Price Paid:  $135.00 from eBay

Summary:
I wanted one of these recievers based on experience using one that a friend previously owned. I managed to get the high bid on one at eBay. When I got the unit, I immediately started having problems with it overloading and not turning the speaker outputs on, and when it did run, it ran very hot at low volumes. I tinkered with the unit and traced the problems to a cold solder joint on the -14v regulator. I resoldered the joint and my overload and turn-on problems were gone. The cooling system is horribly engineered, the fan turns on when the output reaches a certain level. I bridged the transistor on the fan and installed a temperature senesitive one that turns on when the unit turns on and varies with the TEMPERATURE and not the volume. The unit runs cool an any volume now. I am NOW very satisfied with the unit, but I can't say the same about the stock one. The power output is decent, it sounds alot better than my Sony STR-D350z, which had discrete output stages.

Strengths:
Attractive blue light bars, decent construction, plenty of power and great sound.

Weaknesses:
Cooling system is garbage, integrated output stages mean replacing a $105.06 chip for 3 channels instead of a couple of $3 discretes if one channel dies. No Dolby Digital decoding, must have DVD player with analog outs or buy a total ripoff $180 decoder.

Similar Products Used:
SONY STR-D350z

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Price Paid:  $75.00 from ebay

Summary:
This unit is made for the listener who wants their music LOUD. It is inefficient at low volume levels; creating mostly heat and less quality sound. But, once the volume is up where it should be, the cooling fan kicks in and the unit performs well. Although it is rated at 100 watts/channel, I would doubt it is anywhere near that high. It likely puts out around 75 - the highs become slightly muffled at higher volumes. This unit has a ton of features for the money - what sets it apart is that it has the ability to run 2 sets of full sized speakers (switched as A and B), or, you can run a 5.1 surround setup...it has outputs for both - a feature many of the newest, high end units cannot match. Inputs-wise, it has everything you will need with the exception of digitial. It was one of the transition recievers when digital was just emerging. Thus, no digital, but it does support S-Video, which is nice.

Strengths:
Cool blue lights, high volume capability (provided your speakers can handle it), and easy to control with all swtiching done with one rotary knob...not a bunch of little buttons

Weaknesses:
Runs very hot with even 8 ohm speakers. With 4 ohm, this unit will overheat at low volumes. Noticeable background hum - another reason to play your music loud through this unit.

Similar Products Used:
Harman Kardon AVR 120 (far superior) Sansui SP-2500X Pioneer, etc.

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Expert (Sweden)

Summary:
Mediocre receiver winning buyers using the cool blue light on the front. My advise, buy another receiver, since this has a couple of years on its back.

Strengths:
+Pretty good remote control.
+Cool blue light from the front (yeah, like you haven't noticed!)
+Nice speaker punch 5x100watts (8ohms).

Weaknesses:
+For example when using 5.1-input a clear background noice can be heard not comming from the DVD but purley from the receiver. This is a major flaw that will result in returning the unit for another brand/model.
+Average sound quality.

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $425.00 from Rahey's

Summary:
This receiver has ample power to fill an average room with thunderous home theater sound. I used a passive sub at first but later purchased a 300 watt self-powered sub by a Canadian company called David D-Box, to take the load off the receiver. By the way, this sub is awesome for $300 Canadian. Anybody else out there have one? The only problems with this receiver is the lack of sufficient imputs, i.e. only 2 s-video and 2 optical imputs on the decoder. I cannot get rid of the hiss originating from the center channel. I have a high-quality Jamo center. I have had no overheating problems.

Strengths:
good price for the features, came bundled with a separate dts. dd5.1 decoder, will drive a 4 ohm load.

Weaknesses:
hiss from center channel

Similar Products Used:
other receivers by technics and sony

Price Paid:  $143.00 from ebay

Summary:
I go to college and am usually providing the sound for our parties. I play this sucker plenty loud. I have never had any problems with it, and it gives me great bass and plenty through the rest of the range. The passive subwoofer output has tons of power. I used an older technics amp last year to blow up some subs under warranty. I literally set two 4 ohm 12" on fire with that amp. No problem. This amp has even more kick to it. I love it.

Strengths:
I go to college and am usually providing the sound for our parties. I play this sucker plenty loud. I have never had any problems with it, and it gives me great bass and plenty through the rest of the range. The passive subwoofer output has tons of power. I used an older technics amp last year to blow up some subs under warranty. I literally set two 4 ohm 12" on fire with that amp. No problem. This amp has even more kick to it. I love it.