Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
First the Good news: This receiver is very nice with Dolby Digital and DTS. It sounds good and all in all pretty good with those 2 modes. Now the Bad news: This receiver is not really good for regular Dolby Pro-logic sound. One reason perhaps is that the rear singal is just too weak. Another thing is that if u want to listen to music..it''s best to do it by selecting the "direct" button on the receiver..otherwise, there will be little to no bass ... the bass management is a bit weak.

Strengths:
Price, ease of use, DTS,and Dolby Digital

Weaknesses:
Dolby Pro-Logic, Weak Stereo Sound, lack of power (even while using Klipsh Rf-3''s) which are very efficient, and Lack of good bass management

Similar Products Used:
Aiawa(i forget the model) Cheaper than the pioneer and sounds a hell of a lot better! (great bass)

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Trade In

Summary:
I traded a younger friend an earlier Pioneer model that only had stereo. He wanted more power. While I wanted DD. So we traded. I learned that power isn''t always the best way to get the sound you want to hear. It''s all about airspace. I own 4 JBL theater speakers that sound incredible with any reciever. But when I got the 309 I was so impressed with the sound quality. I have yet to add a decent sub so I don''t have the exact sound that I want, but with the speakers that I have I am very impressed with the sound. As far as the setup it was a breeze. The Pioneer name has been in all of my systems one way or another and it always will be.

Strengths:
Great sound quality with a great price

Weaknesses:
Only one digital in, no s-video

Similar Products Used:
Technics, Sharp, and Sony

Price Paid:  $91.00 from ebay

Summary:
I brought this unit for a friend to bring him into the world of DD/DTS. From what I have heard of this unit I am impress. I did the setup for him and found it a little confussing, but I guess if I were using it everyday it would become second nature. Over all I found this unit a great starter system. He has two Pioneer speakers for the fronts (unknown model) and I picked up a KLH 120 watt sub for him to replaced his old 35 watt RCA sub. He still needs to add the rear surrounds to complete the package, but with just moving into his first home the wife''s list comes first.

Strengths:
Good power for a small room, has DD/DTS, good sound fields for music.

Weaknesses:
Just add a powered sub (100 watt or more) so the units power can push the other speakers.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer VXS 505s, Pioneer Elite VSX 26TX

Price Paid:  $179.00 from Rex Stereo and Appliances

Summary:
.Whoever doesn't have this product. BUY IT!! its worth it.best Pioneer Receiver i ever heard

Strengths:
great features,looks, easy to use.very powerful for the model.almost competes with the Pioneer VSX D409.nothing else to say,very good product i recommend it for casual listening.

Weaknesses:
no weaknesses.just needs played.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer CX-770 Tuner Control Amplifier.
Pioneer M-770 Amplifier.

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Frys

Summary:
This dd receiver is to replace my sony, which is old and very old. When I first got it, it was DOA. Actually, it was first Dead and Defective. 5.1 and digital would refuse to work properly. I took it back and got another one. This one works. The reason it doesn't work is probably because of Frys; that's the only store with defective products. Anyway, the people over there were "nice" enough to give me a discount after some -ahem- going over.

Overall, the performance is a blessing. I got the receiver only because of its power handling (i got low powered speakers) and its brand (pioneer always impresses me). It is definitely worth the $200 and the catfight.

THe radio installed on this is MUCH better than the radio in my Ford (surprising enough). I never thought equipment like that existed. with the antennas that CAME WITH IT, I was able to pull signals from all over.

The only miniscule weakness (i never put down because it's nit picky) is the remote control. it took me a while to get used to it. It's much different than the one that goes with the Pioneer DVD player and 52" TV...

Strengths:
Nice sound, features, radio

Weaknesses:
doa on first purchase (fry's fault)

Similar Products Used:
Sony TA-AX301