I remember when I had this unit! I bought it from Sears when I didn't know any better! The thing is, this is why Technics has a bad reputation. Most people don't realize anything sold by a chain store is a watered-down version of items sold at specialty stores. Technics happens to be a fine company that is as guilty as any other company when it comes to selling (out) to mass-merchants. I'm in the industry- this is normally pretty good stuff! P.S. I hope all of you who bought this item will, from now on, ask what type of power plant future receivers that you purchase have in them! IC chips- junk; High-current transistors- what you want.

6-channel inputs(DD ready)

hiss, overrated power, unit gets really hot, spring clips

I bought this receiver way back when I had to satisfy my 5.1 channel thirst. It was the cheapest DD ready receiver available at $399, and I bought it with a SH-AC300 decoder to shave off another $100. Total cost for receiver and decoder: $600. I wince every time I think about what I could've done bought with the $600 today: Sony DB930, Harman Kardon AVR500, Onkyo 575, Denon 2800, Yamaha 795. These are all better than anything Technics has to offer. I think Technics used to be a good brand, but now that they've sold out and are selling mass-market stuff, the quality of their products has really gone downhill. The specs are overrated: 100x5 is actually rated at 1khz. The stereo mode is the only half-decent quality of this receiver, but it is still sub-par because it's weak. The pro-logic, ac-3 modes are all filled with deafening hiss, and they clip with the volume at about 10 o'clock. The sound is bright, harsh, muffled, and undetailed. The soundstage is terrible, and the imaging is below average. I regret ever buying this receiver. Now, I'm looking to upgrade to separates. I've resisted upgrading due to lack of money, but now I think I'll take the plunge. I can't stand listening to trash anymore.

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Sony, Onkyo, Harman/Kardon, Yamaha

Purchased this receiver about 4 months ago to replace a Pioneer Pro-Logic receiver. I wanted the 6-channel discrete inputs and was impressed with amount of power this reciever could deliver for the price. I've never experienced any hissing, static or other unwanted sound as many others appear to have. It does great duty as a home theater unit. It does have a tendancy to run hot, but it's nothing that some intelligent positioning can't take care of (don't stack anything on this baby). The speaker terminals are made of cheap plastic so care needs to be taken when connecting things. The remote is cheesy but nothing a good 3rd party remote can't take care of. Most people who have home theater setups have a 3rd party remote anyhow so it's no big deal. When coupled with Technic's Dolby Digital/DTS decoder and a decent DVD player, this receiver makes for a great entry level unit. Checkout the review in the Dec 98 or Jan 99 issue of HomeTheater mag (I forget the exact date). If you have the extra cash, checkout what Yamaha offers but if you don't (as I didn't) this amp will take care of you.

This reciever probably gives you the most bang for your buck. However, it has some serious design problems.
First it uses IC's which tend to distort at higher temperatures. I keep mine in a book case and if the temperature is above 64 degrees in the room, it starts to distort from overheating. Hooking up a SA-GE70 equalizer, or selecting one of the DSP modes also has a tendency to severly distort with crackling at low impedences. (4 ohms).

Sound is muddy in Pro-Logic mode. But on the plus side it exibits excellent spatial characteristics. The sweet spot is very large, but this is partially due to me speakers and room characteristics.

It maybe a bargain with it's high power and features to price ratio, but it's overall quality is definatly not in the high end arena.

I am very impressed with the Technics SA-AX710. I have had the system for about three years now, and it has satisfied all of my needs. One thing that you cannot beat about this reciever is the price. Overall this is an excellent buy and an awesone unit.

Good Entry Level receiver, great even sound, 6 channel discrete sound rules

it's aged well..no weaknesses compared to the receivers of it's time, but doesn't have the features of a newer home receiver.

I've used my Receiver for well over a year and have had no sound problems or distortion. All I can say to the people that have had problems with distorted sound and hissing, it pays to get a good set of home theater speakers.

I have had no problems with overheating either. There must have been a bad batch of receivers or something, because I have mine wedged in to a 2" x 2" clearance in an enclosed TV Cabinet and have had no problems with over heating.

Sound rocks on this system! I have a Sony STR-DE925 that has no 5.1 inputs and it's top of the line! I'd gladly take the technics over the Sony for the 5.1 sound.

Some of my DVD's are quiet with my receiver, but that's the DVD's and technics control of the speakers, I can make an adjustment or two and have better than average sound come out. My one wish would be that it would have better sound control on the Sub, but it's only an entry level model so it's not exactly fair to say it's a shortcomming of the receiver.

It also helps that I use high end components for the rest of my entertainment centre. Sound isn't just the receiver, if you cheap out on the receiver, at least get good speakers. Do that and you can't complain, get a decent DVD with built in decoder then your laughing. Just because a receiver doesn't have it built in decoder doesn't mean you can't buy a DVD player with built in decoder. You don't have to buy a seperate decoder box. It's called planning :)

Definate buy product if your a beginner home theater person.

Similar Products Used:

Sony STR-DE925 - I'd use the Technics over this model

Decent power, 6 channel input, price

Remote control is primitive, cheap speaker connectors

I had to respond to some of the bad reviews for this receiver! I mainly listen to music through a Rotel amp with Mirage speakers and I must say the sound from this unit is not bad. I think the heat generated is average, my Rotel is smaller and produces more heat when turned up. The Technics receiver did overheat once at a New Year's party with five channels blaring. I used a small fan and we were back in business. My Rotel would cut out at much lower sound levels (its only 50W /channel).

I agree the remote is primitive and I only use it when adjusting the channel levels.I do not experience hissing in the center or surround channels. There is more than enough power for HT and music, at least for my taste, speakers and
room.

The main criteria for buying this receiver was the 5 channel amp and the price. At the time, January 1998, it was the only game in town at that price. I am buying an RCA RC5225P DVD player with built in decoder to go with it (another good bargain.) I think the combination is good for the money.

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first pro-logic receiver

Let me just say that it was so horrible, I took it back and got my money back. The sound was compressed and it didn't perform nearly as well as
the Technics SA-GX670 (Technics model from 3 years ago). My minidisc
player sounded the same when compared to its FM Radio sound. I'm seious,
that is how compressed the sound really was. CD and FM Radio also
sounded the same in their dynamics. I would swear that there is a
dynamic range compressor built in this model, because when I compared it
to the SA-GX670 you could HEAR AUDIBLY the difference between FM and CD on
the SA-GX670. The SA-AX710 is more like a boombox sound amplified at
125 watts of high-current power. It was terrible, not nearly as good
as Technic's previous achievements in sound quality.

This is an excellent product as far as I am concernd. Excellent Bass, 125x2 Stereo, 100x5 Dolby Pro Logic. Sound Field Control (5 modes) uses the surround speakers greatly. Fan cooled. 2 power supplies, (enhanced h+ circitry) 6ch discrete input. Sub woofer output. Overload protection. Disadvantages: heat generated before fan comes on prevents you from putting anything on top of the unit, treble in some SFC modes at high volume just about makes your ears bleed (this might just be my speakers). Overall a awesom unit.