Summary:
I just bought one of these discontinued units recently so forgive me if this inquiry seems a bit dated.

I have been reading this forum and I appear to be encountering the low volume problem that some others have been experiencing. I was very thorough in going through all the settings to ensure the proper settings but I still can not generate full and loud sound reproduction from this unit. When watching dvd, I need to crank the volume up to
-15 to generate full theatre sound but even then the dialogue from the centre channel still seems muted. Similarly, the rear surrounds are unable to produce significant volume. Considering that the volume ranges from -80 to 12, this volume setting is at nearly 80% of maximum! Most amps that I have used barely creep beyond 40% of full volume. The same behaviour exists with satellite tv, tuner and vcr.

I am using the JBL N-series 5 spk set with a 12" Sony sub.

I would appreciate any feedback, even a simply reply indicating the maximum level that you use to generate appreciable sound.

Thanks in advance.

Strengths:
many inputs, clean sound, auto switching

Weaknesses:
low, muted sound reproduction (see below)

Price Paid:  $269.00 from Costco

Summary:
Don, this reciver is 6/8 Ohms ONLY! Not 4 as your speakers are. No kidding there is not much bass ( and by the way, try adding subwoofer, it may help with a wrong setup). or adjust bass/crossover frqncy

so lets not mension average Joe, or people will confuse him with you

Summary:
I bought this some months ago (and had a problem with my original one). After having it replaced, and spending a few months with it, I thought I'd revisit the issue.

I find it a very flexible, feature-rich receiver. It's got more inputs and outputs than I can shake a stick at, which is great. The input autodetect feature is really great as well. I find it pretty easy to use, and I like the styling. The pull down panel at the front and large, speed-sensitive volume knob are great.

That said, I think buying it was a mistake for me. My primary usage is for music (2-channel), and when listening to music, I think this thing falls short. Granted my PSB Image 5Ts are somewhat harder to drive than your regular department store crap, but this thing fails to generate any appreciable bass from them. It's really just incapable of powering the 4Ohm PSBs optimally. Don't get me wrong, it's okay. Certainly not bad. Just not anywhere close to being in the same league as the PSBs. And for the money I payed for it (at the time, it's cheaper now), I feel like it should be a bit better. Less show, more go, please.

My overall experience has been that this is a very 'Circuit City-grade' piece of equipment. Great for Joe consumer to use with his Technics speakers, not so great for people who really like GOOD sound. It doesn't do my PSB Image 5Ts any sort of justice.

Strengths:
Plenty of neat bells & whistles. Input autodetect is great. Nice styling.

Weaknesses:
All show, not so much go.

Summary:
to those who's got burned: it can be replaced/repaired by Pioneer ( there was a software bug. Look for white dot at back to know if it was fixed)

Remote: dont complain till you use it for at least 2-5 month ( and try to go back to 5 remotes instead of one). This remote aint bad just because you used to a different one. C'mon, we are not old farts here, take a minute to lern new things...

Sound: i never had to go beyon -10 on volume. If you set it up RIGHT it works perfect! I'm using 3 way floor standing speakers. Just finished with brake-in procedure. They pump somne Major sound... Awesom sound. Will be getting JBL s-38 for rear channel.

Dolby Digital/DTS decoding: im not even using DTS, DD sounds sooooo good on it !DVD connected through coax digital port. Will be changing that to fiber optic cable ( use TosLink)

Heat: Mine barely fits in video cabinet. Closed from all sides ! ( back/sides - wood, front - glass) And it stays just a bit worm with speakers killing my next door friends :)

Weight: those who complain about size/weight - ALL recivers of this TYPE ( with HIGH Current ( or for those who still doesnt get it - AMPLIFIER)) weight 100% more due to additional transformers inside ( or otherwise you will need to get a separate amp which will weight just as much and generate even more heat with reciver ). BTW thats why they cost more - additional cercuit boards and power transformers cost some money.

Lack of bass: use High quality speakers of RIGHT type for this reciver. No wonder you dont get enough bass if you use tweeters for that ! First of all, these supposed to have separate subwoofer( LFE channel). Second of all - you cant get bass from tine speakers , or wait for it from HUGE speakers that draw too much power. When you do the setup you can tell the reciver that you dont have subwoofer ( or it will send all low freq-s to unused channel) and if you have big speakers you can tell it to send those freq-s to those speakers ( and let the crossover deside what speaker gets what ).

Center Channel:if you dont have one- you wont get dialogs untill you let reciver know that there is no speaker at center channel !

design, logic: Logic is very... logical? Read manual ONCE and you will find everything so logical that you wont need it anymore! Design is just fine. No stupid extra stuff on front ( you aint trying to push buttons on main unit, do you?). Ever seen rack mountable recivers and amps? There is only 1 ligh and one button - Power.

Noise etc: Please dont use $5 cables made in taiwain to connect those $500 speakers to $500 reciver. Go to BestBuy, Tweeters, GoodGuys..etc and buy a 50' roll of MonsterCable - its only like $20 but works great ! Dont connect your DVD player/HDTV to analog - use toslinks and digital Coax. Use cables with gold plated connectors ( only $2 more for those but what a difference!).

Speakers: Ok, Sony, technics, KLN,Aiwa, PAnasonic, yamaha..etc are not making good speakers ( well, sony and Yamaha does make some good one's, but those are really hard to find, alsmot impossible). JBL,Jamo,PolkAudio,Bose, Acustic Research, acoustic energy, Energy,Mirage, Mission ...ets <-- goos speakers :) Price paied for reciver should be very close to price paied for one or pair of speakes- simple rule, but then it all works perfect.


Sorry guys, but you have to DO it right to hear good sound. You cant just buy wheels for Ferrari and expect your ford to beat the record of 0-60 or 1 mile run ( or get lamborigine and fill it up with Regular gasolin... whats the point of getting it then?)

Before posting anything, please think - is that reciver or you who failed to hook-up/setup/connect everything up to specs. If you are driving backwards on a freeway - its not cars fault, guess who had to shift the gear knob?

Be fair, post only after you can trully say that you really tried to get it working smoothly and didnt try to be cheap ass with expencive equipment.


P.S. Sorry for my English, second language to me :)

Strengths:
Amp, remote, style...etc

Weaknesses:
None

Price Paid:  $279.00 from Costvo

Summary:
Bought it recently, was choosing between Denon AVR-1601 and this peioneer and finaly bought 709. Well the setup was a snap. Everything is self explanatory. Using it with Pioneer 434 DVD( Twin laser, progressive scan), Toshiba 27", sony VSR,
hooked up to floor standing 3 way speakers with 89 sensetivity.
Remote is simply great. Can operate all my other a/v stuff form it. Not really impressed with all the hall/action/concert ...effects but im dont like to use them anyway.

This is a great reciver for begginers ( if you can get it cheap). I dont know how well $1500+ recivers perform so cant say if this close to them. But i really enjoy using it and the sound it pumps out is amazing.

Plus it uses same boards as some of the Elite line recivers and possible with little work it can be upgraded to THX certified. ( same boards, same display...you can even see THX makring on a display, it just doesnt light up)

Strengths:
High Current ( MOSFET amp built-in),
Useful remote , can operate ALL my other equipment
Good styling
Clear sound
Easy to setup
Dolby Digital/DTS with great quality and very low price
several digital inputs/outputs

Weaknesses:
None really

Similar Products Used:
Denon