Component video, 6.1 inputs and pre-outs, DTSES and DDEX,

Poor manual, allows only one rear centre speaker to be used,the a/c outlet on the back will not take New Zealand plugs!Learning remote could be better,

Shifting countries allowed me to look at a new AV receiver, as I had a number of R1 DVD's that has DTSES I was looking for one that could handle this new format. Going around the local home theatre shops left me with only a couple of options;Denon 5800 at $nz10,000, Denon 3801 at $nz3699, Onkyo 989 at $nz7000 and the new top end yamaha at $nz6000 and the option of waiting on the new yamaha RXV3000 and RXV1000 receivers.
I am on a limited budget the only receiver in my price range was the Denon 3801, with my gear polk speakers LS50 CS 350 and FX500 and with a pioneer 626D DVD I was not impressed with the sound.After using the demo model at home for a couple of days I returned it and was prepared to wait on the new yamaha models. By chance I was buying some furniture at Harvey Norman and I went into their home theatre set up, In there was the Sherwood 956 with a price tag of $2899. I had not heard much of the brand but I knew from English mags they nearly always received Best Buy awards, so I asked for an audition. I was impressed! even more when I pressed them on the price, $nz2399.
At home it was easy to set up, the manual is brief but if you have set up a av receiver before it is straight forward. I feel that Sherwood is underselling their equipment as there are some great features you have to work out for yourself. The Titanium finish is different and it is had to find matching components, generally you can get a black or a gold component but titanium or silver is harder.

The major problem is the centre rear channel - there is only one , there should be two to make the sound more diffuse to wrap around you. I am using a B&W centre channel which helps, but ideally 2 rear dipole speakers in the rear would duplicate the local theatre better.

Specs are;
6 x 140 watts
4 x digital optical inputs
2 x digital co axial inputs
1 x digital optical outputs
5 x av inputs with s video
2 x component inputs
1 x component outputs

I have had this receiver now for a month now and I am happy wiyth its performance , more so that it costs $nz1300 less than its nearest rival.

I have given this the higest rating for value but only 4 for overall, with a better manual and remote 4.5 with DTS Discrete 6.1 a 5.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha 2095, yamaha 596, Denon 3801