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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Sherwood RD6513 100 Watt 5.1 Dolby Digital Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was a little leery of purchasing a Sherwood product, since I'd never owned one, and You don't see their product on a lot of store shelves.
This unit is top notch. If I had actually seen this in a store, I wouldn't have flinched at a price double what I paid for it.
It's got features I'll probably never use, but to sum it up, You can probably route every bit of your Entertainment center through it, and at least to some degree control all of it (on off, volume, station selection, Play, ff, rewind, etc. . .) It has automatic and manual Surround speaker balancing, and the mic for balancing is included.
I would buy it again, and if You're warranty minded, Beach offers their own warranty, which you can purchase within 30 days of original purchase for under $25.

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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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Pioneer VSX-1016TXV-K 7.1 Channel Audio/Video Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)Awesome receiver, lots of inputs. Simple and good autoconfiguration. It is able to convert all inputs to component. Don't use the HDMI but its there. I wish it had more than 3 S/PDIF ports but I'm an overly optical kinda person. Cheap receiver with all the features of higher priced ones. Lots of controls on front for the times when you've misplaced your remote (some people find this unattractive but personally like the buttons not covered up). No audio sync feature but it's not really a problem unless your projector or HDTV is slow. You can map component, coxial, and optical ports to any of the sources despite all of them having labels.

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Home entertainment gets a powerful boost with this Pioneer 7.1 channel A/V receiver. High-quality audio and video comes with ultra-convenient connectivity. The receiver's six digital inputs includes two HDMI inputs (and one HDMI output) with 1080p compatibility for the very best in high-definition video. The all-digital HDMI interface eliminates the hassle and mess of wires, with one-cable connections and super-fast transfers of uncompressed - and uncompromised - high-res video content from source to screen. With three HD capable component video inputs, you can connect a progressive scan DVD-player/recorder, an HD gaming console, and an HD cable or satellite set-top box to your receiver and access them with the touch of a button. Add in the ability to receive content in XM-HD Surround powered by Neural Audio*, connect to an iPod player via an optional IDK-01 dock (sold separately), and decode WMA-9 Pro files, and you can also enjoy multi-channel digital satellite radio, iPod player content and PC audio files played through your home theater system. In glorious surround sound. Pioneer's patent pending Sound Retriever technology even enhances compressed audio formats to give them more dynamic range and acoustic impact. Don't just experience your home entertainment. Immerse yourself in it, with 110 watts across up to seven speakers, THX Select2TM-certified surround sound, and eight advanced concert and cinema surround modes including Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, and DTS 96/24. All optimized by Pioneer's Digital Core Engine powered by dual 48-bit Freescale DSP processing LSIs. Go ahead, and turn it up. Pioneer's ultra-efficient Advanced Direct Energy Amplifier design results in extremely low energy loss, so you can play it loud and still enjoy superior sound quality.

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Denon AVR-2808CI 7.1-Channel Multizone Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I've owned a few receivers in the past (mostly Sony ES models), but none of them compare to this one. Denon specializes in audio, and it shows! Don't get me wrong, I love and own alot of Sony's products (two TVs, PS3, Vaio computer, DVD player, etc.), but after picking up this Denon and pairing it with a Polk speaker/sub setup, I've never been happier, and the upgrade from the Sony ES it replaced is substantial in many ways.
Denon AVR-2808ci Pros:
-Sound quality is absolutely incredible! Even compressed music from iPod is great ("Restorer" feature really helps!). Highs, mids and lows are all accurately reproduced, and there are tons of custom EQ options!
-Audyssey Auto-Calibration is accurate and thorough.
-Includes decoding of all current and future sound-fields (DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD, as well as Uncompressed PCM and everything else you can imagine, all via HDMI version 1.3a)!
-Display is large and includes alot of necessary info-this thing tells you what it's doing.
-Solid build quality and nice looking!
-Connectivity options (HDMI, toslink, digital coax, component video, s-video, etc.)
-Video upconversion via HDMI using built-in Faroudja DCDi processor, or just passthrough and use as a convenient HDMI switcher (assignable inputs).
-Excellent sound processors, both for movies and music, complement a solid, beefy amplifier.
-Customizable as all heck: 4-stage dimmer, "Quick Select" feature for three sources, learning lcd remote, volume level options, mute level options, default settings per-source, massive amount of EQ/channel level/crossover settings, and more!
-Main remote works great, learns and controls just about all of your gear.
This receiver is truly great for anybody who is serious about their Home Audio/Home Theater. The only drawbacks are that it is very complex, which is fine except that Denon doesn't make it any simpler to understand in the manual. It definitely takes some time to set this thing up and learn its interface. The Sony's I've owned in the past were far more user-friendly from the initial set-up/calibration onward. However, they never delivered results that were even close to this unit, and once you learn it, it does make sense and is relatively user-friendly after setup.
Cons:
-Complex manual and interface takes time to learn.
-On Screen Menu lags a little and blacks out picture rather than a nice overlay. Also, it's not the better looking, more user friendly GUI that more expensive models have (as well as all Sony's).
-Smaller secondary remote only works for other Zones (not a big deal really, but still...)
-Main remote takes forever to program/set up for universal usage. complicated.
-Only two HDMI inputs (could've used at least one more at this price range).
-No HD radio or Sirius support (does have XM).
Overall, minor gripes aside (nothing's ever perfect), I'm incredibly pleased and excited to own this unit and have it as the central hub to my Home Theater. I have Blu-ray now (PS3) and the advantages and options both now and in the future are vast. I'm confident that the Denon AVR-2808ci will allow me to take full advantage of that and other things for years to come. Mostly, though, it just cranks out amazingly good audio from any source, and that is ultimately what receivers are for. Highly recommended!

