Price Paid:  $240.00 from REX

Summary:
Great receiver for the money. VCGA cuts out significant noise (.05% THD at full power in VCGA mode). Bi-Amp gives a dramatic improvment when connected correctly (I'm using Infinity Alpha 50 speakers). Lots of reserve power (100W X 6 channels @ 6 ohms) if you use it for home theater, though I haven't use it for this yet. Sub amplifier is nice, passive subs are cheaper. But 100W @ 6ohms isn't very much power either. I have a Technics passive sub, but it sounds so bad I only use it at very low levels. I would reccomend just getting a powered sub if you're a serious audiophile, the receiver has a sub pre-amp out put for this. Overall I'm very happy with this receiver, I will proably keep it as I try and make it the centerpiece of a mid-fi hometheater system.

Strengths:
High power (especially in Bi-Amp mode) Bi-Amp VCGA (clean sound) 100W Sub amp built in

Weaknesses:
(SFC) Sound Field Controls not very good Requires study to get best sound Sub amp too weak

Price Paid:  $300.00 from ebay.com

Summary:
I have the Technics SA-AX7 with the digital decoder, it is truly a beautiful piece of technology. I have a JVC a/v 662v reciever which to me sounds better for plain stereo use (CD's, etc.), but does not compare to the AX7's surround capabilities. I strongly recomend this unit to anyone looking for an exceptional sound from dts or dolby digital sources. I unlike some other reviewers bought the decoder and reciever together and have one remote that controls both, this remote is both easy to use and attractive. Note that if you own this unit place the decoder below the reciever or for that matter anywhere except on top of the reciever, this unit does heat up and needs proper ventilation, your decoder does not like to be treated to the hot air the reciever produces. (pictures of this unit with the decoder often have the decoder on top, people responsible for this mishap should loose their jobs)

Strengths:
-very attractive unit (you have to love the thin blue light and glass door). -rare and much appreciated subwoofer channel with variable crossover and seperate level adjustment. -bi amp ability (a nice feature if you have speakers that can be bi amped)

Weaknesses:
cooling fan is turned on when the volume knob reaches a certain point, this is a poor approach to cooling the unit since it can heat up even under that volume or it can still be hot after you turn it down.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I am very happy with the receiver i got it for my birthday from my father because i had a shelf system and was wanting to upgrade.because i had front cerwinv vega front chanels and jbl center and rear

Strengths:
all around good sound i like the look of the receiver and the subwoofer dial on the front of the receiver,

Weaknesses:
the only weekness that i can think of is the overload that happends.

Price Paid:  $350.00 from American TV Rockford

Summary:
I have owned only Technics or Panasonic products. My first receiver was a saex100 purchased in 1996 at a rex store. A couple years later it was a surround receiver saax120 which really was to noisy. But then one day I was walking through American TV and saw the saax7 and had to have it. The thing that struck me is the Technics brand is the only brand that I know of that has incorperated an amplifier into their receivers to drive a passive sub. Driving a passive sub is ideal to me and much cheaper and this receiver does it real well. I put a 12in woofer into a ported car sub box and it blows away all of the cheap under 500 dollar powered subs out there. I paid 100dollars total for the box and woofer.

Strengths:
subwoofer amp, and plenty of clean power to go around for everything else, I give this receiver the ranking of 5 overall for having the sub amp; a powerful one at that.

Weaknesses:
The usual complaints: Bad Remote, Useless Surround modes. But this is most receivers so I dont consider them quote on quote weaknesses

Similar Products Used:
Saex100, saax120, speakers:sblx70''s 12inwoofers, sblx90,s 15inwoofers, and sblx10''s 6 3/4 in woofer,s.

Price Paid:  $550.00 from local dealer

Summary:
Very good receiver for the price,here in argentina is not so cheap because tax and overseas ship. Anyway is a great
purchase. I'm loocking for a Technics TX-50 and Yamaha
CX2 and MX2 preamplifier and power amp to upgrade.
my equipment , but here is hard to find.
I am very happy with this receiver!!

Strengths:
Clear and low distortion sound.LFE filter and subwoofer volume control.Great look. Very Good rate
price/performance.

Weaknesses:
Poor display volume indication.Cheap remote control.
100 watts RMS power is at 6 ohms impedance.

Similar Products Used:
Harmon Kardon, Audinac AT-510.