if this is not important to you -get the 606 and save your money.
Sound: All I can say is crisp and brilliant. Again, any new receiver you buy will sound great. My ears prefer the Onkyo.
Lastly, for those of you who are not educated on this stuff, here are a few KEY points to remember when you build your system:
1. Speakers are the most important part of your system...PERIOD. Who cares about HDMI, 1080p, watts, etc. if the "ears" of your system sound like crap. Put your money into speakers first.
2. Your TV. DLP will be gone in the next few years. Plasma's are very bright (a good thing), but have glare (they have a piece of glass over the screen). If you have a dark(er) room plasma's are great. LCD's are the best bang for your dollar. Samsung's are the best brand right now. LCD's have more pixels than Plasma's and to most people LCD's look the best.
3. Your receiver. Yes, your a/v receiver is important, BUT it should be the last thing you choose. Again, in my humble opinion, spend those extra dollars on speakers.
In conclusion, if you are in the market to spend less than $1000, the Onkyo TX-SR706 is an easy choice. Everyone has a favorite and this is mine. I love it!!! Happy hunting!

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In the mid-range category, credibility is gained through exceptional performance and a high degree of functionality.There's no better example of this than the THX Select2 Plus Certified TX-SR706 A/V receiver.With a certified amplification design and ability to process full high-definition audio and video, the TX-SR706 marks the boundary between cost effectiveness and high-end functionality.

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Yamaha RX-V1800BL 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was forced to upgrade to the Yamaha RXV 1800 earlier than planned as my older Yamaha model gave up the ghost. I was very pleased with the previous model which I had for over 10 years. This past November I had acquired the Samsung 52 LNTF and the Toshiba HD A35 player, with plans to upgrade the amplifier sometime this year. These are all HDMI 1.3a enabled devices, supporting true 1080p
First the amplifier is impressive in size. It is not your father's amp. It is feature rich and is intimidating for those who are technically challenged.
Since most of my components are HDMI enabled, it was good to run less cables from these to the unit. (My wife was very pleased with, this.) This is the beauty of HDMI cables, one cable carries the stereo audio and the three primary colors. This is the first gain to be realized from the system, the reduction of wires needed. The unit has 4 HDMI inputs already pre-programmed. By this, I mean each input has been configured for a particular device. There is one for 1080p DVD players (Blu Ray or Toshiba HD), one for regular DVD players, one for cable box/satellite set top box etc. Meaning you cannot criss cross the inputs with the devices and expect it to work. I discovered this the hard way.
Connecting the wires is less intimidating than originally thought. I used screw in banana plugs that made connection to the speakers a breeze. It does require one to have enough free wire to allow for slack when the unit is positioned.
There is a cool feature "YAPAO" that is used to set the sound levels for the speaker based on the listening position. The test showed me that one of my main left front speaker was out of phase (that is the rec wire from the speaker was connected to the black input port on the unit.) The trick is to be able to locate the supplied microphone in the right location to conduct the test.
The entire wiring with assistance from my wife took about an hour. Plan everything ahead and read the set up instructions. You cannot afford to short circuit such a monster of a unit.
I am still struggling with the multi-room zone controls. They are not simple. All I really want to do is to share the audio from the main zone to my bedroom which is zone 2. My previous model had an A/B switch that was easy enough to use. Just turn in on and the sound was distributed to my bedroom. I am still researching the multi-zone set up.
The remote control is not user-friendly either. It is overloaded and lacks in ease of use or human-tech friendliness. Others have recommended using the Harmony to control all other units. I struggled with the set up and was able to get it to control the TV, the DVD player and the CD player. For the life of me I cannot figure out how to get it to control the Cable set-top box.
The sound settings and offerings are too numerous to mention. Most of this you will only master over time.
Once I had it connected, I listened to some cds, watched a HD sourced movie, and HD sourced TV. I use Comcast and it have some nice HD on Demand features, especially the Gallery Player photos. The sound is awesome. It really makes a huge difference to the entertainment experience. It is hard to imagine how much you miss when you do not know what you are missing. I thought my previous sound experience was very good, the unit moved it up about two more levels.
Setting up the physical connections is not a challenge, less wires to deal with, but the programming and use of the remote will set you back many hours just trying to figure it out.
Am I pleased with my investment, very much so. So if you plan on purchasing this unit, realize it is no walk in the park, you do pay for what you get.

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The Yamaha RX-V1800 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver offers excellent levels of sound and video quality for total home theater enjoyment.It provides 910 Watts of total power, pushing 130 Watts to each of its 7 channels.With features including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders, the latest HDMI 1.3a specification support, video upscaling to 1080p, iPod compatibility, YPAO Auto Setup with Quick Start and multi-zone custom installation support, it will become the cornerstone of your home theater experience.

