Yamaha HTR-5740 6.1 Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I replaced my Sony str-dee 335 which was a 5.1 channel receiver and 100W per channel. The Yamaha 5740 has a much improved power output and a very clean sound. It easily fills a large room and powers my large floor model Klipsh speakers quite well. I believe the technical specifications above are wrong, and it is 100 W per channel. It is interesting to note that Sony reports power per channel but only when running one channel at a time. There is a sharp decline in power on the Sony product when all of the speakers are running. The Yamaha is much better in this regard. I don't particularly care for all of the different sound options (concert hall, jazz hall...), but they can add some new variety to old music. Thankfully, the receiver has a "straight" button which cuts out all of the different sound field options and just plays the media as intended. My only real complaint is that the receiver needs one more digital inputs for optional devices (such as an x-box), but I am able to hook up my TV, VCR, DVD and X-box without too much trouble, but I had to set it up slightly differently than the manual suggested (for instance I have to have my VCR on to get stereo TV broadcasts). The Yamaha compares very favorably with higher priced Dennon units. I find this to be a great buy, and would purchase it again.

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For high-quality, future-ready home theater on a budget, look no further than Yamaha's HTR-5740 audio/video receiver. The HTR-5740 offers the convenience of DVD-Audio/SACD-ready analog inputs alongside the latest 6.1-channel surround processing and premium Yamaha sound technologies. Finished in traditional black, the receiver will disappear in your darkened living room during movies.When hooked up with the digital-audio output from a DVD-Video player or digital satellite receiver, the 85-watts-per-channel HTR-5740 handles 5.1-channel surround decoding for both major formats, Dolby Digital and DTS. In addition, the receiver processes Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, and DTS-EX Discrete 6.1. The extended-surround formats create even more expansive soundfields through a center-rear channel, resulting in six discrete, full-range signals in addition to the LFE (low-frequency effects) channel: front left/right, surround left/right, and front/rear center channels.A key benefit from a Yamaha receiver, of course, is Yamaha's proprietary signal processing, including Cinema DSP (digital soundfield processing), which creates aural "imaging" that not only makes your home sound like a theater, but also sounds better than most movie theaters. Based on a wealth of measured data in real studios and halls, Cinema DSP is designed to bring out the full potential of movie sound mixes, reproducing them the way directors and sound engineers intended.Non-Dolby Digital and DTS sources can benefit from surround processing, too. With enhanced directional steering over standard four-channel Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II provides 5.1 channels of surround processing from any stereo source--whether that's a TV broadcast, VHS tapes, or your favorite CDs, cassettes, and LPs.And, when you're listening to multichannel presentations late at night, you'll appreciate Silent Cinema, which simulates 5.1-channel listening through a pair of ordinary 2-channel headphones (not included). Silent Cinema uses unique parameters for each soundfield to ensure accurate headphone representations of each soundfield.Then there's the six-channel DVD-Audio/SACD-ready inputs mentioned above. Due to anti-piracy measures, DVD-Audio and SACD players perform their own digital-to-analog conversion, passing high-resolution analog signals on to your amplifier. (And analog, after all, is what your amp feeds your speakers.)DVD-Audio and SACD can each deliver up to six channels of discrete, full-frequency sound at greater-than-CD resolution (in the case of DVD-A, that means 24 bits, 96 kHz sampling rate versus 16 bits, 44.1 kHz for CD). In stereo or surround, the sound from DVD-Audio and SACD is packed with detail, yet smoother and sweeter from than the sound from even the best standard CD players. The HTR-5740 accommodates decoded DVD-A/SACD signals and routes them to the appropriate speakers in your surround system.The receiver offers four audio/video input connections (all with composite-/S-video, two with component-video), two fixed and assignable digital-audio inputs (great for DSS, CD, laserdisc, gaming consoles, or minidisc), and front-panel input connections for your camcorder or other spontaneous hookup. The receiver's video circuitry is high-definition ready, too (60 MHz bandwidth), and it will upconvert composite-video to an S-video signal to simplify TV hookup.Last, but certainly not least, the HTR-5740 benefits from Yamaha's Digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) build philosophy. The culmination of the best digital engineering and design possible, it brings together several key elements to create the best-sounding, easiest-to-use A/V components available.What's in the Box Receiver, remote control, four AAA batteries, an AM loop antenna, an indoor FM antenna, a warranty card, and a user's manual.

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Harman Kardon Signature Series 2.0 Surround-Sound Processor/Tuner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is simply the best audio processor I have owned (Denon and Onkyo pale by comparison) This receiver has ample Coax, Fiber, s-video, and RCA connections. (Sadly no composite video). You can create absolutely perfect reproductions with the onscreen programming. Each channel of sound coming in lists if its to low, high or reference. You adjust the gain so that each audio channel is staying within refernece (For instance my VCR is +22, the CD player is -5) In addition you can use any audio and any video source at the same time - say your listening to a CD and want to watch DSS or DVD, no problem. You set the distance from the listener to the speakers, so the speakers have the correct volume. You also have 6 channel input as well. The finest DSP you can purchase

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The Signature Model 2.0 Processor/Tuner has been designed to provide all the excitement and detail of motion picture soundtracks and reproduce every subtle nuance of your favorite musical selection. On-board Dolby Digital and DTS decoding enables the 2.0 to deliver six channels of fully discrete sound from the exciting new digital audio formats that are a part of DVD and HDTV broadcasts. A wide selection of matrix decoding modes delivers full compatibility with conventional Dolby Surround stereo and mono programs. The 2.0 is also ready to accept future surround systems through the use of six-channel direct inputs that accommodate optional outboard decoders for future surround systems.While complex digital circuits are hard at work within the 2.0, a simple F menu system and learning remote control make the unit easy to install and operate. In addition to selecting from a variety of audio/video sources, the Signature 2.0 is equipped with the latest in tuner technology, including the RDS data system that automatically identifies FM stations transmitting special data and provides information they transmit about the station's programming. The RDS system even lets you automatically search for a station with a specific program type from the participating stations in your reception area.

