6.1 Receiver: Kenwood VR-707 $140 @ eCost.com (free shipping)

[huesmann]

:music: :music: :music: :music: :music: <--linkage action

Dunno whether or not it's a refurb, but it says free ground shipping.

 

[dabuddha]

Is this receiver any good?

 

[huesmann]

shrug. i'd get it if i didn't already have a HK AVR525. might get it anyway to replace a lesser one.

 

[smw]

Seems like a decent deal for the price if it's new (which seems likely; don't they normally note if it's a refurb?). For a refurb you could probably do better. I wouldn't count on getting a true 100 watts/channel out of it, though...

Crutchfield has some better photos.

 

[Phatty106]

Decent deal, pretty chincy though, cheap looking display, cheap clamp-style speaker connectors, doesn't switch component video, only s-video.

ph

 

[ConnCarl]

A couple of thoughts on this receiver;

It is rated 100 watts per channel RMS. RMS, the old-fashioned, manly-man "Route Mean Square" rating, was created to cut through the B.S. hype born of the marketing-driven standards of the late 60's and very early 70's. It is a challenging, meaningful rating. You may not get SMW's idea of "a true 100 watts/channel", whatever that may be, but there is no reason to believe that it will put out any less than any other receiver with a similar power output rating. Certainly it is likely to out-perform a receiver rated "100 watts @ 1 khz" or 100 watts peak power".

I'm not sure why anyone would be concerned about the lack of component input switching. If you've got more than one component-out device...perhaps you've got three DVD players, or a component-out satellite receiver or PVR...just use the S-Video inputs for the others. If, say, Donald Trump comes over, make sure you're watching the component device. Otherwise, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. I wouldn't sweat the "cheap clamp-style speaker connectors" either. Remember, people, this is a $140 receiver, not a $700 unit.

One problem I can see is the lack of true 6.1 channel decoding, such as Dolby ES or DTS ES. For those of you who think that DTS is not that big a deal, I'd like to point out that many more new DVD releases have DTS soundtracks today than as recently as a year or two ago. The majority of those are the new 6.1 channel DTS-ES standard, which, according to the specs, is not supported by this reciever.

Now, I don't wish to touch off a Dolby/DTS flame war, but it is a fact that Dolby Labs embraces subtlety, stating publicly that "a good surround sound system does not draw attention to itself." DTS, however, tends to maximize the benefits of the available technology, using the dynamic range, separation and frequency response capabilities of the hardware to the fullest. Maybe Dolby doesn't want you to think, "What a killer surround sound system this is", but DTS wants you to duck when that helicopter crashes; you wouldn't want to get hit by shrapnel coming from that right rear speaker.

What you will get is Dolby EX, an early 6.1 channel standard with a synthesized (read: phony) Surround Center Channel, and 5.1 channel DTS, which, although it isn't DTS-ES, is a reasonably good standard, albiet without discrete Surround Center Channel decoding.

I have used a number of Kenwood surround receivers and always found them to be solid, reliable workhorses. I certainly wouldn't call them "chintzy", or, for that matter, "chinchy". For $139 shipped, this looks like a very good value to me, although you might find either a lower price or discrete 6.1 channel decoding if you wait a bit longer. If you need a unit now, and don't need Dolby ES or DTS-ES, it's hard to imagine going wrong for this price. That 2-year warranty looks mighty good from here.

YMMV! Carl

 

[Chaingang]

Yeah, what he said!!! :beer::beer:

 

[dafoomie]

My brother bought this at Bestbuy for $100 bucks, open box. It's not bad. Nothing glaringly bad about it. Just remember that this is not a $1000 reciever and don't expect to please every audiophile out there. I'd buy one.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: ConnCarl
A couple of thoughts on this receiver;

I'm not sure why anyone would be concerned about the lack of component input switching. If you've got more than one component-out device...perhaps you've got three DVD players, or a component-out satellite receiver or PVR...just use the S-Video inputs for the others. If, say, Donald Trump comes over, make sure you're watching the component device. Otherwise, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. I wouldn't sweat the "cheap clamp-style speaker connectors" either. Remember, people, this is a $140 receiver, not a $700 unit.