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Sony STR-DA5500ES - AV network receiver - 7.1 channel Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a very good Receiver
When it comes right down to it, audio quality is the most important feature of a surround sound receiver.
The STR-DA5500ES does not disappoint. Quality is far above what I would expect from a receiver at this price point.

This receiver had the clarity to make bookshelf speakers sound amazing, and enough power to rock some free-standing towers. The fun thing was to adjust the EQ on the fly with the set-up manager on my laptop. During movies I felt immersed in all the sound. I was impressed with the improvement in surround modes over past Sony models
Some of reviews here are some what negative all can say is read the manual and set it up properly
And at price of $849.its steal,it will soon be replaced.with the STR-DA5600ES with 3D pass through and 10 more watts at $2000.00 is worth it.
I have bin into Audio & Video for very long time, Like in days of just HI FI one speaker
Macintosh tube Amps and 33 and third LP Recordings "Vineal"and so-on.
Now it is Home Theater with up to 10 speakers.
The STR-DA5500ES is very good Receiver I like mine and works well with my system.
Panasonic TC-P58V10
Polk L/si speakers 7 ea and a REL sub,
Sony BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray

Have a nice day.


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Harman Kardon HK3485 High Current Stereo Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this unit to replace an aging TEAC AG-D9100 whose output stage had malfunctioned. The TEAC unit was excellent. It included a whole host of features not found on the HK3485 (i.e. Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby 3, plus an array of surround effects). TEAC no longer markets the AG-D9100, or anything closely resembling it (sadly), and so I settled on the HK3485 as an alternative. Comparing the two (a totally subjective, unscientific exercise on my part to be sure), I find the clarity and definition of the HK to be a bit better than the TEAC, but the low-end power not quite as booming as the TEAC (surprising, given some of the reviews I had read). Guess it's time to drag out my old graphic equalizer. Aside from that, the HK is perfect for what I use it for (CD's, FM radio). And as I say in the title, for the price, you can't beat it.

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The HK 3485 is where traditional features such as a high-performance phono preamp, pre-out/main-in jacks, and high-current amplification meet the present and future.The HK 3485 features video switching, a subwoofer output, and a cable for direct audio/video connection to an iPod player or MP3 player.Whether it comes from a turntable, the built-in tuner, or a portable player, your music never sounded better!

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Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH - AV receiver - 7.1 channel Review

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(More customer reviews)This was my first receiver that I have ever purchased and am very pleased overall (4 months of ownership). Set up was a breeze and the auto calibration (MCACC) works like a charm. Originally I had cheap speakers hooked up to the receiver (still shopping for quality speakers) and the sound out of them was horrible... Well, I ran the auto calibration and it made my cheap speakers sound spectacular!!! I couldn't believe what I was hearing and was starting to wonder if spending hundreds on speakers was going to be worth it. I have listed some pros and cons below. The only reason I did not give the receiver 5 stars is due to the cons that I listed which seem a lot because I tried to explain them in detail. Overall I would defiantly buy this receiver again due to the fact most of the cons listed could be fixed with a software upgrade and a new remote.
System:
Receiver-Pioneer VSX-21TXH, Monitor-Samsung LN46B-530, Center Channel -Polk TSi CS20, Fronts-Polk TSi 200s, Surrounds-Polk Monitor-30s, Subwoofer-? (Came from a computer system 300-W, 8in. woofer)
Pros
1.The auto MCACC calibration (microphone included!)
2.Price!! Buy buying from a non-authorized Pioneer Elite dealer off of Amazon I paid half the price my friend paid when buying the VSx-23 receiver from best-buy. The dealer also had a warranty and good customer service.
3.Being able to assign inputs
4.The amplifier power (Cranked up the volume in a 5.1 channel setup to uncomfortable sound levels and did not notice any distortion
5.Looks, I like the glossy front....well as long as it is kept clean, smudges are very noticeable
6.FM tuner works great!!! All stations come in very clearly. I know that some of the receivers I had listened to in the past need huge outdoor antennas to pick up stations. I just used the antenna that came with the receiver (single wire) and now get all stations in my area
7.Video up scaling. Hugh difference from using the TVs up scaling.
8.Inputs, Had all the inputs I needed excluding the third component input (Wii, PS2, DVD, VHS, HTPC, iPOD)
Cons
1.I wish it had one more component input (I still have to use my component switch)
2.Remote is a little hard to use due to the location of the buttons
3.When trying to change audio parameters when listening to a source the silver round button stops working after one push. This problem is only intermittent and has been noticed when multiple sources are selected. If your trying to change the channel level of a speaker you have to push the buttons (receiver then audio parameter then the circular Arrows) This must be done for each arrow button push. Switching to another source corrects this problem but then you can't tell how your modifications effect the sound in real-time.
4.Cheap speaker binding posts. Not really a major con but before I had purchased banana plugs for my speakers I used the post and screwed them down. I thought I was going to break them.
5.I wish the connection to the computer was a USB instead of a RS-232. I have still not connected it to my HTPC but will once I get the right cable
6.TV control seems to only work when I push the TV source button on the remote even though the remote has a region of buttons dedicated to the TV specifically (Was told that I probably just have the incorrect TV code in my remote but I still haven't gotten to correct)
7.No HD Radio, I didn't know how much I would miss this feature until I bought a receiver and now listen to the radio hours each day.
8.Receiver has to be reset when using my Home Theater PC that is connected through a HDMI cable. The receiver does not send the signal to the monitor after I turn on the PC until after I switch the receiver to HDMI source the turn off the receiver and then turn it back on. If I don't do this then the receiver just says its looking for a source. This could be an issue with my video card (ATI4650) but I'm not sure.


