From: mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu (Mike Suter)
Subject: A/V Prologic Receivers--FULL SUMMARY! [LONG]
Summary: This is it--the A/V Prologic Receiver FULL SUMMARY of responses!
Keywords: av prologic receivers summary audio video surround 
Organization: BITS, St. Louis, MO
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 21:34:14 GMT


A couple weeks ago, I posted a request for recommendations--I was
looking for a solid A/V surround (pro-logic) receiver to build a
system around.

This unit was to have lotsa goodies (I guess I am a gadget freak),
but also be capable of producing good sound, as this would be used
for video (movies) as well as music.

Since then, I have received MANY replies from you all, and to show
my thanks, I am going to attempt to summarize all of what I received,
in the event that someone else is also looking for this type of receiver.

I broke it up into brands, and subdivided each brand by model.

If you can fill in any of the blanks (with either comments, or
specifications--power, low price, etc), please response so I can
update my summary and re-post (if I get enough corrections/additions).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Denon
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Denon comments:  Denon seems to universally be regarded as the line
		 between the 'high end' (Yamaha, et al) and the 
		 mass-market oriented models (Pioneer, Sony, etc)

The 610/810/1010 differ mainly in output power.

AVR-610		-- low price: $466  (75w/chan man and center, 20w rear)
	3 audio/3 video inputs (2 on rear, 1 on front), 1 audio/2 video
	outputs.  Subwoofer line output.  15-30ms surround delay.
	Surround modes include: normal, 3-channel, pantom, wide.  
	Full function remote.   No S-Video. 

AVR-810		-- low price: $550  (80w/chan front, 30w/chan center/rear)
	Discrete component amp, auto input balance in surround mode,
	not as many features as other receivers, learning remote,
	5 video/4 audio inputs, S-Video i/o for all video except VCR2,

AVR-1010	-- low price: $499

AVC-3000	-- low price: $650
	More power/more surround modes than other Denons, but no tuner.
	Older model; superceded by 3030, below

AVC-3020	-- low price: ????

AVC-3030	-- low price: ????

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
JVC
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

807		-- low price: $419 (120w/chan mains)
	Programmable remote.

1050		-- low price: ???? (360w/chan @ 2 ohms)
	Nice on-screen displays.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Kenwood
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
8040		-- low price: $375  (100w/chan front, 30 rear,
				     55/55/55 in surround mode)
	Runs cooler than some receivers.

KR-V7030	-- low price: $380

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Onkyo
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TX-SV70PRO	-- low price: $589  (85w/chan main and center, 35w/rear)
	"clean look".  Pre-amp outs for all channels (incl. subwoofer).
	Learning remote.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pioneer
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pioneer comments:  Pioneer is regarded on the net as better than
		   Sony, but no match for Denon/Yamaha.  I was in
		   a mall video shop recently, and the Pioneer sound
		   did not impress me as compared to a Technics model
		   (it was so bad that I hoped they didn't have it
		   connected properly)  In my opinion, Pioneer needs
		   to redesign their front panels.  They look much 
		   less attractive than a Sony, for example.  Volume
		   knob motor may be heard through speakers.

D1S		-- low price: $700
	Has nearly every feature known to man.  Gawdy front panel, poor
	remote.  Superset of the 9900 functions.  21 inches deep--won't
	fit into some cabinets.  Unit must be on to pass through video
	signal.  Memorizes call letters of radio stations.  Flexible
	WRT jacks, settings, speaker connections, etc.  Subwoofer-ready.
	"Receiver from hell".  Display dims with time.

D1S-2		-- low price: ????
	Same as D1S, but with improved remote.

VSX-51		-- low price: ???? (Discontinued model??)

VSX-4800	-- low price: $300  (100w/chan main, 20w rear, 25w center)

VSX-4900S	-- low price: $370
	Replaces the 4800, above.

VSX-9900S 	-- low price: $590

VSXD-901	-- low price: $739
	Replaces VSX-9900S

VSXD-701	-- low price: $519
	Replaces VSX-5900S

VSXD-601	-- low price: $439  (65w/chan main and center)
	DSP

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sherwood
----------------------------------------------------------------------

RV-6010R	-- low price $300
	AD Pro-Logic chip, 5 discrete amps, preamp out to main-in jumpers
	for all 5 amps, decent feature set.  Sound quality and operation
	favorable.

RV-6010RS	-- low price $350
	Similar to RV-6010R, but with universal remote.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sony
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sony comments:  Sony's receivers have generated MANY negative
		comments regarding the 'humming' sound from the
		rear speakers, their surround decoding, and the
		fact that they run hot.  I have heard of a possible
		fix for the humming problem, involving a ground
		screw on the main board.  For what its worth, IMO
		Sony's front panels on their higher end models (1070
		and up) look very good.

Question:  Did Sony fix any of their problems in their newest receivers
	   which just came out?  Some of their new units looked rather
	   impressive--including a 70mm film mode, like the Yamaha A1000.

2020		-- low price: $600

2070		-- low price: ????

3070		-- low price: ????
	2070 plus video character generator.

GXT-67ES	-- low price: $550
	One user reports picking up a HAM radio signal on the center
	and rear channels.

STRAV-1070	-- low price: $350  120w main, 30w center, 15w rear
	Runs hot.  Good features and user interface.  Spectrum display.
	Programmable remote, 11 digital Sound Field settings, 5 audio
	and 3 video inputs, sleep timer.
	"Center channel hisses and buzzes, rear channels buzz....also
	have picked up what sounds like police radio on center channel
	a few times"  -- Bruce S.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Technics
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Technics comments:  Their models (at least some of them) have an
		    internal cooling fan.  They also include a
		    spectrum display

SA-GX303	-- low price: $240

SA-GX505	-- low price: $330

SA-GX710	-- low price: $396
	Last year's model. No S-video in/outs.  Surround delay limited
	to 30msec.

SA-GX910	-- low price: $599
	Similar to the 710, but with more DSP modes, and built-in D/A
	converter.  Improved learning remote w/LCD screen.  3 S-Video
	ins, 1 S-video out, as well as one S-video connector on the
	front panel.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yamaha
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yamaha comments:  Their surround decoding (as well as sound quality
		  in general) is almost universally praised.  Their
		  units may not have as many 'gadgety' features as
		  the above units.

DSP-A700	-- low price: $500    (60w/chan main, 15w center, 15w rear)

DSP-A1000	-- low price: $1150   (80w/chan main, 25w center, 25w rear)

RX-V1050	-- low price: ?????   (110w/chan main and center, 30x2/rear)
	Auto input balance.  Modes: concert video, mono movie, rock
	concert, concert hall.  Digital test tone generator.  Switchable
	dual center channel outputs.  Subwoofer output with low pass
	output. 8 audio/4 video inputs, 3 S-Video inputs, 40AM/FM presets,
	sleep timer.

RX-V850		-- low price: $615    (80w/chan main and center, 25x2/rear)
	Approx. as above, but no S-Video jacks, and 7 audio/3 video inputs.

RX-V650		-- low price: ????    (65w/chan main, 25w/chan rear and center)
	Approx. as above.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

End of summary.

After my trips to dealers so far, I am impressed with Technics,
and Yamaha, but I haven't been able to do much looking yet.
I have been unimpressed with Pioneer (at least their models below
the D1S/D1S-2) for the reasons given above.

Please feel free to add to the comments, fill in blanks, correct
errors, etc!

Again, thank you all for your responses!

Mike
-- 
mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu