tryn

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.86 of 5, 7.00 votes

Price Paid:  $179.00 from Sears

Summary:
Well for what I paid I guess I did ok. Now that I've had this reciever for a while though I can truely say, "I think its total junk." How can you guys write "Plenty of power"? 500 watts? HA. I have a set of cheap $100 Altec Lansing computer speakers that will easilly give this thing a run for the money. The RMS on those Altec Lansing (Mod # 251, 5.1 surrounds)??? 90 freakin watts. Whats wrong with that picture? If I had a slightly more powerful sub on those it would beat the snot outta the SA-DX950. OK, whats my overall set-up? I have a pair of Cerwin Vega VS-150's for mains, JBL N-Center, and a pair of JBL S-38's for rears. I also have a Yamaha YST-SW215 Sub. Lets face it, if I didn't run the sub, the power protection circuit would trip in minutes. Am I the only one with this piece of junk that enjoys loud music from time to time? I don't think I've made it over an hour or so without tripping the protection circuit, and thats now, after I know I have to back off a bit. Its hard to even think of the features when I can't even get past its poor power handling capablities. Looking at the options, sound modes etc., thier not bad at all for the money. The remote and layout of the reciever itself could have been thought out better but the only thing that stands out as a bad option is the inability to adjust the sound fields (ie. center, left, right surrounds) without the use of the remote. The sound reproduction from this model is actually quite good. Movies and music alike sound really good. I find I still preffer stereo for music and my only other complaint would have to be; when you connect to a tv or cable box through an optical cable, you lose the sub all together when going into stereo mode. Thats incredibly annoying when your watching a good music video or something. Its my opinion that this product is intended for cheap entertainment and geared towards... audio newbees, children, the elderly and people who dont care "Just how loud it goes".

Strengths:
Optical connections. DSP Modes Size, distance and filter options. A & B speaker sets. Plenty of connection options.

Weaknesses:
POWER, POWER, POWER. Did I mention power? Poorly laid out remote and a few missinf controls on the reciever.

Similar Products Used:
JBL N-Center JBL N-24's (Two sets) JBL S-38's Cerwin Vega VS-150's Yamaha YST-SW950

Price Paid:  $179.00 from J & R Audio

Summary:
Great A/V receiver, and an excellent buy. Not too heavy with bells and whistles, and those that are provided are not the best ones on the market. I've been using it for over two years with no performance failures. Plenty of power, and plenty of bass with good, well-positioned speakers. The remote, however, sucks. I have never seen a more poorly laid-out button pad. The DVD controls lack a pause button, and the lightweight feel screams "cheap." The five built-in DSP settings are not outstanding. They provide an effect, but "theater" makes dialog hard to understand, and "sim surround" just gets loud and confusing. The "hall" and "live" settings are ok on music, though. One characteristic I question is the lack of control over the audio when using the optical cable input. There is no control on bass and treble when in digital signal mode. Also, the DSP functions only work on an analog signal, so what comes from your DVD player via optical cable is what you get through the system.

Strengths:
Price Power Reliability

Weaknesses:
Remote DSP effects

Similar Products Used:
Dahlquist DQ-18 front speakers

Price Paid:  $215.00 from London Drugs

Summary:
This is a follow up to the review I gave back in 2001. I tried to replace this receiver with a Marantz 5300 (it has DolbyII and 6.1), but after one week I returned the Marantz ... it didn't sound as sweet as the Technics and it didn't seem to have as much power (I can get 6.1 out of the Technics by using an old Dolby stereo receiver). The Marantz cost twice as much and I had to turn the volume control to almost full to get what the Tech gives me at a quarter volume. At some point I may try the Panasonic (Technics)SA-HE100, it has DolbyII and 6.1. My only complaint is the remote but I replaced that long ago. If the receivers in this review where all based on true value for money ... this receiver would be at the top.

Strengths:
Just a well built, inexpensive receiver.

Weaknesses:
Remote

Similar Products Used:
Marantz, Sony, Yamaha.

Price Paid:  $0.00 from BB

Summary:
This is my follow up submitance for this product. In the 13 months I've had it, there have been no problems whatsoever and I have been very pleased with performance. I have to say that I've been contemplating upgrading to another rec't I'm gravely interested in, but I just can't see any valid reason besides the "bells and whistles". DD-ex, DTS-es are not readliy available on DVD's as of yet. Don't have PL II, just use stereo mode, sounds fine to me. I'm using a low end Polk speaker package, and it's awesome. I've had neighbors ask me how I get my movies to sound like "that". The DX-950 puts out, that's really all there is to it. No heat problems either. The DX-950 rec'r has been a joy. I'm just sorry that the Technics line has been phased out. I think they would've had a good horizon on upgrades to look for. About the bass complaints. Either get the right speakers or invest in a sub!!!! Music cd's are not DTS!!!!

Strengths:
Puts out, visibly easy,

Weaknesses:
None in 13 months

Similar Products Used:
Philipps, Sony

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Sears

Summary:
I spilled beer over the grill by accident. After 2 hours of severe malfuntion, and leaving it in the cold to dry, it worked as if brand new. Gotta love that shizznit!

Strengths:
Takes on beer

Weaknesses:
Time it takes to recover from spilt beer

Similar Products Used:
Harmon Kardon A/V receivers