Pioneer VSX-D608 A/V Receivers

Pioneer VSX-D608 A/V Receivers 

DESCRIPTION

100W x 5 Dolby Digital & DTS DSP S-Video Switching 4 Digital In & 1 Out 6 Channel Input "Midnight Mode"--Mutes loud noises, such as explosions, while watching movies.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 11-20 of 188  
[Mar 17, 2000]
Dave McCandless
Casual Listener

Strength:

All the bells and whistles and a good price makes it seem like quite a deal.

Weakness:

Doesn't sound as good as the 13 year old Sony A/V receiver it replaced. Also, no on screen display and you have to toggle through functions to change components when using the remote.

Pioneer should have put more into the sound quality and usability. Not a bad piece of equipment, but not really good either. Toggling through functions on the remote versus direct access shows lack of concern for the consumer using this product. In an effort to keep the price down, an on screen display was not included; this should be a prerequisite for a home theater receiver! I'm stuck with mine, but would have paid more for one with these features {bought it sight unseen on the net). If you need all these features versus usability and sound quality then buy the 608. If not, do a little research and get something better, even if it costs a little more for fewer features.

Similar Products Used:

Older amps and receivers from Sony, Kenwood, Akai, Sansui, etc. going back to the 1960's.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Mar 23, 2000]
brian koiste
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

lots of inputs and outputs(both analog and digital),very quiet(low noise floor),terrific sound

Weakness:

bass and treble controls only work in stereo mode(mine is a canadian model);remote won't operate all my cd and dvd changer functions;digital nr operates in stereo mode only;spring clips for center and surround speakers;volume display too small

great sound and features for the mony

Similar Products Used:

sony and jvc receivers

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Feb 28, 2000]
Jared Petersen
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great for Home Theatre. You get Dolby Digital and DTS decoding. This was not offered by and receiver under $500.00 when I bought mine.

I am using this with at Pioneer DV-525 DVD player, Polk Audio RT35 front, Polk CS245 center, and Bose 100 for Rear speakers.

I've been using my receiver for about 5 months and have had no problems. Living in an apartment I hardly ever get to crank it, so I don't know how to respond to the "underpowered" complaints. For me this receiver has been excellent. I would and have recommended it to friends and family. For $350.00 nothing comes close.

As always, read the reviews, and compare options. Then go LISTEN.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-315

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 21, 2000]
Andrew
Audiophile

Strength:

Good overall sound quality, Doesn't get near as warm as my Sony did.

Weakness:

Not 100W per channel, have to REALLY turn it up for it to get loud, not a whole lot of bass without a powered sub.

I just turned in my Sony a week ago because it broke three times in the one year that I owned it so I got tired of it and got this one for free because the 350 dollar credit from the Sony. I really like DTS and Dolby Digital quality but you really DO need a powered sub to get some REAL BASS from this receiver. And the receiver is somewhat underpowered. Oh and when I first got it is sounded really quiet, I pressed the channel level button on the remote and found the balance control finally and gave both sides +10 boost. It made it louder and the bass was louder as well. Overall it has everything I need it since it is somewhat underpowered I give it a 4 out of 5.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DE525

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Feb 17, 2000]
HB
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Features, Price

Weakness:

Remote, no treble/bass control in DD/DTS

This receiver is the best value for the money that I have seen in a long time. Performance is not poor at all, contrary to some previous reviews. Overall, this is a great home theater / stereo receiver. It has handled everything I have thrown at it from Cable/VHS/CD/DVD/PSX/N64/etc... I love the multiple S-video inputs and configuration options. As stated above, the remote leaves something to be desired. I would like to have bass/treble controls while in DD/DTS mode, but the standard does recomment not adjusting these in those modes anyhow.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Yamaha

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 20, 2000]
jjm
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

price, features

Weakness:

output power

Like anything, it takes time to get used to operating new equipment. I found the 608 easy to set up and control. Contrary to previous posts, I like the remote. It operated all of my other components and I found it easy to maneuver between components.

I picked this up for $379 and, really, if this is all you had to spend, this is a great find. DD, DTS, s-video, 3 digital inputs, ...

I had a little more money budgeted for a HT receiver and returned this unit for a Yamaha HT5150 ($475). It has similar capabilities, slightly less inputs but sounds a lot fuller. The 608 had to be turned up to about -20dB (80% of full power) to get 'loud'. The 5150 is rated at 70W yet packs a lot more punch than the 608.

I only dragged the Yamaha into this to explain why I brought the Pioneer back. I like the 608 I it was simply a amtter of wanting to get the most for the money I had allocated for a receiever.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha HT-5150

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 13, 2000]
STEVE MILLER
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Price was an issue. I looked at the comparable Sony model 935 but it had some pretty bad reviews on quality control. I ended up purchasing the product locally for $287.

Weakness:

Ability to directly switch between sources.The remote only allows you to switch sequentially.

I am new to this game and wanted the most bang for my buck. Since DTS is sayed to be better the DD I wanted a receiver that was DTS compatable. I have owned Pioneer products and feel they are a well respected brand. This receiver is a solid product. It was very simple to setup. I have a Panasonic 120 DVD player and Energy Take 5 speakers and an 8" Energy sub connected to it and could not be happier with the sound.

Similar Products Used:

Sony 935

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 07, 2001]
Joseph
Audiophile

Strength:

Dolby Digital, DTS, Price, S-Video, Opticals, etc.

Weakness:

None....

I've enjoyed listening to the 608 for more than a year now.
I am totally satisfied with what you get for the price. There is no comparison without paying much more money for so many functions. I must say my NAD is better but paid a whole lot more. For any one searching for a product under 700.00, this is definitely the one.

Similar Products Used:

NAD

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 26, 1999]
Jim
Audiophile

Strength:

Overall, a good bargin for the average user. Does DTS and DD very well. The appearance of the unit is alright as well.

Weakness:

Volume indicator and dB indicator is not very visible. VERY UNDERPOWERED.

As stated before, for the average FOOL this is a nice unit. Anyone looking for real quality will work the extra hours and put in some overtime to get a quality receiver. This thing SUX ASS on my JBL HLS speakers. I am not impressed... but a "normal guy" would be. Save you money... Buy a real receiver.

Similar Products Used:

Harman Kardon Pro Logic Receiver, Pioneer Pro Logic Receiver

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
3
[Dec 26, 1999]
Eric Ortega
Audiophile

Strength:

Cheap, for the money

Weakness:

Just about everything else....

Bsically I saw this thing overload for no reason, it had little to no bass response and seemed pretty weak overall. There is no way that this is a 100x5 reciever!! I hooked this thing up and the HT was ok but the music end was terrible. I took it back to Worst Buy (Best Buy) where they gave me a bunch of crap about bringing it back (it was a Christmas present!!) and then finally they gave me a store credit with which I got a Yamaha R-V1105 which kicks MUCHO ass!! Sure it cost a little more but it was well worth it. The minute I hooked it up I could tell that the Yamaha was much better.

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 11-20 of 188  

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