Editorial Review

The digital age has brought new forms of entertainment to your computer screen, but it certainly has not overshadowed the surround sound home theater experience. The Kenwood VRS-N8100 Audio/Video Control Center with Network Function seamlessly merges your entertainment system with your home computer. The rear-panel Ethernet connector lets you stream audio and video files from your computer to your home theater system. With the VRS-N8100, your entire family can enjoy the multimedia digital files stored on your computer through the sound quality of your home entertainment system.Read more

Features

• A/V Streaming from PC to Receiver
• 100W x 6 Advanced digital amplifier
• Dual source single zone, plug and play with auto detect
• SHARC 32 bit DSP, DTS-ES 96/24, Dolby Digital EX, ProLogic IIx, Dolby Headphone and Dolby Virtual Speaker
• HD Component Video Switching and Universal A/V Remote Control

Reviews (8)

great receiver for the price
this receiver will do about anything but plan to spend some (a good bit of time) with the user manual. i have had this receiver for about two weeks and am still learning all the features. i have had some problems with the server software but am still working my way through the numerous forums on this receiver. if you are into networking your components this is an inexpensive way to get a receiver/media center on your network. so far a really neat product.

Works as designed. And very well at that.
I was able to pick one of these up before Christmas at around $329 here at Amazon before they go away. Needed many digital audio inputs. This one fit the bill. 3 optical and 2 coaxial. The Dolby Digital works great. You can either use a powered or passive sub as I did. Tuner is ok. Needs an outdoor antenna. The network stuff works great. I used a Linksys Gaming adapter to bridge it to my network. The KenwoodPC software is a tad cheesy but it works. The front speaker connectors are cheesy also, the rest are great.Buy this, you will not be disappointed.

Bad Customer Support
I loved my receiver until the subwoofer stopped working after only 7 months. I called Kenwood and they told me that the Internet seller I purchased from wasn't an "official reseller" and they wouldn't offer me ANY warranty.
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Editorial Review

The sleek Kenwood DT-7000S brings Sirius satellite radio to your home and connects directly to your stereo system--whether that be a receiver, a shelf system, or a pair of powered speakers. The DT-7000S features a 4-line blue-on-black dot matrix display with dimming control, up to 80 station presets, and a 24-song memory. Note that the DT-7000S requires a Sirius home antenna in order to receive satellite radio signals. Read more

Features

• Home Sirius satellite radio receiver connects directly to your stereo system
• Connects to receiver or powered speakers through RCA or optical digital outputs
• 80 station presets in 4 banks (20 presets each); 4-line blue-on-black dot matrix display
• Stores song titles and artist names for up to 24 songs for quick recall; includes remote control
• Requires Sirius subscription; measures 13.6 x 2.6 x 13.1 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty

Reviews (8)

Re-boot
How often can a brand new tuner need to be repeatedly unplugged and rebooted?Pretty Often!Try buying ANY other peice of equipment, like a Starmate at a fraction of the cost of a DT-7000s, and enjoy better performance and use-ability.What junk from Kenwood.

Sirius Tuner
I like the display and it is very light.The only problem is that is runs very hot and if installed in a cabinet,can be an issue. Otherwise,I am very happy with it's performance.

undependable
I had the same problem as Oilman.And had to return 2 units, then had to call multiple times to get my money back (took over 6 months before the issue was resolved). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. syrius, serious, serius, sireus, sirious, dt7000, dt7000s    2. 7000s, 7000, dt700, dt70, dt7, dt-7000, dt-700, dt-70, dt-7    3. satelite, radio   

Editorial Review

Sony's affordable and versatile STR-DE898 accommodates everything from the latest surround sound movie formats to cutting-edge high-resolution audio sources. The audio/video receiver delivers 100 watts per channel across seven main channels (left, right, center, left/right mid surround, and left/right rear surround) and has a dedicated subwoofer output for an eighth (the ".1" low-frequency effects channel).Read more

