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

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

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

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Pioneer VSX-819H-K 5-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Went to Best Buy to compare the Yamaha RX-V465 and the Pioneer VSX-819H-k. I had read reviews on the Yamaha on several different websites and most were very positive. I could find no reviews for the Pioneer since it just started reaching retailers during the past 2 weeks. I noticed the Yamaha on display and didn't really like the appearance-seemed less substantial in appearance than the Pioneer. They both looked impressive with the online pics. I know you don't buy according to appearances, although aesthetics can weigh in on a tie/deal breaker. I asked to see the Pioneer and the sales rep had to check his stock. They had not displayed a model since they just arrive the day before. He brought a new box out and opened it so I could compare it to the yamaha and we talked about the different features that were important/meaningful on both receivers. The advanced digital sound fields mean nothing to me. On most receivers they are either a variation of Dolby Prologic II or provide sound stage fields with irritating echoes. Every receiver I have owned (currently we have Panasonic and Sony Models)have these digital sound fields and we never use them.
The Yamaha sounded pretty good hooked up to a blu-ray movie at the store. The True HD was unbelievable! The specs on the Yamaha were the same as the Pioneer as far as supporting True HD and DTS-HD through the HDMI inputs-all switchable to the one HDMI output. The Yamaha has 4 HDMI inputs/1 ouput and the Pioneer has 3 HDMI inputs/ 1 output. I did a mind calculation on the spot and decided 3 outputs were sufficient for my set-up (Dish sat/Sylvania blu-ray/Panasonic DVD Recorder.) The THD was .9 for the Yamaha and .05 for the Pioneer. I don't know how significant that is but the Pioneer seems that it would have clearer sound at low volume with less distortion. The Quick set-up using a microphone placed at your normal listening position are also similar. The Yamamha calls it YPAO while Pioneer calls it MCACC. Most receivers have some variation of this at the mid-price range. The back of the receivers were similar as far as inputs/outputs but the Pioneer had the banana plugs for wiring (which I prefer) while the Yamaha had spring clips for some of the speakers. I won't go into any further specs/features-just go to the company websites or here at Amazon.
Well, I chose the Pioneer. It looked more solid and had some additional features that seemed important to me. I could always return it if I was less than satisfied. I did mention (I am no slouch) that since it was an open box-could I get an "open box" discount? The sales rep laughed (he had opened it for me) and said "why not". So off I went with my 10% discount on a brand new Pioneer VSX-819H-K receiver.
Well, I am tired today! I spent about 2 hours setting it up in the den and removing a Sony which is going to the master BR. But I am VERY HAPPY. This thing sounds fantastic. The set-up was easy. I played the Blu-ray disc "Hitman" and it was like you were inside the screen with the DTS-HD giving you that feeling! Here's the weird thing- I have ordered a set of Yamaha surround speakers from another website (at that time I was somewhat sure that I was going to Purchase the Yamaha model) not that it matters-I'm sure that they'll sound fine with the Pioneer. Back to the weird- The speakers that I am currently using have not been placed on the walls or configured for surround sound-since I had taken them down and re-wired with 16 gauge wire. Since I should receive the Yamaha speakers in a few days I didn't replace the speakers back on the walls etc. I decided to do the QUICK SETUP with the right front on the floor tilted up toward my seating position-the left front 3 ft. off the floor on my AV rack- the center speaker on top of the TV- the 2 rear surrounds are on the floor behind me in the corners also tilted towards my seating position and my Sony subwoofer disconnected. (wired so I couldn't connect it to the Pioneer.) I guess the MCACC SETUP is really precise/accurate because the Blu-ray DVD was phenominal in it's surround direction. Just think when I get the new speakers appropriately set up in the surround configuration!? I think anyone will be happy with this AV receiver. I am a happy camper in my den surrounded by HD SOUND!! P.S. Try to find a store that just received them and ask them to open the box and then ask for a discount!! LOL

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As the VSX-819H-K was designed specifically as a high definition control center with HDMI connectivity for sources such as Blu-ray Disc players and HD-Audio decoding capabilities, you¿re assured ultimate performance. Even with portable entertainment demands increasing every day and devices such as the iPhone becoming the de facto choice for many with respect to enjoying their photos, videos and music, the VSX-819H-K still delivers. Connecting to your iPhone, iPod and iTouch devices, the VSX819H has never been easier with a front USB port and included cable. And because it¿s Works with iPhone certified, the VSX-819H-K delivers a multitude of features designed to bring the entertainment stored on your iPhone into your home theater.

