mamorgan1

First of all, I am trying to keep my spending down to a minimum. That said, I also would like to find a decent receiver for my DVD player to use with the Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble IV speaker package. My living room is small 11 X 14, and I have hardwood floors. Acoustics in the room are great. Based on my research to date, it seems the popular opinion is that the ONKYO has cleaner sound and the JVC has better features. The ONKYO costs approx. $100 more than the JVC. With the above factors considered, which of these systems should I go with? Note: I am by no means an "audiophile", I would just like to receive good sound from my movies and music.

Thanks in advance.

DPSinPA

A friend of mine has the JVC 8000 series receiver and I have a Sony STR-DA555ES.

Features per dollar you really can't go wrong with the JVC.

Here is what you need to ask yourself:

How much can I spend?

Will I need multiple S-Video inputs?

Will I need multiple digital inputs?

Will I need a 5.1 imput?

The above questions relate mostly to expandability - the JVC will give you these options.

Do I like On-Screen Displays?

Will I ever get a JVC 200 Disc CD changer (its under $200)?

I think this JVC is a great receiver when you consider what you get for what you pay. There is some noise when the DVD is on a menu page of some sort with no back ground music or sound, this noise goes away when there is sound/music from the disc - its just annoying at times. I think you won't go wrong with the JVC and with its multiple digital imputs you can have DD and DTS with your Direct TV/Dish Network and or Play Station 2, also you can make perfect digital copies from CD to MD or CD-R. You'll be quite limited with the Onkyo. I think I'd go with the JVC for now - I don't think you'll be disapointed in its perfomance, ease of use, and expandability.

jumbojp

Since you are looking for a DVD player also and are on a budget I would recommend the Toshiba SD-6109 DVD Player/Receiver. The amps are based on a Onkyo 575, and Onkyo actually makes the same exact thing, but I forget the model number(DR-80/60?). The DVD portion player is based on the SD-2109.

I have an SD-6109 and it works great. It has 60 wattsx5 and has Dolby Digital and DTS processing. It is also very convienient to have both DVD player and receiver in one unit.

I bought mine for under $300 about 8 months ago

Good Luck

mamorgan1

Thanks DPSinPA and jumbojp. I think I am going to go with the JVC. Sounds like it is the best bang for the buck. Thanks again.

jumbojp

FYI, this is something I just rememberes.

Sound & Vision Magazine did a comparison of the Philips FR-975,Onkyo TX-575X, and the JVC RX-8000V in the November Issue.

The JVC came in last place with the Onkyo in the middle and surprisingly the Philips came in first.

Just thought I would let you know so you could maybe get the mag and read the arcticle to get some more info before you buy since you are looking at 2 of the receivers that were reviewed