Price Paid:  $120.00 from Richer Sounds

Summary:
I bought this as my budget entry-level 5.1 system after test-driving a friend's model for a full month. During this time I had ample time to get to know the variety of inputs/outputs and general flexibility of the system (all the time concerned with sound quality, thanks to 'What Fi-Fi' magazine).

I would recommend this as a cheap 5.1 system to anyone looking for a quality receiver for next-to-no money. But in reality it would save you in the long run if you dug deeper and went for a more xpensive option if you are in a settled environment for a long-haul.

Get a LONG full warranty!
I didn't, and now 3 years later the power-supply or something internal is trashed, and I'm looking for another Receiver (+long Warranty)!! ;b

Strengths:
Many connectors at the back - quite flexible to do whatever.

Weaknesses:
Dubious surround quality.
Not many Digital options at all (1 optical & 1 cable).
Tricky ambidextrous remote.
Internal Power supply issues?

Similar Products Used:
Technics SA-DX850 Receiver

Price Paid:  $0.00 from ????

Summary:
i got this from my boss.it was an home theater system. the speakers that came with it suck!!! he hated it and got a bose 321. the only problem was the speakers. i hooked my speakers up to it and it sounds a thousand times better

Strengths:
the power is alright. it all comes down to power ratio. the speakers are rated for 5-100 watts. this reciever is 80 peak watts so it is perfect.speakers i got at a sale from best buy for $20 for the pair.

Weaknesses:
not many i cant complain it was free

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $262.00 from BestBuy

Summary:
The sound is a little bit high pitched. Worked fine for two years. Power supply died and now anything works.

Strengths:
Nice 5.1 set up, for beginners.

Weaknesses:
After 2 years the power supply die.

Similar Products Used:
--

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I have had absolutely no problems with this receiver. It puts out a perfect amount of power to whichever speakers I connect to it. The DSP feature works fantastically. Don't hold back on purchase.

Strengths:
Great Power
Great Features
Good Pricing

Weaknesses:
None so far

Similar Products Used:
-

Price Paid:  $350.00 from Auctions (Netaction)

Summary:
This receiver sounds pretty good when it is connected to sensitive speakers , otherwise it lacks the damping factor which is nececessary for driving speakers with a high impedance . The sound is OK for its price level with a bit emphasis on the high frequency (treble) . I have to use an external equalizer (I have an excellent Denon EQ)in order to compensate for the medium frequencies)which are somehow missing .
Othewise the sound is transparent with enough details from music or video stuff , and the sounfield is adequate for a small or even an average room .

Strengths:
For its price range has many and convenient features .

Weaknesses:
Not enough powerfull for demanding speakers and hence may be overdriven and be the cause of distortion at high listening levels (with all the bad consequences that follow from that) .