I had the VSXD 608 for about 3 weeks before I took it back. I was really hoping (probably foolishly) that this receiver would work out since it was so cheap.
I believe the unit is underpowered since I quickly got "tired" of listening to music at higher volumes. I messed around with the dsp modes and settings to no avail.

The most annoying problem I had with the unit was that every time I increased the volume (one or more "db's" at a time) feedback (sounded like static electricity) could be heard through the speakers for each "db" point. Poor internal shielding I assume.

Another shortcoming was the unit lacks pre amp outputs for all channels.

Perhaps I expected way too much for $380.

I received a Sony DVD S-530 Player for Father's Day. I didn't have an A/V Receiver, nor speakers to fully enjoy this gift. SO, I went shopping!
Best Buy provided the Pioneer VSX-D608 Receiver. $319.95 (open box)$400 RTL
RadioShack had my speakers. Pro-8 (2) 120.00 (Clrance) 300 "
Pro-5II (2) 150.00 (sale) 300 "
SW-200W Subwoofer 300.00 (sale) 400 "
Megacable 150 ft 50.00 (RTL) 50 "
Sear (father's day present) Sony DVD-S530 379.00 (sale) 400 "
Skylab(website) HUGHES DSS-D45 265.00 (RTL) 265 "
RCA Dual LNB 55.00 (sale) 65 "
Timberline had Toslink Patch cords (3)2-meter 50.00 (RTL) 50 "
Misc. S-video, RCA patchcords, etc. 100.00 (RTL) 100 "

The Pioneer VSX-D608 is the most recent top of Pioneer's Mid-range receivers. I choose this unit primarily for multiple S-video ports and included- coax and optical input connectors. The coax connector allowed me immediate hook-up to the Hughes Digital Sat Receiver which has digital coax and optical outputs. This gave me time to research toslink connectors.

I am a little disappointed in the power that is required to drive the my speakers. At 100w per channel, I thought I would be close to breaking windows at full power, not so.

To achieve reasonable listening levels, a volume setting of -40db is required.
That's 60% power level. I have an older Kenwood receiver w/125w per channel (stereo) that shakes rooms at 50% volume!

I've been looking for reviews that may confirm my suspensions that the claimed power ratings are lower than Pioneer advertises. I'll keep searching.

As far as bells and whistles...the VSX-D608 is excellently packaged.

This unit will keep-up with technology into the next millenium.

The remote control handles switching to other components, DSS, DVD, CD, TV, S-Video, Local Station conversion, coax or optical switching, with enough hands-off control that getting off the couch is for drink refreshments.

If you have S-Video on your TV receiver, the VSX-D608 is a must!

There are 5 S-video inputs, 3 S-video outputs. All are switchable from the remote. Without multiple S-video connectors you'll find yourself behind your component cabinet unplugging and replugging your S-video cables.

The VSX-D608 is an excellent value purchase.

Yo Suckas this receiver rocks. Paired with my Atlantic Techs 450's this receiver is far superior to any Denon.

Yes, it is true that this is not an audiophile receiver...but it does a great job. I am using it with a dvd player, satellite receiver (with digital audio output) and a cd player with digital output. It controls everything just fine--no need to compromise on picture and sound quality because it has enough s-vhs and digital inputs and outputs to satisfy anyone. The DSP modes are not all that useful (just like most other products) but the Dolby digital and pro-logic decoding sounds fine. Some other reviewers mentioned inability to operate the subwoofer in stereo mode. This is fixed by settig the front speakers to "small." At first I was a little dismayed to have to set it up this way,but I must admit that my full size speakers actually sound very good with this setting, with the receiver's electronic crossover set to 100hz. I am actually setting the speakers to small even in the surround mode, since the bass output is actually better with the low frequencies of all 5 channels sent to the subwoofer. In my cabinet, I have only an inch of clearance on the top and sides of the unit, but it still gets only a little warm.
Don't bash this product because a unit twice the price seems better.

There seems to be a huge difference of opinion here about the 608. Bought mine three weeks ago as an upgrade from my Technics SA-GX690 Prologic receiver. I think dollar for dollar this unit can't be beat; sure, a Denon with the same features will sound better but then you're talking triple the pricetag.
The Pioneer 608 offers pretty much all you could ask for in a modest home theater receiver -- component video switching would be nice but....

