Sony STR-DH710 7.1-channel A/V Receiver with 6 HD Inputs Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I read the two negative reviews with apprehension when I bought this product. However, I took the advice of an amazon supervisor and gave it a shot. HDMI pass through works great on audio and video, even though the instructions in the manual are confusing by showing other configurations. I recommend hooking up all hdmi cables from the quick set-up sheet and ignore other configurations in the manual. Also, I did not perform the speaker callibration.
Set up was more difficult because I use an A/B configuration. My indoor speakers run on A, then I switch off the front indoor and switch on my outdoor speakers using front B. Support from Sony was not the best and I had to call back several times. Tech support associates assumed everything was ready, repeating the company line about automatic detection but that's not entirely accurate. Here's the scoop, Sony sets these receivers up for basic home theater use and specialized options, like A/B, will likely require amp menu changes. Also, older equipment like tv's etc may require changes and/or loss of function like the theater button (which is not a big deal for me because I like to manually choose my sound using sound field on the remote). I just don't understand why A/B isn't turned on automatically at the factory, or why they didn't make A/B turn on automatically if speakers were attached to the B channel, now that would be auto detection!
Here's the deal if you are running A/B configuration you need to use the amp menu button on your remote, select speaker pattern, using up and down in the center controls of remote and choose 3/2.1 plus the middle bullseye for enter. Now SB assign is no longer grayed out and you can turn on B, also under the amp menu speaker option. I read a review on a different Sony receiver that said basically Sony turns off a lot of options, so the user has to manually turn these on and I completely agree with that assessment, plus I would add that Sony does not do a good job of outlining this in the instructions. That's why you shouldn't get frustrated, just call support early and multiple times if you don't feel like you are getting the right answer. Sometimes I had to reference the page of the directions, state clearly the function I wanted to perform and not accept their pat answer which is use the sound field button, or automatic detection. Neither of those things work if you have to turn on/adjust speaker options and/or adjust other devices like tv and dvd player.
Overall, the instructions were very confusing and tech support associates were at times impatient and/or condescending. It has great sound, although sound effects sometimes drown out the center channel speaker. You must use at least the front and center speakers to hear words in movies, plus it automatically turns off your tv volume. It sort of takes control over your tv which is convenient but doesn't allow for any manual overrides. So if you want to use your tv for the center channel, or to boost the sound of the spoken words in a movie, no dice. Before I was using a yamaha and it was manual enough to use the tv for the center channel speaker. Also, the yamaha has just a little better sound quality but I am splitting hairs.
What makes this a better product is that it works/plays better with other devices, no quirks or freezing up, plus remote codes are a snap. There are a lot more bells and whistles but you will probably need to ask support for help with any configuration beyond home theater. Overall, a pretty good product for the price. The positives more than outweigh the negatives.
Hint1: MULTI ST works great for music (basically plays left & right stereo out of all speakers.)
Hint2: Purchase a special cord with a left and right rca output on one end and an mp3 jack on the other, usually sells for $5-10. Hook up the rca cord ends to the front of the receiver and the other goes into where the headphones plug into the mp3 player. Choose video2 on your receiver remote and turn up your mp3 player to full volume, just change the volume from your receiver, not mp3. Now enjoy all your mp3 player's music throughout the house!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony STR-DH710 7.1-channel A/V Receiver with 6 HD Inputs

Ignite your home entertainment experience with the STR-DH710 7.1-channel A/V receiver. With six HD inputs (3 HDMI and 3 component), you can take full advantage of all your high-definition components including a Blu-ray Disc player or PS3 system. Everything you hear will sound as close to the master recording as possible with Dolby TrueHD and dts HD decoding technologies. This receiver also features wireless 2nd zone audio capabilities, which allows you transmit wireless audio in up to 10 additional rooms via optional S-AIR accessories. Plus, access all of your HDMI connected devices without having to power on the receiver thanks to standby pass-through.

Click here for more information about Sony STR-DH710 7.1-channel A/V Receiver with 6 HD Inputs

Yamaha RX-V467BL 5.1 Channel 525 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this receiver based on other reviews of Yamaha receivers. I chose this over Samsung's current 5.1 and 7.1 receiver, because the Samsung units had lackluster reviews. I was curious about the Samsung receiver line because our television is a Samsung LED.
I'm thrilled with the RX-V467. First, the quality is topnotch, which is something you can always expect from Yamaha gear. It's solidly built and feels that way. There's a huge heatsink inside, visible through the top vent. Second, it's feature-rich and surprisingly easy to operate given all the options at hand.
I bought Polk Audio's SurroundBar and Polk Audio's PSW10 Subwoofer for this unit: What fantastic sound when you merge these items! For Blu-ray--also based on user ratings--I purchased the Sony BDP-360, and it works great with the Yamaha RX-V467 via HDMI-CEC.
My Samsung UN55C6500 LED LCD television works great with this receiver. I'm even able to get some HDMI-CEC functionality between the receiver, TV, and Sony Blu-ray.
The remote control looks scary at first, but once I stared into it for a few seconds, I realized the forethought that went into it. I was able to set most functions in the receiver without cracking the manual. If you've used a receiver before, you'll likely find this unit and remote easy to operate. The remote can be programmed to operate other components in your HES.
The auto calibration microphone starts the process when you plug it in. A few remote clicks and you're done. Had to set the speaker size back to Large for the SurroundBar, however, as this is what Polk Audio recommends.
I love that you can name the inputs of the unit based on what you plug in; this makes it easy to see what AV input you've selected.
I've only scratched the surface. This unit has plenty of features to keep you busy if you like that kind of stuff.
This receiver is $329 on Amazon and other places; great deal!!!!
Downsides:
My Pace HD cable box (Time Warner) did not work well via HDMI cable, but I'm not sure if this was the fault of the Pace, the receiver, or the television (or some combination). Sound and picture would blink or stutter on-and-off for about 30 seconds with each channel change (changed via the cable box). That was just unacceptable, so I went to Component and TOSLINK cables for the Pace without issue. HD cable sounds and looks great now, without "blinking," using these cable selections connected to the receiver. This unfortunately means I have both Component and HDMI cables connected to the TV.
Does not include an iPhone or iPod dock like the Samsung. The new iPhone/iPod dock should be available within the next month or so, but you'll have to buy that as an option. Starting retail price to be $99. The receiver does have a mini-plug on the front to connect your mp3 device right away, however. There is currently an iPod-only dock available for the unit ($40-$70 online); I understand it has some iPhone compatibility, but I'm waiting for the new dock.
This unit offers ZERO conversion options. In other words, it will not up-convert or down-convert one format to another (e.g., Composite to Component, Component to HDMI, etc.). Most of the reviews I've read on units from other manufacturers that do offer conversion options have been poor, which leads me to believe that it's the conversion process itself that sucks--not the receivers. No idea if the unit will do the conversion for the iPhone dock...hope it does.
Conclusion:
I recommend this receiver. As with all things, better units are available for MORE money; this unit delivers for the amount paid. If you're like me (moderate audio junkie) and need a unit for a medium-sized room (5.1 surround), I think you'll like this receiver. If you fancy yourself an audiophile and like to buy expensive audio and video cables because you think it helps, buy something more expensive.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha RX-V467BL 5.1 Channel 525 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black)

