ButtKicker BKA300 Wireless Home Theater Kit with ButtKicker Advance and Power Amplifier Review

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(More customer reviews)We set this up to supplement our home theater system, which is run by a Pioneer VSX84TSXi A/V receiver and also uses a Polk subwoofer. The Buttkicker kit comes with the transducer itself, plus the amplifier for the unit, a long heavy duty speaker cable, a single-line RCA cable for signal connection, an RCA splitter for co-existence with a subwoofer, foot extension pads for the host couch and a remote control for the amplifier. Also included were a remote transmission system in case the transducer amplifier and your receiver are too far apart for the cable, and a four-line combiner if your receiver does not have a subwoofer channel (neither of which I used).
The kit as a whole consists of components packed together that are normally sold individually, so it was mildly confusing at first to piece together which parts would be needed for my system. There is a simple set of instructions for the overall kit, but it does not cover all installation possibilities.
Also, our home theater is idiosyncratic in that our couch is a sectional; the Buttkicker is really best meant to be attached to on a regular couch. The Buttkicker kit comes with five couch foot extension pads, so I had to supplement the kit with an extra rubber foot I scrounged up. I mounted the transducer unit at the back junction of two sectional units. I placed the unit amplifier on top of my receiver, ran the provided speaker cable behind my couch and connected the RCA cable (via the splitter) to the subwoofer channel of the Pioneer unit.
The first thing I did was to listen to the receiver's test tones. The subwoofer channel was a low shaking of the couch from the white noise, and demonstrated that the unit was working properly. I was worried that the large sectional would decrease its effect, but a rumbling was clear and it complemented the sound from the Polk subwoofer well.
For test media, I used a download of Star Trek from the iTunes store (with a 5.1 track) and the Extended Edition of The Fellowship of the Ring on DVD (with a 6.1 DTS track). The DVD player was connected to the Pioneer unit with a mini-TOSlink cable. The warp drive of the Enterprise came through splendidly, as did the battle rumbles and great roars of the Tolkien movie. For surround media sources, it's a welcome addition to our system. For plain vanilla stereo media without surround sound, it just shuts off automatically after five minutes of no surround input.
I have two other quibbles about the set aside from the confusing installation process that keep me from rating it higher. The first is that the remote control's battery died after a day. The remote does not use a standard battery, so we have not replaced it yet. This is particularly a problem because the remote is essential to switch between the Buttkicker's various frequency response modes, such as "music", "movies" and "games." There is no way to select these choices on the base unit without the remote. Also, there is no visual feedback for the volume settings, merely touch switches for raising and lowering it. It would be nice to know if I have lowered or raised the volume completely before I begin playback.
Overall, this is a good, if mildly pricy, product. The complexity of the setup makes it somewhat less than perfect for the not-so-technically savvy. For home theater enthusiasts for whom the price tag and the difficult installation process are not so much of an issue, however, it would be a very good way to increase the excitement of a home theater system.
If you found this review helpful, please let me know.

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All new ButtKicker Kit with new 4 ohm ButtKicker Advance transducer, the new wider couch / chair mounting accessory kit, new BKA300-4 amplifier (115v) with integrated wireless option, optional vertical stand, and remote control with preset EQ settings, 6m of high quality speaker wire with banana plugs, 1m high quality RCA interconnect and high quality male to female RCA Y adaptor and a speaker level interface adapter for connecting to A/V systems without subwoofer pre-outs, and an illustrated Quick Start Guide.

