Price and Features

Not quite 100W and the remote sucks...but that is why God created the Pronto.

First off, I want to say that anyone that slams a $350 reciever by comparing it to an $800 or greater one is a complete moron. 90% of the unfavorable reviews here all compare the 608 to recievers at around $1000 price range! Well, DUH! Idiots. If a $350 reciever is as good as a $1000 reciever, it is not a compliment to the cheaper one but a SLAM to the more expensive one.

That being said, for the price and features, you would be hard pressed to find anything that comes close to its quality. I used Video Essendials and an SPL meter and callibrated my system perfectly. Before I had a Sony 80W DD ready reciever and used my JVC2000BK to decode DD DVDs and the D608 sounds tons better. The acid test was comparing the Super Speedway DVD between my old setup and the 608. Needless to say the 608 won hands down. Using a powered 50W subwoofer and my small sony speakers, at a volume level of -35 the 608 is crystal clear and able to let people 2 houses away enjoy my movies quite nicely :) I am very happy with this unit.

Price,Inputs,

Stereo sound

great price
299.98, s-video switching
compare it to anything else at this price point
it blows it away.
stereo sound could be improved a little.ie:high end
5.1 digital sound fanatastic,DTS sound,played eagles
DTS DVD "when hell freezes over" the hair stood up on
the back of my neck !!!!!! Bottom line if you want more
power,more features ???, go spend more money on
something you think is better. for down and dirty
home theater "you can't touch this"

Similar Products Used:

sony str-835

Features..

Surround Sound Speakers (L/R)

I posted a review about this product a while back, just updating..well I started to mess around with all of the settings that this baby had and discovered that I had not optimized my receiver to the fullest. I like it even more now. Although I do have a question for anyone that can answer it, send me a e-mail. I believe that about 15% of sound from a movie will be played on your rear speakers. I just feel that my rear speakers sound lower than my front speakers. If I hook them up with the front (together, in same socket) they sound louder. Should they be lower?? Also, I have noticed that my DVD has to have the volme higher unlike when I listen to my Cd's. i believe that this is because of all the extra work it takes to separate all the sounds (Dolby Digital), am I right?


Joe

feature set

remote

I've had the 608 for a couple of months now and have been very impressed with it's performance. I upgraded from a Technics DPL system, so needless to say, I had no previous digital sound experience and I was blown away by Dolby Digital. With that in mind I can't compare this sound to other high end units but for the price (~$300 at Best Buy - open box) I couldn't resist. Setup took a while for me and I found that the remote would not handle either of my VCRs (Panasonic or GE). I also didn't like the function "cycling" you have to go through to change modes and I don't have a truly universal remote to use in its stead so I have to ding this unit for its remote. However, once I got it all figured out and hooked up to my Yamaha speakers (another BB open box buy) I was really impressed with the feature set and the sound. My parents came over and were so impressed that they now want their own home theater setup. The price/feature ratio alon made this purchase worthwhile for me. I have a newborn in the house so I haven't been able to crank it up on a regular basis so I can't comment on the power issue others have noted. Overall I am enjoying the unit.

Feature Rich

Seems a little under powered.

I first read about this product in Home Theater Mag under their Cheep Thrills section (Oct 99). That review alone sold me on this A/V Receiver.

Full S-Vid switching for 5 Video Sources should keep you happy for some time. There is a lact of component inputs on this device but you really cant expect a A/V Reciever under 750.00 to have them (even some recievers at 1000+ dollars dont have this feature yet.)

Other notible features are Dolby Digital / DTS decoding. A real cool Midnight feature that pumps up the base at low dB so you can listen to music while your significant other sleeps, without the loss of the low frequency.

There is 4 Digital Audio Inputs on this thing (3 Optical and 1 Coax) which you cant find on any other reciever in this price bracket. I personally would have like to seen one less optical and one more coax. There is even an optical out for sending a clear digital signal to a MD recording device.

I have answered the low power concern by purchasing some really highly sensitive Klipsch Reference Fronts (RF-3) and a Center Speaker (RC-3). Using some higher grade biwire cable, I get to rediculous volumes at only -40dB on the dial.

As others said, the remote stinks, but Im planning on getting a Universial soon.