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Harman Kardon AVR320 Audio/Video Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a very good receiver if you know how to use it.
Sound is very clean. Harman Kardon's 55 watts rate is
very consertive, it has more than enough power for my
need.
When I started shopping, I bought Onkyo 600 first (mainly
attracted by its 80 watts rating, and 6 channel output).
However, after listen to Onkyo for a couple weeks, I am not
satisfied with Onkyo's sound quality, so I purchased this one.
This receiver sounds much better than Onkyo. It produces much
cleaner sound. Finally, I returned Onkyo and kept this one.
I am using a pair of JBL S38-II as my main speakers. If you
can't hear the difference between this receiver and other
cheaper receivers, you are probably using not-so-good speakers.
If so, upgrade the speaker and hear the difference.
This receiver do have weakness though. It is not easy to use.
It takes me quite a while to get familiar with the remote and
the control buttons on the receiver. Even after I am familiar
with the remote, I would still say the remote is not easy to
use. Harman Kardon needs to improve its egnomics design.

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The AVR 320 is Harman Kardon's first entry-level 7.1-channel surround-sound processing. Featuring support for Dolby Digital, DTS, Logic 7, and VMAx digital sound processing, the AVR 320 is meant to satisfy nearly any audio taste.
Pushing 55 watts per channel into 8 ohms, the AVR 320 will give you strong sound with less than 0.07 percent harmonic distortion, even with all channels being driven simultaneously. Eight-channel direct inputs are provided for future digital sound processing upgrades.
Loaded with advanced features, the AVR 320 includes DTS-ES 6.1 surround sound, wideband HDTV-ready component video switching, and 24-bit/192kHz audio digital-to-analog converter. Connection options are extensive with 7.1-channel preamp outputs, six digital inputs and three digital outputs, plus a front-panel digital input that can be switched to output mode.
Support for Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound is included to create surround-sound effects from a stereo input such as VCR or TV.
Additional features include multiroom/multisource audio which allows users in separate rooms to listen to different sources simultaneously. A separate Zone II Remote Control is included for multiroom operation. Power-up volume can be programmed to avoid that jarring sensation of powering up your stereo with the volume at max from the night before, and rotary controls let you adjust bass, treble, and balance settings.
A universal remote is programmable to control up to eight devices from preset codes or by using its learning capability.

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Yamaha HTR-5650 6-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I truly love this receiver. One of the things that initially attracted me to it was the 480 watts of power. I couldn't wait to take it home and see how my CD's and DVD's sounded on it. What amazed me was not only the really great bass responce, but the clearity. I watched my Phil Collins DVD and it was like I was actually there in front of the stage. For the first time I really feel like I now know how the artists truly sound. I can honestly say, I know I got my money's worth with this receiver! Thank you Yamaha! Jess

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High convenience and high quality doesn't have to mean "high ticket." Yamaha's HTR-5650 is loaded with features and exclusive Yamaha technologies. Easy to set up and operate, the receiver can power two rooms at once (one in surround sound, the other in stereo), and it offers the convenience of DVD-Audio/multichannel SACD-ready six-channel analog inputs alongside the latest 6.1-channel surround processing.When hooked up with the digital-audio output from a DVD-Video player or digital satellite receiver, the 80 watts-per-channel HTR-5650 (95 wpc peak) handles 5.1-channel surround decoding for both major formats, Dolby Digital and DTS. In addition, the HTR-5650 also processes Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES, which create an even more expansive soundfield through the use of a center-rear surround channel, totaling six discrete full-range channels in addition to the LFE (low-frequency effects) channel: left, center, right, and left, center, and right surround.Exclusive Yamaha technologies include Quad-Field Cinema DSP (based on a wealth of measured data in real studios and halls, this processing is designed to highlight the full potential of movie sound mixes), Silent Cinema (which simulates 5.1-channel listening through a pair of ordinary stereo headphones, not included), and the company's YSS-938 32-bit DSP chip providing 25 unique surround algorithms with 44 variations to help you perfectly match your simulated acoustic space to your video program.Non-Dolby Digital and DTS sources can benefit from surround processing, too--with enhanced directional steering over standard four-channel Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II provides five channels of surround processing from any stereo source--whether that's a TV broadcast, VHS tapes, or your favorite CDs, cassettes, and LPs. Pro Logic II delivers full-bandwidth stereo surround channels with 40 dB of left-right separation.And, when you're listening to multichannel presentations late at night, you'll appreciate Silent Cinema, which simulates 5.1-channel listening through a pair of ordinary stereo headphones (not included). Silent Cinema uses unique parameters for each soundfield to ensure accurate headphone representations of each soundfield.Then there's the six-channel DVD-Audio/SACD-ready inputs mentioned above. If these formats are so high-tech, you might wonder, why do you need analog inputs to appreciate them? Because, for reasons of content protection, DVD-Audio and SACD players perform their own digital-to-analog conversion, passing high-resolution analog, rather than digital, signals on to your amplifier. (And analog, after all, is what your amp feeds your speakers.)The versatile unit offers nine video input connections (with three S-video inputs and two high-resolution component-video inputs), four fixed and assignable digital-audio inputs (great for DVD, DSS, CD, laserdisc, gaming consoles, or minidisc), and front-panel input connections for your camcorder or other spontaneous hookup. The HTR-5650 comes with a preset remote control.Last, but certainly not least, the HTR-5650 benefits from Yamaha's Digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) build philosophy. ToP-ART's goal is to maximize digital quality while minimizing analog circuitry. The culmination of the best digital engineering and design possible, it brings together several key elements to create the best-sounding, easiest-to-use A/V components available.What's in the Box Receiver, remote control, remote batteries, FM wire antenna, AM loop antenna, a user's manual, warranty information, and registration information.