The Yamaha RX-V467BL 5.1-Channel AV Receiver is a versatile and capable receiver to help take your home theater experience further. It features the latest HDMI specifications (4 inputs/1 output) with Audio Return Channel and 3D-readiness (with firmware upgrade). 1080p HDMI compatibility, and renowned Yamaha technologies like SCENE and CINEMA DSP. Expand your options even further with optional docks (sold separately) to add your iPod, iPhone, or Bluetooth sources.

Get 37% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha RX-V467BL 5.1 Channel 525 Watt AV Receiver (Each, Black)

Sony STR-DH810 7.1-channel A/V Receiver with 7 HD Inputs Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just received my new Sony STR-DH810 7.1 on Friday afternoon. I already had the previous version, the STR-DH800 set up in the living room. The DH810 I got for the den. It took less than an hour to pull the plugs out of my old Sony (non-HDMI) receiver and set-up the DH810. I would recommend that anyone getting this get a set of banana plugs for the speaker inputs. You "can" get the wires in the "screw-in" connectors, but banana plugs are just so much easier to deal with. I am using all 3 component inputs, 3 of 4 HDMI, Composite and CD, including DVD Coax, and all Optical audio inputs. Everything is very accessible and clearly labeled.
Once I had everything set up, I ran through the Audio/Video set-up manually. The DH810 comes with a mic that allows you to automatically configure your sound system (the receiver does all the work, but I prefer to do the "tweaking" manually. But that's just me. However, that said, after manually setting up my system, I reset the receiver and allowed the included mic to automatically detect and set up my sound system (just to see how it handled the task) and it did a bangin' job! Very easy automated and intuitive set-up.
The initial set-up is a breeze. Hold down the On/Off button on the receiver for 5 seconds until the receiver says CLEAR (which you can do anytime you want to undo any major blunders or just start fresh). Press the speaker button on the receiver until your speaker set-up appears, select your desired input button on the remote, crank up the volume and you have sound! From there, the remote's menu allows you to configure all the tweaks like EQ, Speaker distance, balance, bass, treble, you TVs resolution, etc. I would prefer some kind of TV-On-Screen Menu, but that is not really a big deal to me.
The sound is phenomenal and the DVD upscaling is very cool. I have Avatar on DVD (not blu ray) and the picture upscaled crisp and clear. The sound coming out of the speakers is clean and crisp. My audio CD's, movies, Cable TV, all sound great with the DH810.
I had been putting off buying this until someone gave it a rating, and I finally found a couple on the web that convinced me to give it an "early-adopter" try. Suffice to say, I am NOT DISAPPOINTED! The Price of $285 with no shipping was just a BIG plus too.
I will probably add to my rating later on, but for now, I HEARTILY recommend the STR-DH810 to anyone that has been hankering to upgrade their sound system with an upscaling 1080p A/V Receiver.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony STR-DH810 7.1-channel A/V Receiver with 7 HD Inputs

Take your HD surround sound experience to new heights with the STR-DH810 A/V receiver. Offering an abundance of connectivity options (4 HDMI, 3 component), you will have room for all your components including a Blu-ray player, PS3 system, DVD player and more. And with DVD upscaling via HDMI you can watch DVDs in near HD quality. This 7.1-channel receiver has LPCM, Dolby trueHD and dts-HD decoding technologies for audio that is true to the original master recording. The STR-DH810 features wireless 2nd zone audio capabilities, which allows you transmit wireless audio in up to 10 additional rooms via optional S-AIR accessories. Additional features include Audio Return Channel which eliminates the need for extra cables connected to your TV, and standby pass-through that lets you access all of your HDMI connected devices without having to power on the receiver.

Get 38% OFF

Click here for more information about Sony STR-DH810 7.1-channel A/V Receiver with 7 HD Inputs

