I had the VSX-D608 for a couple of days and returned it. I had purchased it hoping that I could use it in a second room and was very optimistic, but it was a big disappointment performance wise. Feature wise it's loaded with DD/DTS, 6-channel inputs, 100watts x 5, 5 video/S-video, 3 audio, 4 digital inputs and one digital out and pretty flexible on set-up. Of course it uses cheap speaker connectors for the center and surrounds.Performance:
Stereo was pretty good, but the big let down and suprisingly so was the DD/DTS performance. I'd been reading different reviews of inexpensive DD receivers in Stereo Review and they always made statements like " Dolby Digital on this receiver sounds as good as I remember it sounding on anything else" or something like that.

The first night I had the unit in my system,I was very optimistic, I tweaked it and listened, tweaked it and listened and after about two hours, my ears hurt and I had a serious head ache, I just could'nt get it to sound good. I thought it might just be me that day, so I tried again on the second night and it seemed worse(I was being more critical and less opimistic) the sound was still fatiuging but now in addition to the blareingly harsh sound, I could hear some serious cross talk(I assume this is mostly due to poor internal sheilding).

This unit might not sound as bad with much darker speakers(Atlantic Tech), but my speakers are not bright(Energy RVS's) at least not as bright as say NHT's are and the receiver was unlistenable in my system.

My normal set-up includes the Sony SDP-EP9ES and a Carver 705 5-channel amp with 5 RVS's and an Energy ES12XL powered sub which all work great together(better than great actually) my video source is the inexpensive but otherwise excellent Pioneer DV414 DVD player. I can play this system very loud without any fatigue what so ever.

BTW, the new Pioneer receiver's are much improved cosmetically over their predecessors, with metal faceplates instead of plastic, too bad they haven't improved on performance. The best way to describe how the VSX-D608 sounds in DD/DTS mode, it's sorta like if you were watching a movie and someone else was in the room running their fingernails down a chalk board.


Anthony


Based on price, appearance and features, this unit deserves 5 speakers. Unfortunately, it only deserves one speaker for performance.

I had the VSX-D608 for a couple of days and returned it. I had purchased it hoping that I could use it in a second room and was very optimistic, but it was a big disappointment performance wise. Feature wise it's loaded with DD/DTS, 6-channel inputs, 100watts x 5, 5 video/S-video, 3 audio, 4 digital inputs and one digital out and pretty flexible on set-up. Of course it uses cheap speaker connectors for the center and surrounds.Performance:
Stereo was pretty good, but the big let down and suprisingly so was the DD/DTS performance. I'd been reading different reviews of inexpensive DD receivers in Stereo Review and they always made statements like " Dolby Digital on this receiver sounds as good as I remember it sounding on anything else" or something like that.

The first night I had the unit in my system,I was very optimistic, I tweaked it and listened, tweaked it and listened and after about two hours, my ears hurt and I had a serious head ache, I just could'nt get it to sound good. I thought it might just be me that day, so I tried again on the second night and it seemed worse(I was being more critical and less opimistic) the sound was still fatiuging but now in addition to the blareingly harsh sound, I could hear some serious cross talk(I assume this is mostly due to poor internal sheilding).

This unit might not sound as bad with much darker speakers(Atlantic Tech), but my speakers are not bright(Energy RVS's) at least not as bright as say NHT's are and the receiver was unlistenable in my system.

My normal set-up includes the Sony SDP-EP9ES and a Carver 705 5-channel amp with 5 RVS's and an Energy ES12XL powered sub which all work great together(better than great actually) my video source is the inexpensive but otherwise excellent Pioneer DV414 DVD player. I can play this system very loud without any fatigue what so ever.

BTW, the new Pioneer receiver's are much improved cosmetically over their predecessors, with metal faceplates instead of plastic, too bad they haven't improved on performance. The best way to describe how the VSX-D608 sounds in DD/DTS mode, it's sorta like if you were watching a movie and someone else was in the room running their fingernails down a chalk board.


Anthony


Based on price, appearance and features, this unit deserves 5 speakers. Unfortunately, it only deserves one speaker for performance.

I had the VSX-D608 for a couple of days and returned it. I had purchased it hoping that I could use it in a second room and was very optimistic, but it was a big disappointment performance wise. Feature wise it's loaded with DD/DTS, 6-channel inputs, 100watts x 5, 5 video/S-video, 3 audio, 4 digital inputs and one digital out and pretty flexible on set-up. Of course it uses cheap speaker connectors for the center and surrounds.Performance:
Stereo was pretty good, but the big let down and suprisingly so was the DD/DTS performance. I'd been reading different reviews of inexpensive DD receivers in Stereo Review and they always made statements like " Dolby Digital on this receiver sounds as good as I remember it sounding on anything else" or something like that.

The first night I had the unit in my system,I was very optimistic, I tweaked it and listened, tweaked it and listened and after about two hours, my ears hurt and I had a serious head ache, I just could'nt get it to sound good. I thought it might just be me that day, so I tried again on the second night and it seemed worse(I was being more critical and less opimistic) the sound was still fatiuging but now in addition to the blareingly harsh sound, I could hear some serious cross talk(I assume this is mostly due to poor internal sheilding).

This unit might not sound as bad with much darker speakers(Atlantic Tech), but my speakers are not bright(Energy RVS's) at least not as bright as say NHT's are and the receiver was unlistenable in my system.

My normal set-up includes the Sony SDP-EP9ES and a Carver 705 5-channel amp with 5 RVS's and an Energy ES12XL powered sub which all work great together(better than great actually) my video source is the inexpensive but otherwise excellent Pioneer DV414 DVD player. I can play this system very loud without any fatigue what so ever.