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Pioneer VSX-D514 Multi-Channel Digital A/V Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've used this receiver for a year, during which time I've had nothing to complain about. It's a respectable buy in its price range, sounds quite good, and is not overly complex. I've just replaced it as my primary receiver, though, because it doesn't have enough digital inputs to handle a variety of sources. To manage the optical inputs from my TV, DVD recorder, Macintosh computer, cable box, and CD recorder, I was required to buy a switching device from Radio Shack. Now my new receiver has enough inputs to manage the load, as well as vastly more power and features. The 514 has only one optical and two coax inputs.
I expect the 514 to continue to give service for a long time, hooked up the bookshelf speakers in my bedroom.
If you want basic stereo and surround capability, this is a model worth considering, but if you imagine your needs will grow like mine have, then you might want to bump up to a more expensive/expansive unit. (In case you wonder, I now have a Yamaha HRT-5890, and it early on seems an excellent choice.)
Note that I do not dabble in the black arts of the audiophiles. I'm an unpretentious listener with reasonably high expectations. I doubt if I would care about the alleged sound distinctions between, say, a Denon and a Yamaha. I do care a lot about the quality of the user's manual, and the D514 has one that is not hard to understand.
You might have a problem figuring out from the Amazon description that the 514 is 5x100 watts.

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Designed to give consumers full control over their home entertainment experience, the Pioneer VSX-D514-S 5.1-channel digital A/V receiver is a great fit for the discriminating movie and music fan. The receiver, which powers five channels at 100 watts each, is equipped with Dolby Digital, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic II surround processing, giving DVDs a rich, full-bodied sound through a multichannel speaker system. Dolby Digital and DTS decoding technologies split the audio signals among four left and right surround speakers, a center speaker, and a subwoofer, while Pro Logic II converts two-channel stereo sources into five-channel surround sound. On surround encoded material such as movie soundtracks, the resulting audio is powerful and explosive, while with two-channel encoded material such as music CDs, the effect is a wider and more encompassing sound field with more localized vocals.
Internally, the VSX-D514-S boasts a single compact circuit board for all digital signal processing, thus ensuring exceptional purity, plus a double-precision Motorola 48-bit DSP engine that's similar to the one used in top theaters worldwide. The receiver also offers a discrete configuration along with Pioneer's hybrid amplification system, which directs the correct amount of bias signal to each transistor for extremely low distortion. This means that Pioneer's amps are designed to handle the full bandwidth of Dolby Digital, DTS, SACD, and DVD-Audio encoded software. Add that to the high-end digital-to-analog audio converter and you have a top-shelf receiver.
Installation takes just a few minutes thanks to the Quick Setup feature, which walks the consumer through the setup process. Listeners simply tell the receiver how many speakers are connected and then select the room size. The receiver then delivers an accurate surround sound performance based on the configuration. Additional features include component and S-video switching, which allows both progressive and interlaced NTSC and HDTV signals to travel to the TV or monitor; five digital signal processing modes, including game and movie modes; multiple digital coaxial and optical inputs; and a preset LCD remote control. The VSX-D514-S measures 16.56 by 6.25 by 15.5 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box VSX-D514-S receiver, remote control, two AA batteries, AM and FM antennas, user's manual.

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Yamaha HTR-5750SL 6.1 Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver (Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It took awhile after I got the unit to hook it all up because I was just plain lazy. Little did I know what I had in my possession other than the fact that a friend of mine that works at Sears recommened it to me. This system beats my parents system and they had invested something like 3 grand on their complete system. The speaker set I had was about 2 grand and this just went together with the reciever perfectly. I haven't run into any issues and everything was easy to understand and figure out. The only thing I despise about the system is the usage of another remote, of course that comes with any system.

