Price Paid:  $54.00 from Goodwill in Gresham

Summary:
Well I think this is a great setup so far and I will use it to it's best ability. From all the reviews I have read I guess you've heard it all and I agree with most. I bought it at a local Goodwill and the price was, well...WOW as it is in awesome condition and all works fine on it. You see the pics of the one in this review section...well it looks like that. By that I mean it has no flaws as far as scratches on the face and over all is on great condition and looks as if it were new. I can't wait to hook it up right and get the best out of my speakers although my Sony STR-DE635 is great for the price I paid for it, this one will probably be better. I will hook up my ESS AMT1's in the front and the KLH rear, center and powered sub and add my one of my Ess Performer series as the rear center...yes KLH is an under rated speaker for the price...I am far from an audiophile but when I find the right stuff for the right prices I know it (ESS AMT1's w/rebuilt woofers and heils for $30 a pair) that's unheard of! But I found some after looking for, well...since 1975...well worth the wait! I didn't have it nor did I want to pay the price back then...LOL! Anyway I have this stuff and will be torturing my neighbors regularly from now on...

Strengths:
For the price I paid...need I say more?

Weaknesses:
None so far, I am pleased

Similar Products Used:
Sony STR-DE635, Kenwood...whatever and so on.

Price Paid:  $299.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
I dont know why people are saying theres no bass from this thing, my neighbors 3 houses down can hear the bass in their basement. I agree that it is under powered, but thats only if you have a fairly large room. I bought this model cause I was upgrading from prologic to DD/DTS. I thought I might as well get a 6 channel reciever while Im at it. Hands down this is the nicest receiver Ive ever owned

Strengths:
Great bass. Good overall sound quality.

Weaknesses:
Needs more current. Harsh in the extreme upper frequencies. Needs "F" type FM terminal.

Price Paid:  $299.00 from cox tv

Summary:
I got this receiver at first for 530 and then seen it for 299 and got it. This is a deadly receiver even for 530. This thing rocks when you have all your speakers set to large and surrounds on 10.Another guy sad it not powerful its taking off where my vsx 9300 did man thats one power house and yes the 810 cant compete to that but i can pre out to it and my 901 later when i buy a house.

Strengths:
ITs got everything that anyone needs its really deadly i think ill go watch the matri

Weaknesses:
THE BEST REMOTE OUT THERE IT RUNS MY BELL SAT AM DISH MINI DISC 100 DISC CH CASS TV EQ THE ONLY ONE THAT EVER DID ITS WORTH 300 ALONE.there is no weakness!

Similar Products Used:
my SYS PIONEER VSX 9300 810S gr777 eq pdf 940 100dc sony mini tec cas panasonic 5d dvd speakers 901s bose love them for years and always will.infinity sm 62 and moniters living room b&w 601 and cen mirage psb 1501 piano fin surrounds energy vcss pi dipoler 4 ways surround andone energy efx for dts es this thing sounds like a theater i love it and the price just love it. And i have a 48 in sony tv it not hi def but its clear to me.

Price Paid:  $99.00 from Best buy

Summary:
hmm i dont know what to say ive read what people have said sure the reciver is skimpy on power but only if you have crap speakers ... ive heard that the sound was bad but to me its quite clear ive had countless recivers and this is the best thing ever and really it sounds nicer then the H/K AVR 520 that i demoed

Strengths:
everything

Weaknesses:
i disslike how you need the remote to be able to ajust anyhting on it other then that its a wonderful unit

Similar Products Used:
sony crap bose crap JVC crap radioshack crap( from the 80s)

Price Paid:  $319.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
Picked this unit up at BestBuy as an open box item as a complete pckg for $319 and it was in perfect shape - it was missing the manual but I downloaded from online. It should hold me awhile until I scrape up the dough to get a higher end LUCAS THX certified 6.1 or 7.1 rcvr. This rcvr has great connectivity (even has connections for 6.1 and 7.1 channels)! My JVC 7disc progresive scan DVD player is connected to it via Monster optical cable. Sound is pushed thru 4 (2 front, 2 back surround) Wharfedale Valdus 400 spkrs, JBL N-Center front/center, Wharfedale Valdus Center/rear (6.1 back ch), and Sony SAWM-40 Subwoofer. This receiver JAAAAMMS! At about -10 Dbs my WHOLE house ruummbles. It handles prolonged power delivery exceptionally well, as I can watch 3- 2 hour movies in a row at -10 to -20dbs and sound is CRYSTAL clear and LOUD! Has features to play 6.1 ch even if the DVD isn't 6.1. The "Standard" Dolby Digital setting creates the ABSOLUTE best, crisp, crystal clear THEATER SOUND when playing back a DVD with 5.1 Dolby Digital EX (far superior to DTS 5.1/6.1 in my opinion.) All my speakers are connected to the VSXD-810S w/ Monster cables hence the excellent sound. Watching "The MATRIX" or "GLADIATOR" thru the VSXD-810S is an absolutely enjoyable experience. It has 6 DSP settings for music. I even have my DSS satellite directly connected to it and it sounds great! For the price and excellent performance it's hard to imaging what the Higher end rcvrs can do. I'm happy as hell w/ this and it well serve me I guess until 6.1 and 7.1 DVD's are the standard.

Strengths:
* Excellent Connectivity options. Enables connections to DVD player, VCR, Satellite rcvr, TV simultaneously and can switch to and from by the push of a button!
* Unbelievable sounding Dolby Digital 5.1, 6.1 sound!
* Many great features and options.
* Good Power
* Great price

Weaknesses:
None. Except that it advertises 6.1 but "technically" doesn't decode 6.1 or isn't THX certified. I read 6.1 on the box and assumed...

When 6.1 ch's becomes standard I'll have to buy another rcvr. Next time it'll be TOP OF THE LINE.

Similar Products Used:
Sony, Aiwa, JVC