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I since learned that the entire VR line has problems. Pioneer doesn't make 2 channel stereo receivers anymore. I started by looking at Pioneer's, since a friend has one and it's very, very nice, and Pioneer has a great reputation. Finally I found this Onkyo for barely more than the Sherwood's cost.And it seemed that almost every recommendation I read from an audiophile website kept recommending Onkyo for their warm sound.The reviews sold me on the Onkyo, and I'm thrilled I bought it. But it's a 5 channel surround sound receiver, and I wanted an old fashioned stereo receiver.
The sound is crystal clear, and like several people have claimed, Onkyo underrates their power numbers. My Kenwood stopped recognizing the remote so long ago I forgot how wonderful it is to use a remote with a stereo. The only complaint about the remote is that there is a big section of the remote that doesn't have buttons, on the bottom half of the remote. It was my first and only Kenwood.
I thought it would be safe since they are a big name audio company. Then Kenwood refused to honor their warranty. The remote control is lightweight but doesn't feel cheap, like my Kenwood remote, and it can change inputs, adjust volume, change preset radio stations, search for radio stations, even direct tune to any radio station not already programmed. The Kenwood dropped sound, the remote stopped working a few months after purchase, and it was a total piece of garbage. Sherwood was tempting but there were enough mixed reviews to make me keep looking. Lesson learned.This time when I decided to get a new receiver, I spent a week researching online.
I would prefer if the remote were either smaller or the buttons at the bottom were moved higher. I looked at Sherwood, Yamaha, Harman Kardon, and finally refurbished Denon's and refurbished Onkyo's while trying to stay on budget, before finding this new Onkyo at a ridiculously cheap sale price. This Onkyo replaced a Kenwood VR-505 that was nothing but trouble. This is a 50 watt receiver, and my old Kenwood was 100 watts. I've since learned that most companies stretch the truth on their power ratings, and this Onkyo is much more powerful than my Kenwood.I wear headphones about 50% of the time I listen to the receiver, and the Onkyo works great with headphones.
There's no hesitation when changing inputs with the remote.
Yamaha's had some complaints about the sound not being as warm as Onkyo's.
That said, it's a small complaint and has nothing to do with the main reason to use this receiver - the sound quality.This is also one of the few "budget" 2 channel receivers that can use two sets of speakers at the same time, instead of just one at a time.The back of the unit is very simple, there aren't any extra features on this receiver, it just gives a great sound at a very competitive price, with a full 2 year warranty (if purchased new, and from an authorized Onkyo dealer - make sure if you want a warranty you're buying from an Onkyo approved dealer, otherwise the warranty is void).I have two TV's, (one is an LCD TV used as a computer monitor), plus a computer and Xbox.
The Kenwood was a spur of the moment purchase from a big box warehouse club.
The Onkyo sounds great with all of them.
There weren't a lot of options for a 2 channel receiver anymore, at least at a somewhat budget price.
I ruled out Denon because I kept reading horror stories about the refurbished Denon's just being non-working customer returns that were re-boxed and sold again, without fixing them.
It's probably because a higher end model has extra features that would be placed in that section, but it looks a little odd since there is another section of buttons below that.
If you're looking for a nice 2 channel receiver, I highly recommend the Onkyo.
Simple, inexpensive stereo receiver. Worked out of the box and setup was straight forward. More than enough power for my bedroom setup and more than enough inputs. Good FM reception and clean XM & CD reproduction.I would give it 5 stars if the AM reception were cleaner.
I like ONKYO recievers and this one is only analog, so it is right what I need.As I have some surround and digital ONKYO, it is wonderful for me to returnback in time to hear tapes and CD in analog raw sound. That is why I loveit very much.
We were thrilled. So for our 2009 Christmas present we purchased this Onkyo receiver from Amazon. True, there's no loudness function but we don't need it. Whoa.
And all this for around $210. Our bookshelf Bose speakers came to life as we hadn't heard them in years. Crisp, clean sound, fabulous bass. Like so many other reviewers, we had a stereo receiver/amp that was 20-plus years old (a JVC) that had finally given up the ghost (the left channel periodically cut out, static-y sound, the LCD display was becoming illegible, etc). Rather than ship the whole receiver back for a swap, we just called up Onkyo parts and ordered a new remote ($14). and bass treble controls), and its heavy duty power amplifier unit (weighs several pounds) that cranks out analog sound that has the warmth of a good LP vinyl recording.
Plus, we found the FM receiver section really pulls in the stations. We're really having fun listening to music again, especially our old LP's.
It arrived in four days, worked great. Hooked it up inside of 15 minutes, put on a Best of Loggins & Messina CD, and let 'er rip.
Heck of a deal. Felt like we had just bought a whole new stereo system.
What we like about this receiver is, it's unpretentious, with straightforward controls (we like the old-fashioned big knob vol. The only temporary glitch we encountered was the remote arrived DOA.
So, highest recommendation, especially for the price.
I was glad to see that there are still some two-channel stereo receivers that aren't home theater setups. I had to get a flashlight out to read all the controls. Having 40 radio presets is also nice, and a large volume KNOB, not volume buttons, is fantastic. I just wish the controls had bigger buttons and much bigger labels with more contrast. The buttons are black on a black faceplate and the printed labels, though white, are washed out and in about 8 point type. I wish designers would pay more attention to the ergonomics of electronics.
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