Price Paid:  $300.00

Summary:
I bought this a few years ago as my first audio/video receiver. I'm glad I did, because it's been pretty intuitive as far as setup, and I've had no mechanical problems with it. It has a good sized transformer that will get hot after awhile. The remote is a little funny. I only use it for volume,power,source, and a few other things. The radio sounds good, nice seperation, a dial would be nice though. Also the fm can get kind of staticy once in a while(in a digital sort of way). The phono section is nice to have, and works very well. Right now, I have a dv525 dvd,philips 312 TT and ctf1000 going through it, driving a pair of jbl s312's and s-center(and my tv). I've really enjoyed this receiver and it's paid many times over the inital investment, but I'm still looking forward to what else is out there. Someday, maybe.

Strengths:
Plenty of inputs. You can use any type/configuration video & audio input/output.

Weaknesses:
Well, I wouldn't classify it as audiophile quality, plenty of room for improvements. Overall I've had no big problems.

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Frys Electronics

Summary:
It took me a while to get a perfect sound of my Bose Speakers. This is a Excellent Receiver with multiple digital (optical and coaxial) inputs. Excellent Sound Quality and Surround Distribution. I enjoy it completely

Strengths:
Plenty of Digital Inputs, Digital Pre Programmed Sound Fields, Equalizer Settings each for Front, Rear, Center, Subwoofer Control, LFE, LFE DTS Mix Control, Surround Effect Control

Weaknesses:
Very Complex Settings, It will take a while to set this Amp to match your speakers and Ear.

Similar Products Used:
POLK SUB WOOFER, BOSE SPEAKERS

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
Bought this receiver in the spring of '01 for two reasons. First, my old JVC was dying, and second, I wanted to see if the optical input would improve the sound from my Sony 200-CD jukebox, which is pretty sad through the analog outputs. I selected the Sony partially for remote compatibility with other components, plus what looked like a very cool remote. I have used this unit only for two-channel stereo, mainly CDs and FM through ads 1290 speakers, which cost over $700 ea in 1986 and are very highly regarded (see reviews on this site). The first problem I had with this unit is its complexity. It's tough to determine which speaker and input settings work best for plain two-channel stereo, something which should be rather simple. The manual's suggested settings produced a harsh, overly forward sound. Also, you must change tone controls through the equalizer settings, rather than simply adjusting a bass, treble or midrange control. It also was a year before I accidentally discovered how to operate my Sony jukebox from the receiver's remote. Now the mysterious part. After MUCH experimenting, I discovered input and speaker settings that produced absolutely superb sound, better than anything I've ever heard from my speakers. I thought I'd struck gold, with a $400 receiver that produced sound that was completely satisfactory to my ears. However, my joy was short lived. For some reason, the sound quality seems to vary randomly over time, without changing the settings. At times, it's fabulous, at times good but lacking bass, and other times muddy and bass-heavy (on the same CDs). Perhaps the amp is going bad prematurely, or maybe there's so much programming in this unit that it gets confused and resets itself. At any rate, I've decided to invest in a higher end amp, tuner and CD player, since I've had a taste of the sound my speakers are capable of. I'll relegate the Sony to a lower end home theater function, which is what it's really designed for. I guess you get what you pay for, afterall.

Strengths:
A ton of inputs, outputs and sound field settings, space-age remote with lighted display and buttons. Decent tuner section.

Weaknesses:
Very complex, difficult to determine correct settings. Variable sound quality from amp.

Similar Products Used:
JVC, Kenwood receivers

Price Paid:  $400.00 from buydig.com

Summary:
Sounded great while it lasted. About a year and a half after i started using it, all sound stopped working. no dts, dolby digital, ANYTHING. now i have to run all the wires to my tv until i save up enough money to buy a receiver that will last me more than two years. SONY stinks!!! also had a sony dvd player that i bought at the same time and that broked after 9 months!!! i'll never buy sony again and they don't stand by their products

Strengths:
Makes a great door stop

Weaknesses:
Doesn't work anymore

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
This is a nice unit. I have had no trouble. Some people say there are problems with it, but I have not experienced any of these problems.

Strengths:
Decent amount of inputs and outputs. Good for the price. 2 sub outs. DTS, Dolby, all that good stuff. Cool blue light when you are multichannel decoding. haha

Weaknesses:
I guess it could have more power :)