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Sony STR-DH500 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Overall, this receiver is a good value for the money, but don't assume anything. Many of the features you'd expect from an A/V receiver are cobbled together in this unit. For example - the HDMI inputs only support pass-through, meaning that they'll pass the signal on to your TV or projector, but if you want audio through your 5.1 speakers, you'll have to connect the audio to the receiver separately. The receiver WILL NOT pull the audio signal from the HDMI feed, even though the cable carries it. Similarly, if you connect analog sources (component or RCA) to the receiver, the receiver WILL NOT output them through the HDMI out. You'll have to run an analog output from your receiver to your TV or projector to carry signal from those sources. I'm still happy with this unit; it's just not as seamless a solution as I expect from a home theater receiver, and many of the features I took for granted when I looked at all the inputs turned out to be false assumptions.

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The STR-DH500 5.1-channel A/V receiver delivers an HD experience. This new 1080p A/V receiver features HDMI pass-through and 1080/24p capability thus making it compatible with the latest HD sources (i.e. Blu-ray Disc Players, and the PlayStation 3). The STR-DH500 HD connectivity doesn't stop there. It features 5 HD inputs thus providing ample connection options at an inexpensive price. Finally, the STR-DH500 has a digital media port input which expands the flexibility to playback music from various audio sources (i.e. iPod, Walkman digital player, Bluetooth device or PC) with one of the various accessories (sold separately).

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Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K 7-Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I finally received my Pioneer 1019 last night. I ended up staying up way too late last night setting this up. I purchased the Pioneer 1019 after a lengthy decision process between the Denon 1910, Onkyo 607 and Yamaha 765. I needed 4 HDMI so the earlier models wouldn't work and I was also limited in footprint depth so it was these 4. I went with the Pio because I've always been a fan of the sound and quality and each of the others had one or two things wrong (Denon not available, Onkyo quality issues (?), Yammy no assignable inputs). My one concern with the Pio going in was the revamped amps and the decline in weight. Would it impact quality of sound and power? Based on my early tests, NO. This unit has a great, clean sound with lots of detail at low levels and high. I did not hear any hint of strain.
Design
While the unit is smaller and lighter than the 1018 it doesn't look `cheap' and it still has enough bulk to it to make you think it has power. It looks great in the rack. Remote is a bit confusing but I won't use that much after setup and the Harmony database had all the relevant codes, a nice surprise for such a recent release.
The Setup Process
It was pretty easy to get all of the speakers and components hooked up. The manual stinks but I had spent a fair amount of time with the manual online in advance and after a few reads you can fill in the blanks. It took me about an hour to get all of the old equipment out and the new equipment in. Assigning the inputs was relatively straightforward. Renaming inputs was awkward due to the way they handle text input but it was very flexible. I had a little trouble assigning the Optical audio signal from my Macbook along with an HDMI input. I first tried to assign the optical directly to an HDMI input but you can't do that. Instead I had to assign both the HDMI and Optical to an entirely different Input Name (I chose DVR). It worked fine but I suspect that means I really lost a video input since I can't send anything else to the original HDMI input. Not a huge deal as I don't use all the inputs but it was still annoying.
I haven't done MCACC yet but I did use the manual speaker setup and my speaker settings from my old Sony AVR and input those here. That was pretty easy and even with this rudimentary setup the sound was great. Even my wife (who is happy with TV speakers alone) commented on the improvement in quality.
I ran though some of the DSPs and effects but I prefer to set everything to DIRECT, especially on BDs but it was nice to use the Extended Stereo for my iPod and get sound from all of the speakers.
Video
I had lots of questions on the video scaler. I agree with most posters that you should not buy an AVR for this capability. Most TVs will do a better job than any $500 AVR. My TV is a 2006 model though and it has pretty average scaling so I wanted to see how it would look. I hooked up my Comcast DVR with both HDMI and with Component/Optical to gauge the difference. HDMI looks great (and no scaling, of course) but there was no impact on visual signal. I did not have any annoying audio lags either. Component also looks really good for HD signals. I could not tell the difference between the HDMI and Component signals on HD channels.
I then tried it on some SD channels with the scaler set to 1080p. The AVR did fine but it wasn't any better than my TV. No worse either but then I already mentioned my scaler is pretty average. So, as I said earlier, don't buy the unit for the scaler but it's not a negative either. Just try it for your sources and TV and it may or may not generate any improvement in PQ.
The good news is that it does a very good job of upconversion (switching analog signals to digital) which means you can have 6 HD sources (4 HDMI and 2 Component) which is nice.
The one odd thing I found was in the aspect ratio settings for 4:3 signals. The default is `Through' which would make me think it sends the signal untouched but it is actually for stretching the signal (and it does a bad job of that). I switched the signal to `Normal' and it then just passed the 4:3 signal untouched - a definite improvement.
All other sources looked great. Panny BD35 looks and sounds great and I was relieved to see that my Macbook was able to pass a clean signal through the AVR to the TV.
Audio
So the real question is about how this unit sounds. As I mentioned earlier, I am really pleased with the quality and balance. Everything sounds warm and detailed. I expect it to improve even further with the MCACC adjustments. I've listened to quite a few units over time and this has all of the Pioneer sound and quality you expect from them. I don't think anyone will be disappointed with the sound or the power (Of course, if you are willing to spend 3x the $$ then you can get better quality from the Elite series. If you have the cash, definitely buy one of those. If you are looking to spend

