I Love this receiver. It was my third brand receiver in six weeks and the other two brands SUCKED! I have had no problems with it for seven weeks. The sound is better then fine and the price is GREAT! DTS kicks butt.

Right off the bat, here are my gear:Pioneer VSX-D608 Receiver running 4x Paradigm Mini Monitors, LCR-350, and PW-2200 subwoofer, crossed at 150Hz.

The receiver, although can't compete with a $2000 Denon (DOH! be realistic!), it still holds its own when it comes to features, and build quality. It has all the inputs you can ever need. Even an optical digital output which denon's at more than twice the price don't offer. I found setup to be a breeze, since there is no OSD, things are much simplified. As a comment to an earlier review, you can set the channel level seperately for all 6 channels. just make sure you are running in the correct mode (stereo, pro-logic, DD, or dts) to access all 6 channel levels. That is over and above the speaker distance settings you spoke of.

Anyway, with speakers of relatively high efficiency (89dB/watt/meter or above) this receiver can perform admirably. Its true real-world power capabilities seem to be no more than 80x5, but even that is plenty to produce decibel levels of 85, 95, 105, even 110 at a distance of 10 feet! believe me, it is plenty loud. Get a radio shack sound level meter and see for yourself. The receiver is tailor made for running sub/sat configurations, where all front/surround channels are set to "small", this takes some burden off the internal amplifiers. And you will never run out of juice, unless you want to lose your hearing in a few years. And it never runs hot with this set-up, even after prolonged 85dB+ level playback, provided with proper clearance.

Build quality is quite good compared to (for example) the JVC 888. The volume clicks don't bother me too much since they happen at higher volume levels than i care to listen, and they are not audiable unless you have no source playing. The volume knob has a pretty solid feel, which is uncommon in this price range. I listen at levels between -40 to -18. If you want full binding posts for all channels, and full 5.1 pre-out terminals, go for the Elite 21 at an extra $100 on the net, but for me it is not worth it. The clamp terminals can securily and easily swallow the 13-12 gage Canare StarQuad bare wire i am feeding them.

DD and dts decoding and backround noise levels are top notch, at par with the $2000 denon, with noise levels never higher than -71dB, also uncommon in this price range. Just compare that to the JVC 888, where the center and surround channels start to hiss terribly at high volume in surround modes. I tested a few of them so i know it was no defective unit. The pioneer is dead quiet in all modes, even with no source playing. I have the Eagles: Hell Freezes Over dts dvd and it is fantastic thru the pioneer. As is all the other DD dvds i have. DD and dts detection is instantaneous and silent. The channels/format indicators ont he front display are very informative, even a warning indicator for overpowering digital signals. Great FM tuner too!

The remote was an issue at the beginning, not capable of controlling my Dish network receiver, or my Philips 825 dvd player. Soon it was replaced by the best kept secret in remores: the One For All Cinema 7 URC-7800. Everyone of you should get one, for it is extremely powerful for under $25 at walmart or best buy. Now if I can only find the remote codes that access each input directly, rather than cycling with the "function" button. Anyone know? email me please. I know it is possible, because the tuner is set up that way with the One for All remote. But how about the other sources.

This is a cleverly designed receiver with all the features you could ever want, yet can afford to throw it away in two-three years. Save your money with this receiver and spend more on your speakers that will have to last longer. Believe me, speakers make a big impression on your sound.

There is nothing perfect in this world of course, this receiver is no exception. I would have loved a switch for selecting audio or video sources seperately, so i can watch my computer video output surfing the net, and listen to my Sony CDP-CX300 Giga CD Changer. Oh well, I won't let that small feature ruin a great bargain otherwise.

With Pioneer and Paradigm, I was able to save a fortune, yet enjoy all what the dvd world has to offer in digital surround. I am laughing all the way to the bank with this set-up. I can't even crank it high enough before the niegbors start to complain. This receiver/speaker set-up just knocks your boots off. Just ask my friends who nearly crapped their pants when they watched Ronin this long weekend at my place. I now have a tough time justifying going to the local Theater to watch new movies, knowing that I have a much superior/controllable environment at home. Oh well, all good things come to those who wait.