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Bringing ease of use, broad format compatibility, and high sound quality to forward-looking home theaters, Yamaha's HTR-5750SL audio/video receiver offers the convenience of DVD-Audio/SACD-ready analog inputs alongside the latest 6.1-channel surround processing and premium Yamaha sound technologies. The receiver's stylish silver appearance will augment many decors.When hooked up with the digital-audio output from a DVD-Video player or digital satellite receiver, the 90-watts-per-channel HTR-5750SL handles 5.1-channel surround decoding for both major formats, Dolby Digital and DTS. In addition, the receiver processes Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS Neo:6, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, and DTS-EX Discrete 6.1. The extended-surround formats create even more expansive soundfields through a center-rear channel, resulting in six discrete, full-range signals in addition to the LFE (low-frequency effects) channel: front left/right, surround left/right, and front/rear center channels.A key benefit from a Yamaha receiver, of course, is Yamaha's proprietary signal processing, including Cinema DSP (digital soundfield processing), which creates aural "imaging" that not only makes your home sound like a theater, but also sounds better than most movie theaters. Based on a wealth of measured data in real studios and halls, Cinema DSP is designed to bring out the full potential of movie sound mixes, reproducing them the way directors and sound engineers intended.Non-Dolby Digital and DTS sources can benefit from surround processing, too. With enhanced directional steering over standard four-channel Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II provides 5.1 channels of surround processing from any stereo source--whether that's a TV broadcast, VHS tapes, or your favorite CDs, cassettes, and LPs.And, when you're listening to multichannel presentations late at night, you'll appreciate Silent Cinema, which simulates 5.1-channel listening through a pair of ordinary 2-channel headphones (not included). Silent Cinema uses unique parameters for each soundfield to ensure accurate headphone representations of each soundfield.Then there's the six-channel DVD-Audio/SACD-ready inputs mentioned above. Due to anti-piracy measures, DVD-Audio and SACD players perform their own digital-to-analog conversion, passing high-resolution analog signals on to your amplifier. (And analog, after all, is what your amp feeds your speakers.)DVD-Audio and SACD can each deliver up to six channels of discrete, full-frequency sound at greater-than-CD resolution (in the case of DVD-A, that means 24 bits, 96 kHz sampling rate versus 16 bits, 44.1 kHz for CD). In stereo or surround, the sound from DVD-Audio and SACD is packed with detail, yet smoother and sweeter from than the sound from even the best standard CD players. The HTR-5750SL accommodates decoded DVD-A/SACD signals and routes them to the appropriate speakers in your surround system.The receiver offers four audio/video input connections (all with composite-/S-video, two with component-video), four fixed and assignable digital-audio inputs (great for DSS, CD, laserdisc, gaming consoles, or minidisc), and front-panel input connections for your camcorder or other spontaneous hookup. The receiver's video circuitry is high-definition ready, too (60 MHz bandwidth), and it will upconvert composite-video to an S-video signal to simplify TV hookup.Last, but certainly not least, the HTR-5750SL benefits from Yamaha's Digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) build philosophy. The culmination of the best digital engineering and design possible, it brings together several key elements to create the best-sounding, easiest-to-use A/V components available.What's in the Box Receiver, remote control, four AAA batteries, an AM loop antenna, an indoor FM antenna, a warranty card, and a user's manual.

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Yamaha HTR-5860 XM-Ready 7.1-Channel A/V Surround Receiver (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have a beef with the remote on this unit. All remotes included with units above entry level must have learning capability. This remote, sadly does not.
The quality of the reciever is pretty good. It seems well built. The front control panel is well placed and the rear jacks are intuitively placed. The volume increases and decreases in TINY increments....which is a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. The e-z setup was pretty easy to do. The on-screen programming is also nicely presented. I can tell no difference in the up-convert function to component. The input switching which is carried out through the receiver is excellent...when you change inputs (DVD, TIVO, CABLE, ETC), it automatically changes inputs on your TV....this is a nice function if you have a spouse who can never remember which input to switch to to watch a movie!!
Overall, I wish this receiver had HDMI jack to upconvert to highest quality signal...you will find this on the top-of-the line units. I'm pretty pleased with this purchase, given the low cost offered by Amazon with free shipping. If you are looking for an upgrade to your home theater, give this unit a shot.

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Yamaha Superior Performance, High Powered 7.1-Channel 770W (110W x 7) A/V Receiver. It features Yamaha's unique CINEMA DSP for outstandfing home theater performance, as well all Dolby formats and all DTS formats. It has YPAO which automatically sets the best sound for any room, with any speaker placement. It has Quad-Field CINEMA DSP and 14 Surround programs. It also features Night Listening Enhancer (Cinema/Music) and Silent Cinema. It has Component Video Up Conversion (Full) It is XM Satellite Radio ready. It also features on-screen display. It has an 8-Channel External Decorder Input.

