Monster Cable 126130 iCable for iPod Review

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(More customer reviews)Amazon.com also sells this exact same cable for less than half the price of the iCable. Some marketing genius at Monster Cables took their THX-certified RCA-to-mini 8 foot cable, gave it white connectors, called it an iCable to appeal to iPod users, and then doubled the cable's price.
Do an Amazon search for THXIMINI8 and get that cable instead. It's the same high quality as this one, but doesn't have the stylish iPod white connectors though.
I have two, one connected to my home stereo receiver, and one wired into my car's audio system. I am absolutely thrilled with the high quality audio the cable provides, especially for such a low price. I tried the El Cheapo cable from Radio Shack, and there is a noticeable difference on my (admittedly high end) home and car audio systems.

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What classier cable to use when hooking your iPod up with your home stereo than Monster Cable's custom iCable interconnect? Your iPod is capable of delivering audiophile-quality sound, and the iCable uses Monster Cable's latest technologies to deliver a connection that maximizes the transmission quality of your digital music while being rugged enough for portable use. Just plug the minijack connector into your iPod's headphone jack and connect the RCA jacks into any pair of left/right analog inputs and you're ready to rock. It even comes with a handy, road-ready carrying pouch.
The iCable's straight-cut turbine RCA and split-tip pins provide excellent contact pressure at the component end, while its 24k gold contacts ensure high signal integrity at both ends. Further, the interconnect's twisted-pair XLN technology offers superior noise rejection--important when connecting your iPod in an environment that's high in radio-frequency or electromagnetic interference. A gracious, seven-foot length accommodates tricky stereo hookups.
What's in the Box iCable for iPod stereo analog interconnect, carry pouch, and an insert with product details
iPod Compatibility iPod nano 1G, iPod nano 2G, iPod mini, iPod 3G, iPod 4G (Clickwheel), iPod Color, iPod 5G/5.5G Video, iPod Shuffle 1G, iPod Shuffle 2G

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Elite VSX-31 A/V Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)Incredibly highly functional receiver for a great price. I originally was looking at the VSX-30 but then after I learned you can play iPod to Zone 2 I went with this one. A couple of words of caution, which is why this receiver gets four instead of five stars:
- I upgraded my existing receiver because I needed more HDMI inputs and wanted to have a second zone, i.e., I wanted to install patio speakers. I also bought Apple TV and really wanted to stream via Apple TV to my patio speakers. The manual says the VSX-31 allows for iPod output to Zone 2 and so I incorrectly thought this meant I could take a digital source, i.e., an HDMI input, to Zone 2. Wrong. This receiver does not output digital signals (except for iPod and Internet Radio) to Zone 2. The manual isn't quite clear on this. In the receiver's defense, using the supplied cable for the iPod/iPhone works fine and is an upgrade over the VSX-30. I have not tried Pandora thru my iPhone yet.
- Activating the receiver for Zone 2 is not nearly as intuitive as it should be. The manual is not clear whatsoever, only through trial/error did I get it to work. Basically, the manual tells you to select Zone 2 in the speaker setup menu of which there are five options for speaker setup (Zone 2 is one of the options). What it DOESN'T tell you is select Zone 2 AND THEN EXIT THE SPEAKER SETUP. There isn't anything that shows you a summary of the speakers you selected so there's no way to check it.
- The receiver is definitely more deep than advertised. My cabinet has a total depth of around 15.5-16". After you connect all the HDMI cables and the power cord you quickly learn that you need a little more. Make sure the depth of your cabinet is at least 17", preferably 18". We had to cut a hole in the back of ours to make it fit and be able to close the door.
- I use a Harmony One Remote. When I set up the VSX-31, I plugged my Directv HDMI cable into HDMI 1. I then set my remote such that when I hit Watch TV it set the receiver to HDMI 1. However, what I kept finding was everything worked fine very briefly and then the receiver for some unknown reason would automatically switch to TV/SAT (instead of staying on HDMI 1). Hitting Help on the remote fixed that but I didn't want to hit Help every time I turned on the TV, so I assigned TV/SAT to HDMI 1.
Nitpicks, perhaps. There's many, many good features of this receiver and the price ($400) was right. I wish it would have been more clear on true Zone 2 capabilities and setup.

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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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Sony STR-DA5500ES - AV network receiver - 7.1 channel Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a very good Receiver
When it comes right down to it, audio quality is the most important feature of a surround sound receiver.
The STR-DA5500ES does not disappoint. Quality is far above what I would expect from a receiver at this price point.

