Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800 System Black Review

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(More customer reviews)Like the other reviewer I am not one to shower any product with accolades unless it is fully warranted. I can tell you that without hesitation the Definitive Technology Procinema 800 system is entirely worthy of such praise. Now I must qualify the fact that the space I was filling was around 12 x 28 feet with a 50" Panasonic plasma TV in one corner, but the end result was nothing short of mindblowing. The speakers work exceptionally well with my Denon 790 receiver and the Audessey setup certainly made it all easy to do. The sub has so much bass capability I really only had it dialed down to halfway (the adjustable volume on the side of the subwoofer is a great feature.....there's enough bass to knock pictures off the walls if you so desire). The satellite speakers are all set to crossover at 100 Hz and the sub picks up the slack from there. The marriage of the components is seamless, playing music is crisp and clear, but it's the sound from Blu-ray movies where this system really shines. You can hear everything (ex footsteps in the background, bullets zinging left to right, explosions become very dramatic, etc) as good or better than the movie theater. It really envelops you in the sound similar to systems that cost significantly more. The price of the system is a bit high, but when you price out your options at this level of sound quality, you'll see they are actually quite a value. I highly recommend auditioning a set if you're in the market for a new satellite speaker surround sound setup.

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All in one box Pro Cineama 800 System consisting of 4 each ProMonitor 800 satellites, 1 each ProCenter 1000and 1 each ProSub 800

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Samsung HT-AS730ST Home Theater System Review

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(More customer reviews)Sorry, this is going to be a book.... If I could give this review a MINUS five stars I would. I ordered this unit as I have a LOT of other Samsung products (two flatscreens, Blueray player, monitors, washer/dryer, etc.) and have previously been happy with their products. I wish some of the other reviews had been posted when I ordered, I would have run far and fast.
First, I get the unit, what a nightmare to install, instructions are vague, and non-existent in certain areas, as others have stated, the setup procedure is flawed and isn't all in the manual to begin with. After numerous calls to tech support (in India, I assume from the accents and lack of understanding) I finally got sound out of the unit when watching cable (I had successfully figured out the Blue Ray player and my DVD recorder).
Second, the input choices and radio station presets don't stay when you power down.... I hope you enjoy or get darn good at programming that thing every time you turn it off. It takes three or four pushes and choices to get the sound working again from the cable box. The display is also dim, so if you are at all visually challenged, hang it up, put the glasses on and get real close to see what you are doing. I had this silly notion that because it was a Samsung unit, it would have onscreen display with the TV, shoot, my SONY DVD recorder does....
Third, when I ordered the unit, the Samsung website said under "specifications" that is was "wireless ready-yes" and "wireless module included-yes", well, they LIED, no wireless module in the box. I called them on this and they would supposedly send me a wireless module.... that was back in mid-May and now, over halfway through June, I get a call today that "forget it, we are out of stock on wireless modules and tough cookies, no refunds, no compensation, just tough". Oh, by the way, they changed their website now, but I have printed copies and screenshots of the website stating the wireless module was included.
Fourth, I got the unit May 13th, took me a couple days to install it and it quit working on May 19th, even with the unit completely powered off, the subwoofer had a large amount of feedback hum coming through it. Called Technical service and they said send back the amplifier and the subwoofer, keep all the rest of the stuff there and they would repair it. It takes the slow boat to Samsung in NJ, and they finally receive it on May 28th... according to UPS, because Samsung can't find it, doesn't know where it is, and isn't fixing it. After numerous calls and emails, all of which have to be initiated by me, they decide they will send me out a new unit, this is as of June 9th. I am told I will hear from Customer Executive Service within 48 hours as to what the status is. I call again on June 15th to find out what the heck... only to hear they are holding the new unit hostage until I send back their stupid speakers and remote control THEY told me not to put in the box when I sent the amp and sub back. After umpteen calls to their service, which they won't give you a supervisor, they tell me as soon as UPS shows the box in their system coming back, they will ship the new unit. Today (June 18th), after UPS shows the item in transit, they now state they won't ship the new unit until they get the old parts!!!!! Oh how I love being lied to and held hostage!
I am so sorry I spent my money on another Samsung product, I can't express how amazed I am at their utter lack of professionalism and concern for their customer. Their idea of "customer service" is to have some lackey on the phone going "I'm sorry sir, yes, that isn't right, but there is nothing I can do about it, and no, I can't transfer you to my supervisor...." So, before you spend your hard earned cash, save yourself some grief and go buy another brand, any brand, doesn't matter, can't be as bad as these folks.

