Price Paid:  $1250.00 from Stereo World

Summary:
All round Great Performer, Natural Clean Easy Listening Sound that is not overdone, I run it with a Sony DVD700S SACD Player with Monster cabling, so is making the Reciever produce the best sound it can do, which is amazing for the price, definately matches 2 channel amps of around 3/4 of the price, which is rare.

Strengths:
Build Quality, Finish, Sound Quality, Inputs / Outputs,Large Banana Binding Posts, Bi-Wire / Bi-Amp

Weaknesses:
Remote is too basic, should have Coaxial Digital Input, needs learning remote with same features as the Reciever.

Similar Products Used:
Sony STR-DB925

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I bought this one to replace an integrated stereo amplifier, because I wanted an upgrade to a home cinema system. Reviews were quite enthousiastic about this component and the price looked OK. As to home cinema, it's all right, as far as action movies and their likes. I'm not that happy with two channel reproduction, probably because it was preceeded by a Rotel amp (RA840). There's power enough, but I miss musicality and definition at low levels. Somehow it doesn't sound attractive, dull. What I cannot understand is how Technics can deliver a receiver with DVD connection and forget this source on the remote control. I know everyone complains about the remote, but not being able to select a source is strange and unpractical.

Strengths:
Rather complete, power, style, connections.

Weaknesses:
Remote, two-channel sound reproduction.

Similar Products Used:
Several receivers

Price Paid:  $157.00 from U-BID

Summary:
Wanted to update my review after owning this receiver for almost a year.As stated earlier I bought this receiver for a spare and had not,until recently,used it for DD playback.Wired the receiver to my friends Klipsch HT system using a cheap DVD player with no built-in decoders. After an hour of cussin''and manual reading finally thought that DTS & bitstream hadn''t been turned on in DVD player.BOOM! The receiver sounds great.Amazing power and good sound.Previously had used this receiver only for occasional 2-channel stereo listening at home and was impressed by the sound of the receiver,and I was equally impressed with its DTD/DD performance.For the price I paid for the piece it is an impossible bargain to match.I therefore recommend it highly.

Strengths:
Plently of power when used with somewhat efficient speakers.Great DTS playback of DVD''s such as Eagles HFO,Frampton,Randy Travis,Krall.Easy set up if you remember to set DVD player as above:).Cooling fan works well and is not an issue.Manual pretty well written and easy to understand.

Weaknesses:
Remote.

Similar Products Used:
Denon,SonyES,Sansui.

Price Paid:  $199.00 from J & R

Summary:
I have had this receiver for about 9 months and could not be happier with the performance. I don''t think I could have done better for 3 times the price. I use it 95% for music, 5% HT. The bi-wire capability and VGCA provide amazingly clean sound. I am downmixing AC-3/DTS to two channels, and have felt no compelling need to add center and surround speakers, though I will eventually. Dialog is always firmly centered, soundtrack and effects sound clear. I can''t ask for more, especially at the price paid. Heat is not the problem everyone makes out. The fan comes on between 9 and 10 o''clock position, depending on bass output, and cools things down. I have the receiver on a shelf with good space to either side, and back but only 3/4" on the top. Many days it runs 4-6 hours, and has never gotten so hot that it could not be touched, though it does warm the shelf above. Get real, things with output measured in watts (like lightbulbs) put out heat. If you can find one of these, or this year''s model, the SA-DA15, do not hesitate to purchase it.

Strengths:
Clean high current sound. VGCA. Bi-wire. MOSFET amplifiers. AC-3/DTS decoding. Build quality. Amazing bang for the buck.

Weaknesses:
Remote lacks digital/analog switch, VGCA switch, CD/DVD tray eject, and CD pause buttons. Lowest setting for bass filter is 100Hz.

Similar Products Used:
None. Have sampled Yamaha, Sony, JVC at friends.

Price Paid:  $200.00 from J&R

Summary:
From a "bang for your buck" perspective, there is really no receiver that comes remotely close (in this price range at least). This receiver excels in surround sound formats (if you can, demo this unit with star wars episode 1 and you''ll see what I''m talking about) I plan on upgrading very shortly, but am excited to move this baby into my bedroom for movie only use. For music, I would look elsewhere though. Not that it''s all that bad, it just nowhere near what you can get from quality seperates. I find it has a bit to much backround noise and can''t handle the power output that my speakers require (technics says it rated 100 wpc, but that''s in 6 ohm loads. Try more like 75 wpc). Then again, what can expect for $200. I would have liked to see pre-outs for an external amp. I did however see a remarkable inprovement when I bi-wired my speakers using both the A and B outputs (which I guess also could be considered bi-amped, albiet a less then ideal bi-amp setup) and would highly recommend it to anyone with compatible speakers. Net net, this will be a great budget receiver for anyone interested in both HT and stereo playback, but if you are only intered in 2 channel audio, look elsewhere. Oh, regarding the heat, I would recommend using this unit in an open air rack. I also have a small external fan cooling it aswell, although I''m not sure it''s needed (better safe than sorry)

Strengths:
price, looks, surround sound.

Weaknesses:
lack of pre-outs for an external amp, music quality (although not bad, it leaves a lot to be desired), could use more inputs (conponent vid, coax digital in, any digital out)

Similar Products Used:
denon, H/K, marantz, yamaha, sony, outlaw(and just about every other mid-fi receiver)