|
This Month's Featured Equipment Reviews |
|
|
|
AV Receiver Forum Topics: |
|
|
|
Classic AV Receiver Reviews |
|
|
|
AV Receivers
|
Friday, 01 February 2002
,
Written by
Tim Hart
Introduction
I’m
a purist when it comes to all things audio. Being a purist, I prefer
the simplest approach to creating music, meaning the least amount of
circuitry in the chain from source to loudspeaker. Until the big wave
of home theater came along, it was fairly easy to keep the focus on
producing high-resolution music playback in my system, ever searching
for that one component that would put me closer to musical truth. I’ve
had to revise my philosophy on playback ever since I became enamored
with home theater, as the hardware required to pull off the magic has
to work through other components to be able to utilize all of the media
we love to manipulate. Since home theater is so compelling, it wasn’t
too hard for me to make the transition from audio geek to home theater
dude. But I still have issues with how some products handle the
all-important data. ...
|
|
|
|
Tuesday, 01 January 2002
,
Written by
Richard Elen
Introduction
The
AVR-3802 is mid-level in Denon’s line of AV receivers. As you ascend
the range, the units get bigger, more flexible and a great deal
heavier, thanks to Denon’s use of increasingly massive main power
transformers to insure that the amps have the ability to hit loud
transients hard without running out of oomph. The AVR-3802 is a happy
medium between Denon's low and high ends in both quality and price,
with plenty of power for many normal applications (110 watts all round
into eight ohms, with rather more in the lower impedances, which mildly
increases distortion here). It comes with a pair of "surround back"
amps, which can be configured either to handle a second "zone" outside
your listening room – where you can select an input other than that
being used for the main output – or to deliver the rear outputs of the
on-board DTS ES system that can decode ...
|
|
|
|
Saturday, 01 September 2001
,
Written by
Tim Hart
Introduction
As
more big-budget, blockbuster and effects-laden movies are being
released in new formats such as DTS ES 6.1 and 7.1 , the choices expand
in new receivers that take advantage of these exciting formats.
Separate components allow the flexibility to get the best performance
and the ability to change a single aspect of your system to take
advantage of the latest technology without replacing your entire rig.
However, most of us aren’t in the financial position to have "Best of
Breed" gear and must remain financially realistic when it comes to
spending our hard-earned deneros. And, let’s face it, not all people
like to search for the perfect component to highlight the rest of a
system. Some folks want a centerpiece that has a good reputation for
reliability, performance, versatility and, if possible, upgradeability.
One serious contender in this area that commands consideration is the
Marantz SR-19EX AV receiver ($2,299.95).
At seven-and-one-half-inches wide, 18 inches ...
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, 01 August 2001
,
Written by
Tim Hart
Introduction
It
wasn’t long ago that the advent of Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES in movie
theaters gave us hardcore movie buffs another reason to make the
pilgrimage to the local cineplex to hear the best in movie sound
reproduction. These new audio formats for movie soundtracks improved
the realism of the sounds that went along with the action, drawing us
ever deeper into the sensory experience and adding another dimension
that took the moviegoing audience to the next level. For those who want
the ability to enjoy this experience in their own homes, it is possible
to create that environment and not break the bank with Yamaha’s
happening $1,999.00 RX-V3000 AV receiver.
The
RX-V3000 is an eight-channel receiver that has so many features, it may
be easier to say what it doesn’t have than what it does. Although at
first glance, the RX-V3000 looks fairly simple, that is a deception. It
is second down ...
|
|
|
|
Sunday, 01 April 2001
,
Written by
Jerry Del Colliano
Introduction
The
Kenwood VR-4090-B is a receiver that takes on all challengers with a
full suite of features, the latest inputs, a beefy 120-watt-per-channel
amplifier section and a modest $1,150 price tag. The VR-4090-B can pull
off tricks that are simply not yet possible with high-end AV preamps
costing more than five times the 4090’s price tag. Among the 4090’s
most important qualities is its ability to play back DVD-Audio discs
via its 5.1 analog inputs.
You ask how Kenwood can beat the high-end guys to the punch with so
many features? The answer is that many of the Japanese AV electronics
companies are more tuned into the latest formats and new technologies
than some of their American counterparts, with manufacturing
capabilities that allow for fast updates to products so that they are
always cutting edge. Will the Kenwood VR-4090 be as upgradable as, say,
a Proceed or a Meridian? Most likely, not but at ...
|
|
|
|
|