Features

• 7.1-channel A/V surround receiver (100 watts x 7) with 30 radio presets and HD video switching
• Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, DTS Neo:6, DTS 96:24, and Dolby Pro Logic II/IIx 6.1-channel surround processing
• 7.1-/5.1-channel analog audio inputs accommodate high-resolution multichannel formats like SACD and DVD-Audio
• 6 digital audio inputs and 1 digital output; includes phono input for turntable and preprogrammed remote control
• Multizone/multiroom control; measures 17 x 6.2 x 14.6 inches (W x H x D); 2-year warranty

Reviews (18)

Worked better with a new subwoofer
I collected a hodgepodge of speakers to set up a home theatre in my den 21' x 17'.I collected 3 of the double Bose cubes (from eBay) for center and surround and planned to use my old large Koss speakers for left and right and to handle bass sound.
better than that...
I own this little puppy, and I'm delighted with it. I'll disagree with with DB Brown, below, by noting two things:
Sony Slips
The price looked right, but as others have mentioned this receiver has:
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Features

• UPC - 744390103018
• Input Device Wireless Mice Wireless

Features

• Playback MP3/WMA/WAV music from a PC
• Compatible with iPod via optional Yamaha YDS-10
• USB flash drive/music player compatibility
• Internet radio playback compatibility
• XM Ready with XM HD Surround powered by Neural Surround

Reviews (2)

Pretty good but not without issues
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.
Great sounding Home Theater system
The unit sounds very good, was easy to set up, and lived up to my expectations. The 6.1 Stereo works perfectly in my small'ish living room. The only problem is Yamaha could have spent a little more time in refining the Internet menus, a little difficult to quickly make selections. ... Read more

Features

• MODEL- RX-D401S VENDOR- JVC COMPANY OF AMERICA FEATURES- Audio/Video Control Receiver- Silver 7-Channel Receiver featuring HDMI, New Digital Amplifier, and Wireless PC connectivity. Despite their ultra-slim design, JVCs A/V control receivers provide amplification for up to seven channels. The secret to this outstanding feat is the JVC-exclusive Hybrid Feedback Digital Amp. A digital amp first di

Reviews (7)

Just what I was looking for!
If you're looking for an AVR with HDMI support, this definitely could be the one you've been searching for. As others have reported this receiver runs very hot, but I've had it for well over a month and I havn't had a single issue yet. The audio quality is amazing and the upconversion of 480i video sources to 480p through HDMI is done very well. THE perfect receiver to have for using your new HD DVD player or PlayStation3 on your new display. I tip my hat to JVC for including so many great features and top quality at such an amazing price.

Amazing light show when the power supply blows up
My JVC RX-D401S power supply gave me a nice light show last month.I had been using it to switch a DVI DVD and cable box, and upconvert NTSC sources for my projector for about 6 months without many problems (except for occasional vertical sync problems on bright scenes when in progressive-to-HDMI conversion mode) though it always seem to run a bit hotter than I'd expect.I had six inches of clearance around it on the sides where the vents are because of that.Anyway, I went to turn it on one day and it just went "click."Being stupid I tried to turn it on again, and something went "POP!" very loudly and flames shot out the left side of the unit, followed by smoke...No circuit breakers blew.I drove 40 minutes to drop it off at an authorized service center, and a few days later they said, "we can't fix this, the whole main board needs to be replaced, which JVC doesn't sell as a part" so I call JVC again and they want me to drive out there again, retrieve it, send it to a factory service center on my own dime.
Not ready for prime time but JVC does not care
The receiver did not work or broke down almost immediately, which is reported everywhere on the net. JVC support ('JVC Customer Care Virtuosos') is difficult to communicate with. First they told me to buy another dvd recorder (HDMI but lesser quality) which I did and stated that in order for HDMI to work all components need to be HDMI (I now understand that the unit only upconverts to 480p). When it still did not work they had me bring it in to an "authorized repair-shop" 150 miles and 3 hours of travel away. After 10 days and a few phone calls I got the item back with the message that there was nothing wrong with it and that I needed an optical audio cable in addition to the HDMI cable. It still did not work and now I am to send it in to the factory (they will pay for shipping, big deal). When I protested and asked to send me another they stated that that was not their policy but that a customer service rep was going to call me back. I am still waiting for that call. So eight weeks after buying a brand new item and many hours on the phone the best I can expect is a refurbished piece of equipment that has a good chance of overheating and braking down again. I am sorry I bought the unit and will never buy JVC products again. ... Read more

