An A/V receiver with the WOW factor

Advantages: Looks great, sounds awesome, feels awesome
Disadvantages: Detailed set up can be tricky - just as well it comes idiot proof!

...Ok then, so I'm a lucky boy.... On my last birthday my wife decided that she wanted to treat me to a home cinema system so off we went to our local Richer Sounds store (they are VERY cheap and VERY helpful - recommended everyone pays them a visit!) with cash in hand an wangled a deal. I got this Marantz A/V Receiver , A Yamaha surround sound speaker package and a Panasonic DVD recorder for the princly sum of £350 - a bit of a discount from the £900 RRP! I'll be reviewing each product in turn so check out my other reviews if you want a full system checkup! So into the review of the A/V Receiver: 1) The Theory I wanted a reciever that not only looked good, but that also provided the output and poer to match. I've long been a fan of the Marantz range as they not only look and feel good to use, they also have the reputation...

Durahm.Dazzler 24.05.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Marantz SR 4400 A/V Receiver

Surround Sound with Attitude

Advantages: Does exactly what it says on the box !
Disadvantages: So far, none ! Although even I find that difficult to believe

...I started off my surround sound adventure with an older Marantz, but the call of DVD Audio proved to be too strong once I had actually heard (and felt) it. I take great pride in my HC system, and it has taken several years to get it right. Some earlier components did not match sonically with others, and it took about 4 years of juggling to get the setup I now have. This currently comprises the following, and this is the system as reviewed : The Denon 1803 AV receiver Pioneer 656A DVD player Thompson 32" WS 100Hz TV Sony VHS recorder Sky TV Speakers : Fronts : Acoustic Energy Aegis EVO3's Rears : KEF Coda 7's Centre : Tannoy MXC Sub : Yamaha YST-SW320 All speaker cabling is bi-wired where possible, with as chunky a cable as my house furnishings will allow ! Interconnects are generally optical where possible, or QED...

g8ina 06.05.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Denon AVR-1803 AV Receiver

Pioneer DV-600AV quality for good price

Advantages: High quality video, supports many formats
Disadvantages: Confusing labels on remote controller

...Pioneer DV-600AV was interesting for me because it has possibility to play DVD-Audio and SACD and it has got integrated decoder with analog output for 5.1. Extra interesting is the quality of sound which some DVD players are having bad quality. Quality of sound was pretty good with nice serve of acustic which i wasnt able to heat on my older players. I/O Back side includes HDMI, component Video, S-video, audio 5.1, scart, optic and koaxial output.On the front panel is placed conector USB 1.1 for USB devices. There should be more conectors, but on the other hand we shall be glad that none of the important connectors is missing. Extern USB devices are not supported as manufacturer has written. In the real it is working with no problems:) I tried from flash disk Kingston Data traveller II. It is possible to play mp3 with variate...

hauran 17.10.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Pioneer DV-600AV

A great piece of kit

Advantages: A Very solidly Built piece of Equipment
Disadvantages: A bit dated now

...About three years ago I invested in the bargain of a lifetime, a superb Pioneer stereo system composed of a File Type Compact Disc Player - a PD-F1009, , a VSX - D512 Audio/Video Multi Channel Receiver, A DV-565A DVD Player, a CT- W208R Double Cassette Deck, a pair of S-H510V Speakers and an S-CR59 (centre and two rear) Set of Speakers and a Pioneer Stand to house it all, brand new, for under £650. The sound I have to say is fabulous. I've already Reviewed the CD player, I'm now going to review the VSX - D512 Audio/Video Receiver (The Amplifier) As I said in my previous Review I bought it from a catalogue clearance place (Bargain Street, Thorpe Arch Retail Park near Wetherby), the boxes filled up my little brothers E class Merc Estate. On the subject of Bargain Street - they do some incredible deals on Electricals, I bought my PC (a...

RichPrice 12.03.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Pioneer VSX-D512 A/V Receiver

Very Good all round AV Receiver

Advantages: Price, Quality, Sound, Looks
Disadvantages: Remote a bit fiddily

...This receiver forms the main part of my home cinema system and having only recently purchased it I am still getting used to it. However, first impressions usually account for a lot and I like it. I like it a lot. It is basically a DSP-A5 as mentioned by another reviewer, but has an RDS tuner built in. (It cost £290) The Amp is heavy, and you really feel like you are getting a quality item, which of course you are. It has several surround modes and if the DVD you are watching broadcasts in dts then this amp will make the most of it. For home cinema it is superb and seemlessly separates the surround sounds. The lobby scene in Matrix is handled very well. I decided on this amp because I also wanted to listen to normal 2 channel music and get rid of my Hi-Fi system. I wasn't disappointed as it acts just like a standard amp when listening...

