Price Paid:  $0.00 from Hand me down

Summary:
This was my dad's home theater receiver, and the reason why he gave it to me was because he needed another receiver for his new un-powered sub. So i took it, and i'm using it for my computer system. (college student w/o a tv) This baby works great w/ my Klipsch speakers. Sound is clean and still works w/ today's technology. I bought an Insigma home theater system in 2006 and the Yamaha still outperforms it.

Strengths:
Cheap, Clean, Powerful enough!

Weaknesses:
dosn't support unpowered subs

Similar Products Used:
Klipsch speakers, denon sub

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Quantum, Hobart, Tasmania

Summary:
Magnificent receiver for the price. The sound quality is second to none. Crisp and clean and more than enough power for 2 channel ouptut. You dont notice its a low powered receiver (50w main, 20w rear. Just about any speaker system is compativble witha variable impedance switch. In 6ch mode you notice the lack of total power, as the external decoders require greater output.

For the money it is a more than adeqaute entry level receiver.

Strengths:
Value for money, 6 Channel Descrete Inputs, Great Sound, various DSP modes for music & video, compensates for centre speaker usage, variable switch for speaker of differing impedance

Weaknesses:
20w rear channel, lacks power when in 6ch mode

Similar Products Used:
Sony NSB-355

Price Paid:  $105.00 from eBay

Summary:
For the price I paid, I couldn't get a better reciever. These recievers do come up for sale as people upgrade (on eBay etc.) and should be looked into. While they only produce 50W upfront, these are a very clean and controlled 50. The Kenwood I have supposedly goes up to 100W up front, but gets extremely muddy and distorted halfway getting there! The remote could definitely be better, but its not horrible either, just that the buttons are tiny. The sound is very detailed, and hooked up to decent loudspeakers will yield a good soundstage and depth. I listen to all kinds of music and can close my eyes and point out where each instrument/voice is coming from (in stereo mode). I use it only in stereo mode, so I'm not sure how the unit performs in 6 speaker mode.
It would be unfair to compare the RX-V393 to preamps hooked to Bryston amps and such, which cost 1000s of $, but it is a world apart from the usual SONY, KENWOOD and such. Since it can be had for really low prices on the used market, it is an excellent bargain.
Since it only cost me about $100, I cant give it anything less than 5 stars, it was definitely a great bargain.

PS: I am using Tannoy MX2 loudspeakers, bi-wired with TARA labs Prism 2+2 speaker cable. And Grado SR-80 headphones for those times when my housemates hate me for listning to loud music!

Strengths:
Very clear sound, revealing, with decent bass. 6 channel input so upgrade to DVDaudio/SACD possible

Weaknesses:
a little birght, but that is mostly personal preferance

Similar Products Used:
Kenwood stereo reciever, aiwa shelf system...

Price Paid:  $450.00 from gabriel

Summary:
is the better receiver on this price

Summary:
It's been 3 months and lots of reviews and actual testing on the showroom when I decided to buy a low-end quality receiver that sounds at least nearly as high-ends. RX-V393 is the answer, excellent audio reality paired with Polk Audio RT7 especially accoustic music and it will blow you away playing Bryan Adams unplugged. I can't believe the accuracy and clean ouput even on a higher volume. The most interesting part is the DSP which I can say the real DSP compared to other brand. Adding a sub-woofer will send you to a new dimension and 'Dolby Enhance" make movies realistic. For those like me who wants a quality sound that blows away the most expensive ones, for budget price then I recommend this. It's really a bargain, great value for money

Strengths:
Clean and crisp output, distortion free, Dolby Digital Ready (5.1 inputs)and lot's of power more than the rated 50W RMS/Channel

Weaknesses:
The range of remote control is not that wide enough