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Denon AVR990 7.1-Channel Multi-Zone Home Theater Receiver with Networking Capability and 1080p HDMI Connectivity Review

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(More customer reviews)I have owned Denon in the past, and have always found it to be quality Audio gear
Now that I need a Home AVR it was to no surprise after taking a 5 or 6 weeks to decide
I went with Denon AVR990 / 3310IC
I wanted to go with Pioneer SC-25 at it was the Model that I was impressed with, and my needs to have Phono Input - with an input stage (the amplification part for Phono) would sound great! - but I settled for the Denon as I got a better price - not sure what the sound difference is, as I did not have a side by side comparison, but I absolutely love the Denon AVR 990 Phono Input stage, with my JVC QL-Y55F - with GRADO G-2 Cartridge - sounds MUCH better than my CD's that I have the same Copy on both, It is a fun test for when people that come over to see how suspired the Vinyl records sound fuller and richer than CD's - also my speakers are also my speakers are Magnepans (full-range ribbon) - that helps Anyway - the sound is Amazing, and I am very happy with my purchase, as my Previous model for the last 6 years was Harman Kardon - so I wanted to make sure the new model sounded as good or better than my last - as you may have noticed, I felt not go back to Harman Kardon - not because I did not like sound or quality! - The fact is the late models have had Known Issues, I felt better stepping away from that brand for now at least
& Denon & Pioneer certainly fit in that category in my opinion
Key Points for me are as follows:
True HD & DTS-HD Master Audio Decoder
AL24 Processing
7 Channel Discrete Mono Amp Construction
Audyssey Dynamic EQ room acoustic correction system
Onboard HD Radio (even AM)
Network Capability
Compressed Audio Restorer (for when I do stream in lower quality stuff like MP3's)
Now on a negative note: I cannot understand why after using the Very Nice Included Audyssey Dynamic EQ room acoustic correction system I cannot set the Base management for each IE: HD Radio set to -2 or the DVD set to +4 & Phono to Flat?
So yes every time you change the setting in the base management, it goes for all
Please keep in mind I am more about the Music, & given that is the only negative I could think of after owning it now for 4 months, I feel this is a great choice for me.


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The new AVR-990 is a technological tour de force, designed for consumers wanting to network their AV system. Ethernet connectivity opens up your AV system to host of exciting capabilities like audio and jpeg photo streaming and Internet radio. Additionally, subscription music services like Rhapsody and Napster are supported. The AVR990 packs a punch with 7-channels of onboard amplification producing 840-watts of total power (120 per channel). The amplifiers can be assigned for 7.1 channel surround sound, or a 5.1 channel system in the 'main" room and power a pair of speakers in a second 'zone". This only scratches the surface of the AVR990 Multi-zone (2) / multi-source (2) capability. Enhanced power amp assign features, second and third zone programming feature allow the AVR990 to be the hub of a sophisticated whole house system. For video connectivity, the AVR990 is equipped with 1080p compatible HDMI 1.3a Repeating technology, delivering both audio and video to your HDTV with single HDMI cable. This HDMI connectivity supports the latest generation surround sound formats available on Blu-ray disc, including Dolby TrueHD and DD+, dts-HD and dts-HR. Also included is Dolby Laboratories new Pro Logic IIz Matrix decoding featuring front height effects channels that expands front soundstage. The AVR990 boasts a number of Audyssey technologies. Advanced Audyssey MultEQ analyzes a speaker systems interaction with room acoustics, and then delivers custom tailored correction processing to optimize clarity and tonal balance throughout the listening space. Audyssey Dynamic Volume is an automatic volume-leveling system that tracks audio dynamics to eliminate the irritating volume swings between TV shows and commercials.

