Picked up for $229, DTS/AC-3, lots of connections for the price

No DSP, 5 chanel for music

I just hooked the unit to my HT. I love it already. Good sound, no hissing. The S-video switching works like advertise, no issues noticed. I will have to see how this unit performs over time.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer VSX-457D

Has gotten many good reviews. Great for those on a Low budget.

Not 5 channel surround, but at these prices, how can you complain

I don't see how anyone can justify giving a bad review on this reciever based on reading a review written by someone else. If you haven't used this reciever, don't rate it... and by no means rate it badly. Well enough of that.

This reciever rocks. At 250 it is a great deal for those of us on a tight budget. It sounds great and has all the basic functions I need. 5 channel stereo would be nice but even the Sony's (830/930) don't have it so I can't complain too much (especially since those recivers cost $100 or more).

Price, S-Video switching, remote

Remote is complicated to set up

I bought this as a part of an upgrade of my entire home theater system. I chose the Kenwood mainly because of the S-Video switching. I also bought a new center speaker, new surrounds, a JVC S-VHS VCR and a Panasonic DVD player.

The improvement in sound of the new system is great, even though it is impossible to tell how much each individual component contributed to that. All I know is that the sound, especially with DTS sources is fantastic. In any case the VR-309 makes a great centerpiece to the whole set-up. With the video switching, I was able to connect both the DVD and the S-VHS VCR to the single S-Video input on my TV. I was also able to connect the analog and composite outputs from my digital cable box to the VR-309 and my TV. The most amazing thing is that the remote can be set up to control and switch between all of these different components from different manufacturers.

Yes, the remote was complicated to set up, but with the number of functions you can control with it, that is to be expected. There have been a lot of complaints in other reviews about the remote and the need to scroll through various components. Frankly, once you get used to it, I like the fact that I can control the basic functions of every component in my system with just a few buttons. the other thing that I really like is the Kenwood web site that gives you a lot of good information and a "chat room" to get questions answered by other users.

Overall, I am very pleased with the Kenwood VR-309. I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you need to hook up multiple S-Video sources to your TV.

Similar Products Used:

Technics Pro-Logic receiver

Good sound, s-video switching, digital inputs

Remote

Bottom line: Best sub-$500 receiver out there.

Sound: Let's face it, the most important thing a receiver has to do is provide clear clean power to your speakers. This receiver performs that job admirably. The speaker setup was fairly easy. The cycling pink noise test tones were a little quick, but I wound up using Video Essentials for fine-tuning so this wasn't a big problem. With the Kenwood driving my speakers, the sub/sat integration seemed much smoother than with my previous Technics setup.

Music presentation was lush and detailed, revealing nice detail in the upper-mids. The thing I liked most about this receiver was that it didn't make the highs sound brittle like the Technics or some Sonys I've heard. I listened to MD, CD, radio, and DMX sources for the better part of a day while studying and never grew tired of the sound.

On movies, the Kenwood opened up. The beach-landing scene in Saving Private Ryan was excellent, with the surround effects zooming all around with good detail but receding when they needed too. Matrix absolutely rocked with this receiver. The dialog seemed a little muted, but I haven't played around with the center channel since setting it up.

Overall I loved the sound of this receiver. I didn't stress the amp with low frequencies, but the mids and highs were excellent with none of the harshness I've heard on these speakers with prior receivers. I played it as loud as I dared in my apartment and noticed no distortion.

The rat's nest:
I/O on the Kenwood is straightforward with enough inputs for just about any home theater setup. I was able to hook up all my equipment, including the cable box's digital out (more on that later). The s-video switching allowed my to finally go all s-video in my system, a real plus. The inputs were re-labeled after the goofy remote setup (NOTE: DON'T loose that remote!). The only fault I could really find was that you must cycle through inputs - a tough thing to deal with if you're using a remote with macro capability.

With the digital inputs, 2 are tied to video sources and one to CD. I wound up having to tie my cable box into the CD input, select the cable video input, then switch to CD audio. The Kenwood left the last selected video active, so even though it's a chore I was able to get good cable sound (the DACs in the Scientific Atlanta box suck).

Remote:
The remote control operation is straightforward and easy to use. Setting it up, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter. I appreciate that they're trying to give you a measure of power, but the setup was complicated. The worst part is that you must have ALL codes figured out beforehand and if you mess up (like wait more than 5 seconds before entering next component), you have to start all over again. Nice idea but poor execution.

Review System: (set up in a small apartment)
Proscan 27" TV
Scientific Atlanta Explorer 2000 Digital Cable Box
JVC HRS3600U S-VHS VCR
Toshiba SD2109 DVD
Sony MDS-JE520 MD
Kenwood VR-309 Receiver
Infinity RS-1 (4)
Infinity CC-1 Center Channel
JBL PSW-D110 Sub

Pros:
Detailed mids
Clear highs without harshness
S-Video switching!
3 digital inputs

Cons:
Remote set-up is touchy
Digital inputs are not assignable

Rating:
Value is 5. Best sound for under $500 with s-video!
Overall is 4 (4.5). The remote and lack of direct input selection bring it down.

