Price Paid:  $139.00 from Rex Appliances

Summary:
The DSP modes of this beast are the greatest. Pavilion is one of the best sound modes. If you play a CD or whatever audio and you push pause you'll here the reverb out of the surround speakers like the sounds is bouncing of the back walls. It really sounds like you're in a pavilion. Live music sounds especially great. The digital optical, analog, and coaxial inputs can be tapped into easily. The best features are the Pavilion sound mode, the sleep timer, the ease of alternating between digital coaxial, RCA analog, and optical digital inputs. I bought this receiver for my girlfriend. She didn't have any problem figuring it out mostly on her own. For the money this is a very impressive receiver.

Strengths:
Its ease of use, sound modes, sleep timer, slide-type F-connector for FM antenna, ease of use, and style makes it very apealing.

Weaknesses:
No S-Video Jacks, Hard to get the volume where you want it.

Similar Products Used:
JVC DVD Player (don't know #) JVC Tape to Tape cassette deck (older model)

Price Paid:  $299.00 from Future SHop

Summary:
This is a great receiver for little money. Perfect for music and home theatre, very reliable and very easy to use. Highly recomend to anyone who is just starting to build on there audio epuipment.

Strengths:
Many features that higher models don't have and easy to use

Weaknesses:
No S-video cable

Price Paid:  $179.00 from Sears

Summary:
For an entry level A/V has excellent sound reproduction. After tweeking the sound options using a THX audio setup program available on many DVD's, the JVC reciever produced clear ample sound. Depending upon your current setup this model provides many features that the more pricey models have, providing you with great sound for little investment.

Strengths:
2 Digitial Inputs, 1 Optical, 1 Coaxl. Inputs for Tape, CD shared with the Digital Optical or Analog TV Sound, VCR and DVD Multi. DTS & Dolby Digital 5.1 w/Pro Logic II DSP

Weaknesses:
Speaker connections are spring clip connectors. No S-Video connections

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
A very well featured reciever with ample power. Has Optical and coaX digital Audio inputs has DTS and DolbyDigital. great remote, my first amp. love it.

Strengths:
LOTS OF FEATURES FOR THE PRICE

Weaknesses:
Could have had better equalizers but i don;t complain since i have it hooked up to my SB_LIVE through digital coax and use a software based qualizer.