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Yamaha HTR-5660 6-Channel Digital Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'm not a hardcore audiophile, but I did a fair amount of research before buying this receiver. I found this unit has all of the features I was looking for, and at an exceptional price.
This receiver is basically the new version of the 5560. It adds 10 watts per channel for 85 watts each. It also now has digital audio inputs and s-video inputs for every video input including the front one. This receiver is also basically identical to the RX-V640 that Yamaha sells through it's retail channels. According the Yamaha website, the only difference is the coloring of the lettering on the front of the receiver.
There was a list of features I was looking for in a receiver and this met all my criteria. Support for both 6.1 channel Dolby Digital and DTS were a must. For my particular application 7.1 channel surround was overkill, and there currently aren't that many sources for it. Discrete circuitry for each speaker is a must. No spring clips for speaker connections. All support banana clips. I use a DVR and a VCR, so I wanted 2 AV in/out hookups. I have an oddly shaped room with less than optimal speaker placement, so I wanted the ability to adjust each speaker volume level independently. I don't have a HDTV compatible TV yet, but I wanted composite video support for when I get one. This receiver has 2 composite inputs and 1 output. Size was also a consideration for me as the receiver would have to fit into an entertainment center. The Onkyo I was looking at had similar features, but was just too massive to fit. The Yamaha was a more reasonable size.
Performance wise, I have been very impressed with the Yamaha. With the ability to adjust each speaker volume level independently, I was able to set it up to create impressive surround effects despite my less than optimal room. The Dolby Digital and DTS effects are impressive. When the receiver detects a DD or DTS source, it switches to those modes automatically. There are 40+ additional surround modes. Yamaha apparently went to a lot of trouble to develop them, but in my opinion they are mostly useless. I've settled on Dolby Surround II for most of my non-Dolby Digital AV viewing which is very impressive so far. 6 channel stereo is great for listening to music and really allows you to take advantage of your surround system. I've tried most of the other surround modes. Some are interesting, but I haven't found that I use them much. The included antennas for AM and FM reception are adequate and I found that my reception was much improved over my last receiver (Sony).
I found the remote and manual to be adequate and simple to use. I was able to adjust most of the settings on the receiver with minimal hassle. I was able to map all of the remote features to my Sony learning remote and it works fine.
If you are looking for a step above entry level receiver with many of the features and quality of the high end models, I highly recommend this model. I did a search on the internet and found many stores offering it at very attractive prices. I called J&R and they matched the lowest internet price and I had the receiver in 2 days. They also have a very reasonable return policy though I haven't had to test it yet.

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Packed with connections and proprietary audio-enhancing technologies, Yamaha's HTR-5660 is your gateway to home-theater bliss. The receiver can power two rooms at once (one in surround sound, the other in stereo), and it offers the convenience of DVD-Audio/multichannel SACD-ready six-channel analog inputs alongside the latest 6.1-channel surround processing and premium Yamaha features.When hooked up with the digital-audio output from a DVD-Video player or digital satellite receiver, the 85 watts-per-channel HTR-5660 (105 wpc peak) handles 5.1-channel surround decoding for both major formats, Dolby Digital and DTS. In addition, the HTR-5660 also processes Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES, which create an even more expansive soundfield through the use of a center-rear surround channel, totaling six discrete full-range channels in addition to the LFE (low-frequency effects) channel: left, center, right, and left, center, and right surround. Want even higher power? The receiver offers 6.1-channel preamp outputs for direct hookup with a six-channel power amplifier.Exclusive Yamaha technologies include Quad-Field Cinema DSP (based on a wealth of measured data in real studios and halls, this processing is designed to highlight the full potential of movie sound mixes), Silent Cinema (which simulates 5.1-channel listening through a pair of ordinary stereo headphones, not included), and the company's YSS-938 32-bit DSP chip providing 25 unique surround algorithms with 44 variations to help you perfectly match your simulated acoustic space to your video program.Non-Dolby Digital and DTS sources can benefit from surround processing, too--with enhanced directional steering over standard four-channel Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II provides five channels of surround processing from any stereo source--whether that's a TV broadcast, VHS tapes, or your favorite CDs, cassettes, and LPs. Pro Logic II delivers full-bandwidth stereo surround channels with 40 dB of left-right separation.And, when you're listening to multichannel presentations late at night, you'll appreciate Silent Cinema, which simulates 5.1-channel listening through a pair of ordinary stereo headphones (not included). Silent Cinema uses unique parameters for each soundfield to ensure accurate headphone representations of each soundfield.Then there's the six-channel DVD-Audio/SACD-ready inputs mentioned above. If these formats are so high-tech, you might wonder, why do you need analog inputs to appreciate them? Because, for reasons of content protection, DVD-Audio and SACD players perform their own digital-to-analog conversion, passing high-resolution analog, rather than digital, signals on to your amplifier. (And analog, after all, is what your amp feeds your speakers.)The versatile unit offers 12 video input connections (with five S-video inputs and two high-resolution component-video inputs), five fixed and assignable digital-audio inputs (great for DVD, DSS, CD, laserdisc, gaming consoles, or minidisc), and front-panel input connections for your camcorder or other spontaneous hookup (including S-video and an optical digital-audio in). The HTR-5660 comes with a preset remote control.Last, but certainly not least, the HTR-5660 benefits from Yamaha's Digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) build philosophy. ToP-ART's goal is to maximize digital quality while minimizing analog circuitry. The culmination of the best digital engineering and design possible, it brings together several key elements to create the best-sounding, easiest-to-use A/V components available.What's in the Box Receiver, remote control, remote batteries, FM wire antenna, AM loop antenna, a user's manual, warranty information, and registration information.

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Sony STR-DA4300ES ES 7.1 Channel Surround Sound Audio/Video Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I upgraded from a Sony TA-9000ES pre-amp so I could use the HDMI & component video switching and add Blu-ray. Very happy with the receiver, but learned a few things not published clearly.
DirecTV DVR HDMI output is at native resolution, meaning that channels are kept at their normal res. (HDMI signals are not up-converted in the Sony). Drives my Mitsu 65833 HDTV nuts, taking as much as 5 sec to change resolutions when I change channels. Switching to the DVR's component output allowed the receiver to upconvert all channels to 1080p (works great, TV is happy), meaning that the HDMI connection from the satellite receiver is worthless. So I only have one HDMI input used (Blu-ray). Want to buy an extra cable?
Other quirks and shortcomings are: Zone 2 is programmable only to the rear surround speakers, not to "B" speakers. So if you have a 7.1 home theater system, you can't also use Zone 2. Next the "DVD-BD" input selection allows you to use an HDMI input as a video source, but not as the audio source. So Blu-ray, the one possible source of 7.1 audio, can't be patched to what is clearly intended to be the Blu-ray input. Solution - use an HDMI input button and pretend that Sony mislabeled the DVD-BD button.
AS I said - I am very happy with the receiver overall. The on-screen GUI is neat and the auto-calibration for the speaker channels is a hoot compared to what I've seen on Yamahas.