Similar Products Used:

Older Technics DD/DTS w/outboard decoder, Nakamichi, Pioneer, and JVC Dolby ProLogic receivers

I did a fair amount of research for a sub-700 Canadian Dollar receiver for about a month, and finally, after hearing some good feedback from VR-309 owners, went to FutureShop and bought one. Set-up was not too difficult, and it didn't take me too much time to hook it all up and start to step it through my usual barrage of tests and 'benchmarks'.I programmed the UnivRemote to control my Sony VHS deck, and after some fiddling, got it to work quite well. However, after a few days of 'breaking it in', I noticed some anomolies and problems. I purchased a Sony DVP-D330S DVD deck and I could NOT select it from the remote. I would have to walk over (God forbid) and cycle through the Multi-Selector knob to select it. A week after that, I finally paid-off my Sony KV-32S40 TV and after rewiring the VR-309 for the 63rd time, I found that the remote also could select the TV source, and I once again had to walk over to the Multi-Selector to select it. Out of frustration, I reset the Device Codes in the Remote, according to the manual, and it still wouldn't allow me to select anything but VCR1. I then 'Reset to Factory defaults' and it would only allow me to select something once, then it would 'freeze' back to VCR1. I then disconnected the VR-309 AC cord from the wall over the long weekend, and despite Kenwood's Manual assurances, the Deck was fully reset, but the remote would still not allow me to select anything but VCR1. I packaged it all up, and returned the unit to the retailer, and exchanged it for a JVC RX-888VBK receiver, which in my opinion, is the best damn receiver i've bought to date.

Things that suck about the VR-309:

-Remote has three buttons for selecting devices, that cycle. I prefer individual buttons for each device.
-Remote has a strange elongated pyramid shape, with an off-centered centre of gravity, and the most important buttons are located at the bottom where the remote has a tendency of slipping out of your hand if you have large hands.
-Too few function/setup buttons on Remote and Deck that have to be cycled-through endlessly to select anything worthwhile.
-Banana Post speaker connectors for Front/Centre channels only.
-Manual refers to 'Video 1, Video 2, Video 3' when infact Remote and Deck's LCD screen indicates VCR1, VCR2, VCR3, yet at back it's also the first instance. Confusing as hell.
-Plastic front bezel; should be anodized/painted aluminium like 99.9% of other decks out there.
-Main volume control on deck is very stiff, and at the same time feels fragile.
-Volume increases/decreases indicated as decible amounts; confusing to non-audiophiles.
-Unnecessarily complex method of adjusting discrete channel volumes.

Things that are OK about the VR-309:

-Good price.
-Doesn't get too hot.
-Includes DTS/Digital decoding for under $600 CAN.

The Good Price is the only thing that redeems it from a 1-star score.

DTS/Dolby Digital/Pro-Logic
much improved rear panel layout
100 Watts/Channel x 5 + line subwoofer out.

remote takes a little time to get used to.

I purchased this as an upgrade to the VR-209. It works perfectly in all respects - stunning sound and a clean, easy to use front-panel interface.

It's back panel design has been reorganized making setup a snap.

I have seen several negative comments made about the remote control. It is essentially the same remote used for the 209, so there was no learning curve for me. I find that once you have taken the time to get to know it, it is a very logical design and easy to use. I do use it to control all of my A/V hardware.

Especially considering the price (I got it for under $300) It is an excellent entry-level DTS receiver, and well-woth giving a test-listen.

Similar Products Used:

VR-209

I don't really have a review, but if anyone can shed any light on this I would appreciate it very much. I bought my receiver about a year ago in January 2000. On about 4 separate occasions, both happened to be war movies, "Rules of Engagement" and "U-571", the sound will pop off at sudden, very loud, explosions or gunfire. I do not play it at an unusually high volume, on the contrary it is only set at about -37 dbls. I have really enjoyed the receiver, but I am disappointed that it shuts off (the power button flashes) at particular loud noises. Is this just inherent in this particular receiver (a safety switch that activates at high volume?) or is my receiver defective?

I recently ordered "Saving Private Ryan" in DTS, and I know it will shut off during the opening scenes. It just can't seem to handle a sudden, loud noise (i.e. explosions, rapid gunfire, planes flying overhead). Btw, I have Home Theater Direct (HTD) Level 1 surround speakers w/Level 1 subwoofer. Thanks for any information.

Great sounds, good functionality

only one optical input. Little tricky to get used to the remote, more so when adding new equipment

I have owned the system for over a year now and have never had any problem
Setup- CD player (pioneer), tape deck (techniques), VCR (sanyo), and NOW a DVD (Panasonic-optical input in use)
All devices function perfect. Unlike some of the other reviews I read here, I have never had any problems with clipping or cutting out. I am running full 5.1 setup and the sound with a DVD is amazing. I even ran a 6.1 disk the other day and the receivers turns on Both rear speakers in place of the rear center stage (this amp does not support a rear center stage, all amps I have seen under $1000 don’t)
What can I say the system is great at any price and at this one it’s even better.

Great dolby digital sound...when it doesn't cut in & out.

see above

I bought this receiver over a year ago to replace a kenwood amp that died. Last month we purchased a 36" Wega, Sony dvd & bose AM-15 w/ powered subwoofer. I'm using both digital optical and coaxial cable for the dvd. When playing the dvd the audio cuts in and out without warning. It starts on high volume scenes and continues off and on throughout the movie....really a drag. The only cure I've found is to shut it off and turn it back on, which sometimes works for a while. I've replaced the cables twice on the optical and once on the coaxial to no avail.

Does anyone know how to cure this problem?

Similar Products Used:

n/a

awesome sound for the price.....louder than my parents :)

none (yet)

Man all i can say is this thing rips.....i prefer the DTS slightly to the DD but either sounds great.