Cheap.

Buzz...Buzz...Buzz baby!!!!

I am so glad I googled this Kenwood Model 1080vr and stumbled onto this web site. I have been using this reciever for the last 7 years and had a buzzing sound when I turned up the volume to -27 db. I put up with it for 7 years because I could not figure if it was a hardware issue or from my own installation that was causing the problem. Well I have moved 3 times in the last 7 years and I was beginning to think it was the reciever and not me. Just recently I got the new Verizon Fios cable installed and I hooked up the AC-3 sound to the reciever. To my horror I was getting the awful buzz everyone knows about except now I was getting it even when the volume was lower than -27db. Now this was a problem!!!
So, I started pressing all the buttons on the front of my reciever to see if the buzzing would go away and then that is when I discovered by pressing the "DIMMER" button the BUZZ went away!!! So, if the dimmer is on the brightest setting I get the loud buzz and if I just press it once to make the display a little dimmer the buzz goes away. Please try this before you open it up and try to tinker with it on the inside. I hope this helps at least one person because I have lived with this problem for a long time and refuse to buy a new reciever till this one dies. If anyone who does electronic repairs knows why this would solve the buzzing problem by just dimming the display I would love to here from you.

value

features

this is a great receiver for it's value when I first got it. Everything else was at least $200 more expensive. Of course if you have the money to burn, you should look at something else, like Yamaha or Denon. But for a small room and you are on a budget this is A-1.

Value for money

No S-video inputs, quality, lesser rear channel amplifier power.

I enjoy this receiver for the most part, but I did have a problem with the humming that everyone talks about, especially at -29db.

The warranty had expired when I noticed the problem, and it seemed to be intermittent. I fixed it myself after a little tinkering.

There is a ground screw in the back of the receiver that grounds one of the printed circuit boards. The screw was tight, but the solder connection had cracked. I resoldered it and the receiver has performed flawlessly since then.

I'll get a receiver with equal power outputs (all 5 channels the same) as well as S-video jacks next time, but otherwise I am happy with this receiver for the price.

Decent Remote

Buzzing - Poor Quality Construction

After owning a quality Kenwood product in the 1970's, I was expecting a nice unit. Unfortunately, that is not the case with the AR-1080. I bought mine new, and the buzz started about 6 months later. Now my left rear surround speaker has quit working. I am so disappointed with this piece of crap. I will never buy Kenwood again. Shame on them for selling such junk - they have permanently lost a customer.

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Yamaha, Marantz

Styling is nice, power OK, setup fairly easy with remote balance control and ability to turn down individual inputs. Remembers audio mode for each input

Build quality is BAD... Mine has a very bad hum all the time. No S-Video inputs. Not enough inputs for a modern HI-FI system. Sound Is fair to OK. I have Klipsch speakers and they just do not sound as alive hooked up to this amp as they did in the store (In the store they were not in a listening room, they were in a halway when I tested them). I will never buy another Kenwood receiver

Don't bother. Buy a Harmon Kardon, or a Denon or a Yamaha.. Or better yet, buy seperates. When I had the bucks I should have done somthing different.

Mines BROKEN... No excuse for that.

Similar Products Used:

Old Sanyo Stereo receiver from the 70's. AWESOME powerful 120 Watts / channel...0.08% THD It kicked out serious volume until all the pots finally wore out. I am going to get it fixed

None

Hideous buzzing sound. Low power.

I bought this unit refurbished for about $200 a little over a year ago. I thought it was a good deal at the time. It seemed to work ok for about the first 6 months I had it but ever since this constant buzzing noise has continued to get louder in all listening modes. I guess you get what you pay for. I'm looking at a Yamaha. No more Kenwood for me.

Similar Products Used:

Sony Prologic Receiver

Decent (not great) sound for the money.

Terrible quality.

Let me start off by saying that I would never recommend this (or any other Kenwood receiver) to anyone. Like most other reviewers, I also have experienced the bad hum at -29db. I can tell you the problem...there is a screw on the back of the unit that is losing its ground contact with a signal processing card in the unit. However, it can be fixed. I know, because mine has been "fixed" about 6 times in the past year. Once I finally got it fixed, something in the power supply fried on me (a capacitor, according to the repair person). According to them, this was the result of a power surge, so was not covered under my warranty. Interesting, since this supposed surge happened on a totally clear day. And, I had this unit, my DSS, a CD player, a TV, and a VCR all plugged into the same surge protector, and nothing else was affected. Everything on the unit works, except no sound comes out of the speakers. I have had it in the repair shop (again!!!) for the past 6 weeks, and after a lot of hassle, they agreed to fix it. I guess the fact that It has been in the shop almost 3 months out of the first 12 I owned it contributed to their decision. Frankly, I would just as soon have my money back (so I could go buy a Denon 3300). But, that isn't going to happen.

i paid 290 for this dolby digital receiver at ebay.msrp=700
this is a discountinued model but deleivers the ac-3 i needed for
my dvd rom.
is not a superb product but a dd for 290, its not so bad after all.

Cheap, nice remote control, two year warranty

Bad buzzing (like everyone else). A few minor problems

I bought this reciever about a year and a half ago and everything seemed to be fine for just under a year. After that I started to notice buzzing at higher volumes. This could be "corrected" if I just hit my hand in the center of the reciever. I also noticed that it was producing more heat than it originally did. All of those problems seemed minor until something inside started to shoot out sparks. Luckily the warranty was still in effect. Apparently some kind of capacitor blew and took all the left channels with it. I would hesitate buying any new Kenwood recievers until they get their act together.

Good Sound, Dolbt 5.1 Kicks In This Unit
Surround Has Enough Power, On Screen Display

Hum in AC-3 around -27db, read other reviews and fixed problem
i am a tv repair man of about 20 yrs, just about anyone with
a soldering iron could fix this problem

I am very pleased with my 1080-VR.
Been using it for almost 3 years (got this unit and a toshiba "$450.00++" DVD palyer when they hit the market and no one knew if DVD was going to stick around - best buy only had about 20, yes 20 different titles on DVD at the time, i like setting presidence) and except for the buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz i haven't had any problems.
I was thinking about replacing this unit because of the buzzzzzzzz but found out here (stereo review) how to fix it, and I am glad i did because this unit is well worth keeping.
I did notice that one of the power supply capicators was leaking some oil when if fixed the buzzzzzzzzzzzzz and I
will be replacing it soon, this may be due to the fact my unit is located in a entertainment center and should get more ventilitation.
If you have one of these units you may want to check the top of the capiciators (viewed from the vents in the unit)
will see what looks like cookie dough on top of the filter.
You would want to have you local stereo shop replace it before it goes bad (just a suggestion).
The buzzzz is an esy fix and as stated any one with a $5.00 soldiering iron could fix.
A broken ground connection on the AC-3 board (the top board you see when the cover is removed)is the problem
1) remove the 3 rear screws and the internal screw to the left holding the board to it's bracket
2) disconnect the two ribbon cables on the right by pulling them up and out of thier conncetors (there is no type of release, just pull them)
3) release plastic stands and flip board over
4) soldier connector that was attached to rear of case (both sides)
5) assemble unit in reverse order
it's just that simple!!!!!!!!!!!!!
good luck a keep jammin

Similar Products Used:

pioneer (pro logic) this is my first 5.1