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Yamaha RX-V661BL 7.1-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was looking at receivers for months trying to make sense of it all. I was set on one of the similarly priced Onkyos when an AV friend of mine came out of nowhere and recommended this Yamaha V661.
I love it. Everything was very easy to use and setup, and there are tons of customization options. I couple this with some Klipsch Quintet IIIs and a custom sub, sound is fantastic. I love the fact that I was able to program my own customized input names. I have each input labeled "Wii" "Xbox" "PS2" "Cable Box" etc accordingly. Furthermore, with the use of the buttons on the bottom of the remote (can't remember the name but they let you preprogram inputs/settings for devices) you can program full names like "Nintendo Wii" or my other longer one "Xbox Media Center."
The auto setup was a dream, and the sound quality is fantastic. I love the amount of inputs, it even includes HDMI. What more could I ask for!?!?!?
Highly recommended.

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Yamaha RX-V565BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)There are two model numbers for this AV Receiver as disclosed on CNET. One model number is the RX-V565BL, the other is the HTR-6250BL, which I purchased. At various times, the prices of the two vary on Amazon, so I just went with the cheaper one. I coupled the receiver with the Energy Take Classic 5.1 and was able to get two satellites on Ebay to complete a 7.1 speaker system. To round out the system I have the Mitsubishi DLP 73". I also have the PS3, xbox360 and Wii hooked up.
Unlike another reviewer who had a problem with his Tivo Series 3 with RX-V565 version of the receiver, I had no problem at all. If you have a problem with the HDMI, just use the Tivo component out and digital optical out direct into the Yamaha. It works perfectly.
The biggest problem I had in hook up was my inability to connect the Wii directly through the Yamaha. I use the component video cable for the Wii. This Wii cable has two rca connectors for audio.
There are two composite inputs on the Yamaha. One has a coaxial audio and the other has digital optical audio. There is no connection for composite video plus two rca female audio inputs. I ended up connecting the Wii output video straight to the tv, without the benefit of the 1080p upscaling of the Yamaha, and the audio only to the receiver. Because of this I can only give the receiver 4 stars.
The sound from the system is very clear. I am still playing with all of its sound options and will update the review after I have more experience with the sound options.
UPDATE I found this inexpensive work around for the Wii audio hookup on Amazon: RCA DT2AD 2-Way Signal Converter DT2AD. It allows conversion of the analog audio to digital audio.

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Yamaha RX-V565BL 630 Watt 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver

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Onkyo TX-SR507 5.1-Channel A/V Surround Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I did a lot of research (including Consumer Reports) and settled on this Onkyo as the best compromise between performance and price. I've had it 2 weeks now and am very happy.
The auto setup function works better than a much-more expensive Denon unit I set up for a friend. I used the microphone (included) to measure speaker levels at 3 different locations in the room and the Onkyo did everything else. (It's connected to some older Polk speakers-- they sound so much better through this amp!)
I bought this primarily to process audio from our new BluRay player and the Onkyo does an outstanding job. The sound is better than in most movie theaters! Especially BluRay DTS or HD Master. Wish more movies were recorded in these formats.
We also have our DirecTV HD DVR hooked up to the Onkyo. Audio and video travel through the HDMI Cables, so there's no need to hook up audio separately. Very nice and a feature you will find missing from some more expensive amps.
The amp does get very warm. I put a small fan in the back of the cabinet and that seems to help.
BTW although this is a 5.1 channel amp is DOES support 7.1 if you want the 2 extra rear speakers... you just have to hook it up to your old amp (or any cheap 2-channel amp) and process those 2 channels that way. The 7.1 decoding IS built into this box.
I am not using the "Zone 2" feature but it's very unusual to have that in a receiver in this price range. You can watch a movie in one room while someone else listens to an iPod or FM in another room.
I don't think you can find a better receiver in this price range (and keep an eye on the price-- it's falling!)


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If you're looking for a budget-friendly A/V receiver that offers versatile connectivity and compatibility with the latest processing technology, Onkyo's TX-SR507 has you covered. With four HDMI 1.3a inputs, it can accept up to four high-definition sources—from Blu-ray Disc to HD broadcasting to high-def games—and output them to your compatible HDTV. HDMI 1.3a also enables you to enjoy the pristine "lossless" audio of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™, as well as secondary audio on Blu-ray Disc via DTS-HD Express. The TX-SR507 comes with a suite of Audyssey surround-sound technologies to help tailor audio output to the unique dimensions of your entertainment space. Meanwhile, a new universal port makes it easy to incorporate an optional Onkyo Dock for the iPod or Onkyo HD Radio tuner into your system. With all this, plus four high-impact Game Modes and the ability to send different audio to two rooms simultaneously, the TX-SR507 puts a huge amount of entertainment potential at your fingertips.

