Price Paid:  $600.00 from Axent Audio

Summary:
I have been a English Hi Fi Nut for years with ARCam Delta 90 Amplifier and JPW Speakers. Recently Upgraded to this Monster and have not regretted it. I find the R-956 as a fantastic all rounder. "Jack of all trades master of none" does not apply to this unit. The Pod Race in the Phantom Menace Just Blew Me Away!!!!! I was lucky enough to get this unit for about half retail at NZ$1500.00 (US$600.00) A friend has a system with Denon Amp and Polk Audio Surround speakers and paid more than twice my investment, with little or no improvement in sound, or functionality . Components: Receiver- Sherwood Newcastle R-956. Speakers- DB Dynamics, Polaris II AC688F (Fronts). AC625B (Rears), AC552C (Centre). CD Player- Kenwood DP5050. DVD- Borrowed- Sony Something. VCR- Mitsubishi E51 Hi Fi

Strengths:
A Neutral Sound with accurate reproduction. Its a clean powerful receiver with plenty of punch that no other unit will match at twice the price. Discrete amplification, multiple gold-plated ins/outs, S-Video and Optic, on screen display. All the Bells and whistles.

Weaknesses:
The manual and the remote are not good. But I managed to get my head around it eventually.

Similar Products Used:
None. Compared it to some friends systems, and it beat the pants off them.

Price Paid:  $450.00 from CS Musiksysteme ( Ma

Summary:
This is my first AV-Receiver. After installing it instead of my old Luxman Amp I was quite a bit disappointed. I would have expected a little more "punch". After fumbling with the setup quite a while things went better. Sound is somewhat good although in the stereo section it is definetely not better than my 15year-old Luxman-Amp). I´m sort of oldfashioned and like to listen to the radio once in a while. Compared to my Onkyo T9900 Tuner the Sherwood-Tuner is a piece of junk. Auto-Setup is completely unusable since it does 100 kHz-steps while 90 % of my local stations broadcast on .05-steps. ( For example: WDR 2: 99.20 MHz found WDR 3: 92.65 MHz skipped. Overall usability is nice although you have to get accustomed to it. Forget about the sound effects ( nothing but phase shifting) System: Front-Staging: Magnat Vintage 550 Rear : Magnat Vintage 510 Sub : Magnat Omega 380 Tuner : Onkyo T-9900 DVD : Panasonic DVD-RV 61 CD : Some old Philips

Strengths:
Good finish. Nice looks. Good value for money.

Weaknesses:
Tuner

Similar Products Used:
None. My first AV-Receiver

Price Paid:  $475.00 from uBid

Summary:
Won this on uBid for the dirt cheap price of $475 for this level of AV receiver. All of the spec''s compared to receivers 2x-3x the price (contenders being Outlaw Audio, Pioneer THX series, Onkyo, etc.). This receiver is a major part of my hometheater system in my finished basement (concrete foundation surrounded by earth). Found it to be very smooth and powerful, by itself. However, I incorporated it into the equipment I have, and it works beautifully. You simply MUST checkout the DTS and Dolby Digital in 6.1 surround mode - absolutely breathtaking! Discrete 3D soundstage and background music that IS in the background (behind you). Just make sure the speakers and subs can cleanly withstand the dynamics! Great for music when using SRS and DSP modes, too! Receiver was built in 2001. Overall build quality and fit-and-finish are 1st rate! Brushed aluminum finish standsout from the crowd of black laquered units. Only 1 minor setback - my receiver would not power up at 1 month of use - had some bad chips - statistical bad luck, or the fact that uBid gets factory "seconds". Sherwood service was great - but you MUST send back to them direct - avoid any authorized service center for this level of product. Has been working (I mean constant use) ever since. System : Front amp: Carver M1.5t 1300W amp VCR : JVC SVHS Laserdisc: Marantz LD Dvd/CD player : Pioneer DV525 & Blaster PC with SoundBlaster PC platinum opt. out. Speakers : Front : Wharfedale TSR711 towers Center : Klipsch KSCC1 Center Surrounds : Advent Marble and second Klipsch KSCC1 Center (as rear center) Subwoofer : Self-built custom 12" 300W Subwoofer tubes. Spkr Cables : 12 Ga. copper stranded.

Strengths:
Power; 24 bit DAC; all Preamp outs; Features ; Smooth, clean, warm sound ; Discrete 3D soundstage; VERY SOLID CHASSIS; GREAT PRICE!

Weaknesses:
None particularly. It is big and heavy - about 40 pounds. Not hot running, but do NOT enclose in a cabinet - needs ventilation!

Similar Products Used:
An 8/2001 Pioneer VS-D509S used in family living room as general family unit - another GREAT buy! Look for my review.

Price Paid:  $509.00 from ubid

Summary:
I still have not finished assembling my home theater system, so I am having to run all the channels through a pair of Def Tech powered bookshelf speakers. What I can tell so far is that the dynamic range and clarity of this receiver are incredible. The sound is somewhere between Denon and Yamaha on warmth, which was exactly the compromise I was looking for. I listen to a wide range of music, and find that this receiver really shines with jazz. Listening to my cd collection is a whole new experience.
This is my first experience with Sherwood because I always thought they made junk. I would definitely consider additional components from the Newcastle line. At around $500 bucks, it can't be beat.

Strengths:
Super clean power and looks cool

Weaknesses:
At this price, five channel stereo would have been nice. Also, the "multi room" feature is kind of misleading. Its just a feed to run into another amplifier, although you can at least run two different sources at once.

Similar Products Used:
None. This is my first AV Receiver.

Price Paid:  $475.00 from ubid

Summary:
This is the best AV receiver I have owned, and considering the price I wish I could give it 10 stars in value.
Excellent decoding of DTS, Dolby Digital and even CD's via coax digital. Highly recommended.

Strengths:
Neutral, Accurate, powerful receiver. Nothing comes close even receivers 2 times the cost.

Weaknesses:
Remote, Manual.

Similar Products Used:
Marantz sr-8000, Yamaha RXV-1000