Kenwood VR6050 receiver(refurb) for $99 @eCost

[pulse8]

Just picked one up to replace my 5 year old Kenwood. Last receiver was great and just recently started having problems with the remote. I hope to get the same kind of mileage out of this one and for $111 shipped, if the reviews are right, this is an awesome deal.

 

[topnotcher]

I just purchased a VR-615 from E-cost, looks and works like new. Very satified so far.

Originally posted by: docprego
Has anyone bought one of these refurbs from Ecost? Though their page says it does, is it certain that the multibrand joystick remote is included?

Also the specs on Ecost's page for this receiver say the following: "Kenwood's Circle Surround II, which let you transform Dolby Surround and stereo sources into realistic 5.1-channel and 6.1-channel sound, respectively"

Then it mentions this: "Dolby Digital EX, DTS, and Dolby Pro Logic II"

What is the truth, isn't this a 5.1 receiver?

 

[CyberTron]

Originally posted by: ConnCarl
Cybertron, you answered your own question, sort of.

The Kenwood has only a preamp subwoofer output. So if you would like to use a subwoofer, you need a powered one, such as either of the Fluance units you mentioned.

ahh ok thanks alot. Just got mine but no speakers, im going to cry now. lol. should have enough for speakers in the next month. I just couldnt pass up a $99 receiver, and from what im reading i made a smart move

 

[RobsTV]

Just got my VR6050 and while the packing box was perfect, the front and side of receiver were slightly smashed in.
Was able to bend metal side back, but front plastic panel has a crack along it's side.
Must have happened while being packed, or it is something they allow to go out the door.
Also included the wrong manual, but since link to pdf was posted above, no big deal.
So besides being refurb, you might get a scratch and dent item.

The good news is it's a great receiver.
Everything works perfectly, and even the remote works my Dishplayer.
Blows away my old Technics Dolby Pro-Logic unit.
For $103 it is a great deal.

Now to find a cheap powered sub, and a powered surround rear center.

 

[bradolson]

Nice deal. I waited too long on the Denon AVR1603 deal and now I might have to pick up one of these.

Brad

 

[ConnCarl]

You might want to grab a pair of small KLH 911B bookshelf speakers from BB while they're only $19.95.

They make fine, inexpensive surrounds or center channel speakers. In fact, there's no reason you can't use them as mains, especially on the VR-6050, which has provisions for four main speakers.

Personally, I ordered a set for center channel use. The room that the VR-6050 is for has very little room for surrounds, so I need something smaller there, and I bought the larger KLH 853Bs for mains when BB had them for $19.95 a few months back.

Enjoy!

 

[faziwazi]

Can I make this work in my new house that I am building. I have 7 in-wall speakers and have a sub? is it possible that i could use this receiver?

 

[Joe221]

Originally posted by: faziwazi
Can I make this work in my new house that I am building. I have 7 in-wall speakers and have a sub? is it possible that i could use this receiver?

If you're building the house for 7.1, GET a 7.1 receiver. This Kenwood is great for the price, maybe for your bedroom.

 

[jdub1107]

I currently have a JVC RX-6000VBK and I know nothing about electronic equipment. When I watch DVD's and during action scenes where the sound becomes louder, my unit just shuts off and flashes "Overload". Tried using the troubleshooting guide and hasn't helped. I have 2-4ft Advent front speakers and Sony center and rear speakers. Whats been suggested is that my unit may not have enough power to be able to handle the speakers. I'm wondering if I should buy the Kenwood and replace the JVC. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[ellisz]

I use a separate stereo receiver in the 6 channel pre-out to get the middle surround channel. It is an awesome receiver. I would love to have the 6070 though. It has the 6 channel built in and comes with a learning remote ...

 

[cejay]

I called Ecost cust service about this receiver and the fact that some were received with
boxes smushed and unit damaged and scratched..
She said a local service center (auth kenwood?) refurbs these units and sells to them.

All units should work, but can be in rough condition outside (who know about inside)
Also its a final sale, no refund, and you can get a 90 day warranty, but from local
service centers (near Ecost company?) or any auth service center.

I want one of these but dont know about

1) previous life of the refurbed unit..
2) what was originally wrong?
3) How do I know service center fixed every little thing
4) Does the service center test them and retweak the unit to full specs? Checks LED's, all outputs, inputs, etc?
5) Does it come with all manuals.. remotes.. wires.. antenna.. etc..
6) Can I ebay it once I find that its broken? (hah)

I still might buy one.. but hope I don't get one that fell off the truck.
Sounds like if I do, thats just too bad according to ecost.