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Onkyo TX-NR807 7.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Network Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've had the Onkyo TX-NR807 for about a month now. It replaced a 10 year old 70W Yamaha Dolby Digital surround receiver. I listen mostly to Jazz vocals, some light pop, and the occasional action movie. My priority is two channel (stereo) music, secondary is surround for movies. Other set-up details: Infinity main and center speakers(see below), small Paradigm surround speakers, Rotel CD running analog outs, Denon DVD, Windows Media Player on PC as music server. Overall satisfaction is high.
Before buying, this unit was demo'd in a showroom against a comparable Denon. The sound was similar on Def Tech floor stand speakers and both performed well. The Denon had a slightly warmer sound, which many prefer. The Onkyo had slightly better clarity, albeit a bit on the brighter side. The issue with a brighter sound is that it can be fatiguing for longer listening periods. This was a problem I was having with my current setup. Tough choice, but I decided to try the Onkyo as clarity is important to me. I like to hear the subtle parts of the music. The Onkyo, after discounts, was also about $500 less.
At home with the Onkyo, immediately I could pick up more details in the music and noticed better mid-range and bass. Not unexpected given I was going from 70W in the old receiver to 135W.
However, after listening for a while, I realized the better sound coming from the Onkyo was now actually revealing limitations of the speakers that were less evident with the slightly muddier sound of the old Yamaha. The vocals were a bit tinny and I was still dealing with the issue of the sound being too bright, although this aspect was a bit improved from the Yamaha. At this point I also looked around the room and realized it may be partially to blame for the brightness. High ceilings with bare walls cause a lot of reflections of high frequencies. There were three viable options: 1) Spend a lot more on a surround receiver or separates in an attempt to get clarity and less brightness ($$$), 2) try room treatments to tame the brightness (costly and usually unattractive), 3) try new speakers. I opted for 3 as the old Infinities were probably outgunned by the new receiver anyway (and I really wanted new speakers).
One of the high-end stores in the area sells B&W speakers and I'd always wanted a set. They have an overnight demo program so I lugged home a pair of mid-range 3-way B&W's to try out. With the B&W's I could hear even more detail in the music, the mid-range was richer, and the bass fuller and cleaner. They did exactly what I thought I was looking for. They made the music very detailed and they were very fast. For those who don't hang out in speaker review forums, this means they respond to changes in volume very quickly. For instance, each snare drum strike might be individually discernable, a cymbal brush stroke may consist of individual strands of the brush hitting the cymbal instead of a constant "whoosh". However, I discovered that after listening for more than 1/2 an hour at a time, that level of detail resulted in a feeling of having my head inside a drum rather than sitting in the audience. The vocals were also a bit harsh. Detail fatigue. So it turned out what I thought I was looking for wasn't what I really wanted.
The B&W's went back and I ended up with Wharfedale Opus speakers for mains and center. These use fabric dome (rather than metal) tweeters and mid's. With these I gave up some of the speed and a tiny bit of clarity, but gained beautiful vocals. They also tamed the brightness. I can listen to these for hours and just smile. A great fit for me when paired with the Onkyo.
Now that the music criteria was taken care of, it was on to movies. I had not really considered the Audyssey calibration tool that comes with the Onkyo to be very valuable. After all, I had managed to set up the surround on the old Yamaha manually. What a pleasant surprise. After running the Audyssey calibration, the surround timing and levels were vastly improved. Note that minor tweaking may still be appropriate. For instance, I needed to manually adjust the level of one of the main speakers by about 1 decibel because the Audyssey settings resulted in slightly off-center results when listening to two channel sources such as CD's.
One of the other criteria I had for a receiver was its ability to stream music stored on my home computer and preferably also from Pandora. Although I knew the Onkyo would do both, I got lucky here. It turns out the Onkyo is the only receiver in this range that will stream music stored in lossless formats. For those who may be lost at this point, music downloaded or ripped from CD's is usually compressed in a manner that removes some of the information (lossy compression). When listening on an ipod you may not know the difference, but on a nice home system there is a difference. Music can be ripped from CD's in a lossless format. However, only the Onkyo will use all the information. For instance, the Denon says it will play lossless formats, but in a small footnote it tells you the streaming software on the computer has to compress the music in a lossy format (192kbs max) in order for the receiver to accept the stream. Not good. What this all means is that I have now burned CD's on my computer in full resolution (no lost information) and can access and play them on my Onkyo receiver with easy on-screen menus. No more swapping CD's for quality sound. No more messing with ipod docks playing compressed music. In case you are wondering about sound quality of the streaming, I've compared the quality of the full-resolution streaming (which uses the Onkyo's digital to analog conversion) with the analog output of the Rotel CD player noting almost no discernable difference. Very good. Actually, excellent. Pandora streaming also works flawlessly.
In summary:
Advantages
- Great sound quality for this level of receiver
- Technologically ahead of competition. Onkyo tends to throw in lots of bells and whistles.
- Lossless streaming!
- Easy to use considering all the features
- Pandora
- Audyssey works well (most at this price have the same or similar)
- Price, especially if you find discounts
- Ability to bi-amp speakers (unit also seemed to run cooler after I did this)
Could be better
- No surround pre-ins for outboard processing (it does have pre-outs)
- No video or picture streaming from home computer or internet
- Sound character slightly on the bright side
Hope this info helps any prospective buyers.