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Sony STR-DG710 6.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been playing with my STR-DG710 for two days, and this is my early review. The sound quality is good (only 1% Total Harmonic Distortion or "THD") in stereo, but gets ridiculous (10% THD!) when listening in surround sound. I realize that this is an entry-level video receiver, and that most people aren't really fanatical about sound accuracy when they are watching their special effects laden 6.1 surround sound Hollywood blockbuster. Nevertheless, any THD over 1% is noticeable, so this specification should be noted.
The same people who care about THD also wouldn't be using a receiver as their video switcher, but Sony did a good job with this unit. If you use either or both of the HDMI, the receiver doesn't mess with the signal and sends it as is to the TV, which is great. The only limitation as far as this hands-off approach goes, is that if you want to take advantage of a 96 kHz surround source, your video resolution is limited to 720p or 1080i. In other words, if you go with the highest quality audio (96 kHz sampling frequency), you won't be able to also use the highest quality video (1080p). In case you really want the best of both worlds, hook up the HDMI straight from your source to the TV, and connect the audio from the source to the receiver.
Also about the unit's video switching capabilities, it switches fine, but it doesn't convert. Other receivers, even in the same price range, will take a composite input (yellow RCA connector), a component input (red, blue, green connectors), and an S-Video input, and will output all of them to a component output to your TV, for instance. This is good because it means that you never have to switch anything on the TV, just leave it on Video 1 (or whatever) and the receiver does the conversion. This Sony unit doesn't do that. It sends the component inputs to the component output, the composite inputs to the composite output, and the HDMI inputs to the HDMI output. This means that you will need to switch the TV to Video 1, Video 2, etc, depending on how different your source outputs are. This is no big deal, and you can just program a macro on your remote, but it's also worth mentioning.
Speaking of inputs and outputs, most stores (including Amazon) and reviewers are taking Sony's word for gospel on this, but they are all wrong. This receiver has no S-Video inputs or outputs. The only site I saw that got this right is Crutchfield. They probably looked at the back of the unit before publishing their specs. Even the SonyStyle site says how this receiver has "3 S-Video Inputs and 1 S-Video Output" - it does not. Check out the photo, here on Amazon or any other site that sells it, there are no S-Video jacks on the back. Considering how this receiver already has component, composite, and HDMI, I realize I shouldn't be complaining, but in my case, with a couple of older non-HD components (2nd Gen Tivo, for example), I could have really used S-Video ins and outs.
Lastly, and this is good, I promise, Sony did a good job allowing for customization of the unit. You can switch inputs around, rename inputs ("Tivo" instead of "Video 1") and radio stations, and tweak all kinds of levels for that perfectly balanced sound.
The STR-DG710 is a fine, flexible audio/video receiver for a good price. It sounds good and has a lot of special effects for you to play with if you dive into the manual. Now that you know its limitations you can make a better comparison with other low-end receivers. Hope this helps!

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Yamaha HTR-5990 XM-Ready 7.1-Channel A/V Surround Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)We purchased this unit to replace a similar one damaged by UPS in shipping. (Always buy the insurance!)
We're very happy with the sound quality. The XM ready feature was a huge help. The damaged unit didn't have that capability and it made listening to our xm much easier with the plug and play feature.
Hooking up any piece of electronic equipment is a pain, and my only comment is to ask if there's some way to make it simpler?? I'm a fair techno-geek, but it took me most of one day to get everything connected and working.