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Sony Digital Media Port Cradle for iPod and MP3 Players (Black, TDM-iP10) Review

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(More customer reviews)This product is fine as an audio product that can send your iPod music through a DMPORT on your receiver, however, it does not function as advertised. Both Sony and Amazon claim on their web sites that you can browse your iPod onscreen with this device. After failing in my attempts to accomplish this, I contacted Sony support and they now insist that this product actually CANNOT do this. Instead they said I must purchase the TDM-iP1 for this functionality. I am in the process of trying to get a refund and then purchase the other Sony product. If you don't care about browsing the iPod menu on your TV then this product is fine for your purely audio needs.
Addendum:
I have subsequently seen on CNET a somewhat unfavorable review for Sony's other DMPORT iPod cradle (TDM-iP1), so I'm going to stick with my TDM-iP10. If you can accept that it does not have the advertised capability to browse your iPod on your TV, it is otherwise a very useful product. It allows me to use my Sony Receiver remote to control my iPod, and it's really quite amazing how fabulous compressed MP3s on an iPod can sound through a nice surround sound system. I wish Sony would make their advertising for this product more accurate, but other than that it's a fine product and easily worth the price if you have a nice surround sound setup to use it with.

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Pioneer Elite SC-07 - AV network receiver - 7.1 channel Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently purchased the Pioneer Elite SC-07 receiver. It replaced my old Elite VSX-72TXV receiver. Along with the receiver, I purchased the Polk RTi A7 front speakers, CSi A6 center channel, FXi A4 surrounds and DSW Pro 500 subwoofer. I have the Kuro Elite PRO-111FD display to compliment the set up. The result is just breath taking sight and sound.
When you first turn on the receiver without any calibration, you can hear and feel the raw power. After the full automated calibration and some manual minor fine tunings, I couldn't be happier. The first thing you'll notice is the clean, powerful yet natural sound output the receiver has to offer. If you're not into manual calibration, let the receiver do the full auto calibration. That'll make a world of difference. All of the video components are connected via HDMI, so I can't really comment on the performance of the Faroudja upconverting chipset. Just like the former Elite receivers, SC-07 comes with ipod connection (a USB port instead of a cable this time around). The GUI is much easier to use compared to Denon receivers. I like the fact that the menus are straight forward enough to navigate through the settings easily without referring to the manual every single time.
Initially, I was going to wait for SC-27 to come out. Then again, the major difference between the two are color GUI with the ability to show the album art work on the ipod and a different upconverting chip. Personally, I don't care about the extra bells and whistles. Amazon (3rd party retailers) probably have the best pricing I've seen so far. I have no regrets and I'm looking forward to enjoying it for quite some time.

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ViewHD Multi-functional HDMI Converter Switch 8 Inputs (VGA + AV + Ypbpr Component + HDMI) to One HDMI Output Support 3D & Surround Sound for 1080P HDTV Review

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(More customer reviews)The only thing I would change at all is I would like to see SVideo inputs and perhaps two HDMI outputs. We use it in one of our court rooms to handle a varity of things brought in - we send it to a large monitor, but split it to go to the jury box as well. Works great!

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Yamaha YMC-S21BL NeoHD Home Theater Media Control System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I first heard of Yamaha's NeoHD when cruising the web looking for a receiver that my family would enjoy with my new Sony Bravia 46 inch flat panel and Sony Blu Ray player. I wanted better surround sound to go with our new Hi-Def Blu Ray movies, but I needed an easy to use system that everyone in my family could utilize. My wife (and youngest son at 6 years of age) could NOT work our `three remote' system, and changing inputs from 1 source component to another was a nightmare for her and the family. From what I could tell from the Yamaha website, neoHD solves this problem which makes it the perfect product for me and my `remote challenged' family.
I purchased the Yamaha neoHD, model YMC-S21, and once it arrived, I jumped on it quickly to get it set up. My teenage son helped me with the Yamaha setup guide - which although initially intimidating looking, was actually pretty easy to use. Within 45 minutes, I had connected my flat panel, Blu Ray player, Time Warner DVR (Motorola), and the 2 Yamaha speakers and subwoofer with color coded speaker cable that came with the package. Once connected, everything was operational with the one simple neoHD remote control in the neoHD box!
The setup was actually pretty fun. But, I had to connect 3 IR flashers that came in the Yamaha box. I had never connected IR flashers before, but it wasn't too hard. The trick was finding the IR sensor on each component, but I had the users manuals and found the IR sensor quickly on the two Sony's. The neoHD menu walked me through setting up my system by answering a few simple questions, and then I calibrated my room w/Yamaha's YPAO microphone. Cool!
The neo had the remote codes already built in for the Sony's, but I had to teach neo the remote codes for my DVR. I called Yamaha service for some help, and they suggested I utilize the Motorola Set Top Box code set first (right off of the on-screen menu), then learn the rest of the codes simply using the neoHD onscreen menu. Actually kind of fun - I liked the way neoHD walked me through the system setup! Not intimidating at all.
Now that neoHD is set up and working, my family really loves it - the surround sound while playing Blu Ray movies or watching sporting events is fantastic, but I am really happy with the simple onscreen menu for operating our entire system. My wife and all of my sons can select 'Watch, Listen, or Play', and using the simple up and down arrow keys, make their selections without my help. No more `Input' selections, no more complicated remote controls that my family can't use, and no more frustration!
Finally, my kids showed the neighbor kids how the system works, and now my neighbors told me they may get a neoHD also for their new flat panel! Yamaha has made something that solves a real need!