groomoid 12.02.2001 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Yamaha RX-V596RDS

Another winner from Pioneer

Advantages: Compact, Excellent sound, attractive and slimline, versatile, multifunction remote
Disadvantages: Only SCART connectors for inputs, Adaptor needed for non-scart stuff

...When looking for a decent AV amp to complement my DVD player, I couldn't believe how bloody enormous most of them are. I have enough HiFi gear on the rack without making it look like the flight deck of the Starship Enterprise. I eventually managed to fight my way through the tortuous one-way system in Watford (I must be MAD) to RICHER SOUNDS in St Albans Road. (they have a car park at the back). After looking at the Yamaha and Marantz offerings I decided that a 2001 monolith lookalike would go down like a lead balloon, and then I saw the Pioneer.... They had VSX-C301 hooked up in the demo-room and despite the traffic and shop noise, the sound was powerful and clear without being strained and distorted. It is clear that it is generously rated for higher volumes (with the appropriate speakers). It is compatible with Dolby...

jerzed 20.10.2005 (22.10.2005) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Pioneer VSX-C301 A/V Receiver

Celestion AVR300 DVD & AV Receiver

Advantages: Slim Format; great sound (when properly set up)
Disadvantages: Brief manual; clunky menus

...This is a great looking system, and has a great sound but only after you have worked out how to get the best out of it. The manual assumes a certain level of knowledge regarding AV and Hi-Fi set up and terminology, which is not always useful. I certain amount of trial and error may be required but the Average Man in the Street. To compound this the remote is a clone of an old panasonic tv unit that appears to have been reprogrammed to handle the Celestion controls with little thought of ergonomics. However, if this unit finds itself in the hands of an AV officinardo, and the style and sound deserves it to be, and who has a unversial remote, then the owner should be presented with a rich and rewarding movie sound and sharp clear images. The component output was top of the line when the AVR300 was released and still is the best way...

duncs52 21.03.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Celestion AVR300

Much better than I ever expected!

Advantages: Flexibilty of audio adjustments, plenty of power
Disadvantages: Takes a little time to figure out ALL the functions

...the person talking is truly right in front of you. I've increased to mid range & treble for the center, so it would give me that "realistic" sound I was shooting for. What gets me the most, is the capability of changing audio separately on each channel. Not only can bass, mid & treble be changed, but also each channel can be adjusted for volume. That makes for a great surround system that has the flexibility to be installed in any room, or when it's time to rearrange, you can adjust it to fit that room, and configuration. That, I think is one of the top selling features of this receiver. Even my Wife loves it, and she's just as picky as I am when it comes to this stuff. We've even re-watched movies, just to hear it through this receiver, and I'll tell you, it's like watching it for the first time! Sounds come out of this unit that I never...

ktk3438 26.02.2004 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Sony STR-DE 975 A/V Receiver

The ABIT AV8 - Worth the Expense!

Advantages: Fast, Quiet and Reliable
Disadvantages: None!!

...I bought the ABIT AV8 as an upgrade from a cheap-and-cheerful ASRock board. The ASRock was perfectly good, but I wouldn't go past the word 'Functional' to describe it. It did the job, and that's that. Hardly any ability to overclock, no soaring performance and 2 channel sound. The AV8 is a big step up from the ASRock, I can tell you now. I would recommend you have a look at the features it offers even if you weren't considering upgrading, because there are so many things on the list that I didn't know I needed but couldn't live without today. For example, how many times have you overclocked your PC just to find it refuses to boot at all? You then have to go through the process of removing the CMOS battery, removing all power, waiting for the BIOS to lose its settings and then connect back up and pray. With the AV8 there is no need...

mattyprice4004 04.09.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of ABIT AV8 - motherboard - ATX - K8T800 Pro

Multimedia on the move Archos AV700 (40GB)

Advantages: Everything you could want apart from a phone!!
Disadvantages: Earphones might be a proble for some people

...I previously bought the Archos Jukebox and have had it for a few years. I had been really pleased with it, unfortunately it was not holding its charge as well and decided to upgrade. I wasn't 100% sure about buying an AV700 because of the reviews I had read about it. I had read some reviews which pointed out some difficulty when transferring files. I must say I have not had any problems with transferring and files from my pc and in fact have found it very easy. Other problems which I have read about are the viewing screen quality. I have not had any problems with this myself but, I did spend quite a lot of time going through the manual to familiarise myself with the controls etc. I had been so pleased with the products from them that I decided to go for it anyway and I am so glad that I did. The picture quality is fantastic, I...

nick979 27.09.2006 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Archos AV700 Mobile Digital Video Recorder 100 GB