Sony STR-DH100 2-Channel Audio Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have to say up front that I've only spent a week with my new Sony and my opinion may change but due to the lack of reviews here are my first impressions: This is a very capable receiver, nicely built with a useful and easy to understand remote. I, like most people reading this, was looking for a second receiver to put in my den to listen to cd's, mp3, and internet radio. My main Home Theater Receiver is a Denon. The Sony has a nice full sound and is easy to adjust to your liking. There are bass and treble controls on the remote, a plus for me. So far I am happy with the sound but I can tell something is lacking, a depth or warmth, whatever you want to call it, I imagine the Onkyo 8255 has what I really want but at 50 less watts per channel and $50.00 more in price. To be honest I don't know if the trade off is worth it but for those of you who have been trying to decide which one to buy I made my decision to try the less expensive new model from Sony first, then after a week or two if I am not sold, I'll probably return it and buy the Onkyo. I will say that the 96db s/n ratio is better than some alternatives like the Teac and Sherwood. If you've been looking for receivers in this price range you know there isn't a huge variety so with that in mind I would recommend this receiver over any other similar priced model with the Onkyo being the exception. The Sony has a nice full sound, the tuner works great, it has a sleep timer and a nice quality feel, that counts for something. Sound being subjective, I think I am a little spoiled by my Denon but this Sony does sound better then the Yamaha it replaced. REVIEW UPDATE:
Now that I have gotten to know this receiver inside and out and have spent over a month listening to various kinds of music through my polk Monitor 30 speakers, I can say that this Sony receiver is very well built and has a good clean sound, it was a bit harsh at first but now that it is being used daily I really enjoy the sound coming through the speakers. The remote is very nice and the buttons are laid out in a way that I can easily use the remote without looking at it. Music is very clear, full of bass and treble and a bit of the warmth of my Denon, something that I was hoping would happen as I first wrote that it lacked "warmth". For the money you can't go wrong, everything I play sounds very good and there is no distortion even when turningthe volume up considerably loud. If you are on the fence about this, do what i did, buy it and try it out and if you don't think it is worth the price you can always return it, that's the great thing about Amazon, no hassles!! Anyway, I highly recommend the Sony STR-DH100.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony STR-DH100 2-Channel Audio Receiver (Black)

Enjoy bolder, quality sound without the fuss. The solid, 2-channel STR-DH100 stereo receiver delivers clear stereo sound for everyday music fans and rooms where a complex home theater system is not needed. With the right mix of inputs and technologies, the STR-DH100 transforms any secondary living environment into a concert hall. In addition, it also includes the Digital Media Port input that allows you to extend your music selection from an iPod, Walkman digital music player, Bluetooth device or from a PC (accessories sold separately).

Click here for more information about Sony STR-DH100 2-Channel Audio Receiver (Black)

Denon DHT-391XP 5.1 Channel Home Theater System with HDMI 1.4a connectivity and 650-Watt Total System Power (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I did a lot of research, like most of you will do, and determined that this was the best I could do with my budget. My primary concerns were sound quality and getting enough power for a large room (19' x 20') This does well in those regards, while you sacrifice in other areas. For this price you can't have everything!
Pros:
The components seem quality built. The receiver is heavy and well ventilated. The speakers are heavy and wooden. Everything is just sturdy. It shipped well packed in a heavy box.
The amplifier itself is the same circuitry and power rating you'll find in more expensive Denon receivers, like the 591 and 1611. From what I gather it's THD and power compare well with more expensive models. It certainly does a good job with the included speakers. It will get ridiculous house party loud, no worries.
The HDMI inputs gave no problems. Denon is sometimes noted for handshake problems, but I did not encounter any. I have a Motorola DVR, a Sony BDP-S570 blu-ray and a Samsung PNC50C450 and they all sync up perfectly. I did the latest firmware updates on each device prior to the Denon arriving.
The sound is pretty tweak-able, if you have the patience. More on that later.
The included speaker wires are long.
Cons:
Setting this thing up is tedious. There's no surround auto setup. You need to measure your speaker distances manually. You need to tweak the loudness of each speaker to your liking. They should all be equal. You need to specify the type of each speaker.. etc. The menus are not very intuitive. The included speaker wire is pretty thin 22 gauge. I suppose this is ok, but it seems fragile and I prefer some more durable, less resistive 16 gauge wire for the long runs in my room. You may want to play with the crossover frequencies also. Letting the sub handle everything below 200Hz provided the best results in my case.
At first I thought the sound was muddy. I then did some research on room acoustics and speaker positioning. Most real experts (the ones that work in the field and/or adhere to the scientific method) agree that the room it's acoustics and the position of you and your speakers is the single most important variable in sound quality. I completely agree after re-positioning my speakers three times. The most significant change was moving the sub-woofer out of the corner and into the open. I also got some quality mounts. In conclusion, do some research, put your speakers in the right spots, work with the setup for 3 or 4 days until you get the sound you want and crank it up. After all that, holy cow! Crank it up!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Denon DHT-391XP 5.1 Channel Home Theater System with HDMI 1.4a connectivity and 650-Watt Total System Power (Black)

The Denon DHT391XP raises the performance bar for "HTIB" systems. It features the powerful Denon AVR391, a 5.1 channel home theater AV reciever boasting 3D compatible, 1080p capable HDMI 1.4a repeating technology (4 in, 1 out). This allows simple one cable connectivity to any HDMI equiped HD TV. The HDMI connectivity also supports the latest generation surround sound formats available on Blu-ray disc, including Dolby TrueHD and DD+, dts-HD and DTS-HR. The AVR-391's 5 x 110-Watt (6-ohms, 1kHz) amplifier section features discrete circuitry to deliver detail and dynamics to your music and movie selections. Complimenting the AVR-391 is a relatively compact, yet powerful 5.1 speaker package. The front speakers are a 2-way "LCR" design using dual 3-inch woofers flanking a 1-inch tweeter. The surround speakers feature a 3-inch full range driver. Providing depth and impact is an 8-inch, 100-watt powered subwoofer. Combined with the AVR-391, this package delivers 650-watts of total system power. That's a lot of bang for the buck! Enough to please any value orientated movie and music enthusiast.

Get 16% OFF

Click here for more information about Denon DHT-391XP 5.1 Channel Home Theater System with HDMI 1.4a connectivity and 650-Watt Total System Power (Black)

Sony STR-DN1020 3D Blu-ray Disc A/V Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Howdy!
It's been a banner fifteen months. I've been able to slowly upgrade to my A/V system from a crappy one to one of extraordinary magnitude. Yes... my days of watching "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" on the Sony Betamax are over. Now I've been out of the A/V game for some time and have been boning up on what the new technology has to offer. There is amazing gear and technology that is available to people at great prices. The journey I've made, and I'm not talking about the band that replaced Steve Perry with a dude they found on YouTube, has allowed me to update my A/V gear to include the following...
1 Sony STRDN1020 Receiver
1 Sony Bravia NX 800 Series 52' LED TV
1 Sony PS3 Slim 160GB
4 Mediabridge HDMI cables
1 Belkin Subwoofer Cable