YMMV! Carl

Well said. Too many people have champagne tastes ... but, only a beer budget. It just seems like every deal will get holes shot in it by someone because the item will not work for them -- but, will work for 90% of the rest of the population.

I've never been one to understand how someone could care about component video switching, but then be fishing at the bottom of the barrel for their receiver. And, I don't mean to imply this Kenwood is at the bottom of the barrel, but simply, keep in mind, you get what you pay for.

Oh, I've owned quite a few: Sony ES, Denon, Yamaha and most recently the H/K AVR-7200 which I just sold a few days ago. Let me tell you, the best receiver that I've owned was not the most expensive one - or the one that could do component switching either.

 

[smw]

Originally posted by: ConnCarl
A couple of thoughts on this receiver;

It is rated 100 watts per channel RMS. RMS, the old-fashioned, manly-man "Route Mean Square" rating, was created to cut through the B.S. hype born of the marketing-driven standards of the late 60's and very early 70's. It is a challenging, meaningful rating. You may not get SMW's idea of "a true 100 watts/channel", whatever that may be, but there is no reason to believe that it will put out any less than any other receiver with a similar power output rating. Certainly it is likely to out-perform a receiver rated "100 watts @ 1 khz" or 100 watts peak power".

If you check Kenwood's Website you'll note that they carefully avoid saying "100 watts per channel, all channels driven, into 8 ohms, from 40hz to 20Khz, with no more than .7% THD", which would be true 100w RMS times 6. Instead, they list power output for each set of channels separately. That distortion figure is pretty high for this day and age, too (during the "power wars" of the late 70s, manufacturers routinely got total harmonic distortion ratings down to .005% or something ridiculous like that. At the time [and I haven't really kept up, so I don't know what the latest thinking is], general rule of thumb was that anything under .5% was inaudible).

Having said all that (and it may be a moot point soon, since as of this writing there were only 7 left) it's probably not that big a deal; even if it's capable of only 50 watts RMS per channel into all channels simultaneously, that's probably plenty for most people, since it's only 3 dB (per channel) down from 100 watts, which is noticeable, but not earth-shattering. I wouldn't use it in a huge room, but for a standard size living room it should be fine.

Regarding component switching, if you have a progressive scan DVD player (and why wouldn't you, they're incredibly cheap) and an HDTV set top box, you're definitely going to want at least two component inputs. Since most new HDTVs have more than one component input anyway, this is more a convenience issue than anything else (it avoids you having to switch inputs on two components); however, if it's still a concern, spend another $60 for a better receiver and skip this one.

Steve

 

[ConnCarl]

Originally posted by: smw

If you check Kenwood's Website you'll note that they carefully avoid saying "100 watts per channel, all channels driven, into 8 ohms, from 40hz to 20Khz, with no more than .7% THD", which would be true 100w RMS times 6. Instead, they list power output for each set of channels separately.

Just for the sake of accuracy, Steve, Crutchfield gives the frequency response of this unit as 40-20k hertz, and subsequently defines "frequency response" as:

The frequency range within which the receiver produces its stereo RMS power rating (optimal is 20 - 20,000 Hz, the range of human hearing).

I stand by my original statement;

"there is no reason to believe that it will put out any less than any other receiver with a similar power output rating. Certainly it is likely to out-perform a receiver rated "100 watts @ 1 khz" or 100 watts peak power".

 

[huesmann]

:beer: <-- my budget

 

[tennesota]

Originally posted by: ConnCarl
A couple of thoughts on this receiver;

It is rated 100 watts per channel RMS. RMS, the old-fashioned, manly-man "Route Mean Square" rating,

RMS=Root Mean Square

 

[Praxis]

FWIW, Bay Area Fry's has the Kenwood VR-705 new for $100 April 7-8. It is only a 5.1 receiver, but apparently has Dolby Pro Logic II & DTS. At least if it were mucked up you could return it without too much hassle or expense.