Features

• A stereo receiver for a home audio component system
• Delivers 100 watt per channel to left and right channels @ 8 ohm
• Variable impedance swich
• Dighital AM and FM tuner with 30 station presets
• A/V remote control with multi-room capability

Reviews (19)

Like the seventies only better
I had put off transcribing my extensive vinyl collection to cd for a variety of reasons. But, a couple of months ago I decided to go ahead and start the project. I still had and was very happy with my mid seventies two channel system consisting of a HK730 Receiver, Akai GXC750D Cassette Deck, Dual 1246 Turntable and Wharfedale W90D speakers. I didn't have a CD recorder and I had been dissatisfied with the results of running my source into the sound card of my computer. So, I started researching products and found that there wasn't a whole lot to choose from in the moderately priced range. What I ultimately settled on was a Sony RCD W500C recorder, Polk Audio R15 Compact Bookshelf speakers and an Onkyo TX 8511 Receiver/Amp. I could not be more pleased with the outcome. The Polk Audio R15's are near perfect for the relatively small room I have them in and the Sony CD recorder does it's job well, accepts analog as well as digital sources and produces excellent archival copies of the original vinyls. The Onkyo TX8511 was the biggest surprise though. It turned out to be a solidly built, clean sounding and powerful unit that delivers more quality and punch for the dollar than I would have expected. My criteria for a receiver/amp when I began my research was a unit that could produce a clean 50 to 100 watts rms into 8 Ohms, had dedicated tape and phono inputs and line outputs, a reasonably good tuner section, two channels, A/B speaker connections and not much else. The Onkyo delivered all that and more. I've never been an audiophile, and I'm not into surround sound or the bells and whistles that go with todays state of the art equipment. But, I did read a lot of comments and reviews about all the potential candidates for my little system and the one recurring complaint I read about the TX 8511 concerned their cheesy speaker connections. Get over it you guys, there's nothing wrong with them. You just need to be smarter than the connection. Either make sure your speaker lead ends are sufficiently long and tightly twisted before you insert them into the clamps or tin the ends first with solder. If I did have a complaint, it would be the lack of a subwoofer connection, but I can live without it.

Solid workhorse
We're using this to go from PC audio card to speakers for a small gym.It works very well.Simple.Low price point.Reliable.
Because I was spoiled before with a Nakamichi receiver...
this Onkyo pales in comparison. It is servicable and clean sounding but unfortunately has a tinny, sharp sound. Not much in the way of warmth or depth, even after messing with the bass and treble controls. BUT for the $ ( as my 15 yr old Nakamichi died, despite 2 trips to the repair shop) it is worth it. The customer service from One Call ( where I bought mine via Amazon) is top notch, I had concerns ( no sound came out , intermittant problem, seems to be OK now) and they were very helpful and willing to take return. I decided to keep it, as the price was so wonderful and the sound, as I said, is decent and clear, but I plan to save up and eventually get a receiver that plays with more warmth and depth. This is perfectly fine to tide me over. I would recommend it, just know that there is a sharp, mechanical tinge to the sound. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Juice up your car stereo with high, clean, and efficient power using Sony's XM-2200GTX Xplod model 2-channel automotive power amplifier. Simple to install and configure, the class A/B amp is capable of driving 200 reliable watts per channel RMS (continuous) into 4-ohm speakers (400 watts peak), or up to 600 wpc peak into 2-ohm speakers. Alternately, you can use it as a bridged, monaural amp for a road-rattling 1,200 watts per channel--buy one for every speaker in your system.Read more

Features

• 1200 watts max power
• 200 watts x 2 RMS into 4 ohms
• 500 watts x 1 RMS into 4 ohms
• Built-in variable LPF (low-pass filter) and bass-boost circuit (up to +10 dB at 40 Hz)
• Measures 15.75 x 2.25 x 10.9 inches (W x H x D)

Reviews (1)