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The TX-NR807 brings together the very latest mid-range home-theater functionality and adds one major upgrade: networking capability. An Ethernet port on the TX-NR807 allows it to receive and output audio files playing in real-time on your PC. Alternatively, you can bypass your PC and enjoy a direct connection to streaming internet radio stations such as Pandora and Rhapsody. Naturally, the TXNR807 also handles all of your high-definition audio and video sources—courtesy of six HDMI 1.3a inputs—and upscales any video input to 1080p via Faroudja DCDi Cinema. This powerful THX Select2 Plus Certified receiver also comes with Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz, two new surround-sound formats that expand the spatial dimensionality of games and movies. Meanwhile, Audyssey room-correction and equalization technologies help ensure a convincing and detailed audio performance, regardless of the volume level or the shape of your room. An intelligent customizable remote controller puts the finishing touch to what is another benchmark-setting all-round performer from Onkyo.

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Denon AVR2310CI 7.1-Channel Multi-Zone Home Theater Receiver with 1080p HDMI Connectivity Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I looked at all the brands and settled on Denon because they offer a very complete set of features for the money. This model is basically identical to the Denon AVR-890 model sold in big box stores except it has some extra features that are useful for custom installations (if you have your HT installer do it for you) and has two remotes instead of one on the 890
What I liked about this model over many of the competitors:
- Audyssey MultEQ is an advanced auto setup system which adjusts all the settings for your speakers. You plug in the included microphone, it outputs test tones and calculates the optimum settings for you. It takes measurements over 6 positions to ensure that the calibration settings work well over the whole listening area. Audyssey (in my opinion) is a more sophisticated system than what you would find in the competitors like Pioneer and Yamaha. Denon implements the complete set of Audyssey MultEQ features, shows you the resulting settings, and permits you to tweak the settings afterwards even.
- Audyssey Dynamic EQ - This is a GREAT feature. It's not unlike the Dolby Volume feature offered on other brands. What it does is it makes the sound more natural when you have the volume control lower than the reference standard (the volume the studio used for their reference). When you listen at low volumes, the human ear becomes less sensitive to certain tonal ranges, so this circuit helps restore the tonal balance of the sound. It also balances the level of the channels based on your volume level to make sure you can hear the rear channels better at lower volumes. I think this feature works GREAT and it's something anybody can notice. I think this is a must-have feature. Again Denon is to be commended for offering this feature on all their receivers in 2009
- Dynamic Volume is a useful feature to keep the sound level from blasting you when commercials come on. It's nice for watching TV.
- Denon has better control over video and audio settings. You can adjust the crossover frequency individually for each set of speakers. So if you have large speakers in the front and small satellites in the back, you can customize the bass management individually for each pair of speakers, taking advantage of each speakers' full bandwidth. For some reason many other receivers, Pioneer, Marantz, Yamaha often don't have this per-speaker adjustment. If you use Audyssey to set up your system, the Denon will use this capability to optimize your speakers' bass capabilities.
Also, Denon remembers the VIDEO settings for each input so you can have custom brightness, contrast, color for each input.
- Denon 890/2310 uses the Anchor Bay ABT2010 video processor which is a top grade processor. It does a superb job of scaling and deinterlacing video (Anchor Bay's video processor is well reviewed) probably as good or better than most TVs. It works for both analog sources AND HDMI, converting all your video to the maximum resolution of your TV up to 1080P or any other resolution that is optimal for your set. You do have the option to turn it off and passthrough the signals if you don't see a benefit. For most people, unless you have a top of the line TV, this processor can benefit all your sources
- Many receivers take a long time to resync the HDMI signal when you change inputs. On my previous Onkyo, the screen would blank out for 7-12 seconds when I switched from Cable to DVD. The Denon does it as quick as any I've seen, only 2-3 seconds
- Denon has Graphical User Interface over analog and HDMI connections. So you can adjust the settings while a video signal is being played and you will see the menus overlaid on top (especially useful when you are adjusting video settings). Many other receivers only do GUI overlay for analog connections, but not HDMI. With the Denon 890, you can see Volume Level indicator overlaid over the picture while you are playing back HDMI sources.
- It runs very cool. Many receivers run very hot but this one is good if your ventilation is more limited in your AV cabinet.
- It offers Dolby PLIIz, which allows you to run 7.1 speakers and give you height channels (five speakers in the front). I don't use this feature but it's an improvement over a normal 7.1 setup.
The BAD:
- This model does not have Preamp outputs so you can't add an external amp later if you need more power.
- The manual is hard to understand. Fortunately, there are some great FAQ web pages put up by one guy (search for Denon FAQ)which takes all the mystery out of the settings and adjustments
So, the Denon 890 is a superb product that is leading the pack in this price range. They didn't cripple the product in any way except the lack of preamp outputs.
As far as sound quality, it's debatable whether brand X is better than brand Y, but I can say Denon doesn't make poor performing products in general. Their amps are solid performers that are average to above average in meeting their rated power specifications. Even thought this unit isn't the heaviest chassis, it still packs a punch for its price range.