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Power Acoustik PTID-8310NRB Single-DIN 8.3-Inch Flip-Up Nav-Ready TFT-LCD Touchscreen A/V Source Unit with Bluetooth Review

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(More customer reviews)So i bought this deck awhile back, like last year, anyway its a great deck, you can hook RCA's up or wires for your speakers right out the back of the deck. anyway, its a really great deck, everything worked, and everything is very impressive, screen is huge, and fits perfectly in my car. Now ive read some other reviews and people are complaining that the DVD player and SD card reader dont work. TO THOSE PEOPLE< READ THIS !!!!!!!!!!!!. If you want that to work you have to go into the harness of the radio and install and ground the BLACK WIRE, to the ground, this wire is suppose to be installed to the handbreak so when it is pulled you can watch movies (its a safety option) you can by pass it by grounding it out. i really hate that this deck is very impressive but is getting horrible reveiws becuase of the dvd option, i will assure that the deck will work and be a perfect addition to your car. Message me with any questions, i could install these things for a living haha.

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Power Acoustik's going huge with this receiver--the single-DIN unit boasts an 8.3-inch flip-up screen. Yes, you read that right: The company developed a new ultra-slim transport (only half an inch) and rotational mechanism to give you the big picture. It comes with two cages that will allow for hooded dash installs or a flusher install where no hooded dash exists. Enjoy a superb picture with 800 x 480 resolution, playback of your favorite media, AM/FM radio, Bluetooth technology, and then some. You can also add the optional NaviBox-1 for full NAVTEQ navigation.

Huge 8.3-Inch Screen The PTID-8310NRB boasts an 8.3-inch in-dash screen, for uncompromising entertainment. The motorized, LED-backlit LCD telescopes forward and backward with preset angles. It offers 800 x 480 pixel resolution with a 400 NIT brightness rating, for a picture to rival anything else out there. It's also a touchscreen, for quick and easy navigation of system features.
When not in use, the screen tucks safely away into the receiver, thanks to Power Acoustik's unique rotating mechanism. A standard DOT display picks up the slack when you're not using it.
Integrated Bluetooth Make hands-free calls or stream music with integrated Bluetooth technology. The PTID-8310NRB works with most Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, and it includes a built-in microphone.
A2DP profile support means you can stream audio from compatible devices directly to your stereo, with no cable needed.
Enjoy Your Media Play back your favorite discs with support for DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, and VCD formats. You can also enjoy DivX and MP4 video, along with MP3/WMA audio (from disc, SD card, or USB devices).
Dial in the sound with custom or preset EQ settings, along with audio staging controls.
Prefer the radio? The PTID-8310NRB features an AM/FM radio with 18 FM and 12 AM presets, for instant recall of your favorite stations.
50W x 4 MOSFET Amplifier The built-in 50W x 4 amp provides plenty of output to start with; but for those who want a little more system, three sets of 4V preamp outputs (front, rear, sub) are included. Add some external amps for some chassis-shaking power.
Front-Panel Inputs You get plenty of input options with this receiver. Put your favorite media on SD cards or a USB thumb drive, and plug right into the slot/port on the front of the device.
There's also a standard 3.5-mm auxiliary input, so no matter what your device, chances are you can connect it.
Navigation-Ready Just add the optional NaviBox-1 (sold separately), and you'll have a full-featured NAVTEQ navigation system at your fingertips. Get realistic intersection views, turn-by-turn instructions, 2D and 3D map viewing, and plenty more.
Remote Included Control unit functions with the provided full-featured remote.
What's in the Box PTID-8310NRB receiver, Bluetooth microphone, remote control, wiring harness, and installation hardware.