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The VSX-1019AH-K represents the pinnacle of the Pioneer receiver line.This hub for your home entertainment center allows you to enjoy your favorite movies on Blu-ray disc, DVD or VHS on your flat-panel television like never before. With standard features that include a phenomenal ability to upscale and convert analog video signals to 1080p when transmitted through HDMI to your high definition television, the VSX-1019AH-K¿s video scaler presents you with nothing but the best quality possible today ¿ regardless of what video source it receives.

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Sony STR-DA2400ES 7.1 Channel Home Theater AV Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this component to take advantage of all the features of my Sony Bravia XBR KDL-52XBR6 TV and Sony BDP-S550 1080p Blu-ray Player. The integration into my system was as easy as possible with the HDMI cables. One HDMI from the Blu-ray player and one from the Comcast Hi-Def cable box into the A/V receiver. One more HDMI from the A/V receiver to the TV. Connect the 7.1 speakers and your done.
The sound field set up was brain-dead simple with the included microphone. The Theatre Sych feature worked perfectly the first time. Put a disk in the player and hit the play button, the TV turns on and selects the correct input and starts playing your movie. I added a Sony TDM-IP1 Digital Media Port iPod Dock for my iPod. Just plug it into the digital media port on the back of the A/V receiver and you're ready to listen to your favorite iTunes playlist. (Warning: the Sony TDM-IP1 Digital Media Port iPod Dock is not compatible with all iPods - check to make sure your iPod is compatible.)
The best part was, obviously, the sound. Without the 7.1 surround, you're missing half of the movie. Also, the music from the iPod takes on a whole new dimension with the A/V receiver's selectable sound fields (Concert Hall, Jazz Club, etc.). I'm sure there are audio purists who would look down their nose at it, but I don't have unlimited funds to put into my A/V system. The price, ease of connection, and feature integration make it perfect for my home theater needs. The upscaling feature of the A/V receiver compensates for the lack of a 1080p signal on regular (Non-HiDef) cable. Not as good as a true 1080p signal, but watchable.
Overall, I'm very pleased with Sony's latest implementation of Digital Home Theater/Entertainment. The picture and sound are state-of-the-art and I can still afford to pay my daughter's college tuition.

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Engineered for high-end home theaters, the STR-DA2400ES elevated standard (ES) 7.1-channel receiver features sophisticated AV technology that reproduces the latest audio formats from Dolby Labs (Dolby Digital +/Dolby TrueHD) and dts (dts HD/DTS high resolution audio). You'll also see the difference with Faroudja DCDi Cinema technology which upscales all your video sources to 1080p when connected through HDMI to a compatible HDTV. Additional features include a 100-watt power amplifier , BRAVIA theater sync (allowing you to manage supported Sony BRAVIA devices), an easy-to-use graphical interface and 4 HDMI inputs that are compatible with 1080 60p/24p, deep color and x.v.color video signals.