Sure I'm a loyal Sony customer, but it's because they have treated me well over the years and I have the stash of still working, but outdated, gear to prove it.
Current SONY holdings...
1 Sony Betamax (1982) Make an offer!
1 Sony VHS Player (1985)
1 SONY HIFI VHS Player (1986)
1 Sony Laserdisc Player (1990)
1 Sony 36" Bravia TV (1995?) Estimated weight 2.56 metric tons
1 Sony 5.1 receiver (1999)
Now I don't want to come off as a Sony snob so I do want to mention that I have the following non-Sony items in my electronic stash.
1 Hasbro Litebrite (1981) Crystal clear pixel display but runs a little hot.
1 Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven (1975) A man's got to eat but runs a little cool.
1 Motorola M500 Bag Phone (1978) Looks great in my 1982 TransCamaro with the T-TopsSo here's my review of the Sony STRDN1020 receiver.
DELIVERY:
It took a week for the arrival but that's because I live in the middle of nowhere (Think Rudolph's trek to the land of broken toys) and didn't pay for expedited shipping. At time of delivery the UPS guy was very impressed with the receiver and it's features having read them off the box. He threw in a pair of complimentary fist bumps. That alone has to be worth one star on the review scale. The box was sealed to protect that "New Stuff Smell".
SETUP:
Well it took longer to extract the old receiver and 83 miles of attached RCA and S-Video cables then it did to install the STRDN1020 and the 3 HDMI, 1 Subwoofer, and 1 network cables. God bless you HDMI inventors wherever you are.
Actual setup was about an hour with 70% of the time spent trying to attach five speakers to the receiver's rear terminals. Folks... PLEASE don't be a cheap a-hole like me... get yourself some banana plugs. I have learned my lesson. NEVER again will I risk peersonal injury to hook up some speakers. Can you really put a price on Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? I hope I don't miss any work ... my dog needs braces.
The included manual was easy to follow and there is a chart on how to hook up your speakers and other components. I initialized the receiver and set up the speaker pattern, network, and audio calibration in about fifteen minutes. The GUI is easy to use but not as intuitive as the menus used on Sony's PS3 and TV's, whatever the heck they call it.

SOUND: All Connections VIA HDMI
Bluray VIA PS3 - This rig sounds great. I have a 2002 JBL 5.1 set up and they've never sounded better. Do you know that scene from "The Notebook" where the crew is robbing the armored car? Of course you don't it doesn't exist. God I hate that movie and the unrealistic bar it has set for us working men. Jim Rockford should be ashamed of himself. Anyway... you probably know the opening of the movie "Heat" where Deniro, Waynegrow and the boys, extract some goodies from the armored car. Now I have the movie on VHS HIFI, Laserdisc, DVD, and Bluray so I guess you can say I'm familiar with the audio recordings and playback of each format. The sound of the receiver and bluray was absolutely phenomenal. It really made the movie more intense. I almost called 911 to report a robbery in progress. I can't wait until they release Breakin' 2: Electric Boogalooo bluray. It's 'gonna be some insane sound!
TV - The Audio return channel is a great feature since I utilize our Sony TV to watch Netflix and Amazon on Demand, and to stream my computer's music. All three sources sound awesome and bring more bang to what are already incredible TV features.

PS3 - I played Call of Duty/Black OPS on the PS3 and once again phenomenal sound. In multi-player mode I can now hear those Orange County punks sneaking up behind me. Sure, they still kill me but now they have to look me in the eye when they do it. Backstabbers!
Cable Box - Great Sound. You feel like you are actually in the middle of one of the fights between the Real Housewives of New Jersey until you realize that you aren't because you have your "Stuff" together. Warning! Those A.S.P.C.A commercials with Sarah Mclachlan are now 10 times sadder.

Tuner: Don't useVIDEO:
I have had no video issues. All connections VIA HDMI. The Cable HD looks great. No sync issues with audio and no loss with running the cable through the receiver instead of straight to the TV.
BRAVIA SYNC Sure it's proprietary and only works on Sony gear but it works great. Hooray for me! Proprietary functionality is my one gripe with Sony but you Apple folks have zero right to complain.
Conclusion
I'm looking forward to growing old or should I say older with the receiver. I look forward to firmware updates that may extend the usefulness of the receiver. This may not be the best receiver on the market at the best price but it does everything most people will need and is very simple to operate. With this Sony, I won't have to send my wife to a three day course at a distant Ramada Inn to learn how to operate the damn thing.
I will update this with a review of the network functions once I've had time to utilize them. Also, I don't roll with Apple products so I will not be using the included Ipod dock.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony STR-DN1020 3D Blu-ray Disc A/V Receiver (Black)

Maximize your entertainment experience with Sony's STR-DH1020 receiver. Connect seven HD sources,11 listen to your iPod9 and improve the quality of streamed music. Plus, enjoy incredible 7.1 channel sound quality while you watch 3D sports movies and games from connected 3D devices.4 You can even improve video quality to near HD.6 This great receiver also features an easy-to-use control menu for simple control and a convenient audio calibration set-up so you are assured the best possible listening experience

Click here for more information about Sony STR-DN1020 3D Blu-ray Disc A/V Receiver (Black)

Onkyo TX-SR309 5.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a nice receiver overall and a welcome replacement to my ageing Sony unit which was struggling with newer audio formats such as DTS.
The design is well laid out, very intuitive and quick to power on, snappy UI etc. It is of moderate build quality - the exterior surfaces are a bit sharp, with buttons and the volume dial feeling a bit thin / light / cheap :| Not a big concern however at this price point and remember it is the lowest model in the range.
I have mostly component gear (DVD and STB) plus a WD HD TV Live which uses HDMI. My expectations were that I could plug my old component gear into the receiver and use HDMI up to my TV via a DVI to HDMI converter (TV is pre-HDMI). This is not the case - it's like the receiver is actually 2 separate units internally - one analog (component) and one digital (HDMI): the component sources are only visible when using component out on the receiver and likewise, HDMI sources are only visible when using the HDMI out (to TV DVI in my case) - you can't combine all sources into one output so I have 2x sets of cables running up to my TV, no big deal really.
The OSD is also only visible over HDMI out - i.e. not on component out, you'll have to navigate via the single-line display on the receiver in that case (exact same menu).
I would recommend this unit to anyone after a decent receiver on a budget, just understand it might not do everything you expect .. and you likely won't know exactly what until you buy it / try for yourself.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo TX-SR309 5.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver

