11 NICE DSP features (including 3 Sony exclusive CSTEX cinema modes) LOTS of inputs compared to most receivers (except phono) and 4 digital inputs Lightweight and good looking Excellent remote response Lets you know when driven too high by shutting itself off

Low power (tradeoff for being lightweight) even lower than my dad's cheaper KLH receiver NO PREAMP OUTPUTS!!!!! Unless you know to hook speakerwire out to any poweramp inputs (I do this myself for this receiver)

This is my first upgrade from a Pro-Logic Pioneer VSX-512S receiver. There are about the same price and I can tell you, the Pioneer (rated at lower power output) seems to have more power output than the Sony (even though the Sony has higher power ratings). This is not a real 100WX6 receiver. As a matter of fact, this receiver is rather weak even driving high efficient speakers, they are good for HT... NOT for music. You won't blow any speakers as this seems to have protection circuitry that shuts the system off when driven too high (they don't go very loud with small speakers). For the price to me it's worth it for the DSP features, that's about it... for the price you do get what you pay for, I'm sure there are better at a $300 price range (I got this for 220 as an open box item). I would have gotten a better receiver for more money but this one is good for the price I paid for.

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Sansui vintage receivers Pioneer amps and receivers KLH DD receiver

Cheap, sounds great with movies and offers all the latest decoding.

Cheap, spring clips for zone B setup

I did not intend to buy an AV Receiver but I did not want to spend a fortune on higher end gear either (waiting for the right time) So I went ahead and purchased the Sony anyway for pure H/T as I already have a music dedicated system. This Sony is nothing fancy to look at but let me tell you for watching movies and being immersed in sound you can't go wrong. Using Sony pictures own decoding along with DTS or Dolby Digital material creates an illusion of a bigger venue which is just what I like. I have not tried listening to music through this as I have already been spoilt with my dedicated system. If you looking for a H/T product, with all the latest decoding options then you can't go wrong.

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N/a in this price range.