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Take the next step in home theater performance with the Yamaha HTR-5990 digital surround receiver, which boasts 7.1 channels (140 watts x 7) of amplification and a ton of high-end features. The receiver is built around Yamaha's digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) design concept, which maximizes digital signal quality and minimizes analog circuitry to ensure the best possible sound. ToP-ART receivers include such defining attributes as ultra-high-current amplification, high-performance 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters, an upgraded Pure Direct listening mode that provides terrific signal purity, and an impressively wide frequency range of 10 Hz to 100 kHz that helps digital audio sources like DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD reach their full potential.
Movie buffs will dig the HTR-5990's Tri-Field/Quad-Field Cinema Digital Sound Processing (DSP), Yamaha's means of simulating the acoustics of a stadium, concert hall, or intimate club in the comfort of your own home. The Tri-Field system projects three sound fields into the home theater--a "presence" field in the front and two "surround" fields in the left and right rear speakers, resulting in a powerfully realistic 3-D soundscape. To amp it up even further, listeners can select the Quad-Field function, which adds an additional rear surround field. Quad-Field is ideal for newer 6.1 and 7.1-channel formats.
The Cinema DSP's 19 surround programs include two-channel video modes such as Spectacle, Sci-Fi, Adventure, and General, each of which creates an optimum sound field for a specific movie genre; multichannel modes for Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS ES, DTS 96/24, DTS 96/24 ES, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx formats; and a host of other options for movies, music, and video games, including five THX Select 2 programs custom designed for small- to medium-sized home theaters. Also featured is Silent Cinema, Yamaha's exclusive technology that lets you enjoy multichannel music or movie sound through ordinary headphones without sacrificing surround-like sound.
As with the best home theater receivers, the HTR-5990 is capable of HDMI and component video up-conversion. This function takes S-video and composite signals and converts them into HDMI/component signals to ensure the highest-quality picture on your HD monitor from any source. No more switching inputs according to which source you're using--rather, they can all go through the same HDMI/component connection. The receiver also offers the ultra-convenient Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO), which employs an optimizer microphone at the listening position to pick up test tones from your speakers. The HTR-5990 then analyzes the test tones to let you know which speaker configuration is best. It's like having a professional audio engineer tweak your system.
What really makes the HTR-5990 special, however, is its number of high-end functions, such as the 480i to 480p de-interlacing, the superior multi-zone control for listeners with multi-room speaker systems, the assignable amplifiers for users who want to create bi-amped speaker connections, and the pair of HDMI inputs for high-quality digital audio and video data handling. Plus, the HTR-5990 not only includes a standard AM/FM tuner, but it's also XM satellite radio ready, making it fully compatible with any separately sold XM antenna.
Additional features include an accurate touch-volume control, an enhanced dialogue mode for movies, a selectable nine-band subwoofer crossover, a night listening mode that helps you clearly hear all the surround programs at low volumes, and a full-function learning remote control.
With a bevy of digital and analog inputs, the HTR-5990 can accommodate a ton of digital sources such as DVD players, CD players, video game consoles, digital satellite systems, and much more. The rear panel options include the aforementioned pair of HDMI inputs and one output, four optical digital audio inputs and two outputs, two coaxial digital inputs and one output, three component video inputs and one output, five S-video inputs and three outputs (two assignable), five composite video inputs and three outputs (two assignable), and four analog audio inputs and two outputs. Also present are a 5.1 multichannel input, a full 7.1 surround pre-out, and a set of front-panel A/V inputs for quick connections.
The HTR-5990 measures 17.1 by 6.7 by 16.7 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a two-year warranty.
What's in the Box HTR-5990 receiver, remote control, four AAA batteries, power cable, speaker terminal wrench, optimizer microphone, AM loop antenna, indoor FM antenna, user's manual.

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Onkyo A-9555 Integrated Digital Stereo Amplifier (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I ordered this amp on a whim as a companion for an Onkyo DX-7555 (single disc "audiophile" CD player) since they share a sophistocated remote system. I owned, and still own, a somewhat esoteric AudioLab 8000S which I consider to be sonically flawless and offering great flexibility even though it's almost 15 years old and really didn't expect the Onkyo to be much other than a typical import amp with a lot of bells and whistles but not outstanding performance.....big surprise. This amp is easily the sonic equal of my "British hand crafted" AudioLab, is robustly built and very, very musical. A great bargain at less than $500.
Particularly rewarding is a better than decent MM phono section allowing me to retire a separate head amp for those rare occasions when only vinyl will do. Additionally, while the unit includes bass/treble/and a subtle "loudness contour", the additional circuitry can be bypassed for a "direct" mode which essentially provides a straight wire of gain to your speakers...very clean and powerful. With the companion CD player it's a knockout combination and I recommend it highly.

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Onkyo Digital 85 Watt Stereo Receiver

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AudioSource AMP-100 2-Channel Bridgeable Stereo Power Amplifier Review