Continuing our mission to bring quality to every level of home entertainment, Onkyo presents the TX-SR309-an entry-level A/V receiver fine-tuned to power your system right out of the box. Set-up is simple and adjustments are easy, thanks to a new overlaid on-screen display. Also new at this level is PLL jitter-cleaning circuit technology to reduce distortion, and a front-panel USB port that provides a high-quality digital link to your iPod/iPhone. To get the best from your compressed audio files, the TX-SR309 employs Onkyo's proprietary Advanced Music Optimizer. Naturally, the receiver also handles high-def, lossless audio in the form of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. These are carried by three HDMI inputs that also support immersive 3D video content. And whether you're gaming in 3D or not, you can choose from four customized audio modes to match your gaming content. It all adds up to one high-value proposition.

Click here for more information about Onkyo TX-SR309 5.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver

Pioneer VSX-820-K 5.1 Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After trying a Denon, and two Yamaha's, I finally hit gold with the Pioneer VSX-820.
This is a superb receiver in all regards. It produces clear crisp sound in all modes.
There are no lip synch issues at all when linked to my HDTV. I had terrible lip synch problems with the Denon. It has all the features I need and more and has an excellent remote that is both intuitive and comprehensive. I use my receiver for CD's, FM radio and my Samsung HDTV. I use DishNetwork for my TV programming.
The VSX series is Pioneer's newest and includes several models all the way up to the 1120.
However, when you read the specs, all these receivers have the same tuner and power plant. The higher the model number, the more numerous the features. But no increase in output.
That makes for an easier buying decision. You don't compromise power for features if you chose a mid range model like the 820 or 920. I noticed that the Denon and Yamaha receivers I tried were made in China. The Pioneers are made in Japan. I'll go with Japan for high quality electronics every time. Pioneer has hit a homerun with this new series of receivers.Update January 20,2011
My accolades now need to be tempered back. As with all 'features', they are only good
as long as they last. The IPOD interface on my VSX 820 died today in mid-song. I reviewed the manual and took the steps recommended, including resetting my IPOD with
no results. The IPOD works just fine. So I will no longer be able to hear my songs
thru my system but will instead have to be satisfied with just using the headphones.
Very disappointed with the lack of durability of this Pioneer receiver.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pioneer VSX-820-K 5.1 Home Theater Receiver

Key Features are 110 watts X 5, Dolby True-HD / DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Pro-Logic IIz Height Channel Decoder, Auto MCACC with room EQ, Phase ControlAuto Level Control – 2 Channel, Advanced Sound Retriever – 2 channel, iPod Digital USB / USB Memory Audio / OSD, Front A/V Inputs, Sirius Satellite Radio w/OSD, Bluetooth Ready w/ optional AS-BT100, HDMI Repeater (4 In / 1 out), Deep Color, x.v. color, Component Video Inputs (2 in / 1 out),Audio Inputs (6 in / 1out - includes Tuner),Audio/Video Inputs (4in / 1 out), Digital Inputs (3 - 1 coax / 2opt), Dolby PLIIz Pre-Out, Glossy Black Cosmetic, Preset Remote Control.

Get 48% OFF

Click here for more information about Pioneer VSX-820-K 5.1 Home Theater Receiver

Onkyo HT-RC370 7.2-Channel THX Certified Network Audio/Video Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Onkyo has always been known as the company that puts out fantastic products at INCREDIBLY competitive prices, and I'd wager that for the price you couldn't find a better receiver. There are several cool items that stand out such as built in access to Pandora, SiriusXM and Slacker Radio, a whopping 7 HDMI inputs, the ability to Bi-amp your speakers if you aren't doing more than a 5.1 setup, the ability to hook up two subwoofers, and it will pass through any kind of input you throw at it into HDMI (ex. My original Xbox comes in via component cable, but goes out via HDMI). Everything else is about the specs. It does EXACTLY what it says it can do and does it really well. Even the subtle lighting on the front of the receiver while it is in use is all class. I've been using it for a few weeks now and have zero complaints. I simply couldn't recommend this unit more.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo HT-RC370 7.2-Channel THX Certified Network Audio/Video Receiver (Black)

To really get your home theater connected, hook up the ultra-versatile HT-RC370. With seven HDMI inputs including one on the front this THX Select2 Plus certified receiver offers unlimited scope for high-definition thrills. Along with lossless audio from Dolby and DTS, the HT-RC370 supports 3D video, an Audio Return Channel, and video up scaling to 4K resolution via Qdeo technology. Other inputs include a front-panel USB port for direct digital connection of iPod /iPhone , and a wide range of digital and analog inputs including S-Video and 7.1-channel analog inputs to handle legacy components. The HT-RC370 employs advanced Odyssey room-calibration and equalization technologies to optimize audio output, and a seamless graphical OSD and navigation GUI for browsing your content and adjusting settings. As a network receiver, the HT-RC370 also adds internet radio and PC audio to your entertainment options. Audiophile features, such as bi-amping capability and 7.2 multichannel pre-outs, help make the HT-RC370 an irresistible choice for the serious home theater fan.