This receiver had the clarity to make bookshelf speakers sound amazing, and enough power to rock some free-standing towers. The fun thing was to adjust the EQ on the fly with the set-up manager on my laptop. During movies I felt immersed in all the sound. I was impressed with the improvement in surround modes over past Sony models
Some of reviews here are some what negative all can say is read the manual and set it up properly
And at price of $849.its steal,it will soon be replaced.with the STR-DA5600ES with 3D pass through and 10 more watts at $2000.00 is worth it.
I have bin into Audio & Video for very long time, Like in days of just HI FI one speaker
Macintosh tube Amps and 33 and third LP Recordings "Vineal"and so-on.
Now it is Home Theater with up to 10 speakers.
The STR-DA5500ES is very good Receiver I like mine and works well with my system.
Panasonic TC-P58V10
Polk L/si speakers 7 ea and a REL sub,
Sony BDP-S5000ES Blu-ray

Have a nice day.


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Yamaha HTR-5550 Audio/Video Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews).... I too have had problems with my Sony receivers, Sony makes great TVs, computers, etc., but stay away from their non-ES audio products.
The HTR-5550 has a high current amplifier (high current amplifiers will play louder and sound better than non high current amplifiers of the same or higher power rating). The quality of the product is excellent, no loose knobs, cheep buttons, etc. Yamaha's DSP processors are second to none.
Component video switching works well and has enough bandwidth for HDTV signals. The remote is logical, as is the receiver for the most part except for the radio presets, it's a little tedious to use, but at least it can scan and automatically program in radio stations. It also has assignable inputs.
The sound quality is outstanding, good definition, no signal clipping.
There is a lot more to it, but it is really best to just try it. Reviews help, but you need to actually use it to fully understand the overall quality of the product. I compared to Marantz, Harman/Kardon, Onkyo, Denon, and you definitely get more for less with the Yamaha. If you are in the market for a receiver in this price range, I highly recommend the HTR-5550. Also if you are looking at the $200-300 receivers, trust me it is much better to spend more to get this. I have tried the cheep receivers and you get what you pay for.

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Sony STR-DE845 Surround Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I found the 845 reciver to be a very well thought out piece of equipment. It has 100watts X 5 channels, Dolby Digital and DTS processers, and a wealth of connections. All the RCA jacks one could ever need, 4 S-Video inputs, 4 Fiber optic, and a dual sub output for those who like their bass thick and chunky! And to top it off.... this year it includes Sony's Remote Commander, which will control just about everything you own. I would recommend this receiver to anyone looking for Digital surround sound, versitility, and reliabilaty.... that won't break the bank!

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Onkyo HTX-22HDX Ultra-Compact HD Home Theater System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this system because Onkyo is a reputable name in audio equipment (especially receivers) and also based on glowing reviews from amazon and other sites. I originally bought the Sony HT-CT15o soundbar system because I wanted a minimalist, simple setup up system, that's easy on the eyes and sounds great,perhaps phenomenal. I was severly disappointed by the sony soundbar even though it had so many positive reviews on amazon. it didn't sound good to my ears, that's all.
the HTX22HDX is way better than the TV speakers built into my Samsung 40" LED LCDTV but i feel that the system lacks in, crisp clear precise bass that's often produced by wooden subwoofer enclosures. The bass is kind of muffled and lossed.
The subwoofer also has a mini, built in audio receiver with many bells & whistles to tweak the audio settings which were lovely.
The highs and mids are clear and sound good good but I wish the bass was more powerful and precise.
I'm going to return it and put in a probably anothetr $150 for a better sounding system.
This system is much much better than the TV speakers but loses in bass sound performance in my opinion.

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Movies and games look great on today's widescreen TVs. But let's face it, the audio from your typical flat-panel display leaves a lot to be desired. That's where the HTX-22HDX steps in. In its basic 2.1-channel configuration, the HTX-22HDX gives you a combo subwoofer and A/V receiver plus two front speakers for stunning mid- and high-range audio. Connections? Check. Three HDMI 1.4 inputs let you hook up a Blu-ray player, console, and cable/sat tuner. HDMI 1.4 is not only compatible with upcoming 3D video, it also lets you run an Audio Return Channel from your display's tuner back to the receiver. Audio processing? Check. The HTX-22HDX handles HD formats from DTS and Dolby; offers four distinct audio modes for gaming; and includes Onkyo's very own Theater-Dimensional. The latter creates an immersive and convincing surround effect through just 2.1 channels. Meantime, a new on-screen display makes it easier to adjust settings on the fly, so you can get back to the action sooner.

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