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(More customer reviews)I've owned one of these amps now for about six months. All the complaints I've read in the reviews have come from people who obviously can't be bothered to read, pay attention, or think things through. I'm specifically referring to Auto Input Switching/Power, lack of features, and output power.
First, this is NOT an integrated amp. Nor is it designed to be used primarily as a standalone system. It is intended to be used as a node on a distributed music system. The feature set for this unit has this use in mind.
It can function as a standalone unit but if you are going to use it as such you need to use it with a pre-amp or with an input source that provides adequate line in, input selection and the tone/equalization control you want.
Second, the auto input switching. The manual isn't clear on this and the feature can't be switched off, which is why I docked it a star. But some reading and thought will provide the solution. The auto input feature is only on input 1. If you run your primary input to input 2 you will have no problem with auto switching cutting off your music during quiet passages or after the track has started. If you need to use multiple sources without the auto switch cutting the input then you need to use external input switching (see pre-amp above) and make sure the switch/pre-amp is fed to input 2 on the amp.
Auto-power on issues: This feature can be turned on or off by way of a selector switch on the rear panel of the amp. Default is on. This is in the manual.
"It doesn't have a sub out": No, but it does have a line out/pass-through for input 2 which can be used for a sub out.
"It isn't loud enough": One of two things is happening here; 1. The line in isn't sufficient to properly drive the amp. 2. The speakers aren't efficient enough. If you are running speakers with less than 90db sensitivity you won't get decent performance from this or any other "low power" amp. I'm using Athena AS-B1.2's and I'm getting more than adequate volume and bass response. I recommend these (under $100 if you shop around) or the Athena AS-B2.2. Klipsch, Infinity, JBL, and Yamaha all make some nice bookshelf units with 90db sensitivity or better that would work nicely with this unit. Just because this is an inexpensive amp doesn't mean you can get away with cheap speakers.
"There isn't enough bass": 1. Make sure the source is providing enough bass input. If the source doesn't have a tone control for bass you may need to use a pre-amp. 2. Use better speakers. When I first got my amp the speakers I had ordered for it were delayed, so I used some old early 80's bookshelf speakers to test the amp out.
Those speakers had no bass at all, or treble, or much midrange. Basically it sounded like an AM pocket radio. When the Athenas came in and were properly broken in the sound improved greatly. It also helps to have the speakers placed properly. If your speakers are rear vented they don't need to be in an enclosed space or pushed up against a wall (I see this all the time, even on store displays).
My experiences with this Amp: I ordered this amp with a pair of Athena AS-B1.2 bookshelf speakers for use in my home office. Inputs are from my PC (by USB DAC) and an iPod dock. Both inputs run through an audio switch to input 2 on the amp. The files played through it are a mix of OGG, FLAC, AAC, ALAC, WAV, and MP3. Mostly FLAC.
I was impressed by the fit and finish of the unit out of the box. I've seen many allegedly high end products that don't have this level of finish (Cameras, turntables, TV, PC Cases, Cars, etc.). The weight is substantial. As near as I can tell by looking through the vent slots the transformer takes up at least half the case. The power lines in my house aren't very clean and I have hum issues with most A/V equipment I own, but I have yet to hear any hum (in normal conditions) from this amp when turned all the way up, even when it's been plugged into outlets that give other equipment fits. The only way to get hum is to touch an input with a finger. In normal use the background is dead silent. Good power supply.
The design is minimalist and clean. The only panel controls are power, speakers, volume and balance. It is low profile and unobtrusive and gives off very little heat, even when left on (with the volume turned down). Mine doubles as a monitor stand, LCDs only.
There are two inputs but they are auto switched. The first input is the auto switch input, as stated above. This means that if an input is detected it will switch to input 1 over input 2. It is fairly sensitive and will switch back and forth during pauses or quieter passages in the music. If you listen to a lot of Jazz, classical, or chamber music with pauses and quiet bits you will definitely want to use input 2 to prevent it from dropping out during those passages.
There is an autopower feature as well. If left on it will cause the same problems with the amp cutting out during quiet passages as the autoinput switching. However it can be disabled by a selector switch on the back of the unit. This is clearly explained in the manual. The intent is to allow the unit to be powered on remotely when used with a distributed music system. If you want a standalone system disable this feature and turn it on and off manually.
The sound is deep and rich with excellent separation, depth, and imaging. There's plenty of bass for most of what I listen too (Jazz, folk, and classic rock), and outstanding midrange. Treble does seem to roll off a bit, but that may be the speakers. Volume is more than enough to shake the walls and floor of my office and the music can be heard clearly throughout the second floor of the house. Personally I think it's more than loud enough to use as a primary system if you have a smallish living room (but with larger speakers). I haven't heard any distortion at loud volumes, but excessive line in might change that. More importantly to me the sound doesn't get muddy at low volume levels. It remains clear and detailed. I have no problem listening to most of my collection for hours on end with this amp while I work, or kicking back on the office sofa with some whiskey.
Most of my music files on the PC are lossless, but I do have a few dogs among the MP3 and WAV files. It's no great feat for an amp to sound good with a lossless file so I ran a few of the nastier files through it to see how it did. For the most part it took the edginess off most of the rougher files and made them almost pleasant to listen to. There are a few bad tracks that are best left to regular PC speakers, and a few FLAC files ripped from CD where bad mastering shows up more clearly now. Win some, loose some.
Nitpicks: My amp pops when turned on and off, which has the potential to damage speakers. It's not loud, but I turn the volume down before I hit the switch. I would prefer a manual input switch. Price has changed by as much as $30 on Amazon over a relatively short time.
Before buying this I listened to a friend's office setup with a Super T-Amp and a pair of Infinity Bookshelf speakers. To my ears the Amp100 sounds just as nice at lower volumes plus it can pack more of a punch when called for. It's not as compact as the Super-T or as stylish, but it fills my needs.