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Samsung HW-C700 AV Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)First off, let me say that the features list here on Amazon is incorrect - the system does not feature multi-room capabilities. I could not find mention of it in the manual, so I called Samsung, and they confirmed the system does NOT have multi-room capabilities. This was a feature I wanted on my next system, haven't decided whether or not to return the receiver based on this not being there as advertised.
Other than that, it's a good system. The sound quality is really good. It was very easy to hook up all my components and send the video through just one HDMI cable to my TV.
I haven't fully tested the HDMI-CEC functionality, but based on other reviews and from what I have read in the manual, this feature only works with other Samsung (Anynet+) devices. I have an Anynet+ capable TV (Samsung) which works fine, but it will not control or send commands through the TV to my PS3 via my Harmony One remote. Although this might be just one item that isn't supported, consider the manual states Samsung devices if this is a feature you are dead set on.
The iPod/iPhone cradle works with my iPhone 3G. It charges the phone when powered up. It does not allow shuffle or playlists, it only plays each song in alphabetical order. This is a pretty big weakness, but I will overcome it by running a cable to the AUX input on the back of the unit and doing my music seletion directly from my iPhone. At least they aren't charging another $100 for this cradle like many other receiver manufacturers.
Using this receiver with my Logitech Harmony One required some manual configuration. Logitech does not have the correct codes for the system available yet. Even so, manual setup (learning) of the Samsung's remote was not difficult. I am glad that it offers discrete buttons for each of the inputs, sure makes setup a lot easier.
Overall, a bargain for the price, but not as full featured as advertised.

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7.1 Channel,(120Watt x 7),3D Surround,True HD Decoder,Active Subwoofer

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Onkyo TX-SR304S 5.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Silver) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was looking for a low-cost receiver with surround sound capability for a vacation home. I have never purchased any components from Onkyo before, but a friend of mine more familiar with audio components recommended it. The price was very reasonable, especially after Amazon recently reduced the price to just over $140.
The receiver was shipped from J&R Music World. The packaging was good, and everything arrived in good shape. The directions weren't great, but having set up 5.1 systems before, this was not a tremendous hurdle. Once the unit was turned on, though, the actual setup of the speakers and other features was much simpler and much more effective than the unit I have in my primary home. It was really a snap to get the speakers configured and balanced.
The sound quality is excellent. I don't have a sub-woofer hooked up yet, but the compensation by the unit is excellent, and the sound quality is still top notch. It does not have many of the bells and whistles of other units, and it is just a 5.1 system, but if you're looking for a basic unit that provides all of the necessities, good sound quality, and ease of installation, this unit would be an excellent choice.

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You'll find very little differentiation between most entry-level home theater receivers: passable performance, negligible processing capabilities and little (if any) versatility. The TX-SR304 5.1-channel home theater receiver doesn't follow that well-trodden path. By giving you the connections to the A/V components on everyone's lips today--HDTVs, digital video recorders, gaming consoles, etc--the TX-SR304 wants to broaden your entertainment possibilities, not limit them to basic DVD and CD playback. Naturally, you'll want the audio quality associated with the Onkyo name. That's why we've included the circuitry and quality parts found in other Onkyo home theater receivers: Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry, 192 kHz/24-bit DACs, a 32-bit DSP chip, and an H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) transformer. Finally, keeping in line with what's really important, the TX-SR304 provides a user-friendly, accessible solution to home entertainment.

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Marantz SR5004 Audio/video Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This beautiful new receiver is packed with high-end options and the sound quality is nothing short of exemplary. For a full listing of technicals and features, see the site at: [...]. As compared to Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, and Pioneer, you'll notice a far more "natural" and "forward" sound, whereas the formers are more "punchy", "dark" or "processed". Marantz has been at the business of making receivers in this vein a long time and the 5004 is sure to please even the most discerning audiophiles. Of course, if you have $8K to spend, the Reference series is a nice upgrade. But for us common folk who still appreciate the performance and sound quality that a top-end receiver can produce, this is the one. On the "things to consider side", the SR5004 only has 3 HDMI outputs, so if you're in need of more such connections for your home theater, you might need to consider upgrading to the 6004. All in all, however, you can't beat this receiver for the money. This reviewer recommends pairing it with either Polk RTI or Bowers & Wilkins 600 series speakers.