This amp
I got this amp powering 2 1300W sony x-plod turbo subs with a 300 watt JVC receiver and I just got two tickets for loud music. LOL That should explain everything. The amp sounds great especially if you know how to hook up sounds. I got it hooked up weird but it sound betterlike that. Trust me turn all the bass down from the receiver and let the amp talk. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Add a powerful surround sound field to your home theater set-up with the JVC RXD411S 7-channel audio/video receiver, which pumps out 110 watts per channel. Perfect for producing amazing video and audio playback for years to come, this model offers dual HDMI inputs and an HDMI output with composite/S-Video/component signal up-conversion and DCDi deinterlacing technology from Faroudja. It's also XM Satellite Radio-ready, enabling you to access the XM network through XM Connect and Play, an optional tuner that connects through a single cable--no power cord or audio cables are required. This receiver offers the following power specs: Read more

Features

• Built-in Digitally-tuned AM/FM Radio Tuner with 30 FM and 15 AM preset station programmable memories
• Tuner is XM Satellite Radio Ready (subscription to XM service and an XM home antenna are required)
• Connector allows your Sirius Satellite Radio tuner to be connected and controlled (requires subscription to Sirius)
• Stereo - 110 watts per channel, 6 ohms, from 20Hz to 20kHz, with 0.8% THD / Surround - (Front) 110 watts per channel, 6 ohms at 1kHz, with 0.8% THD; (Center) 110 watts, 6 ohms at 1kHz, with 0.8% THD; (Surround) 110 watts per channel, 6 ohms at 1kHz, with 0.8% THD; (Surround Back) 110 watts per channel, 6 ohms at 1kHz, with 0.8% THD
• Decodes Dolby Digital EX/Dolby Digital/Dolby Pro Logic IIx/Dolby Pro Logic II / DTS/DTS-ES/DTS NEO - 6/DTS 96/24 surround technologies

Editorial Review

Harman Kardon's AVR 635 7.1-channel audio/video surround receiver includes the company's latest features and technologies on top of near-universal surround-format compatibility. Internally, the receiver is engineered for extraordinary sonic performance, featuring a discrete-output amplifier section that delivers seven channels of high-current (+/- 50 Amps), ultrawide-bandwidth amplification--7 x 75 watts into 8 ohms, 20 to 20,000 Hz with less than 0.07 percent THD--in addition to state-of-the-art 192 kHz/24-bit audio digital-to-analog converters and a high-power Texas Instruments 32-bit DSP processor.Read more

Features

• 7.1-channel A/V surround sound receiver with quadruple crossover bass management system
• Built-in Dolby Digital EX, Pro Logic II, and DTS (including 6.1 Discrete, 6.1 Matrix, and Neo:6) decoding
• High-bandwidth component video switching; multisource/multiroom control for 2-zone speaker playback
• Supports multichannel DVD-Audio and SACD playback; proprietary Logic 7 enhanced audio reproduction
• 75 watts x 7 high-current amplification; measures 17 x 7 x 17 inches (W x H x D); 2-year warranty

Reviews (15)

Very worthwhile, one of the better high end mass fi receivers
This receiver is much better than similar products I've owned from Sony ES, Pioneer Elite, etc. I'm fairly demanding of audio gear (my other rig is a single-ended triode tube rig with no preamp or anything else to pollute the sound running into some speakers that cost more than my last 4 cars combined, to give you an idea!). This isn't the ultimate audiophile rig, but it does have an exceptional combination of quality, features, and convenience. I'm very happy with the sound quality.The manual could be better, but it is usable. The ability to configure the receiver to drive another room was a key feature for me; my better half wanted to be able to hear music or TV in the study, and this does it nicely.The audio quality from the tuner is surprisingly good; it makes me think there's far less market opportunity for the new HD tuners than I'd thought previously, but I'll keep an open mind! Downside: there is noticable wavering as it tries to lock onto a video signal when I change channels in my vcr tuner, and I haven't noticed it doing anything (positive or otherwise) for the video signal, but I'm just using composite so it's not a fair test. I like the extensive back panel connectivity, too; it enables a lot of flexibility in how one uses this product.I also found the EZ set self equalization easy to use but far less than satisfying. I finally turned it off, and went manual. Overall, I have to say I'm very happy with this item, and I honestly don't know of a better integrated receiver solution.