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The new AVR-2310CI was designed for consumers wanting exceptional audio and video performance. Its 7-channel amplifier produces 735-watts of total power (105 per channel), delivering detail and dynamics to music and movie soundtracks. The amplifiers can be configured for 7.1 channel surround sound, or a 5.1 channel system in the 'main" room and power a pair of speakers in a second 'zone". It's equipped with 1080p compatible HDMI 1.3a Repeating technology, delivering both audio and video to your HDTV with single HDMI cable. This HDMI connectivity supports the latest generation surround sound formats available on Blu-ray disc, including Dolby TrueHD and DD+, dts-HD and dts-HR. Also included is Dolby Laboratories new Pro Logic IIz Matrix decoding featuring front height effects channels that expands front soundstage. The AVR2310CI boasts a number of Audyssey technologies. Advanced Audyssey MultEQ analyzes a speaker systems interaction with room acoustics, and then delivers custom tailored correction processing to optimize clarity and tonal balance throughout the listening space. Audyssey Dynamic Volume is an automatic volume-leveling system that tracks audio dynamics to eliminate the irritating volume swings between TV shows and commercials. Audyssey Dynamic EQ is also on board to ensure rich bass and smooth tonal balance at low volume listening levels. In addition to enhanced HDMI 1.3a repeating (5 in, 1 out), the AVR2310CI features 1080p i/p conversion, analog to HDMI upscaling and HDMI to HDMI scaling. Video conversion is accomplished using a premium Anchor Bay Technologies 2010 chip set featuring 10-bit multi-cadence processing. This chip set also provides video noise reduction, picture enhancement, and adjustment capabilities not available on lower priced models. The AVR2310CI also features component video switching (2 in, 1 out), seven analog inputs, and multi-zone (2) / multi-source (2) capability.

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Pioneer SC27 / SC-27 / SC-27 Elite 7.1 Channels A/V THX Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)If you're looking for a receiver to drive your home theater look no further. With massive power that is so clear and surround channeling that is so discrete it's hard to imagine a better receiver. The receiver is typically Pioneer in all the great ways we've come to expect but the rich, pure sound it produces is remarkably warm and enveloping. Uncomfortable with replacing my VX-49TXI my fears were all squelched the minute...and I mean the first minute of a bluray disc playing through the SC-27. Absolutely magnificent sound that can compliment the most discriminating home theater atmosphere. Mated with appropriate speakers and a pair of great subs it will knock your socks into the next room.

