Price Paid:  $400.00 from friend of a friend

Summary:
I was in the process of looking 2 turn my bedroom into a home-cinema when i heard a friend of a friend was selling his reciever. He only had had it for 2 months and was upgrading 2 the VSX-811. Great, i thought, it was the model i was going 2 buy n e way. Now i that i've got it, it's great. It does all i need it 2, although i need an active sub to save my old stereo speakers from blowing. Any recomendations n e one? Also it suits my Pioneer DV-344 dvd player down 2 a T

Strengths:
Great power output. Enough features for the price and very nice looking.

Weaknesses:
No midrange adjustment. A better ergonomic remote.

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Used - private

Summary:
I am very satisfied with this product after having spent a couple of days learning about all the knobs and menus and gimmicks. The control of this device is a bit complicated but the sound it gives out is really great. I have 2X200W ten year old Infinity's reference speakers in front with 12" bass elements. Who needs a subwoofer with this combination. Back I have 2X150W Genelec. After having taught the remote all my components I need no other remote controls. I used to have one for all so my table was packed.

Strengths:
Cheap for the task in semi-detached house. Easy to use once learned the tricks. Good radio too.

Weaknesses:
Hard to learn to use. Some settings are bit hard to find.

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Costco Wholesale

Summary:
This on the VSX-D511 rather than the 510. This receiver has all the inputs and outputs including S-Video that I can imagene ever needing. I'm running a Sharp DVD, Toshiba VCR, and Sony TV through the unit with only two Yamaha 3 way speakers at this time. Only thing I've found missing is a learning remote. I need three to get everything going. For what I paid versus the manufactures suggested of 299.99 it's a great deal.

Strengths:
Power, sound fields, inputs and outputs, and very acceptable distortion specs. The remote is easy to operate while limited in function to only the receiver.

Weaknesses:
The Manual is lacking in information to make all the connections with adequate diagrams. I had to call Pioneers 800 number for instructions but they were very helpful.

Similar Products Used:
Older Yamaha Sterio Reciever

Price Paid:  $700.00 from Truscotts

Summary:
I''m the first! Perfect Pioneer, exceeding all my expectations except the totally irrational fact you can''t use bass/treb in any surround mode, but only stereo (who buys a surround for that?). Yet loudness works in all modes, including digital, but only on the front spkrs! Yet, again, midnight listening - glorified loudness, increasing all quiet sounds - works on all channels on every mode. Come figure. They in fact could have made tone before the processor stage, so it actually can be used, fully. Idiots. Bass/treb is like an empty gesture, and loudness a halfwit gesture. Apparently other receivers are the same that way. Yet I don''t really mind as the bass is ample with 4 15" bass spkrs. 10 DSPs is generous and fun, yet truly there are only 2 major diffs - echo or non echo, besides the great Expanded Theatre which gives stereo to the otherwise mono rear in prologic. A great idea. The echo makes it really sound like you are in a cinema, and you can adjust that effect level in the Expanded Theatre mode. Plus the Expanded (one of the four ET modes) makes stereo sources sound more 5.1.

Strengths:
So many features and complete adjustments.

Weaknesses:
Like I said, ha - no bass/treb in surround!! And no one else has written a review. Why? It''s near a year old.

Similar Products Used:
Just an old add-on Sherwood rear surround processor which is yuk to this.