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Pioneer VSX-519V-K 5-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Pioneer VSX-519V is an entry level 5.1 receiver made by Pioneer. Yet, don't let the fact that it is the cheapest 5.1 receiver they carry turn you away. This product has plenty bang for its buck. The receiver has an excellent build and a sleek look to it, but that is not all. The receiver has a plethura of connections ranging from hdmi, optical, digital coaxial, component, analog video, and of course and antenna hookup. The only hookup missing is s-video. The receiver handles video signals well. I cannot discern any degredation of video quality when compared to a direct video hookup to the television. Now moving onto the real reason someone would buy this, surround sound. This receiever can power my Bose Acoustimass Series I speaker system very well. It gets very loud and there are no signs of the speakers being underpowered. For volume control there is a knob on the right front side you can turn. The sound level ranges from 1 to 80. Which does strike me as a bit odd why only to eighty, why not a hundred instead? You can also adjust the volume with the included remote. The remote is very substantial and lets you control any and every setting the receiver has. The remote takes 2 AAA batteries to work; a pair is of course included. Functions, there are many effects and settings you can change on the receiver but most are uneeded and will most likely be overlooked. An example of these includes the settings for different types of music such as rock and classical. You are better off just leaving these options alone. However is you are interested the manual is very thorough and describes this receivers features in much greater detail. All you need to know is this receiver supports Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, and Dolby Prologic II for your stereo encoded sources. When you play a DVD that supports say DTS the receiver will automatically detect this and switch to that setting. So for movies, television shows, videogames, and music this projector has it covered. However there are a few downsides. The receiver does not support HDMI passthrough for audio sources. This means you can't hook all your audio souces up and then run them through one HDMI and have it transfer all your audio signals through that one hdmi cable. Only more expensive receivers support this feature. It also has no upscaling feature, which is no surprise for a sub [...]receiver. And finally the reason I give it 4/5 stars instead of 5/5. The receiver is advertised as having 5x110 watts for a total of 550 watts and 110 watts per channel at an excellent .05% distortion level. This is not entirely true. While it may be true in some respects it is a bit deceiving. In the manual it states "continuous average power output of 80 watts* per channel, min., at 8 ohms, from 20Hz to 20 000hz with no more than 0.2%** total harmonic distortion. So it makes you wonder if you one can really trust wattage and distortion levels. It may be able to push a 110 watts a channel, but at continuous average power at 20hz-20,000hz with .05% distortion, it seems not. Anyway if you are looking for an entry-level home theatre receiver for your 5.1 system and are on a budget look no further.

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Designed specifically as a high definition A/V control center, the VSX-519V-K features HDMI connectivity for sources such as Blu-ray disc players and HD gaming. And with an output of 550 watts (110 watts per channel at 0.05% THD), the VSX-519V-K provides more than enough power for a high impact experience.With portable audio devices now becoming a primary source of music, convenient connections like a front mini input allow you to expand the capabilities of your iPod or other portable music player. And with innovations like Advanced Sound Retriever improving the quality of compressed audio files and auto level control providing consistent sound output from all two-channel sources - the VSX-519V-K will ensure your compressed music files are played at maximum fidelity.

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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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Yamaha HTR-5930SL 5.1-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver, Silver Review

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(More customer reviews)I just installed my new receiver last night - in a breeze.
This replaces my high-end Yamaha RX-V890; I needed 2 optical audio inputs. I tested all the functions and I am totally impressed and satisfied with my purchase. What is most important, is to have good speakers. Great quality is no longer a luxury. A better surprise, this is a 2006 model. WOW!