KEY FEATURES
- Active EQ by DSP
- Audio DSP Listening Modes: 5
- Dolby Digital, DTS and Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound
- KAM-1? High Efficiency Power Amplifier Circuitry
- Kenwood System Remote
- Surround Power: 100 Watts x 5

GENERAL FEATURES
- AC Accessory Outlets: 2 Switched
- Audio Muting
- Auto Function One-Touch Operation
- Display Dimmer
- Dot Matrix Display with Volume Indication: 8-Character
- Dynamic Rotary Encoder Volume Control
- Finish: Midnight Black
- System Control Connections for Kenwood Components: 2 SL16 Format

POWER RATINGS
- Stereo Power: 100 Watts per Channel (FTC, Left/Right, 40Hz - 20kHz, 0.7% THD, 8 ohms)
- Surround Power (Center): 100 Watts (40Hz - 20kHz, 0.7% THD, 8 ohms)
- Surround Power (Left/Right): 100 Watts + 100 Watts (40Hz - 20kHz, 0.7% THD, 8 ohms)
- Surround Power (LSurround/RSurround): 100 Watts + 100 Watts (40Hz - 20kHz, 0.7% THD, 8 ohms)

AUDIO FEATURES
- Active EQ by DSP
- Adjustable Analog Input Sensitivity: with Individual Source Memory
- Analog-to-Digital Converter: 24-Bit Resolution, up to 96kHz Sampling Rate
- Audio DSP Listening Modes: 5 (Arena, Theater, Jazz Club, Stadium, Disco)
- Automatic Analog and Digital Signal Format Detection & Selection
- Bass Management: Full Digital
- Digital to Analog Converter: 24-Bit Resolution, up to 96kHz Sampling Rate
- Dolby Digital
- Dolby Pro Logic II: 5.1-Channel Movie and Music Modes
- DSP Processor: 24-Bit Crystal Semiconductor
- DTS Digital Surround
- Loudness Control: using Remote
- Midnight Theater Mode
- Tone Controls: Bass, Treble
- Bass Boost

VIDEO CONNECTIONS
- Video Inputs: 3 Composite (Total)
- Video Monitor Outputs: 1 Composite
- Video Record Outputs: 1 Composite

AUDIO CONNECTIONS
- Digital Audio Inputs: 2 Coaxial, 1 Optical
- Headphone Jack
- Preouts: Subwoofer
- Stereo Analog Audio Inputs: 6 (Total)

AMPLIFIER FEATURES
- KAM-1 Power Amplifier Circuitry
- Speaker Connectors: One-Touch

TUNER FEATURES
- Automatic and Manual Tuning
- Direct Preset Call: with Remote
- Quartz PLL Synthesized Digital Tuning
- Station Presets: 40 (FM/AM)

REMOTE CONTROL FEATURES
- Direct Input Source Selection
- Kenwood System Remote

 

[Fallen Kell]

All I can say is there are 4 things you should spend good money to get:
homes, memory, speakers, and audio amps/recievers.

You will truely get what you pay for the most part with all the above items. There are few exceptions to this other then blowout/going-out-of-business/clearance sales. The cost/profit margins in these areas are usually pretty slim and buying a cheaper product usually means cheaper, lower quality parts were used and corners were cut to make the item.


Now enough for my rant. Its an "ok" reciever at an "ok" price. Nothing to rave about though and certainly not something to connect to an expensive HD TV and expect to get a good home theater out of it. It will work for a low cost surround system, but don't get your hopes up to high for it giving you "blow you away" sound. Personally, I'm waiting on Onkyo's TX-NR1000 reciever to become available this month, but I'm also going to be connecting it to about $8k worth of speakers.

 

[Gasman]

It's really worth considering another $55 for this THX certified unit:

7070

Key Features:

THX Select certification
K-STAT amplifier design
100 watts x 6 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.09% THD (surround L/R rated at 0.7% THD)
THX Surround EX, Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, and Pro Logic II
DTS Neo:6 modes
SRS Circle Surround II modes
32-bit processor
multi-zone A/V capability (preamp-level stereo audio and composite video output for second room)
learning/multibrand LCD remote
7.1-channel preamp output
component video switching: 2 in, 1 out (10MHz bandwidth)
digital inputs: 2 optical, 2 coaxial
optical digital output
3 audio inputs (including phono), 5 A/V inputs (including 5 S-video, 1 front-panel and one 5.1-channel)
5 audio DSP modes (Arena, Theater, Jazz Club, Stadium, Disco)
2-stage Midnight Theater mode
96kHz/24-bit D/A and A/D converters
banana plug-compatible binding posts for all main-room speakers
2 sets of main speaker outputs
anti-resonant aluminum front panel
40 AM/FM presets
17-5/16"W x 6-5/16"H x 16"D

 

[samsl]

my roommate has the 705. it works great. dvd/xbox/vcr/directv all hooked up.

if the 707 is anything like it, this sounds like a pretty damn good deal.