Get 29% OFF

Click here for more information about Onkyo HT-RC370 7.2-Channel THX Certified Network Audio/Video Receiver (Black)

Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I used the HK 3480 (the precursor to this model) for five years and loved it. The 3490 is even better. The sound is more robust and full, not different, but just more refined. It easily powers my Klipsch Synergy speakers and would pair well with any mid-level speakers. With 120w even inefficient speakers will have more than a enough power to move air.
Further, the 3490 has an important new feature: digital inputs. This is a very nice option for those who have made the jump to an all digital music library and use a digital jukeboxes like the Roku Soundbridge or the Squeezebox. Both players have digital outs and pair up nicely with the 3490.
The difference in quality from digital inputs or analog is debatable, but to my ear, going from the 3480 with analog cables, to the 3490 with optical TOSLINK, there was an immediately improvement in clarity. Songs with delicate sound work came alive. Soft details were more apparent. It's been a great upgrade for me.
It's important to note that the 3490 doesn't leave analog fans in the cold either. It has a very nice tape loop and a wonderful gold plated stereo pickup. In short, whether you're library consists of vinyl or mp3s this amp will do it all.
I have always been a fan of Harmon Kardon, and I bought the older 3480 because I'm a strict fan of stereo music listening. The 3490 is a very smart update to the 3480, bringing it into the 21st century with a host of digital options. For those who rely on an iPod for music, there is specific iPod cradle for this amp that allows you to play your iPod's music effortless over the stereo while controlling it with the HK remote. This amp is also XM Radio ready, just plug in your XM receiver and the HK will allow you to control it.
It's very hard to find a subtle, high powered stereo receiver with these features. The market has sadly moved away to the home theater, multi-channel world, but I'm glad Harmon Kardon is still loyal to their stereo listeners.
Build quality is very nice. It's not a flashy amp, it doesn't light up the room with needless LEDs. It's very understated, and handsome. HK even includes two little inserts that hide the front inputs and bass, treble, and balance controls (nice if you don't want people messing with your settings, or you appreciate a clean look.)
Other than the digital options, the tape loop and the phono pickup, the amp does allow video switching and pass through should you want to integrate into your home theater. The other notable detail are the speaker posts. They allow the use of banana clips or allow you to secure naked wire in two different ways to the posts. This is nice if you don't have a lot of clearance behind the amp.
At this price point, there is simply nothing out there that can compete with this amp in terms of quality, performance, or features.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker

The HK 3490 is a high current stereo receiver that will give you the best possible audio performance. You can use the optional "Bridge II" to control and navigate your Ipod'. The power rating is 120 watts times two at 8 ohms and 150 watts times 2 at 4 ohms. It has 45 amps of current. It is also XM Ready. It has speaker A/B switching.

Click here for more information about Harman Kardon HK 3490 120 Watt X 2 Stereo Receiver with XM Radio-ready Tuner and Dolby Virtual Speaker

Yamaha YMC-700BL NeoHD WiFi Media Controller/AV Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This unit was very easy to install although finding the IR receivers on the other components was challenging. I wish the remote had numbers on it. I understand making it simple but it makes for slow channel access. I found myself having to keep the digital cable box remote for speed and convenience. I love the internet radio access and the ipod dock is a definite add-on we were glad we purchased. The unit is small and well laid out. This is a good looking piece. Unfortunately we have the tv in a corner and the surround sound is okay but not great. I think if this was set out properly it would work quite well. I do recommend this to anyone looking for a universal remote and good quality amplifier.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha YMC-700BL NeoHD WiFi Media Controller/AV Receiver (Black)

Yamaha YMC-700BL NeoHD Controller

Get 59% OFF

Click here for more information about Yamaha YMC-700BL NeoHD WiFi Media Controller/AV Receiver (Black)

Toslink Digital Optical Audio Cable 6 ft. Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As stated in other reviews, bits are bits. If they get from one system component to another, you're doing just as well with a $5 cable as a $60 one. Monster and other companies are ripping consumers off with gobbledeygook buzzwords designed to obscure the mind and open the pocketbook.
I have installed this cable in my system, and its performance delivering 5.1 channel audio and DTS from my PS3 to my receiver is flawless. It performs identically to the other more expensive optical cable I have.
As of my last check of this product page, $1.31 as a list price and $2.98 for shipping makes for a total of $4.29. This is an outrageously good deal, beating even many other discount outlets. If you have a receiver that uses optical digital for audio input (as opposed to HDMI, which most newer receivers utilize), you simply can't go wrong. A definite must-buy at this price.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Toslink Digital Optical Audio Cable 6 ft.

Get 72% OFF

Click here for more information about Toslink Digital Optical Audio Cable 6 ft.

Samsung HW-C700 AV Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The HW-C700 sounds nice, however it has faults. My setup is all new 2010 Samsung 3D components (TV = UN55C7000, Blue-ray = BD-C6900). The setup has all new HDMI 1.4 cable connections as recommended (and new optical cable from TV to AVR as recommended for Anynet in the receiver manual).
- Sometimes, there are repeated drop outs when streaming audio/music using Allshare and the proper Samsung server software on the PC (PC is fine). Sometimes, the audio streams fine. Netflix does stream well, even in HD so that rules out the network.
- Had to disable Anynet+, even though configured precisely as stated in the manuals/enabled on all devices. The receiver would keep forcing me to use the Audio Assign button on the remote to set the TV to HDMI vs. Optical (every time I powered on devices using BD-C6900 remote). I did make sure TV and BR Player had latest firmware updates.
- There were no firmware updates available on the Samsung website for the HW-C700.
- My inquiry email via the Samsung support web page from 5 days ago was never responded to where I reported these problems and asked if there was a firmware update/fix. They did respond to my second inquiry (sent them this review), but they only suggested I reset the receiver. That was not acceptable as I don't want a receiver I need to "reset" when it flakes out.
- In the middle of viewing a show/movie, you get a black screen with a message "Disconnecting Anynet Device". The new Logitech Harmony One remote I purchased would not work properly/consistently unless you train the remote (yuck)! Not sure who has the weakness here (Logitech or Samsung). That was my backup plan as Anynet+ is pretty bad.
- I hate to return it, but I thimk it's better to wait until the other companies release their 3D receivers later this month and over the next two months. I think this type of product is new for Samsung. The HW-C700 going back.
I don't see the point in having all Samsung components to use Anynet if casues more problems than is solves. Anynet aside, dropouts are not acceptable, nor is unresponsive support from Samsung, hence only a two star rating.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Samsung HW-C700 AV Receiver