Enjoy your receiver fellas, it is a keeper (for a few years at least), and a five-star bargain for HT enthusiasts, rather than purists.

As to those who bought a Denon 5700 instead, good for you, but you should never test drive a civic, if your taste is more like a BMW M3, DOH!

I owned this receiver two months. It sounds great for the money. It sounds good for movie but you can't expect much for music.I then bought Yamaha RVX-1105. I bought it for $650.oo at Best Buy. I thought this unit(yamaha) is better than 608. It was surprising that Yamaha does not sound good at all. It really hurted my ear when I listened to it. It was just way too bright. I then returned the Yamaha in two days.
I still keep my Pioneer. I think Pioneer produces more natural sound and does not hurt my ear.
I wanna try Denon AVR 3300 though.

I give five star for price/performance for Pioneer VSX-608D

This could have been a good receiver for the money but for the things they leftout...Right/Left balance contol, co-ax FM antenna input, only 1 optical
out, not enough inputs.
The back looks like its packed, but many of the inputs a redundant. One
DVD player could actually use 11 of the inputs on its own. If you have a DVD
and LD, forget it. You have to chose one or the other. TV tuner and Satellie
Dish...well make a choice, you won't be able to use both. How about a MD(or DAT) and a CD recorder. You'll have to chose between them. And if you want
to use this as is, you'll have to sit in the middle of the room and not move around.
I got around much of the problems with this unit by adding a pre-amp to the tape monitor. This gave me back balance control and allows me to add phono and my CD Recorder. It also increases the over-all power of the unit.
A receiver is only as good as the speakers. The sound wasn't bad, but I'm using the pre-amps bass/treble that makes a big difference to the quality.
For $370 it wasn't bad. It gave me S-Video switching and optical/digital. I already had a pre-amp I wasn't using so it didn't cost me extra, but out of the box this leaves a lot to be desired.

I recently purchased the 608 to try it out while my HK AVR 65 was beeing fixed with a blown out right channel. Since I could still return my AVR 65, I figured that I would see how a loaded $400 unit could compare to a $1000 Harman/Kardon.
First off - the 608 is loaded. It offers a great remote, S-Video Switching, DD, DTS, A slew of inputs, 4 digital inputs, midnight mode, lots of power, and multichannel 6-inputs. This is the only reciever that I have found other that the HK AVR 65 that offers DD, DTS, S-video switching and 6-channel direct input for DVD-audio and SACD compadibility.

I'm running this system with a Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble Home Theater an a KLH 10" Ported Powered Sub.

The Pros:
1. Easy setup. This was a cinch to setup. Even though it doesn't have an on screen display, in some ways, that provides more options for ways to set it up, you don't have to use the video switching if you don't want to.
2. Excellent channel separation in Pro-logic mode. The four separate channels were clearly defined.
3. Fast Digital Decoding. The Sound would kick in with a second whereas more expensive units take 2 to 3 seconds before any sound is emitted.
4. A&B channel fronts.
5. Lots of inputs, Both Audio and Video.
6. PRICE!!!!!!

The Cons:

1. The fact that you can't adjust the bass and trebble in anything other than stereo mode. Due to the fact that you have to set the fronts to small to get any sound out of the subwoofer, you can usually counter this on most dolby digital recivers by boosting the bass knob. This option is not available so movie sound is comprimised.
2. Low level of bass is pumped through the subwoofer output. I had to turn the amp of my sub up to about 7 out of 10 to get enough bass for a movie sound track. That should be at 3 or 4 at the most to get the kind of volume I was looking for.
3. The Sound Quality. This amp just wasen't capable of producing the High range that is required with a bright sounding speaker. Also, there is not enough bass if used without a powered subwoofer. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get the voices to sound "natural."

Overall this is an excellent buy. I had to push this thing real hard to hear it's problems with bandwith. As compared with the sound quality with the HK, it's no contest. Feature wise, It has many more features. Because of this value, It was very hard for me to decide whether to keep this or the AVR 65. If I had paid full price or even $900 for the AVR 65, I would have kept this pioneer, no question. Fortunatly, I got the AVR 65 at an employee discount. So my decision was a little more involved. I eventually decided to keep the AVR 65 but it was a real close call.