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50 Watt Power Amplifier for multiple Custom Home Audio Distribution and Home Theater Applications. Ideal for use as aremote amplifer, A single zone amplifier, or rear channel amplifier for Dolby 6.1 / 7.1 systems.

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Pyle Home PCA1 Mini 2 x 15-Watt Stereo Power Amplifier Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this amplifier to replace the stereo/amplifier combo unit in an old mini system, which was starting to give up on me. For the size and price, I wasn't expecting very much, but I figured I do most of my listening at fairly low levels and a mere 15 watts wouldn't be a big handicap. I figured it was worth a try for the price.
Wow, were my doubts misplaced. When you pick this tiny amplifier up, any questions about its quality immediately disappear. Despite its unimpressive size, it weighs a hefty two or three pounds. Made of solid metal, it's got fairly high-quality connectors on the back (no fancy 5-way binding posts, though) and everything has a very smooth, solid, substantial feel.
The low power rating isn't an issue either, especially if you're comparing to typical department-store stereo equipment, because the ratings on those systems are usually complete fabrications. In fact, if you've got a typical set of 8-ohm bookshelf speakers, this amp should be able to run them dangerously loud before you start to notice any distortion. The frequency response also seems good; it's definitely better than the response for the speakers I have it hooked up to right now, so I can't really comment on the limits.
I'm not sure how well this would work for larger speakers or those with more than two or three drivers, and I'm not sure how well it handles 4-ohm speakers. However, even for moderately large 8-ohm bookshelf units, I can't see a single flaw.

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Pyle-Home PT600A - 300W Stereo Receiver/Amplifier Review