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Onkyo TX-NR1007 135 Watts 9.2-Channel AV Surround Home Network Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've been an Onkyo fan for years now. This is my 5th Onkyo receiver in about 9 years or so. I've upgraded for feature set rather than anything being 'wrong' with the prior models I've had. This is the highest end model I've purchases thus far. Hopefully I'll be able to keep this one around for quite a while. It's more than I needed but I was tired of upgrading and wanted something with enough HDMI inputs and features that I wouldn't get the itch.
I have a standard 5.1 surround system for speakers so I am not using the Audyssey DSX or ProLogic IIz functionality. Nor am I using the multiple zones at this time so I have no comment on that functionality.
Things I like:
Audyssey MultiXT - I've had versions of Audyssey in all but maybe the first Onkyo receiver I've had. I don't know whether they changed something or I've gotten better at setting my HT system up properly but after running through the Audyssey speaker setup on this receiver everything sounded much more balanced and even than the setup I had gotten with my previous TX-SR705. The 'sweet spot' is wider and I'm not getting the slight tonal shift as audio moves from one speaker to the next across the front speakers like I used to.
Audyssey Dynamic Volume - This is a fantastic feature! All of my audio for everything is piped through this receiver, whether I'm watching TV, Movies, Music or playing games. With my previous receivers I was always fumbling for the volume when I was watching a show and the commercials came on since they were so much louder. I don't have to do that any more. I have the Dynamic Volume feature set to Light. It makes soft passages loud enough to hear and tones down loud passages, and when the commercials come on they aren't any louder than the tv show I was watching. I do have one quibble with it. There doesn't seem to be a feature to turn it off/on based on the source you've selected. Having this feature on when listening to music is a not a good thing. This isn't a problem with Audyssey, rather an oversight on Onkyo's part.
THX Loudness - I've never really used the THX audio modes of my previous receivers much. Primarly because in order to get the sound approaching that in a theater THX recommends listening at reference volume. There are two problems with that. I live in an apartment and I like not to bleed from my ears. The THX Loudness feature works kinda like the Audyssey Dynamic volume. I find that on some movies the THX method sounds better to me than the Audyssey Dynamic Volume.
Internet radio, Pandora and streaming - The interface for this could use some work (it looks like something from the 90's) but I really like the network features. Streaming audio from my PC in the office is more convenient with this than firing up the Xbox or PS3 and it's one less peice of electronics I have to have running. I also like that the Onkyo will wake up my office pc if it is sleeping when I go to stream audio. I don't know if this is something with my pc that allows this or not but it is convenient.
Things I don't like - I thought my TX-SR705 was loud when it did audio or HDMI switching. This is louder. I'm hoping it's due to beefier switching components. Fortunately this is only an issue at the beginning of movies where they show previews and don't steal me warnings. Also on cable when watching non-movie channels and the commercials have been broadcast in different audio then the show.
One time issue with zero audio. I was watching a tv show and changed channels. After changing the channel I had zero audio. I thought it was the channel but changing the channel back or selecting a different source (tuner) didn't fix it. I was able to fix it by unplugging the receiver for about 5 seconds and plugging it back in. This was disturbing but it hasn't happened since then. If it does I'll have to call Onkyo and find out what they can do.
Overall I love this receiver even with the odd audio issue I had.

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Onkyo TX-SR607 7.2-Channel A/V Surround Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My previous receiver was a 9 year old Sherwood. It was a little above a low end unit. It started buzzing and I decided it was time for a replacement. I have 2 nice Wharfdale floor speakers, a nice center, decent rear surrounds and 2 really decent sub woofers.
I read extensive reviews on several brands and decided that I would purchas Onkyo. I went to Fry's looking for the 606 model. They were sold out and just received the 607. I purchased the 607.
I wanted something HDMI based that allowed audio through the HDMI cables. The thing was a snap to set up. Make sure to run an HDMI cable to your TV from the receiver so that you can do on screen programming.
As I said, I have 2 sub woofers and the 607 has two output RCA jacks to enable 2 subs. No more RCA splitters. I fired the thing up and was shocked at the sound quality. The thing sparkles and the lows are clean and deep. I adjusted the individual speaker levels with a Radio Shack db meter on an easy to use Onkyo menu. I did not use the calibration system built into the receiver. A few trips through the menus and you have them mastered. The menu system is REALLY SIMPLE.
Unless you have some REALLY expensive speakers, this is the unit for you. Great sound quality, simple setup and easy menus make this a good choice for the novice or mid range home theater enthusiast.
I highly recommend the unit.

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The TX-SR607 raises the bar once again in the competitive world of mid-range home theater. With HDMI 1.3a inputs for up to six components, it's ready to handle all your high-definition video and audio needs. Whether it's a Blu-ray Disc player, a cable or satellite box, or a gaming console, your video signals will be traveling first class. Lower-resolution analog video signals, meanwhile, can be upscaled to 1080i and fine-tuned by Faroudja DCDi Edge™. HDMI version 1.3a also transports the master-quality HD audio formats, DTS-HD Master Audio™ and Dolby TrueHD. The very latest Dolby technology, Dolby Pro Logic IIz, enhances the spatial sensation

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