BTW, the new Pioneer receiver's are much improved cosmetically over their predecessors, with metal faceplates instead of plastic, too bad they haven't improved on performance. The best way to describe how the VSX-D608 sounds in DD/DTS mode, it's sorta like if you were watching a movie and someone else was in the room running their fingernails down a chalk board.


Anthony


Based on price, appearance and features, this unit deserves 5 speakers. Unfortunately, it only deserves one speaker for performance.

This is a great unit for the price! It includes all the options you could want - DD/DTS, 5.1 input, S-Video switching for about $350-$399. It plays loud and clear. Build quality is on the low end, but what do you want for $399 ? Buy this receiver and use the money you saved over buying a more expensive unit to buy better speakers! I give it 4 stars for its combination of value & price.

I personally didn't purchase the unit. Rather I help find the unit for my parents. I also set it up, and as well listen to it....for awhile at least.
First off the system consist of a set of Bose Acousticmaster 7, the D608, and a DVL-888 DVD/LD player.

First off, the connectivity. It has a great selection of input and output. 5 Digital input(4 Optical/1 Coax). NOTE: someone mention below about an output...I don't remember seeing one. It has a very good selection of video/audio input as well. 5 connection with Composite and S-Video for each. TV/Sat, VCR1, VCR2, DVD/LD, Video connector in the front. Than you have the normal CD/DAT, MD/Tape1, and Tape2. So if you are looking for connectivity, it's quite a selection. And for Front Speaker A/B, they have okay connections, but rear/surround they are the push in clips.....(big deal right?)
Lastly it has a Pre-out for a Sub(LFE) and also Pre-Out Center.

Useability. First it was kind of hard to get used to. The remote is somewhat un-user friendly. Once you get fimiliar with it, it becomes a bit easier. The remote can control and program almost all to your equipments. (Note: My Parents have a GO Video dual deck, and it didn't have the code for it) Another thing that really bother me is that you have to hit the "select" button to 'scan' through the different sources on the receiver...what ever happened to one touch?

Setting up the unit was pretty straight forward, you have the ability to tell the unit the size(Small or Large) of all your speakers, and you can turn off LFE and use built-in X-Over(100, 150, 200, off) for different setting for your speakers. You can also tell the unit how far away each speaker is from the main listening point. Last, you can assign the optical and coax to each source.

Also note, this unit is AC-3 ready for any one that have a DVD player with built in AC-3. Also this is DTS compatible. Though I wasn't able to try it, due to the fact that the DVL-888 doesn't pass DTS info, nor I have a DTS DVD =)

There is a slew of DD settings and Pro Logic settings for different DSP effects. There is however a straight forward, no-hold bar Dolby Digtal 5.1 settings. It also have this button on the front for Digital Noise Reduction, which never seem to work with any type of DVD I played....go figure...


Performance. Well all I can say for $350, its a pretty good reciever. With the Bose Acousticmaster, it sounded really bad. It played everything well in the high range, and nothing to show for in the mid and low end frequency. I personal think it's the Bose...ain't exactly the greatest speaker for a home theater, IMO. It probably need another sub woofer to fill in the missing gap as well. Like someone mention below, after several hours of adjusting the unit, I begin to have a massive head-ache.

Overall, the price and performance is definately there. This is a great unit for starters. The price range clearly states that. But anyone looking for quality, look elsewhere.

I bought this product at www.crutchfield.com for $399 (+6.95 s/h). They are authorised dealers of pioneer and also have free and easy returns. In my opinion no other product comes close for its price and functionality. Performance is not the best but acceptable, don't compare it with $1000 Yamahas and Denons. It basically has everything and average enthusiast will look for in a AV recr. It offers DD, DTS, lots of inputs (about 10) including s-video and multi digital inputs. Not very existed about the remote, actually it is bad. Overall it is a great value for the money and I strongly recommend it.

I bought this product at www.crutchfield.com for $399 (+6.95 s/h). They are authorised dealers of pioneer and also have free and easy returns. In my opinion no other product comes close for its price and functionality. Performance is not the best but acceptable, don't compare it with $1000 Yamahas and Denons. It basically has everything and average enthusiast will look for in a AV recr. It offers DD, DTS, lots of inputs (about 10) including s-video and multi digital inputs. Not very existed about the remote, actually it is bad. Overall it is a great value for the money and I strongly recommend it.

I did plenty of research prior to my purchase, and I am still convinced that I made the correct decision. You can get this receiver for $360.00. For the price, the unit has DTS, S-Video support, 100 watts X 5. I have JBL ARC30 speakers for my right, left, and surround channels. I am using a JBL TLX speaker for the center channel, and a 150 watt JBL sub woofer. I am using a Proscan DVD to drive this receiver via a TOS Link connection. The sound this system produces is load and clear. I haven't noticed any signs of noise or distortion at higher listening levels. Buy it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I did plenty of research prior to my purchase, and I am still convinced that I made the correct decision. You can get this receiver for $360.00. For the price, the unit has DTS, S-Video support, 100 watts X 5. I have JBL ARC30 speakers for my right, left, and surround channels. I am using a JBL TLX speaker for the center channel, and a 150 watt JBL sub woofer. I am using a Proscan DVD to drive this receiver via a TOS Link connection. The sound this system produces is load and clear. I haven't noticed any signs of noise or distortion at higher listening levels. Buy it, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

I have had this product for 2 weeks and I am very happy with it. It took a little bit of time to try different setup, and to learn how to use the remote. Not the best remote but works most of the time. Clear sound, very good bass for music. DPL, DD works really well. Average DSP, they do not seem to be very different (I do not use them often anyway). For $379 + $26 S/H, it is a 5 star product for me. I have H/K Twenty for speakers and Infinity BU-1 as sub.