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(More customer reviews)To judge the value and usefulness of my opinion, one must understand where I'm coming from. I needed an amplifier which was both affordable (I'm cheap that way!) and which would accommodate multiple devices. Specifically, I needed to connect and be able to select among a TEAC reel-to-reel tape deck, a Panasonic cassette tape deck, a Thorens turntable (yes, I still play vinyl), and a CD player. These beautiful antiques (well, all but the CD player) have been with me since the 1970s and I was in no way ready to give them up, but my National Panasonic quadraphonic receiver finally gave up its electronic ghost. It had been playing only stereo for years anyway, and no new media come in four-channel quadraphonic format, so a stereo amplifier was all I needed. Nor did I still use the radio tuner in my old receiver, so the absence of that was not a problem.
What did I give up (besides the third and fourth sound channels that no one uses any longer anyway)? The old receiver had a beautiful hardwood case; the new Pyle Pro amplifier has a fairly thin metal case. The old unit had beautifully chromed metal push buttons and knobs; the new one has black plastic ones. The old unit allowed me to adjust the volume on each output channel individually; the Pyle Pro does not. The old one had sliding controls to help achieve the best possible sound balance in a given room and with a given speaker configuration; the Pyle Pro does not. The old one had a "Loudness" button to enhance sound quality when played at very low levels; the Pyle Pro does not. The old one had a knob that could swap channels from one speaker to another (left to right, back to front, etc.); the Pyle Pro does not.
For use in a typical living room with a typical listener, however, few of the bells and whistles on the old National Panasonic receiver were ever used. The level of finesse that they were designed to achieve exceeds that of the non-audiophile, and I don't really miss them. The only adjustment that I wish the Pyle Pro had would be individual volume controls for each of the two stereo channels/speakers rather than just one master volume control. Otherwise, it has everything that an average home user of music could desire.
Oh, it does one rather strange thing: when changing the volume, the "on" lights dance around. Each of the five inputs has a button on the front for selecting which input the user wants (turntable, tape deck, CD player, etc.) A light appears above the selected button (and that, by the way, is the only indication that the unit is turned on; there is no master "on" light.) When the volume knob is turned, the lights above other, non-selected buttons turn on briefly. When the volume knob is no longer being turned, the light returns to burn steadily above the selected input button. This isn't really a problem, more of a curiosity.
My television set has perfectly adequate speakers of its own, and I have no need whatsoever to pipe it through the amplifier and the Bose speakers attached to it. No "home theater" here. Nor have I attached the Pyle Pro to my computer in any way. What I am attempting to show here is that I have a pretty simple, straightforward audio setup. If I want to play a record, I want to hear the sound come out of my speakers with good stereo separation, with no distortion, and with adequate volume. I want the same thing when I play a tape or a CD. Simple. The Pyle Pro PT-600A allows me to do all those things perfectly. The sound is, so far as my ears can discern, perfect. The volume is fully adjustable and has amplification to spare. The base and treble can be adjusted independently. I ask for nothing more, and the Pyle Pro delivers everything I ask for. The headphone receptacle works perfectly, too, and the speakers automatically fall silent when a headphone jack is plugged into it.
Other reviewers have commented on the tiny font and dark colors of the remote control unit. My only question is why anyone would want a remote control for an amplifier. I'm not accustomed to having one, and there are too many remote controls lying on the end table now, so any perceived shortfalls in the remote control are, to me, irrelevant. I suppose the bottom line is that if one is a rabid audiophile who loves stacking multiple components in metal trays and manipulating every conceivable adjustment to an amplifier, then the Pyle Pro PT-600A is probably not going to prove very satisfying. However, if one simply wants to listen to stereo recordings from up to five different devices all connected to a single amplifier, and if one is satisfied with simple push-button controls, and if one can accept the absence of individual right-and-left speaker volume adjustments, then I believe that the Pyle Pro PT-600A will provide a fully satisfactory listening experience. I miss the external appearance of my old National Panasonic quadraphonic receiver, but I love the performance of my new Pyle Pro, and if I must trade appearance for performance, I'll choose performance any day.


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CE LABS AV 400 Prograde Composite A/V Distribution Amplifiers (1 input ¿ 4 output) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a "unity gain" distribution amplifier, and is what you need if you want to send the same audio and composite video signals to more than one piece of equipment.
I tested the unit for faithful replication of the input video by using as a source a satellite receiver that has two outputs, and using a video switch to compare the video through the distibution amplifier vs. bypassing it, and saw no significant difference.
I also tried it with an RF modulator that had problems when used with another brand of distribution amplifier, and I saw no problems when using it with the CE Labs unit. Therefore, I would say that the CE Labs unit "plays well with others."
I haven't specifically tested audio quality with and without this unit, but I have noticed no problems.


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TEAC AG-790A Stereo Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I had a 7.1 channel Home Theater Receiver (HTR), but I got rid of it in favor of this stereo receiver. For me, the HTR was excessively complicated with too many menus to work through just to play music from my collection of LP's, cassette's, or CD's. The Teac AG-790A is simple to use for playing music. This receiver can control four speakers. The description of this product does not mention that if you want to control two sets of speakers (4 in total), they should be identical. There is no way to adjust for differences between two sets of speakers with different sound qualities or power ratings. TEAC's manual makes the same recommendation for identical speakers if you are going to use four speakers. The controls are very easy to use, although as one reviewer mentioned, I too would have preferred more dials instead of buttons. I know, "old school". Still, the buttons are very easy to use. I have a phonograph, cassette recorder/player, and CD recorder/player all attached to this receiver with a couple of Bose speakers. The radio tuner is great too. The sound of music this receiver produces is fabulous. However, for those times when I want to emphasize the bass sounds, I might add a powered sub-woofer as my "second set of speakers". There are bass and treble controls on this receiver, which work great. I am really talking about the sound quality of my speakers and not the receiver. I am talking about really pumping up the bass beyond what my speakers can provide. A sub-woofer with its own internal power system connected as the second set of speakers will allow me to adjust for the differences between the different speakers independent of this receiver. With the bass, treble adjustments available on this receiver, there really is no need for a powered sub-woofer, unless you are a bass freak as I am sometimes. That is just a personal choice. This receiver provides a lot of adjustment with its bass, treble and loudness controls. The bottom line is I highly recommend this receiver for music lovers.

