features, performance, dts-es/neo6, dd-ex/dpl-11, 6 ch-stereo

music doesnt sound good without midnight/loudness mode, useless DSPs, could be little louder.

I bought this receiver one month ago and so far its performance is amazing for a $300 receiver. Features: It has all the sound formats currently available like dts-es, dd-ex, dpl-11 and dts neo 6, plenty of inputs and component video switching DVD-A inputs, preamp outs......and for the price I dont think so any receiver can beat the features on this pioneer. Performance: Movies/TV: for movies this receiver perform as good as onkyo or yamaha or sometime better, dts-es is just amazing and I think its the best sound format available, DD-EX sounds good too and the sound is pretty clean. DPL-11 sound amazing on tv and video material but I slightly like dts neo 6 better cause its 6.1 matrix. Music: This receiver outputs a very thin and liveless sound on music and it wuz a real shock for me until I played around a little and found two useful modes which are loudness/midnight listening. midnight listnening really makes a big difference it makes sound so rich and detailed that without it music sounds like coming from an AM radio. I also like 6 ch stereo for music. Conclusion: A very good overall receiver by value and by performance. A little suggestion for the ppl who are interested in this receiver that this receiver is on bright side so if you have bright sounding speakers it may not sound as good as on laid back speakers.

Similar Products Used:

onkyo, aiwa, yamaha.

Dolby EX, 100wX6 power, DTS-ES, Dolby Pro Logic 2, DTS Neo 6, plenty of inputs/outputs, pre-amp outputs for all channels, 7.1 channel inputs, and price.

6.1 channel setting must be done through menu and not from remote.

For just about $300, I couldn't pass this up. It has the latest sound decoding, 100w X 6 power, Dolby EX and DTS-ES. It also has Dolby Pro Logic 2 as well as the new DTS Neo 6. All speaker terminals are binding posts, there are plenty of inputs and outputs, along with 2 coaxial and 2 optical inputs. It also serves as a pre-amp if you want to hookup extra amplifiers. The set up is fairly easy and the manual explains what each setting does. On home theater, this receiver does the job nicely. Dolby EX does a great job creating a back surround channel, especially on Star Wars Episode I. It also will create a surround back channel from any 5.1 source. The DTS-ES is nice, as the movie Gladiator will shake your house. Dolby Pro Logic 2 will also matrix stereo sources into 5.1 sound and the DTS Neo 6 will matrix a stereo source into a 6.1 sound. The remote is ok, as it isn't the best or worst, and you can program other components into it. The only grip I have is that the 6.1 channel setting has to be done through a menu. I wish Pioneer put a seperate button on the remote for this. Overall, if you want 6.1 channel receiver without breaking the bank, than this is for you.