This is an excellent receiver for the price. Hookup quality speakers with good wire and it will preform quite well.

Rob

Similar Products Used:

My First A/V Receiver.

Complex, lively and transparent sound field. Superb channel definition.

Only one AC outlet on rear panel. No Phono input.

The Pioneer VSX-D608 is a mid-tier receiver with a wonderfully transparent and complex sound field that quickly engages the listener. Both DVD and CD sources reproduce with a clarity I've never heard in this price range. Channel definition is among the best I've heard. My only wishes are for more AC outlets on the rear panel, and for a phono input. But those are minor quibbles. The audio quality makes this unit an easy winner.

Very good sound,DD,DTS

A bit more power is rocomended. The manual needs to be more detailed regarding the set up.

If you are an "audiophile" do not read the following. Just keep repeating there are "better" receivers. You know what, there are better amps then yours too.
My review is for the rest of us.
Although most critics say it is cheep for what it offers, VSX-D608 was about $400 US. I bought it to replace another Pioneer receiver (557), which disappointed me after a month of use. This one's got quite noticeable improvement in the sound quality and a lot of new features. I do not agree that some are "complicated". They are just the minimum number of handy choices someone can need at home. When buying A/V receiver one should decide how good sound quality he/she can afford. If you want a really top-notch sound then you shouldn't look for a deal and must consider an expense of at least 8-10 times the above price-plus you will need really high end main, sub, center and satellite speakers, CD, DVD, wires and so on. Then if your other components aren't really "The Best!" how can you expect any receiver to sound better then those components? As is the case with all mass-consumer type receivers there is probably something that could be improved. But at what cost?! For that price I believe 608 is the best bang for the bucks and offers the sound, power and options needed at home.
Important: This receiver is made for a home theater setup and needs a sub. My all 6 speakers are Cerwin Vega-100W each and give me very good sound. I picked 2 tower speakers just to be able to listen music in the old fashion way and use a SV 10" powered sub for the low frequencies.(Here you need time to set it up properly).
I always have the bass and treble set to 0* and don't needed to adjust the settings or use Loudness. When listen CD or radio often I am in "Direct" mode. Still sounds very good.

Most of the people that returned their 608 made a mistake. They should learn to set the system correctly and spend more time to understand the receiver's capabilities. I am sure most of them wasted their money for an easy-set receiver. Not all users are equal....

Similar Products Used:

VSX-D 557

price

service center/warranty

Purchased mine about one and a half years ago, unfortunately some internal component malfunctioned and did not allow surround sound switching on DVD mode only. Brought it to an authorized SC and was estimated at 275 for P/L(new main PCB)....being that I paid 350, I contacted Pioneer directly for assistance...they informed me that the warranty expired, therefore, there will be a charge....
I only watched about 20 DVD movies, everything works fine except in DVD mode, therefore a Main PCB is not necessary....

product works fine but what you dont pay up front you might pay in the end...
Horrible warranty policy

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I am amending a couple of previous remarks relating to this receiver.
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1)The tuner works just fine. You just have to hold down the button a little while to go through the channels fast.

2)The power output(not 100W maybe 60W) is still questionable. I still need to call Pioneer about this.

3)I can't find Dolby 3 Channel Logic! Does it have it?

4)No Simulated Surround

5)The remote is OK. I just got used to it after awhile.

6)S-video switching yes but no conversion to or from S-video

7)Only one coax input no coax output.

Despite all of this I still think the VSX-D608 still kicks butt. I am glad I bought it and have not been dissapointed yet.

---5 stars---

sounds and connectivity

display

I recently purchased the 608 for $325, replacing a 5 year old pro logic receiver. The sound difference and features are amazing. It is by far the most flexible for connecting components with anything in it's price range. I also purchased a Pioneer DV525 DVD player at the same time, for a total of $550 delivered I have an amazing addition to my home system. I have them hooked up to 5 NHT Super Zereos and a SWP2 subwoofer. It is hard to believe that they are the same speakers I am listening to. My only drawback is that the volume level is hard to read as my 608 sits high on a shelf. The precoded remote controls my Mitsubishi TV and VCR eliminating a remote.