Bottom Line:

Anyone planning on spending less than $800 dollars for a Dolby Digital Reciever, Your getting a Howitzer Cannon for the mere price of pea shooter, Big Bang for a few bucks.

Hi I must say one gets what he pays for. For under $400 it isnt bad, but I think the Sony 925 is better. I tried one for 2 weeks but also took it backas it just didnt sound good. I agree with the first post. Something just wasnt correct. Music was so so but movie dialogue was brutal. I also didnt like in large mode not being able to use a sub. 2 stars for being inexpensive, but 1 star for performance.

LOTS OF INPUTS, DD/DTS

Not quite 100 Watts/Channel

I have had this receiver for over two years and it does an outstanding job, especially on DTS soundtracks. I currently have JBL SCS135(surround speakers and sub), Panasonic CT-32D31(32" T.V.), Panasonic RV31U-K DVD player(using component video to T.V.), Panasonic Hi-Fi VCR, and Digital Cable. I really have no negative comments about this receiver. If you have a chance to pick one up on ebay or somewhere else at a good price, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer Pro Logic

alot of inputs

sound

i had cerwin vega speakers hooked up originally with another pioneer receiver,and powered sub. i had alot of bass.then i bought the pioneer 608,i was so happy with the 5 channel sound that i didnt even notice how much base i lost.2 yrs later i thought i would upgrade my speakers,thinking they didnt sound that great,funny they sounded fine before.i recieved my new speakers theyre not performing correctly, did alot of wire changing alot of adjustments,it started to sound better.well just to see if it was the receiver,i went and bought an onkyo 595,well low and behold a got all my base back and and the clarity between the two recievers couldnt be compared.the onkyo is only 75 watts per channel but alot stronger.lastly when i try to play an anolog sourse with dsp the receiver has always gone into overload.whan i bought this reciever i didnt know how all functions on a receiever operated so all the quirks i thought had to do with something else until i looked farther into it.when i called pioneer to tell them i had a defective made unit and that i didnt realize it till now.they told me tough youre out of warranty.i believe all these units were made in a manner that would not perform all the duties which it claims to make.i will not buy another pioneer product again.i always tended to end up with pioneer it always seemed like the most value for your money,but it dosent matter what theyre specs say if the item dosent hold up to it then its misleading and not the value claimed.

Similar Products Used:

onkyo

Price is cheap, alot of dsp sound effects, more then enough inputs and outputs.

Remote control sucks, amp is not very powerful, doesn't have a phono input jack.

I have always trusted in pioneers products, mainly in their receivers I have never had one go out on me yet. Just because they are dependable does not mean the product is going to sound good. That is true for this receiver, it blows! The volume control is aweful, if you have to turn down the volume in a hurry; "you can't" the sound gets louder and visa virsa. You can hear humming in the speakers when you use the volume on the remote. There is no phono RCA jacks, and listening to headphones is not a treat at all. I have a pair of Grado sr80 headphones they pop and highs hurt your ears, which does not happen on a good amp.
At first I thought my speakers weren't very good, so I bought a pair of Paradigms they sounded better, but I know how Paradigms sound and I'm not getting that. This receiver does give any sound stage or separation. The surround fields aren't very noticable they all sound echoy.

Similar Products Used:

pioneer,sony

DD/DTS, 4 Digital inputs,1 output, S-Video inputs, 3 audio/5 video inputs.

Remote

I have had my 608 for about a 1 1/2 years and I still love it!! The Dolby Digital processor does a wonderful job of recreating the movie theater experience. After using the Avia Home Theater Reference DVD and Radio Shack sound pressure level meter, I have obtained phenomenal sound from my 608. It has enough inputs to handle my Toshiba DVD player, Pioneer 301 disc CD Changer, Pioneer CD recorder, Denon Cassette Deck, Panasonic VCR, and Sony WEGA 36" TV. This has to be one of the best Pioneer receivers I have owend to date.

Similar Products Used:

Other Pioneer A/V Receivers