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Dolby TrueHD, dts-HD MA and Dolby ProLogic IIz decording, Audessey MultEQ&Dynamic Volume, Color GUI, Analog to HDMI scalling, Marantz MX-Port for Bluetooth transmission for iPhone/Mobile, M-DAX compressed audio expander

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Marantz SR8002 Surround Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)After 9 years, it was time to upgrade my former top-of-the-line Sony ES receiver (STR-DA 777ES) to take advantage of improved audio and high-definition video switching. After reading all the professional reviews, I settled on the Marantz SR8002. Three weeks after an extensive configuration and testing, I must say that I am pleased overall with my choice. However, several surprising configuration limitations keep me from giving it a full-on 5-star review.
Let me preface my review by stating that my home theater / audio configuration is on the higher-end of the scale: 3 KEF Reference speakers for the front 3 channels, Boston Acoustics rear surrounds and subwoofer, Sony ES SACD player (and yes, I have an SACD collection!), Bang & Olfusen turntable, Sony reference DVD player, AppleTV, Roku music server, JVC SVHS VCR, Mitsubishi HDTV monitor.
My first priority was in upgrading the audio quality, and I must say that in this respect, the Marantz SR8002 far exceeded my expectations. As a 7.1 channel amplifier, there are 7 x 125watt channels available, native decoding of the latest lossless HD digital audio on BluRay (DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD), Audyssey microphone and room equilazation, and THX Select 2 certification. For the ultimate audio experience, the Marantz SR8002 offers two "Pure Direct" modes - the first one bypasses the equalization and surround circuits, the second mode completely disables all video and display logic for even shorter audio output path. The SR8002 also provides a toroidal power transformer for extra headroom when needed, and in my setup the audio performance is dramatic.
I chose not to expand my current 5.1 speaker configuration to 7.1 channel. In this setup, the SR8002 gives you the option of taking the two unused channels and configuring them for a second amplified room/zone, or bi-amplification of your front speakers. I chose the latter, as my KEF Reference speakers support bi-amplified wiring, providing 250 watts per channel into Left and Right channels. Let me tell you - the pure stereo performance in this configuration will blow your socks off! Friends could not believe the sound in our fairly large family room was from 2-speakers only. And, the multi-channel modes (especially NEO6: Music) are quite outstanding even with a 2-channel source. Quite simply, the audio performance of the SR8002 is "7-star" on a 5-star scale.
My second priority was in upgrading to a receiver capable of decoding the high-resolution audio of BluRay, while providing high definition video switching (via HDMI and component). In this respect the receiver delivers, but with some surprising limitations. On paper, the Marantz SR8002 offers more connectors and options than you would ever need. You have 4 HDMI 1.3 connections + 2 HDMI 1.3 outputs (good!), 4 component HD connections + 2 component HD outputs (good!), 4 TOSlink digital audio (including front), 3 coax digital audio, and a plethora of S-video, composite video, and analog audio inputs.
But in reality, there are serious limitations...
First of all, it is inexcusable for a receiver of this cost to be missing a phonograph input. Yes, for $50 you can buy a phono preamp that gives you good performance and doesn't have the A/C hum of your $25 Radio Shack unit. But, come on.
Secondly, and more discouraging, despite the plethora of connections you only have 8 discrete settings that can be assigned. (The AM/FM tuner is another, nonassignable input, as is the optional XM radio input). This means that even if you could connect to all of the analog + digital inputs available you can only use 8 of them! This is quite a surprising and serious limitation. Even my Sony ES from 1999 had 12 discrete inputs!
The on-screen receiver setup lets you assign specific HDMI, component, and digital audio for your 8 choices. Each input can also be renamed. But you cannot use a single digital input for more than one setting. And you cannot reassign the analog video (S-Video/Composite) or analog audio inputs.
An example of this strange limitation is the analog input of the "AUX2" input also happens to be used as the Left and Right input channels for the 7.1 input. I had to reconfigure my setup to reassign the "AUX2" input to the digital CD input, which I also connected to the 5.1 (SACD) output from my CD player. Because there are only 8 input settings, I had to assign the "AUX1" (front) input to the digital audio and video inputs from my AppleTV. This means that the front AUX1 inputs are completely unusable, since all 8 inputs were assigned from rear input sources.
Another big surprise was the subwoofer speaker setting. By default, it is set to "mix"...all bass output is diverted to the subwoofer at an assignable crossover frequency. This works well for (and is recommended for) THX and multi-channel video sources. But strangely in "mix" setting, the SR8002 does NOT output the bass to the subwoofer for two-channel analog inputs AND it does not output the low frequencies to the front speakers. I spent about 3 hours trying to figure out why my new (required) phonograph preamp sounded so terrible before I discovered this problem. Setting the subwoofer to "BOTH" properly sends full-range audio to the front speakers. AND, it enables the subwoofer for the simulated modes such as NEO6. Not only does this not make sense, it is not documented anywhere in the manual.
There are other annoyances:
- FM / AM radio reception is below average. I was looking forward to trying the "HD radio" capability, but the tuner reception is so bad that it can never get a strong enough signal to use any of the HD radio broadcasts in my area. Compared with my 1999 Sony ES receiver using the same antenna configuration I can only tune half of the stations. My CLOCK RADIO gets much better radio reception than this $2000 receiver!
- the front of the receiver has two large controls for Source and Volume - each one has a bright blue LED indicator that does NOT move with the control. So, while you might think that the volume indicator would indicate the volume level it doesn't. The bright blue indicators are always at 12-o clock position. And the front input control does not have a positive feedback to let you know you have switched inputs.
- the remote control button/display backlight is ONLY activated when you press one of the two buttons on the bottom of the remote
- the remote does not offer discrete settings for all surround modes or settings (although thankfully there are discrete power on/off codes)
- the onscreen display is very primitive (think 1982 Apple ][+ 40x24 characters)
In summary, despite the outstanding audio performance of the Marantz SR8002 (once you figure out the subwoofer and other settings!), I cannot give this a full 5-star rating because of the serious limitations and limited inputs.