7.1 Channel,(120Watt x 7),3D Surround,True HD Decoder,Active Subwoofer

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Samsung HW-C700 AV Receiver

Denon AVR-1611 7.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Multi-Source / Multi-Zone Receiver with HDMI 1.4a supporting 1080p and 3D (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After having an unfortunate incident with a lightning strike at my home, my Denon AVR-1908 suffered irreparable damage. Within a few weeks my insurance company sent the check to replace it and the hunt for a new receiver was on.
Having owned a Denon, I was very familiar with the quality and outstanding sound their receivers can produce - but made the decision to research other brands such as Onkyo, Yamaha, Pioneer and of course the new line of Denon AV receivers. I have a 7.1 surround sound Home Theater so my future purchase had to meet that criteria. After some research I had narrowed my search down to the Denon AVR-1611 and the Onkyo TX-SR508 receivers, then visited a local electronics store to compare the two receivers in functionality and sound. After comparing the two I found that the Denon delivered a more rich, deep sound reproduction with outstanding surround sound imagery as compared to the Onkyo, at least in my opinion.
The Denon AVR-1611 offers some features that I definitely wanted, and some that I may want to utilize should I decide to upgrade my Home Theater. It offers HDMI 1.4a inputs and output for 3D movie features (still on the fence with 3D), if I decide to upgrade to a 3D capable Home Theater this receiver will accommodate this option. The rear I/O panel is extremely clean compared to older AV receivers, due to HDMI. There are 4 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output eliminating the need for multiple component inputs, this made for a much quicker and cleaner equipment setup. The various available sound formats, i.e., DTS Master, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus encoded with this receiver switch very efficiently with the source material - to date I have not had to adjust this manually. The receiver is very pleasing aesthetically, and fits in well with the rest of my components but does have some heft to it. The Denon AVR-1611 also offers ARC (audio return channel) via the HDMI output to allow for both sending and receiving an audio signal, but please note that your television must also have the ARC feature. The other plus with this receiver is the upconversion of standard definition DVD's due to the HDMI upconversion feature, althought it now sounds cliche - it truly makes my older movies look like new again with near HD resolution. The only criticism I have that prevented my awarding this receiver a perfect 5 stars is the lack of an AC Power Outlet in the back of the receiver. I found this to be a real convenience option for plugging in my JBL PB10 powered subwoofer. I wonder if this has been eliminated due to reducing the overall power draw for electronics in meeting with "GREEN TECHNOLOGY"? Regardless, I found that I missed having the outlet and wish they would incorporate it back into the design.
The owners manual can be intimidating, with its overview of all the features and functions designed in the AVR-1611 - this is where the AUDYSSEY AUTO SETUP feature shines! Denon included a specialized microphone to allow owners the convenience of letting the receiver setup your surround parameters without hours of manual work. Not only did this feature effectively set the surround sound parameters of all 7 speakers and my subwoofer, it also measured the distance from each speaker to the listening area, as well as decibel/gain setting for each individual speaker. It even determined the size of my speakers from small to large! To gauge the accuracy, I took out my tape measure and my Radio Shack sound level meter and began testing, and found the accuracy of Audyssey to be remarkable! For the novice setting up their Home Theater this feature would be invaluable.
To date I can offer no complaints, save for the missing AC power outlet. The surround sound imaging is outstanding, music CD's sound amazing, and the Denon AVR-1611 has real ease of use. It supports all of the most popular sound formats and upconverts my standard definition DVD's beautifully. I would highly recommend this receiver to anyone who is on a budget looking for an AV Receiver that offers a multitude of features and is as close to audiophile reproduction as you can get. It certainly pleases this movie buff.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Denon AVR-1611 7.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Multi-Source / Multi-Zone Receiver with HDMI 1.4a supporting 1080p and 3D (Black)


A versatile A/V surround receiver with a 7.1-channel amplifier, the Denon AVR-1611 is designed to be the centerpiece of an exciting home theater system. It supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and it includes the latest HDMI 1.4a technology, which provides for 3D pass-through capabilities to your HDTV (broadcast and Blu-ray). It also features Dolby Pro Logic IIz, a technology that adds a vertical dimension at the front for a more exciting surround sound experience. Last, but not least, the high-performance AVR-1611 includes Audyssey MultEQ, Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume for optimum tonal balance, with no volume jump due to commercial interruptions.

Get 30% OFF

Click here for more information about Denon AVR-1611 7.1 Channel A/V Home Theater Multi-Source / Multi-Zone Receiver with HDMI 1.4a supporting 1080p and 3D (Black)

Sherwood RX-4105 2-Channel 100-Watt Stereo Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This Sherwood (noted brand years ago, now mysterious) might be a decent bargain for twice the money. It's stripped down by present standards -- two channels only, no phonograph input. It's dead quiet and extremely clean sounding. I can't hear any emphases or dead spots in the frequencies. The tuner is exceptionally good; I am surprised at the success I'm having with it in a poor reception area, with only the antennas that are supplied. Appearance and quality are fine: nice black steel case, solid buttons, one big old volume knob. It was all I needed, so I'm very pleased. Going to get another for a computer amp.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sherwood RX-4105 2-Channel 100-Watt Stereo Receiver

Sherwood's incredibly affordable RX-4105 offers integrated preamplification and amplification, inputs for numerous audio source components, and advanced radio tuning and station access. The receiver delivers 100 watts RMS per channel x 2 for strong, clear sound across the audible spectrum--even at low listening levels. The company has lowered the amplifier's distortion relative to the previous model (the RX-4105), to less than 0.08 percent, while also giving the receiver a new layout borrowed from its higher-end components.The RX-4105 uses totally discrete amplifiers for all channels (TDAS) to maintain its high power and low distortion. Use the receiver's A and B clip-type speaker outputs to power 2 different rooms, or to biwire a pair of speakers for more efficient amplification (with A outputs driving the woofers, for instance, and the B outputs driving the tweeters--make sure your speakers are compatible if this is a key feature for you).The receiver also offers a handy 25-key remote control and switching for 2 pair of loudspeakers. Audio inputs switch between and amplify up to 4 additional components, including 2 requiring both inputs and outputs (such as a cassette deck and a VCR). The built-in AM/FM tuner features 30 station presets and auto station setup.Other features include bass and treble tone controls, a dimmable fluorescent display, and a .25-inch headphone jack for private listening.What's in the Box Sherwood RX-4105 receiver, remote control, AC power supply cord, FM indoor antenna, AM loop antenna set, and owner's manual.

