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 ...

Introduction Drawing off the concepts and technology developed in their critically acclaimed Integra Research series of components, Onkyo has produced the TX-DS989 A/V Receiver ($3,199.95). It combines a high performance 130 watts per channel amplifier (x7), a sophisticated AM/FM tuner and a state-of-the-art, infinitely upgradable digital processor. Boasting true 7.1 audio, the TX-DS989 was the first to go to market with THX Surround EX, which delivers an additional channel of surround. Requiring an extra set of speakers in the back of the listening area, the result is a more realistic 360-degree environment. The TX-DS989 provides amplification and speaker terminals for the extra left and right back surround speakers. Capable of attaining a dynamic range of 120dB with a virtually jitter-free output, the advanced 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converters (one for each channel) assure top-end performance on all existing digital sources, as well as the up-and-coming formats DVD-Audio and SACD. Additionally, the Wide Range Amplifier Technology (WART) employed by Onkyo guarantees ...

Introduction Just what we needed, another audio/video receiver. In a marketplace full of products with brand names such as Sony, Yamaha, Denon and the like – names that we are familiar with – names that give us that warm fuzzy feeling; what business does the $1,200.00 RSX-965 have jumping into this already crowded pool? Plenty. The RSX-965 is a five-channel audio/video receiver that carries a boatload of features. From ground zero; the unit offers a bruising 75 watts RMS per channel for all five channels that are driven into eight ohms with a frequency range of 20Hz - 20kHz with less than 0.005%THD. The power is fed by your choice of four audio signal formats; Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Pro-logic and two-channel stereo. These four choices can be manipulated to suit ones' taste by using the digital signal processing presets; Theater, Stadium, Hall effects, and one of my personal favorite TV watching modes: Dolby Stereo 3. ...

Introduction This contemporary mini-system isn't for the faint of heart. The VH-600 is the amp, receiver and CD player section. The DM-VH7 is the MD (mini-disc) section, which is optional and sold separately. The list price of this system is $599.00 for the VH-600 and $399.00 for the DM-VH7. Before we go further down the road with this review, I've got to tell you, I was quite a skeptic about the whole MD format thing. I thought, oh boy – great – another format to deal with. Well, I'm pleased to say this unit has turned my head. Read on. We'll start off with the features. First, the VH-600 / DM-VH7 is a bookshelf system. Kenwood has had the foresight to design the units for vertical placement. You might say; well, that's all fine and good, but how would I read the display? I'm glad you asked: the units have a gravity-triggered ReadRight backlit display, ...

Introduction Features, features and more features accurately describes Yamaha’s latest top of the line home theater centerpiece, the RX-V1. The $3,199 (in black) RX-V1 does much more than any other AV receiver that I know of. The not-so-short description of the features below is not exhaustive and if it is missing a feature you are looking for, don’t worry: the RX-V1 probably has it, I just ran out of space here. The Yamaha has an eight-channel amplifier; six channels at 110 watts and two effects channels at 35 watts each. The sixth channel is not for the LFE, but rather for 6.1 Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES, making this one of the first processors on the market to decode these new formats. The digital decoding circuitry in the RX-V1 is also the first to utilize Yamaha’s new 44-bit DSP, allowing for numerous sound field settings that can be used on their own or ...