They should at least give u a defective guarantee (10 day or something, but noo....)
cj

 

[Dogsbody]

I had to jump on this. I've been looking for a good deal on a receiver and couldn't pass this up. Thanks agan, AnandTech members!

 

[BigSmooth]

Originally posted by: ellisz
I use a separate stereo receiver in the 6 channel pre-out to get the middle surround channel. It is an awesome receiver. I would love to have the 6070 though. It has the 6 channel built in and comes with a learning remote ...

So did the 6060. The 6070 added THX certification, preouts, and a few other minor things.

The newer 7XXX series are very similar, although they're silver and the remotes have been changed. I think Kenwood provides an excellent value in this price range.

 

[cejay]

Did ANYBODY READ my comments?

ARENT you scared buying a final sale refurb, when someone already said
they got one working, but it rough condition..

great deal..but..

 

[edplayer]

Yes

The whole internet read your comments. It usually takes 13.4573 minutes for everyone to read them. What took you so long?

 

[torrid]

Originally posted by: cejay
I called Ecost cust service about this receiver and the fact that some were received with
boxes smushed and unit damaged and scratched..
She said a local service center (auth kenwood?) refurbs these units and sells to them.

All units should work, but can be in rough condition outside (who know about inside)
Also its a final sale, no refund, and you can get a 90 day warranty, but from local
service centers (near Ecost company?) or any auth service center.

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I just called and I was told they would replace the unit if it was physically damaged due to packaging or shipping or if it wasn't working out of the box. If it quits working a month later, obviously they won't replace the unit, though. Hopefully the sales person wasn't feeding me a line, so I'd like to see one more verification before I purchase.

 

[torrid]

NM

 

[torrid]

NM

 

[Lestan]

Ok, I'm jumping on this one, you bastards.

 

[UfoKlLLerz]

got mine today, perfect working condition, reciever was perfect, some dents and scratches on remote
and get this guys

SHOT GUN pellets on the outside box!!!! thats right, someone shotgunned it from a long distance and it pierced a bit through outer cardboard only.



hooked them up to my

currently a old pair of yamaha a-636 speakers, Dayton BR-1 tomorrow
sony ss-cr350 surround and center
velodyne vx-10 subwoofer
liteon phomaster dvd player

 

[acebathound]

Got mine today.. having a crackling noise on the right front speaker. I tried switching speakers and the same thing happens on the other speaker, so have pretty much diagnosed it as the receiver. I just repaired speaker inputs on the back of my JVC stereo a few months ago, I was thinking I might try that here, but I tried the speaker in the "B" (2nd front inputs) and it did the same thing.. Any ideas? Is it something I could fix? I can't imagine what shipping back to e-cost would be.. Oy =(

 

[torrid]

Originally posted by: acebathound
Got mine today.. having a crackling noise on the right front speaker =( .. tried switching speakers and the same thing happens on the other speaker, so have pretty much diagnosed it as the receiver. I just repaired speaker inputs on the back of my JVC stereo a few months ago, I was thinking I might try that here.. but I really don't know if that will help. Any ideas? Is it something I could fix?

Personally, I'd just call it in and have them RMA it. I suppose my opinion might change if I had to pay return shipping, though.

 

[cejay]

Thanks for the comments.. Torrid,

SO, IF they replace the unit damaged due to shipping, or bad out of the box..
will they pay return shipping? a 25$ shipping charge (due to heavy box)
would negate any saving you might have gotten on this deal..
I guess buyer beware..

cj

 

[torrid]

Originally posted by: cejay
Thanks for the comments.. Torrid,

SO, IF they replace the unit damaged due to shipping, or bad out of the box..
will they pay return shipping? a 25$ shipping charge (due to heavy box)
would negate any saving you might have gotten on this deal..
I guess buyer beware..

cj

Good questions. Let us know what they say when you call in. If you have a positive experience I will be ordering.

 

[acebathound]

cejay-

No, the packing slip says you have to pay any return shipping costs / insurance when sending it back to them.. that's my current dilema =/ I'm almost thinking that I'll end up having to take mine to a repair center (hopefully there's one nearby), b/c no matter what I'm out at least $25 and the time for it to get repaired/replaced. Trying to decide if I want to take a look inside it first though.. what's weird is the crackling/popping is more prevalent on radio stations (and no it's not just radio station 'fuzz'.. because the other speaker does not do it until i connect it to the same speaker out on the receiver). It's more like electronic 'pops'... I was somewhat happy that it wasn't the speakers (Fluance) b/c if I RMA'd those at all I would have likely had to ship all of them back.. but at the same time, I'm kinda bummed it's the receiver and reallywould like to figure something out with it.

-Wayne