 

[FunkierThanU]

I recently picked up a Kenwood VR605 receiver and have to say it's a very nice receiver except for 2 things:

its subwoofer connection is only for a passive subwoofer and mine is a powered JBL
it has no S-video hookups.

This receiver takes care of both of those, so I'll be selling the VR605 and have ordered one of these. Thanks OP.

-funk

 

[huesmann]

np.

I received (ha!) mine earlier this week. I have to agree about the thing being a little chintzy. The buttons are very...plasticky. Other than that, though, it works well, has the right stuff for what its purpose is, and is actually less deep than the receiver it replaced so it fits better into the rack. I have a H/K 525 for my real HT setup, though.

 

[elgorey]

Run away. run far far away.

Back 6 mos. ago I bought a "refurb" Kenwood reciever from ecost. They sent me a lower, inferior model, then refused to take it back.
To top it off, the reciever stopped working in less than a month, and now wont even turn on!!! :| :| :|

dont get screwed by those ecost bastards!

 

[Slickone]

Originally posted by: elgorey
Run away. run far far away.

Back 6 mos. ago I bought a "refurb" Kenwood reciever from ecost. They sent me a lower, inferior model, then refused to take it back.
To top it off, the reciever stopped working in less than a month, and now wont even turn on!!! :| :| :|

dont get screwed by those ecost bastards!

You posted it on RR, didn't you?

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: elgorey
Run away. run far far away.

Back 6 mos. ago I bought a "refurb" Kenwood reciever from ecost. They sent me a lower, inferior model, then refused to take it back.
To top it off, the reciever stopped working in less than a month, and now wont even turn on!!! :| :| :|

dont get screwed by those ecost bastards!

This isn't a refurb.

And you used a credit card, didn't you? If you get screwed and didn't take the issue up with your CC co, you have no right to bitch and moan here.

 

[Yai]

I ended up buying new VR-707 from Ecost. What I got is VR-707A with HD component input. It's "an okay" unit nothing fancy, 6.1 DD EX but no DTS ES, 2 S-video + 2 Component Inputs. I decided to buy this becuz it's not a refurbished one and I got 2 years Part and Labor warranty.

Pros:
Basic 6.1 with DD EX and DPL II.
Now with 2 component inputs.
Resonable price for basic setup.

Cons:
No sleep timing mode.
Cannot store audio level setting in each format. (my cheaper sherwood has this feature)
Digital input (Coax and Optical) is not assignable. (my cheaper sherwood has this feature)
Cheap clip on for speaker connection.
Only 2 S-video switching. (3 composite)


Other model like VR-7070 about $55.00 more is, I belief, a refurbished one becuz there is only 90 days of Parts and Labor warranty. I don't like refurbished becuz I hate being stupid when something happen with refurbished unit and you cant get any help from either Kenwood and Ecost.

 

[Mugwumper]

Nice article about THX

Kenwood's own information. More here

I was researchin? this puppy (VR-7070) till you brought up the fact that it only has a 90 day warranty. That?s a major red flag.



link edited

 

[Wedge1]

Hi guys, maybe you can help me out.

I have a 4.1 Creative Labs speaker system for my PC. I would like to be able to switch the speakers between two PCs (each using a SBLive card), but I am inexperienced in this area of hardware. Obviously, I'm not talking "audiophile" quality here, but these little cambridge speakers serve me well for gaming and mp3 listening.

I don't know if there is an audio switcher that can perform this (and switch the subwoofer too), or if perhaps a receiver is the thing I'm looking for. Any advice or quick lessons in audio hardware would be appreciated.

Edit: just need to mention that I am staying on topic because the receiver deal posted in this thread has me wondering if it's the thing I need.