I currently have a JVC RX-717v, it's alright for Pro-Logic and Dolby Surround, but I need a receiver to support DD 5.1 at the minimum. Is there a good JVC model that you would recommend or are there other models I should consider?

I have a Toshiba 2109 and I'm looking to take advantage of the sound from movies like The Matrix, Saving Private Ryan, and Terminator 2. Since the 2109 also supports DTS should I just get a DD 5.1/DTS receiver?

Thanks in advance.

Ranmaniac,

That depends on your price range. JVC is decent, but many people can beat it. There are also many brands that are below it. If you list your price range you may find some better answers. I am in a $600-$700 price range and I am looking at the Denon, Yamaha, and Marantz. In a lower price range JVC, Onkyo, and Sony will preform well. The only brand I would stay away from is Pioneer. Which is ironic, because their High End receivers are some of the best, but their low end ones sound horrible. You may also need to balance out features. Since, you have a 2109 I wouldn't buy any last year receivers that don't do DTS. Try and take advantage of that feature on your DVD player. But, one of the worst things you can do is buy a brand based on another component or a previous component you owned. The market has changed and you should do your research from the ground up. Find some models in your price range and learn more about them at www.audioreview.com ... http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

Good Luck...

Robert Jason

[This message has been edited by RJason (edited March 26, 2000).]

Ranmaniac,

I completely disagree with RJason on his unfounded comments on the Pioneer receivers. You can not compare a $300 Pioneer to any $700 receiver because at that price you could get a Pioneer Elite that will be just as good, if not better than the ones he recomends in that price range. I have the Pioneer VSX-D608 and it sounds great, has more features than any receiver in its price range, and does both DD and DTS.

I would go to http://www.audioreview.com and read reviews on any receiver that you are considering. Make sure that you read the reviews carefully as the so called "audiophile" jerks will go on and give cheaper receivers (that they probably never listened to) crap ratings to bring the points down and justify the low score by comparing a $300 model to $1500 model. Guess they have to justify spending all that money.

Look at both the Pioneer VSX-D608 and the VSX-D509S if you are in the $300 and under range and you wont be disappointed. Both have S-Video switching. My 608 sounds great and for the money I paid ($325)nothing can touch it. You can find it online now for under $300. Make sure you use http://www.shopper.com when your ready to buy as they will give you the site with the lowest price.

I looked at the JVC models but many people complained in the reviews that I read about a low hissing sound in surround mode. Since I was ordering online, I did not want to risk it, even though I figured that many people were just too ignorant to take the time to set up the unit properly.