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about Sherwood RX-4105 2-Channel 100-Watt Stereo Receiver

Sony STR-DH510 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After much research, this is one of the only economically priced surround-sound amps that decodes the surround-sound information in the amp itself before passing video on up to the TV. Many of the HDMI switching amps out there only switch the video, and do NOT decode surround (due to the DRM encryption on some HDMI signals) only 2ch PCM.
Look over Sony's site, they have alot of good info for this unit. For the price it would be really hard to beat.
Nice Stuff:
-Surround decode from the HDMI sources
-The remote also controls my Sony Blu-ray player
-The Main L-R speaker outs are selectable to use either full range speakers, or small surround speakers
-You can Name all the inputs whatever you want
-For a small home theater, sound quality is good
-auto shut off after 30mins of inactivity
Not so nice stuff
-Only three (3) HDMI inputs, i could have used more for later, but for now all I needed was my DishNetwork box, Xbox and blu-ray
-Only one of the three digital audio inputs (2 optical, 1 coax) is programmable to any input. This would have been nice to be able to assign any of them to the remaining analog video inputs
-Analog video inputs (Wii in my case) do not go out the HDMI output. While I didn't expect this, it would have been a nice touch. As it is I have to change my TV's input to play Wii. This is no biggie, but it would have been nice!
In summary, this is a great replacement amp if you already had an older surround unit, or if you want to pick and chose your speakers. Like I said, it's nice that it has a built in selectable crossover for the main L-R speakers.
My last Sony amplifier has lasted nearly 8 years. The only reason for me to replace it was to make switching video sources easier.
There, this is my 2¢ on the matter

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony STR-DH510 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Give your home entertainment a powerful boost with the STR-DH510 5.1-channel high-definition A/V receiver. Outfitted with 5 HD inputs (3 HDMI, 2 component), it's easy to integrate your HD home components such as a Blu-ray Disc player or PlayStation 3 system. You'll also experience audio closer to the way it was recorded with built-in Blu-ray Disc audio decoding (LPCM only). Additional features include Audio Return Channel which eliminates the need for extra cables connected to your TV, and standby pass-through which lets you access all of your HDMI connected devices without having to power on the receiver.

Click here for more information about Sony STR-DH510 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver

Marantz AV7005 Audio Video Pre-Processor (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Update May 6, 2011
I lost the two front speakers again and restored them using the technique on page 115 of the User Guide. The speakers are now working but I'm curious why that is happening; I'm going to contact Marantz technical support and see if they can shed any light on it. If anything interesting emerges I'll post another update. I suppose the most important information I can share at this time is to please use the memory saving instructions on page 115; they're simple and can save a lot of re-setup in the future if you experience a problem.
Update March 14, 2011
A few days ago I experienced a complete loss of my two front main speakers, both left and right. That was a first so I started checking wiring etc. to try and isolate the problem but everything looked good. I then checked the settings on the Marantz and could find nothing suspicious there either. I tried using the tone generation feature but it too skipped over the front left and front right speakers.
In researching the mystery I got to page 115 of the User Guide and read the section on "Resetting the microprocessor." I decided to try that procedure and it worked and restored all of the speakers to normal operation. I had spent several hours on the initial setup and found that work could be saved to memory by following the "Memory Saving" procedure on that page.
I would recommend that you save your settings to memory by following the instructions on page 115 when you have completed setting up your AV7005. If you should experience a similar loss of speakers the resetting procedure described on that page worked well for me and may work for you as well.
I continue to be very pleased with the musicality of the Marantz; I have discovered the "Neural" setting amoung the surround options and have started playing back my two-channel CD's using that setting and am getting fabulous results. It's almost like hearing my older CD collection for the first time.Original review
I have owned a Krell Home Theater Standard preamp processor for many years now; the experience has been both rewarding and disappointing. Rewarding in the sense that the Krell has very good audio qualities, but disappointing in the sense that it was not future proof as represented. This Marantz AV7005 is replacing a Krell HTS 7.1 which has absolutely no HDMI capability and cannot be updated to offer it. This happens to be my second Krell, neither of which could be updated to utilize later developments although both were initially represented as being future proof.
It has been a delight to set up a piece of equipment which has all of the latest bells and whistles and can accommodate the latest cables. Of all of the things important to me, the only things lacking is the ability to decode SACD and DVD-Audio; this, however, is being supplied by the OPPO BD-83SE player which I've attached to the system. With those two correctable exceptions, the Marantz has done everything asked of it and done it very well.
The set up on the Marantz took some time but was not too complicated. If one uses only new equipment with HDMI capability the set up with the Marantz is virtually automatic. If you're trying to integrate some older equipment it takes a little longer but the flexibility is there to integrate most legacy equipment successfully.
I tried using the Audyssey auto setup but found the results were not really to my liking; I wound up using my trusty Radio Shack sound pressure level meter and adjusted the speaker balance and crossover frequency between the subwoofer and the other speakers to the THX recommended standards.
As one of the other reviewers mentioned, the primary use for my system is the reproduction of music; I happen to be a serious pipe organ fan and had the pipe organ in mind when I originally set up my system. As I've mentioned elsewhere, a system designed to reproduce pipe organ has an easy time with the crashes and explosions found in most action films.
With regard to musicality, the Marantz has provided very satisfactory results to date; I cannot clearly detect any major differences between the Marantz and the Krell which cost many thousands of dollars more. A direct A/B comparison might reveal differences but that sort of comparison is not possible.
As of this point I am very pleased with the Marantz which accommodates 3D as well as a first rate 1080P video image and reproduces first rate audio. For the price I have found it to be an outstanding piece of equipment.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Marantz AV7005 Audio Video Pre-Processor (Black)

Click here for more information about Marantz AV7005 Audio Video Pre-Processor (Black)