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Sherwood RX4503 100 Watt RMS Dolby Virtual Surround Sound Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)These days, it's getting harder to find stereo only receivers. I needed one for my garage and parties.
I really did not want to buy a home theatre system with all the extra video ports that would never be used.
This receiver rocks! Lots of power, an MP3 jack in front, optional bluetooth adapter (which I'll never use).
The AM/FM reception is very good, I'm almost 30 miles from most transmitters.
The dial cranks up to 70 for power. It is crisp and clear up to about 64. Then a little bit of distortion
enters into the picture. That's pretty respectable. Even cranked up for hours it seems to run cool enough.
Great bang for the buck and highly recommended. Take advantage of the subwoofer out and add one to your system.
I paired it with two Sony SSF-5000 speakers, and the Sony SA-W3000 subwoofer. Turns out to be a good balanced system.
I can even listen to it a quarter mile away in my sweet corn field!

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

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(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.

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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.

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Onkyo TX-8255 Stereo Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I've wondered at times about some of the glowing reviews I've read online over the years for various products: Are these real folks or PR plants from manufacturers? (Hey, it happens all the time in the hotel biz.)
So... if you share my suspicions, no, despite what follows, I don't work for Onkyo in any way shape or form--but I have been involved with audio in various capacities for many years. And... the last time I got this excited about a piece of electronics Ronald Reagan was president...
In short, if you're considering replacing an older receiver (or any receiver you're not currently totally in love with) and you aren't looking for surround sound or lots of bells and whistles, this is your amp. It has a rich, lush (very tube like) sound, and it doesn't sweat driving 4 ohm speakers very loudly (trust me, I know.)
But let's stay respectful: If you're looking to fart out bass at 130db, please don't waste your time with this receiver. Consider 10 o'clock the maximum volume setting for most digital sources. There are cheaper models on the market you can abuse. Please do.
Power. Clarity. Smoothness and functionality. Especially for well under $200 I doubt this receiver will ever meet its match.
post script: Since I wrote this review some time ago, I've noted a few criticisms regarding the sound of this receiver. Ok, here's the deal: It ain't a Krell or a Mark Levinson, but for a fraction of the cost you're getting, to me, the best sound available for a few hundred bucks--and quite often for multiples of that figure. Add in a cheap but fair sounding EQ and you suddenly have yourself fidelity that can very much approach audiophile standards. Under $1000 per unit, the number one problem I've found in so-called "mid-fi" gear is trouble in the 1K range. So if you can cheaply attenuate that, again, you've got yourself some very respectable sound at a bargain. But "off the rack," I've never found anything that approaches the sound of this unit at anywhere near the price. It was especially rewarding to read from so many folks (older ones in particular) how they and others were able rediscover the simple pleasure of listening to music again thanks to this cheap Onkyo receiver--and isn't that what good audio is all about?

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If you want your receiver to focus purely on two-channel audio, the TX-8255 could be just the answer. It`s perfect for your living room, or anywhere else you like to sit back and soak up your music.The TX-8255`s rock-solid construction incorporates a heavy-duty extruded aluminum heat sink to ensure cooler operation.The whole unit is housed in a rigid, reinforced chassis-finished off with a hairline-brushed aluminum front panel-to help eliminate vibrations. Add compatibility with RI dock for the iPod(R), and you have a superb stereo solution that brings out the power and dynamism of your audio sources.

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