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Yamaha HTR-5830 5.1-Channel A/V Surround Receiver (Silver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am writing this as a review of the *receiver*, NOT the amazon listing, it obviously is misrepresented here as it is NOT XM-ready, but that's no reason to bash the product itself.
I got this receiver to replace my old Pro-Logic that has served me well but is way past its prime. I really like the Yamaha RX-V657, but as I'm not ready to spend $500 right now, I decided to "settle" on this as a stopgap receiver.
I was surprised when I got it - this receiver is beefy, very heavy and well constructed. Even for an "entry-level" there are tons of features, and the remote is programmable to control other things, such as my DVD player (which it did out of the box, since it's also a Yamaha) and my TV, which is an RCA, with codes included in the box. Presto-chango, now I can switch inputs on the TV, seek DVDs, and edit the soundfields all from my receiver remote, without having to pay for a universal! Very nice.
I won't recap the specs, but subjectively it has a great sound, noticeably less distortion than my old amp on instrumentals. I will point out a couple of flaws: It only has two optical inputs, which may be a limitation to some (but for me, to get it for my DVD and my digital cable is good enough), and it only has RCA inputs for video. This sucks, since you can't use it as an S-Video switch and connect your TV just to the Video output. But, I will just switch the input on my TV manually, oh well, not a big deal. The banana jacks don't have through-holes, so you just have to wedge the wire underneath it and crank it down. Again, slightly inconvenient, but not a deal killer.
I had to pick out a few things I don't like that knocked it down to a 4, but overall and *especially* for the price, I am very impressed with this receiver.
P.S. Just to clear up any ambiguity:
RCA Video = 640 x 480 resolution = Not that great.
S-Video = 800 x 600 resolution = Much better, and widely available on even inexpensive TVs.
Component = Best resolution, but not as widely available.
Update 2/6/06: The Amazon listing has now removed any references to XM, which is great. I've been pleased with the receiver thus far, I have it hooked up to my DVD player via the optical input and once a DVD starts playing, it automatically switches the soundfield to Dolby Digital, and back to the previous setting when it stops (which is usually Dolby PL2 Music for my use). Great sound in general.

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The Yamaha HTR-5830 digital home theater receiver is a full-featured home theater receiver that sports some serious features. Among them are five-channel discrete amplification (110 w x 5 at 6 ohms), 14 surround programs, and Silent Cinema--Yamaha's exclusive technology that allows private listening enjoyment of multichannel music or movie sound, including Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround, through ordinary headphones. The HTR-5830 provides Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II decoding, and its digital-to-analog converters use an extremely high performance 192 kHz/24-bit operation type.
With the HTR-5830, discrete power transistors, rather than chips, are used in the amplifier section to provide the cleanest sound possible. The amp delivers 110 watts each to five channels. With two component video and three digital inputs, the HTR-5830 can accommodate digital sources such as DVD, CD, MC/CDR, and digital TV/cable. A five-band graphic equalizer keeps you on top of your audio, and the HTR features a wide-range audio frequency response for DVD-audio/super-audio CD compatibility. Also featured is an AM/FM digital tuner with 40-station presets.

What's in the Box HTR-5830 receiver, remote control, batteries, AM antenna, and FM antenna.

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

Average Reviews:

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

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Harman Kardon AVR 7000 Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After a lengthy process of comparison shopping, both on-line, and in the stores, I arrived at a short list of two receivers which had the features I wanted at a price I could afford. One was the popular Denon AVR3300, and the other was the relatively new (to Australia), HK AVR7000. I have to say that both units are excellent for their intended purpose, which is to provide better than average two channel sound for music lovers, while adding the dimension of 5.1 channel sound to DVD movies. In the end the HK won out, because it was cheaper and didn't have the potential problems associated with an internal fan. The HK uses passive cooling via large heatsinks. The sound from my HK is very good, though the NAD amp it replaced sounded just as good in my opinion, for two channel stereo. The sound on Dolby Digital and DTS is fantastic. It took me a day or two to work my way through the manual, and adjust the various settings to arrive at a sound that worked in my smallish room. I particularly like the way in which the AVR7000 remembers the setups for each input. So now when I select CD as the input, the AVR7000 knows to switch off the sub woofer and the rear surround speakers. Likewise, it remembers to add these back when DVD is selected as the input. The remote works well, though I've yet to use it's learning capabilities. Other features I like are component video switching (which most DVD players use these days), tone defeat option (I like my sound as uncolored as possible), and on-screen setup menu (made it pretty easy to adjust my settings. On the downside, the AVR7000 is huge in size, and is vented all around (due to the absence of an internal fan), so it's placement can be a problem in some homes. Whatever you do, don't place it where someone might carelessly place a drink glass on it, as a single drop going through the vented top cover would be the end of your unit. There are a lot of receivers on the market today and in the end it comes down to your budget and the features you want. For me, the AVR7000 was the best sounding, most fully featured unit on the market within my budget. Happy shopping.