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Onkyo TX-SR308 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is what Onkyo does best. This thing offers great performance. It is rock solid, no nonsense, just what you need and not much else. What it does, it does very well: decode most everything, and HDMI 1.4!!!
I was surprised how similar this unit was to my old 2006 model Onkyo 5.1 reciever. This model is clearly a new generation of the same line, with many features and design choices being identical. What sets this unit apart from those of yesterday is the connectivity. 3 HDMI 1.4 inputs, full 3D compatibility for down the road, two optical inputs, composite inputs, and more.
What is not so hot are the "frills". I say "frills" because they are not so frilly. The alternate listening modes are mostly useless- just like they were 5 years ago. The on unit display looks very, very dated, and the remote is even worse than before. In fact, the display and listening modes are identical to my old unit. After setup, dont expect to be pressing more than about 4 buttons on the full-sized remote unless you have other Onkyo components- this remote is NOT universal. This unit does support some "control via HDMI" functionality, so depending on your TV you may be able to sync them to some degree and use one remote for most casual functions on both devices. It also does not upconvert lesser video inputs to HDMI, which is nice to have, but nobody really does that very well until you get into the much higher price points anyway.
But who really buys one of these for a remote and boring sound effects? Not me. I bought this for one reason only: Onkyo quality sound. And this unit does not disappoint. Aside from just sounding great, the functional aspects of this unit are absolutely rock solid and do exactly what you would expect from Onkyo. For the money, I dont know how you could beat this unit. You get Onkyo's top notch, no nonsense audio performance and everything that comes along with HDMI 1.4. Auto a/v sync is here as is deep color if your TV and other components support them. You will be ready if 3D really takes off, or if the reasonably priced HDTV's keep getting much better within the next 3-5 years. This budget unit can grow with your home theater as the industry evolves over the next few years, and keep sounding great the whole time- which is big plus considering where we are in the technology cycle. Onkyo really got it right this year with this model at this price point.
I fully recommend this unit to anyone looking for solid 5.1 surround at this price point that they dont want to throw away in 2 years.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Onkyo TX-SR308 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black)

At the budget-conscious end of the home entertainment spectrum, you’re looking to maximize performance and features without putting undue strain on your finances. At Onkyo, we get it. That’s why we’ve redefined the entry-level A/V receiver once more, with the high-value TX-SR308. Not only is it ready for the 3D video future—thanks to its HDMI 1.4 specification—but it also handles high-definition lossless audio codecs from Dolby and DTS. Advanced A/V processing on a bedrock of classic Onkyo engineering is complemented by a bevy of convenient features: a new overlaid On-Screen Display for easy adjustment of settings; a Universal Port for single-cable connection of peripherals; and a front-panel audio input for direct connection of iPods and other MP3 players. With the TX-SR308, you get a home theater centerpiece ready to drive the latest high-def entertainment sources, today and beyond.

