Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I've had this system for a few weeks. It was a gift from an uncle who just bought a new system and had this in storage. This replaced my old Realistic STA-2000 reciever I got from my father who had 4 of the first generation Realistic Mach one's. Get them set up right around the room, you get some of the best bass.

Pros
has many inputs, great bass

Cons
My Realistic had twice as many watts as this unit.

Price Paid:  $75.00 from used from friend

Summary:
Bought this used from a friend, great deal for the price, sounded good playing dvd's. Sounds better than the Sony I used, just wish it had some s-video connections. Still, can't complain too much since it was a great price for a decent product

Remote could be a little better, but still works good enough for me

Strengths:
dolby digital at a good price

Weaknesses:
no DTS, no s-video

Similar Products Used:
sony, onkoyo, pioneer, klipsch

Price Paid:  $199.00 from Future Shop

Summary:
This is the system that was replaced by the Kenwood.
It was Dec 1999 and I was making the big jump to Dolby Digital and DVD. I went to Future Shop and bought this receiver and a RCA dvd. I didn't do much research into this unit (shame on me), but I owned a Dolby Pro-logic Pioneer VSX-452 and was very happy with it. However this new Pioneer was let down from the start, and to think I blamed my speakers for the lack of sound. I have a old(1988) pair of front speakers and Sony centre & rears from 1994, and no subwoofer. So, I thought the speakers were to blame, but my friend brought over his Sony receiver (can't remember model#), and it blew me away. This Pioneer system just isn't very powerful! I've heard mini-systems with smaller watt ratings sound louder. I could have lived without DTS (probably not for long), but the Dolby-Digital didn't sound as good compaered to others. And why do I have to press a button for Dolby-digital to come on when playing a movie? Also, the DSP modes weren't as good as the VSX-452. True it's cheap, cheaper now than in 99, but I wouldn't reccomend the VSX-D498 on price alone.

Strengths:
Cheap price

Weaknesses:
No DTS, under powered, pales to the older Dolby Pro-logic model VSX-452

Similar Products Used:
Kenwood VR-510
Pioneer VSX-452

Price Paid:  $190.00

Summary:
doesn't play very loud,but for the price it is great for a starter system.

Strengths:
decodes dolby digital

Weaknesses:
no dts,poor remote

Similar Products Used:
technics-940

Price Paid:  $75.00 from circuit city

Summary:
this reciever is great, but it isn't friendly to new users. The documentation is poor, but it's the best budget reciever out there. this does have every feature if you figure out how to use them

Strengths:
Very good budget reciever.

Weaknesses:
takes a lot of work to get it set up to your room properly