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Denon ASD-3W Wifi Network iPod Dock (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For the 1st couple of days I was feeling so-so on this product. The user interface is slow and clunky. So it took some getting used to. I don't know how many times I entered the wep key and ssid for wireless access. But after some time I have successfully used all the features and I'm quite happy with it.
I have a new ipod classic and this is my 1st experience with video on ipods. On the tiny screen, videos look quite good and (at least I) can watch a reasonable amount of them that way. I was hoping for a better video experience when using the ASD-3W. The video quality is just ok on my HD panasonic tv. Something just slightly below ordinary non-HD tv broadcasts. And some are better than others depending on the quality of the equipment used to shoot the video as well as any conversion software. So if you were looking to rip your DVD library to your ipod and enjoy those movies like you did from a DVD player, you will be disappointed. But for TV series and video podcasts, it's not too bad.
The best thing though is along with all the music/video on the ipod, you have access to internet radio and also pics and music you have stored on your pc through win media player. This really makes the deal on this device. There is just tons of great FREE music and podcasts out there and this product allows you access to all that. The higher res channels/stations sound quite good too. It's also cool to view your digital pics stored on the PC while listening to your favorite internet radio station.
I wish the video quality was better, but I think the start-of-the-art isn't quite there yet, but reasonably acceptable for now. I'm sure in several years we will have 1080p coming out of the ipods and devices like this will be the main AV entertainment device. I'm saving up for the next generation or the one after that. But I'm happy and pleased with this new addition to my AV system.

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

Average Reviews:

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

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Yamaha RX-N600 Digital Network-Ready Home Theater Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have had this unit for about 2 weeks now. Sound is as good as anything in this price range. I was coming from a Sony 900 series receiver which was failing. This is my first Yamaha. No other manufacturers had networking capability that didn't cost 3 times as much. Plan on spending most of a day setting this up unless you do that kind of thing often.
Most of my comments center around the networking and USB functions because that's why I bought it, to perhaps eliminate my PC as a music source and go direct from this receiver. We'll, it kinda works... The remote is a bit of a sore spot too as with just a bit more functionality it could have been really good, I could have gotten down to one remote but unfortunately it does not control my cable set top box.
Strengths
*Works great with my Sony VCR, remote controls everything nicely.
*Ipod dock (an extra item purchased separately) seems to work very well. Does not play Ipod video though. Remote controls this too
*Nice remote, after you figure it out it is pretty logical. Controls 3 of my 4 components nicely.
*Internet radio is a real winner, seems to have jillions of stations arranged fairly logically by locale. It would be very difficult to duplicate this on your PC unless you enrolled in a pay service. Its like having a short wave radio.
Near misses
*Remote works great with my Sony DVD player, but make sure you have the side switch on "source" to control play, fast forward, etc. Otherwise you won't be able to move the cursor through DVD menus that appear in the movie menu and make choices on how the movie plays.
*If the Remote could just have a little learning it would be great. You won't know if it will control your unit until you try it out. The list of remote codes that Yamaha supplies is vague, does not list models just a bunch of codes for each manufacturer. You just have to try each one for your manufacturer and see if any work. Hit or miss.
*Net/USB did not work with my Creative Zen Nomad jukebox MP3 player, but did work with a Corsair Memory 2gb flash voyager stick. Go figure. I did notice recently that I can set my Zen to act as a mass storgae unit, and to be fair I have not tried that yet.
Weaknesses
*Network music does not work with Microsoft Media Player 11, only 10. I called Yamaha and they said Media Player 11 was not supported. The N600 does not connect reliably to the media library store, sometimes it works fine, sometimes it errors out or just shows an empty list. Very finicky. Media player 11 is in beta so beware, it will become mainsteam shortly and is not supported. I'm not sure if/how Yamaha will remedy this for me.
*Plays wave, WMA and MP3 but not Itunes
*Crude character interface display for the Net/USB functions, like looking at a pong game on an old IBM CGA PC. About as much functionality as a typical MP3 player, you have to scroll through a page at a time in everything. A pain in the neck if you have a large music collection
*Will not control my Motorola DCT700 Comcast cable box, I tried all the Motorola codes and Yamaha says that's all there is, if they don't work you are outta luck. I am.
*Remote has no learning capability.
*Limited inputs for other components, but enough for what I need
*Documentation is OK but the manual is all there is. There is no FAQ or deeper level of detail on their website or anywhere else that I could find. You have to call Yamaha and you will get a live person, but from what I found from 2 calls is they didn't know any more than the manual.
Conclusion: Would I buy this again? Probably not because the networking is so limited, and that was the main reason I selected this model. If you buy a good receiver and go with an attached high quality PC/soundcard you'd be better off.The Yamaha interface does not come anywhere close to the ease of use and nice presentation you get on any PC media player program. That's like comparing a typewriter to using a PC with Word. The USB feature is nice but could be a lot better if it supported more devices.

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The RX-N600 is the first Yamaha receiver to offer network receiver functions. Using network connection and Windows Media Connect ver.2 technology, it lets you play MP3, WMA and WAV music from a remote PC. You can also listen to any of the thousands of stations available on Internet radio.