Very Low
I purchased this expensive receiver from Amazon/Etronics in early July and received it with the volume light not working and immediately returned it by UPS.I have not heard one word from Etronics since.It's as if my receiver does not even exist.I have sent a dozen emails but never a reply.

Bang for the buck
I teamed this reciever with HKTS-14 and the door to the house rattles in the jamb when things in my movies blow up.The children outside get quiet.The clarity and thump are beautiful, both with the door and the AVR.My old man has the best Bose system you can buy and while it is no doubt great, I've had his system up all the way and this HK is more crisp and I swear louder.And let's not forget afterwords I had enough money left over for a nice steak dinner.
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Editorial Review

Harman Kardon's AVR 635 7.1-channel audio/video surround receiver includes the company's latest features and technologies on top of near-universal surround-format compatibility. Internally, the receiver is engineered for extraordinary sonic performance, featuring a discrete-output amplifier section that delivers seven channels of high-current (+/- 50 Amps), ultrawide-bandwidth amplification--7 x 75 watts into 8 ohms, 20 to 20,000 Hz with less than 0.07 percent THD--in addition to state-of-the-art 192 kHz/24-bit audio digital-to-analog converters and a high-power Texas Instruments 32-bit DSP processor.Read more

Features

• 7.1-channel A/V surround sound receiver with quadruple crossover bass management system
• Built-in Dolby Digital EX, Pro Logic II, and DTS (including 6.1 Discrete, 6.1 Matrix, and Neo:6) decoding
• High-bandwidth component video switching; multisource/multiroom control for 2-zone speaker playback
• Supports multichannel DVD-Audio and SACD playback; proprietary Logic 7 enhanced audio reproduction
• 75 watts x 7 high-current amplification; measures 17 x 7 x 17 inches (W x H x D); 2-year warranty

Reviews (15)

Very worthwhile, one of the better high end mass fi receivers
This receiver is much better than similar products I've owned from Sony ES, Pioneer Elite, etc. I'm fairly demanding of audio gear (my other rig is a single-ended triode tube rig with no preamp or anything else to pollute the sound running into some speakers that cost more than my last 4 cars combined, to give you an idea!). This isn't the ultimate audiophile rig, but it does have an exceptional combination of quality, features, and convenience. I'm very happy with the sound quality.The manual could be better, but it is usable. The ability to configure the receiver to drive another room was a key feature for me; my better half wanted to be able to hear music or TV in the study, and this does it nicely.The audio quality from the tuner is surprisingly good; it makes me think there's far less market opportunity for the new HD tuners than I'd thought previously, but I'll keep an open mind! Downside: there is noticable wavering as it tries to lock onto a video signal when I change channels in my vcr tuner, and I haven't noticed it doing anything (positive or otherwise) for the video signal, but I'm just using composite so it's not a fair test. I like the extensive back panel connectivity, too; it enables a lot of flexibility in how one uses this product.I also found the EZ set self equalization easy to use but far less than satisfying. I finally turned it off, and went manual. Overall, I have to say I'm very happy with this item, and I honestly don't know of a better integrated receiver solution.

Very Low
I purchased this expensive receiver from Amazon/Etronics in early July and received it with the volume light not working and immediately returned it by UPS.I have not heard one word from Etronics since.It's as if my receiver does not even exist.I have sent a dozen emails but never a reply.