Other reviewers have griped about the lack of bass from the sub output; well, I have to disagree -- several scenes from "Terminator 2 - Judgement Day" blew my German Shepherd out of the room. That will teach her to sleep beside the Velodyne sub !!

I find overall performance excellent with this receiver -- DTS decoding is superb -- try "The Eagles - Hell Freezes Over" on DVD; the DTS surround is amazing. Even Prologic stuff sounds OK especially in 5-D Theater mode; the other fake surround modes suck of course, but I've never heard any that don't.

The lack of bass/treble controls don't bother me as I've never had any use for them in home theater applications. My only complaint is the remote -- while it is well laid out it needs back lighting in a big way; its impossible to tell what buttons do what in a dark room.

Overall I have to give this receiver 5 stars.

Well... I just returned this receiver after 1 hour of listening, it's got every feature you could imagine, it's well priced, it's got an above average remote. The only thing missing is descent sound quality, I was not expecting Denon or Harmon Kardon dynamics here but sincerely unless you have absolutely no idea what music should sound like and that includes listening to a movie (soundtrack). This receiver should be avoided at all cost. It is uneven across the frequency spectrum, produces cross talk of roughly 5 to 10 db at 90 db noise roughly equivalent to 5 to 10 percent! I had to read the specs to see that this receiver is rated at 100 watts at 1Khz. This in real world listening translates to 20 25 watts. It can clip badly at anything above 90Db and the surround channels displayed overload on the receiver's display at 40db (Main off). This piece of gear made in Indonesia should be avoided at all cost,had the store offered me a 50 percent discount I would still have chosen a refund.
At this point after listening to two IC based receivers (The other a Sony 825) I have come to the conclusion that I will either elevate my budget to at least 1000.00 or purchase high end Pro Logic components coming in on trade. No Dolby Digital is worth that kind of pain.

Bought this unit at www.soundpros.com for $340 and have been very happy with it. The input/output capability such as: S video switching, 3 optical in, 1 optical out, front panel S video in, etc. really makes it easy to set up most components with their optimum capability. The remote is pretty complex, but has extended capability and actually is preprogammed to run my Sony Minidisc player. The optical output makes recording a breeze for CD to minidisc and the quality is amazing. The only thing missing is a turntable input!! Seriously, Pioneer did their homework to make this a very capable DTS receiver.

I have reviewed this receiver before but I recently had a chance to do an in home demo of a VSX-24 along with a Denon 3300 looking to replace my pioneer 608. I had 5 people give me their impressions of each receiver.
The 608 uses the same DSP but has different DACs and power supplies than the elite vsx24. The build quality and features get better the more you spend obviously so I wont go into that. Both pioneer volume knobs could be beefed up a little like the Denons. The remote on the 608 actually compares well against the denon but falls short against the vsx24. The sound of the mosfet amps in the vsx24 is warm and musical. The denon was bright by comparison and the midrange didnt sounded colored. The real surprise was the little 608 kept up with its bigger brother in all apects of imaging and seperation, it sounded fuller than the denon even. The low end response was actually better on the 608 as compared to the vsx24 but it was slightly muddier. The midrange on the vsx24 was slightly superior to the 608 and the amplifier had better control of the woofers in my speakers which cleared the slightly muddier low end on the 608. DD and DTS performance of the 608 was very similar to the vsx24 with a little more dynamics. The 608 equaled the denon in DD playback with a better filled in low end but lacked a little detail the denon possesed on the the high end. THX is a bonus on the VSX-24 though i didnt prefer it over the standard modes. The latest pioneer receivers are excellent. anyone claiming the pioneer receivers are bright have never truly listened and compared with others. For the money the 608 is outstanding.
you can see associated equipment used in this review here:
http://www.visi.com/~rhanson/images/theater/theater.htm

none

everything from cheap construction to garbage sound.

why spend 499 for this hunk of crap when you can go to UBID.com and get an 1800$ receiver for 800$. The difference in quality and sound between the DENON and PIONEER was so obvious that I wanted to smash my PIONEER.

Similar Products Used:

DENON AVR-3600dts

This review finally sold me on this unit. I found one for $330 and grabbed it. I have to agree with the reviewer, I like it.

http://hometheatermag.com/htn2/ht199910/cheapc1.htm