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Harman Kardon AVR 247 Home Theater Receiver w/ HDMI connectivity Review

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(More customer reviews)Great sound and power to burn, even at 50w per channel. Harman Kardon is well known for their marriage of tone and power, and this receiver delivers on that promise. Bright and distinct high end, clear and robust mids, and punchy, clean bass. Most of the lower rated reviews here knock the user friendliness of the receiver. But people, don't leave the comfortable confines of entry-level receivers unless you're willing to spend some time learning to operate your purchase. Very happy with this receiver. Sounds great. Looks sharp too.

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Harman Kardon's AVR-247 receiver incorporates a number of genuine engineering breakthroughs. These include innovative iPod connectivity and HDTV and multi-room capabilities to take audio/video receiver design to new levels of performance and functionality. It features an exclusive iPod interface that, with a compatible iPod connected via The Bridge (Harmon Kardon's optional iPod docking station), displays menus on a connected TV or video display and the receiver's front panel display. The iPod can also be operated via the receiver's remote control. It pumps 50 Watts of power through each of its 7 channels, employing Logic 7 processing and EzSet/EQ technology to ensure that you always have crisp Dolby Digital audio. The AVR-247 also allows you to upscale incoming analog video signals to high-resolution 720p output.

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Adcom GFR-700HD 7.1-Channel 145-Watt High Definition A/V Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I had been coveting this receiver/amplifier for some time, knowing the Adcom reputation and that this unit would be a perfect fit for my system, so when I saw it drop below $1K I knew I had to finally get one. Originally released in 2005, and a bit long in the tooth now, it nevertheless sports 2 HDMI inputs and one output (all rated to 60Hz) along with optical and coaxial digital inputs (3 each) and the usual complement of component, composite, s-video and RCA inputs/outputs. The user manual can be downloaded at Adcom's website for full technical details.
I've had this amp for just under a month now. Initial setup was somewhat difficult (I consider myself experienced) and took a few tries before I got everything right. It took time to get used to the unit's remote and menu system, though once you get the hang of it, it's fairly straightforward. One tip hidden in the manual that is vital to know early on: there is a button on the remote called "Main" that needs to be pressed if/when the amp seems to be ignoring the remote's commands (I have not yet started exploring the remote's 'multi-remote' programmability).
My primary concern for this amplifier is stereo sound reproduction. The surround/home theater side of things is secondary to my needs, though still important. Adcom is well known to audiophiles as a maker of top quality amps, and this unit is no exception. Once I got everything set up correctly, the sound quality was spine-tingling from the get-go and continues to impress as the amp 'breaks in'. In true audiophile fashion, there are no tone controls available (bass/treble) unless and until you instruct the amp to go into bypass mode, which routes the signal through the circuits that perform those functions. Otherwise, those circuits are avoided. In a similar vein, the R/L front 7.1 inputs can be employed as a straight "pure analog" input, completely bypassing the amp's A/D converter (I'm using this for my turntable-preamp input with spectacular results). The bass delivered by this amp is especially impressive, very full and natural. I have as yet no complaints about the sound. Surround performance is awesome also.
There are a few quirks, some of which may be fixable, I just may not yet have found the appropriate function or menu choices yet. For instance, the amp resets the volume to -40dB whenever you change inputs, or whenever it comes out of the setup menu. This has gotten a bit tiresome on occasion, as I've been frequently adjusting the setup in these first few weeks. And why do you have to reset the volume if I'm just making a video adjustment? Then there's the one major design quirk: though this is a 7.1 amplifier, you only get 5 speaker terminals plus a sub output, essentially 5.1 output. To get 7.1 sound, you have to hook up a SECOND AMP to the rear surround channels via the Adcom's 7.1 outputs, and power those two rearmost speakers with the second amp. The Adcom will not power those last two speakers by itself. I knew this limitation going in and it was not a deal-killer for me. As I said I'm most interested in stereo music, home theater is secondary.
But on the surround front, the Adcom provides a number of surround options (most of which will be familiar to those who have used surround amps before, see the Adcom manual for details on all the different modes) and I must give a particular thumbs-up to the "5 Stereo" mode, which simply sends right and left to their appropriate speakers (front and rear) and a combined (mono) signal to the center. The processing employed by most amps/modes to translate stereo into a 5.1 setup is typically abhorrent to audiophile sensibilities, but the Adcom's 5-Stereo mode achieves a more-than-tolerable stereo surround with commonsense simplicity.
The 700HD is a multi-room amp capable of managing a "room 2", though an additional amp is required to power those speakers, the Adcom will just act as the input source. I have not set any of that functionality up yet.
The video upconversion & processing abilities are impressive as well, but here I think is where this model is starting to show its age. Though I have not yet been able to perform all the testing I want on this yet, it does seem that there is a bit more video artifacting at 1080i going through the amp, as opposed to a straight cable-to-TV HDMI hookup. But from what I read no cable system dishes 120Hz HD, so the 60Hz limitation of the amp shouldn't be a factor there. More testing on my part is required to confirm the artifacting differences. Soon I will have a BD and will be able to check how a true 1080p 120Hz source looks through the amp (I suspect I'll be hooking the BD straight to the TV for video). I will update this review if I discover anything remarkable.
In conclusion, this amazing audiophile HD receiver is an absolute steal at any price point under $1000, despite being a five year old design. I am very happy to own one and would recommend it to anyone who cares about good sound.

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