Price Paid:  $200.00 from Future Shop

Summary:
This is my first reciever and has preformed flawlessly for the past year and a half. I managed to get this on a open box deal at Future Shop :) I haven't had any problems with it at all. A very solid sound from any source. BTW, those "faulty" RCA jacks could possibly be due to the fact that the auto-sense is only between the various digital formats, you must manually specify if you wish to use the analog inputs when configuring. This unit is configured with a k-wood CD-403 5 disk changer and S/PDIF running in from the computer. Sounds clear and true running throug any speakers I've thrown at it, Currently running a set of Paradigm Titans (V2) however it's just as phenomenal on the older Mirage floorstanding units at a friend's place.

Strengths:
Solid reliability, useful display, intuitve setup, excellent sound and the possibility for upgrades to surround sound

Weaknesses:
None (well, you've got to watch the placement, placing anything on top should be avoided if possible due to the massive heat-sink which seems to be he only cooling system)

Similar Products Used:
Old realistic reciever, Technics A/V reciever, older kenwood receiver, older H/K reciever, professional recording equipment

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Future Shop

Summary:
Low price, good performance. Great buy all in all! =)

Strengths:
Solid performance in all respects except... (see weakness)

Weaknesses:
... 80Wx5 ... not fantastic but ok ;)

Similar Products Used:
1972 Pioneer Stereo am/fm receiver, 25wX2...
okay I guess that's not similar, hehe ;)

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Ripley, Santiago de Chile

Summary:
I just listen music with it, sounds great!
can someone tell me why latin american version is 110 x 5
and american is 80 x 5 ???????????

Strengths:
Big Power

Weaknesses:
turn hot at half way

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $180.00 from Buy.com

Summary:
Before I upgraded my cd player to a Pioneer Elite CV-36 DVD/CD player with digital outputs I had to use the Aux RCA input on the VR-405 because its CD/DVD and CD RCA inputs were non-functional (and I was non-happy!). But after the upgrade and my subsequent 5.1 speaker purchases I couldn't be happier with this unit. With control to adjust each speaker's volume including the sub (also accessible with the remote), pink noise test sounds for fine tuning your listening environment (on remote as well), and automatic sensing of the source signal (i.e. DTS vs. Dolby Digital, digital vs. analog, etc.) this A/V receiver has all the necessary functionality to be the centerpiece of a professional quality home theater system.

The reason it's not an overall 5 stars is the faulty RCA inputs.

Strengths:
DTS-capable, digital & optical inputs, simple remote with only necessary functions, plenty o' power - all at a very nice price.

Weaknesses:
No THX, some audio inputs didn't work; can you still buy this unit new?

Similar Products Used:
None with comparable 5.1 outputs, DTS capability, etc.