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Yamaha YMC-S21BL NeoHD Controller, 2.1 Channel Surround System

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Marantz SR7005 Audio Video Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a fan of vintage Marantz stereo equipment, their 60s/70s amps, receivers, and tuners were always well made, elegant, and had a signature warmth sound to them. This was during their Saul Marantz and Superscope days. But in the 80s and 90s they were owned under the Phillips brand, and their gear was never quite the same since; be it quality, tonality, and certainly esthetics.
Now a days the company is under D&M Holdings ("D"enon and "M"arantz), and Marantz is bouncing back to it's former self; there's an emphasis being paid again to style (in this case the classic "porthole" design), simplicity (two-knob unit with a concealed interface, logos of features are on the top of the unit as to keep the front face clean-looking), and construction (the sr7005 packs a lot of sound but can fit just about anywhere).
Above all, my fellow vinyl purist will be happy to hear, the Marantz SR7005 brings back the MM PHONO STAGE with a ground! For a long time this was taken out of their receivers (and not just with the Marantz brand) which was puzzling when the company's logo is: MUSIC MATTERS.
Look, not to get too long winded here, so I'll just say this I'm an avid vintage audiophile, an FLAC and AIFF nut, and a HT semi-guru, and this SR7005 does the trick. No buyer's remorse here! A huge step up from the Sony DA5ES unit I was using for home theater stuff, which was just about the same price in 2002.
I'm running the SR7005 with Aperion Intimus 5B Harmony HD surround speakers, mostly use it for 2 CH music and the thing is incredibly warm and above all tweak-able (direct pure analog mode, 2CH w sub, PLII/DTS Neo:6: Music, Movie, and Game mode, even a mode to compensate for lossy mp3 files which sounds pretty good).
With movies, the Audessy XT set up worked beautifully and accurately. It may not, however, be the latest version from Audessy and "only" a 7.1 receiver, but I can live with that. Blu-ray/DVD movies sound and look amazing.
Another thing to note, this amp, when cranked up has never distorted on me, with any speaker (I also ran it with a pair of vintage Henry Kloss Advent Loudspeakers), which is a testament to the hardware. If your receiver is distorting or overdriving, it's crap.
My few complaints are: no S-Video input which is a let down for things like my N64 and SNES that I may want to pull out one day. And, while it seems all companies are doing it these days, I can't stand the digital volume knob; you'll have to keep spinning and spinning to lower or increase the volume. Granted you can program the volume to start at a certain -db but I'd preferred it to have been analog, with a finite 0 and max volume on the barrel.
Other happy surprises:
you can set the blue ring and "porthole" to "off" if you find it distracting to the eye.
Airplay is rad! Spend the $50 and you can turn on the SR7005 and control it via your iTunes. You can also control the Marantz on your iPhone via their free app.
You can also shut down shown INPUT modes so that when you're toggling through the inputs with the left knob, you don't have to pass by inputs that you aren't in use.
Please rate if this review was or wasn't helpful!
Thanks

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Yamaha YMC-500BL NeoHD Media Controller/AV Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this system on sale somewhere else. I couldnt find a bunch of reviews about it so I decided to share with everyone my experience. The price I got it for was too good to be true so I decided to take a chance. Its a nice little system. When I say little, the receiver is very small in comparison to other receivers, almost half the size of the receiver I previously had. My primary concern was size as I needed it to fit in a certain space in my cabinet so this worked out nicely.
I have it hooked up in 5.1 mode and sounds really good. I think it is neat how you turn it on and it turns all of your other equipment on and you tell it what you want to do (watch tv, watch a movie, play music). I think for the price I paid and the features it offers it was a great buy. Now if I had to pay the regular price, I would have had to think twice about that.


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Yamaha YMC-500BL NeoHD Controller

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Marantz AV7005 Audio Video Pre-Processor (Black) Review

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


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