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Take the next step in home theater performance with the Yamaha HTR-5930 digital surround receiver, which boasts 5.1 channels (110 watts x 5) of amplification and a host of high-end features. The receiver is built around Yamaha's proprietary surround sound technology and a powerful 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converter that maximizes the signal quality, ensuring that everything from two-channel audio sources to 5.1-channel DVDs sound rich, immersive, and dynamic. Plus, the receiver's wide 10 Hz to 100 kHz frequency range helps digital audio sources like DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD reach their full potential.
Movie and music buffs will dig the HTR-5930's Digital Sound Processing (DSP), Yamaha's means of simulating the acoustics of a concert hall, movie theater, or rock concert hall in the comfort of your own home. The Cinema DSP's four programs includes Movie Dramatic, Movie Spacious, Game, and TV Sports, each of which creates an optimum sound field for a specific type of programming. The Music DSP modes, meanwhile, range from 2-Channel Stereo to Concert Hall to Roxy Theatre, the latter of which reproduces the dynamic music environment of one of L.A.'s legendary rock clubs. And, of course, the HTR-5930 handles standard processing for Dolby Digital, DTS, and Pro Logic II sources.
What really makes the HTR-5930 tick, however, are the extras, such as Silent Cinema, a Yamaha-exclusive technology that lets you enjoy multichannel music or movie sound through ordinary headphones, and a night listening mode that lowers the volume during loud passages so the kids don't jolt awake after hearing explosions and other special effects from the next room. Plus, the HTR-5930 not only comes with a standard AM/FM tuner, but is also XM satellite radio ready. All you need is a separately sold XM antenna and a subscription to XM satellite radio and you're set.
Additional features include a virtual surround sound mode, A or B speaker selection, a sleep timer, and a Set menu that lets you optimize the receiver to suit your individual home theater system.
With a bevy of digital and analog inputs, the HTR-5930 can accommodate several digital sources such as DVD players, CD players, video game consoles, digital satellite systems, and much more. The rear panel options include two optical digital inputs and one coaxial digital input; three HDTV-compatible component video inputs and one output; four composite video inputs and two outputs; and two analog audio inputs and one output. Also present is a 5.1 multichannel input.
The HTR-5930 measures 17.12 by 5.94 by 12.44 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a two-year warranty.
What's in the Box HTR-5930 receiver, remote control, two AA batteries, AM loop antenna, indoor FM antenna, user's manual.

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Yamaha RX-497 75 watt per channel Natural Sound AM/FM Stereo Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)This Yamaha XR-497 replaces a 15-year old Denon stereo receiver that was too expensive to repair. I have 2-sets of speakers, 3 components to hook-up, including a turntable. Most receivers sold now are surround sound / home theater rather than a straightforward am/fm stereo receiver. Most also do not have a built-in pre-amp for a turntable. The Yamaha XR-497 is perfect and it's easy to set up. I'm not a techie and the reviews previously posted were very helpful. Be careful though to only buy from an authorized Yamaha dealer since the Yamaha warranty specifically excludes coverage from product purchased from any other source. I'm very pleased with my purchase.