Bang for the buck
I teamed this reciever with HKTS-14 and the door to the house rattles in the jamb when things in my movies blow up.The children outside get quiet.The clarity and thump are beautiful, both with the door and the AVR.My old man has the best Bose system you can buy and while it is no doubt great, I've had his system up all the way and this HK is more crisp and I swear louder.And let's not forget afterwords I had enough money left over for a nice steak dinner.
Read more

Editorial Review

Take the next step in home theater performance with the Yamaha HTR-5960 digital surround receiver, which boasts 7.1 channels (115 watts x 7) of amplification and a ton of high-end features. The receiver is built around Yamaha's digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) design concept, which maximizes digital signal quality and minimizes analog circuitry to ensure the best possible sound. ToP-ART receivers include such defining attributes as ultra-high-current amplification, high-performance 192 kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters, an upgraded Pure Direct listening mode that provides terrific signal purity, and an impressively wide frequency range of 10 Hz to 100 kHz that helps digital audio sources like DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD reach their full potential.Read more

Features

• Full-featured 805-watt (115 watts x 7) 7.1-channel digital home theater receiver with ToP-ART amplifier
• Quad-Field Cinema DSP with 14 surround programs; Dolby Digital EX, DTS 96/24, and Pro Logic IIx decoders
• Component video up-conversion for S-video and composite signals; XM satellite radio ready
• Special terminal accommodates Yamaha's iPod dock (sold separately); 3 component video inputs
• 5 digital audio inputs (3 optical and 2 coaxial); measures 17.1 x 6.7 x 16.5 inches (W x H x D); 2-year warranty

Editorial Review

Both powerful and versatile, the AudioSource Amp 300 high-current stereo power amplifier offers 150 watts RMS per channel x 2 or, in bridged mono mode, up to an amazing 470 watts x 1 (into 8-ohm speakers in both cases). Now you can scale your listening to match your budget: use either 1 amplifier or 2 for stereo sound or 5 or more in concert for full-blown home-theater excitement--perfect for your DVDs, multichannel DTV broadcasts, or high-resolution audio formats like DVD-Audio and SACD.Read more

Features

• 150 watts RMS x 2 (into 8 ohms); 470 watts RMS x 1 (into 8 ohms) with bridged mono use
• A/B speaker selector allows multi-room amplification; uses low-distortion toroidal power supply
• Signal-sensing auto-on/off and 12-volt trigger ports (in and out) for custom configuration
• High- and low-level inputs for maximum flexibility
• Measures 16.5 x 5.3 x 14 inches (W x H x D)

Editorial Review

The design philosophy behind the TX-SR574s makes good sense. Provide on-demand power for all channels; add powerful processing capabilities and dependable build quality; and stack it with versatility and options. The TX-SR574 takes today’s most sought after home entertainment components—like DVD recorders, cable/set-top boxes and gaming consoles—and conveniently switches between them with a single output to HDTV. It will also upconvert any other components connected by S-Video and composite connections. And when it comes to music and movie sources, the TX-SR574 accommodates the most contemporary formats available, even the yet-to-be-released surround formats for HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc. And if you want to broaden your choices even further, the TX-SR574 provides access to XM® Satellite Radio and the iPod® with the appropriate set-up and peripherals. Such competitively priced completeness is bound to attract attention. Read more

Features

• 80W per channel
• Surround power - 80W minimum, into 8 ohms - or 100W per channel, into 6 ohms
• Frequency Response - 20Hz - 20KHz
• THD @ rated power - 0.08%
• Built-in Surround Sound

Editorial Review

A terrific choice for a remarkably affordable system upgrade or building block, the AudioSource Amp 200 high-current stereo power amplifier offers 80 watts RMS per channel x 2 or, in bridged mono mode, up to 250 watts x 1 (into 8-ohm speakers in both cases). Now you can scale your listening to match your budget: use either 1 amplifier or 2 for stereo sound or 5 or more in concert for full-blown home-theater excitement--perfect for your DVDs, multichannel DTV broadcasts, or high-resolution audio formats like DVD-Audio and SACD.Read more

Features

• 80 watts RMS x 2 (into 8 ohms); 250 watts RMS x 1 (into 8 ohms) with bridged mono use
• A/B speaker selector allows multi-room amplification; uses low-distortion toroidal power supply
• Signal-sensing auto-on/off and 12-volt trigger ports (in and out) for custom configuration
• High- and low-level inputs for maximum flexibility
• Measures 16.5 x 3.5 x 14 inches (W x H x D)

Reviews (1)

A nice quality amplifier with good sound.
My first impression on unpacking the AMP200 was its weight for an amplifier of this size, 11 kgs (just over 24 pounds) !
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