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Sony STR-DN1010 7.1-Channel A/V Blu-Ray Receiver Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It has only been a few days since I received and setup my STR-DN1010. I purchased it along with the BDP-S570 Blu-ray player. Its interesting that Sony calls the receiver a Blu-ray receiver, they really go together. After three years I replaced my Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray and five year old Sony DE898 receiver where both devices preformed well, they did not offer the sound and features that I now have. The DN1010 is a good receiver, but with the addition of the S570, you have a wonderful sounding system with all the features that one would want in a new system.
Upgrading from your old devices is not that simple. If you have a lot of devices like I do, you need to create a diagram to lay it all out where each device will be plugged in. To start I would not begin without using banana plugs, as I do not like the plastic connectors on this receiver. Connecting the HDMI devices is easy. For me it was the Blu-ray player, a HD-DVD player, and an AT&T U-Verse receiver. I also have a Sony Turntable that was pluged into a phono jack on my old receiver. I changed the EQ switch to on and plugged it into the only analog audio port that being the SA-CD/CD Audio In and it works just fine. Now I also have an old CD Recorder. I used an Optical cable and plugged it into the optical port 1. My next device I needed to port was a Laser Disc player. I used its S-video output and went directly to my Samsung TV as Video 1 and ported the sound using its digital optical port to the receiver's optical port 2. Now all I had left was my Roku Soundbridge (great for internet radio). It has a coaxial port that I plugged into the receiver's coaxial port. Before I got my new receiver, I never had enough digital ports. You can not change the keys on the remote, but the name of all my devices show up just fine on the receivers display and when using the GUI display on my TV. Renaming is very easy using the GUI mode and the tools/options key on the remote. It all works and after setting up the speakers using the Auto Cal and a little fine tuning, I was ready to try it out. I put in my David Foster and Friends Hit Man Blu-ray disc and Wow, the sound is so much better then the setup of my old receiver. It is that good and every device works so well together. The receiver does not have DNLA streaming, but using that feature on the BDP-S570, I have online my whole music collection and using the Blu-ray's HDMI connection to the receiver, the sound is much better then what I am getting from my Roku Soundbridge. You can view on your TV what playlist you want to listen to, select it and then turn off the TV if you like. After a few days I desided to switch back the U-verse HDMI cable directly to the TV and use its speakers without turning on the receiver. I can also use the optical out from the TV and connect it to the receivers TV optical in and can enjoy surround sound from the receiver by selecting the TV key on the remote.
I hope I helped anyone interested in this receiver in getting the most out of a great system. And know that you are ready when the day comes when you purchase that 3D HD TV we may all want someday.
Update December 19th.. Just purchased a Sony 55HX800 3D TV and works great. When TV sees the receiver is on, sound switches to the receiver. All my Sony devices talk to each other. Only thing I do not like is when you turn the TV off, everything else turns off. Using Uverse or any other source I still recommand running a HDMI cable from the box directly to the TV. Most new TV's have an optical out from the TV and the receiver has optical TV in. With this TV which does not have the best speakers, when the receiver is on the TV will automatically switch to the receiver. With receiver off, sound will switch back to the TV. One last comment, because you have the same network features on the Blu-ray and the TV, I would use them from the Blu-ray because you have a HDMI connection to the receiver and then to the TV, where as you would need an optical cable from your TV to the receiver. Still both work great with great sound and picture.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony STR-DN1010 7.1-Channel A/V Blu-Ray Receiver

Take your high-definition surround sound experience to the next level with the STR-DN1010 7.1-channel Blu-ray Disc A/V receiver. Enjoy 3D images while hearing sound closer to the way it was captured, plus improve image quality of non-HD video sources to HD using one convenient cable. Offering plenty of connectivity options for your expanding lifestyle, this A/V receiver features 4 HDMI inputs, 3 component inputs and is SIRIUS Satellite Radio-ready. You can also share your music in multiple rooms with wireless 2nd zone technology.

Click here for more information about Sony STR-DN1010 7.1-Channel A/V Blu-Ray Receiver