From: freedmanm@woods.ulowell.edu
Subject: Re: A/V Prologic Receivers--FULL SUMMARY! [LON]
Organization: University of Lowell
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 16:05:15 GMT

In article <1992Aug25.213414.14016%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu>, mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu (Mike Suter) writes:
> 
> 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 	Older model; superceded by 3030, below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



As many of you know, I have posted alot about the Yamaha DSPa-1000.  I think 
you need to take a closer look at it.  It has most everything that all these
other models offer (maybe not multiroom remotes and video enhancers) but has
everything else. (no tuner).  It is by far the best surround chip on the
market,(co-invented by Dolby and Yamaha).  You should check it out with all
eight speakers hooked up and a subwoofer.  You wont hear of anything else.  And
by the way, the center channel is the same power as the main channels...
					mike.