Video Asylum

Posted by chuckoftahoe (A) on April 14, 2003 at 17:26:29

In Reply to: Best Sounding HT Receiver <$1500 posted by cbd0815 on April 04, 2003 at 08:45:46:

I'm running a Kenwood VR 5700 and am very pleased with the sound and the simplicity of the system. I can actually control every device with the Kenwood remote which is definitely a first for me. Though Kenwood is not a fashionalbe name around these parts, the sound is very good and the unit has some nice features like a cooling fan and midnight theater and a ton of pre-programmed listening modes.

I got the unit for just under $1,000.00.

I've also heard that Marantz is making some good A/V gear right now.

As for the channels, I would recommend you definitely make sure to get a system that can decode the new six channel formats. Even thouse few movies are made with these back channels, it may become more common. Not necessarily have 6 channels of driven power but at least have the decoding ability and the pre-outs.

The Kenwood 5700 drives the main left and right, center, and surround left and right. I'm using a AMC 2100 amp to drive my back surround from the pre-out, and have a Velodyne SPL 1200 hooked directly into the SW pre-out. I'm using KEF Q series for all of the other speakers aside from the Velodyne SW. It sound great.

Good luck with your system.