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Yamaha RX-V363BL 500 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased this Yamaha (RXV363) unit because a lightning storm burned out the Sony, which I was happy with. This unit resides in my bedroom - which consists of an HDTV, FIOS, DVD and Sony 5.1 satellite speaker system - and is not my main HT system, which reside in the basement and consist of the higher end components. I looked at the Yamaha RXC463, Onkyo TX-SR506, 606, Sony STR-DG720 but did not want to spend the extra cash for the satellite ready capability. Nor was I interested in the video switching capabilities since I connect all video source directly to the TV and all audio sources to the receiver. For switching, I use my Harmony 880 - one button operation.
Connectivity:
For my situation, the Yamaha has all the connections I need (DVD and FIOS). Setup is simple and straight forward. Remember, you get HD quality from both HDMI and Component connections.
As far as connecting video components thru the receiver, I can't give an opinion on that because I do not go thru the receiver for video connections, up conversion and all that stuff. I always connect my video source directly to the TV- always. I just believe that you lose picture quality going thru a receiver. Remember, the most direct path between 2 points is a straight line. I only use the receiver for the audio connections because to me that's its main purpose - audio and TV is video. Besides connecting thru the receiver, in my opinion, is mainly for convenience and possibly (emphasis) saving a few bucks on cables.
As stated by other reviewers, the HDMI ports (video pass-thru) do not output sound (manual specifically states this fact as well as other sources on the internet) so you must connect separate audio cables. Having HDMI output audio is good if you are using the speakers in the TV (but why would you do that if you want a HT quality sound) but if you have surround speakers then you should use either the digital or optical audio connections.
Now with that said, I know that there are some that have many components to connect in their system or want the convenience of having the least amount of cables connected to the TV, receiver etc. For those you either have to dig a little deeper in the pockets or get a separate switching device for all of the components. This unit, at $200, is an entry level HT receiver so don't expect it to do what the high end units can.
Remote Control
The remote control is a little tricky. What I found is that it's a little confusing on how to switch between sound stages at first but like anything new you get used to it.
As an alternative to those who want simplicity in switching between video sources do yourself a favor and get the Harmony 880 remote control - one remote, one button control bliss baby. Amazon seems to have the best prices on the remotes. Check it out.
Overall:
Overall this is a good unit. This is a nice entry level unit and it does well for the limited setup I have in the bedroom. This unit actually makes the Sony satellite speaker sound much better than the Sony receiver did. This unit has better sound fields than my older Sony unit - I like the Straight and Enhance and 5 channel speaker modes. My Sony did not have these.
TIP: Before purchasing any HT equipment you must do your research. You can go to the manufacturer's website and download the manual and determine if it contains all the connections etc you need for your system. What I've found in some of the previous reviews is that the unit was purchased without truly knowing its capabilities and then that person bashes it - which is unfair. The only problem is the individual did not do his/her research and/or know the true capabilities of the unit. The World Wide Web has all sorts of reviews on this unit - both professional and end user - so it baffles me that these people did not know the limits of the unit. Uhhh oh yeah they didn't do their research. So when you read these reviews, read between the lines of the comments, which many times will reveal that the person did not do the necessary homework prior to the purchase and/or did or do not understand the functions of a specific AV receiver. So please make sure the equipment has all you need before putting out negative reviews.
Also, remember if you have surround speakers you do not need to send the audio thru the HDMI just use the digital coax or optical audio connections. And don't believe much of the hype about the cables (i.e. the better ones are the most expensive ones). Just don't use the cables that come in the box and don't spend tons of money on cables either.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Yamaha RX-V363BL 500 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver

High-value receiver with an impressive array of features and technologies to enhance the audio/video experience, including HDMI switching with 1080p video pass-through, iPod and Bluetooth audio compatibility, CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, and four SCENE buttons.

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

Average Reviews:

(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

Average Reviews:

(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

Average Reviews:

(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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Yamaha HTR-6130BL 500 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First I confess. I am technically challenged--I have trouble working a cell phone. But the manual was VERY detailed, if somewhat overwhelming, and the connections were easy because of labels and diagrams. As mentioned, the HDMI connection only passes the audio through to the TV--will not route it to the surround sound speakers.
So I knew I needed a second audio connection for my dvd and cable inputs, but I still had trouble getting any sound from the speakers from my DVD player and had to call tech support. They explained that this unit was designed before HDMI and that the connections were added later as a pass-through for convenience. I wondered why they would have designed it that way to start with--turns out they didn't! But all is well that ends well.
Tech support was EXCELLENT. Although I had connected everything properly (digital coax audio cable for DVD), they walked me through the set up menu choices to get the sound working properly. They even helped me with the settings on my Sony blue ray player! Saving the setup via scene buttons will allow me to to recover the settings without remembering the details.
The first movie I watched, I thought I was in a theater!


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High-value receiver with an impressive array of features and technologies to enhance the audio/video experience, including HDMI switching with 1080p video pass-through, iPod and Bluetooth audio compatibility, CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, and four SCENE buttons.

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

Average Reviews:

(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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Harman Kardon HK 3390 High Performance 2 x 80W Stereo Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After spending a few years in a disease called audiophilia, I vowed to stop spending money wildly on different audio gear just so I could hear something different. I came to the conclusion after having a H/K theater receiver before that I did enjoy the sound enough to try another one as a two channel set-up. I sold my tube amp and bought the H/K 3390 from Amazon. Short story is the H/K 3390 sounds remarkable for 1/5 the price of the tube amp. The exponential in audio can be frustrating as you have to usually spend a lot more to get a margianally better sound. I'm not saying I will never dabble with more expensive electronics, but someone who buys this amp will be satisfied with the results.

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The HK 3390 is a high current stereo receiver that will give you outstanding audio playback. It has 80 watts times two at 8 ohms and 100 watts times two at 4 Ohms. It has A/B switching and comes with a remote control.

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