Discount Hi-Fi Amplifiers and Receivers

AudioSource AMP-100 2-Channel Bridgeable Stereo Power Amplifier

The amp boasts a precise frequency response of 20 Hz to 20 kHz and total harmonic distortion of 0.02 percent. Additional features include A, B, or A+B speaker selector switches, front-panel mounted volume and balance knobs, and five-way binding posts that work with both bare wire and banana plugs. Plus, at 16.5 by 2.9 by 9.25 inches (W x H x D), the device should fit comfortably in most rack mount or home entertainment setups. All AudioSource amps are backed by a two-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
Amp 100 amplifier, user's manual.
List Price: $179.99
Our Price: $84.78
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Sony STRDE597 6.1 Channel Audio/Video Receiver

The 6.1-channel input allows you to connect to a component that has built-in Dolby Digital processing, like a DVD player. It features 32-bit processing for thrilling, three-dimensional sound, 30 AM/FM presets, component-video switching for two sources (with 80 MHz bandwidth for transfer of HDTV signals), and Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, DTS Neo:6, and Pro Logic II processing. The Digital Cinema Sound system produces the sound that movie directors intended by re-creating the precise acoustics of three postproduction dubbing stages in Hollywood.

The STRDE597 features connections for analog audio (2 inputs, 1 output), optical digital (2 inputs), coaxial digital (1 input), composite video (3 inputs, 1 output), component video (2 inputs, 1 output), composite monitor, and a headphone jack.

Tech Talk
DTS ES: The Digital Theater System ES decoder enables multichannel digital surround sound that is dynamic, spacious, and realistic. DTS ES provides 5.1 channels of standard DTS, plus a discrete, full-bandwidth "back surround" channel, which can be played through one or two speakers.

What's in the Box
Sony STRDE597 receiver, wireless remote control, 2 AA batteries, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, printed operating instructions.
List Price: $250.00
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Sony STR-DE997 7.1-Channel Audio/Video Receiver (120 Watts x 7)

You get conveniences, too, like multi-room outputs that come with independent source switching, so you can listen to a DVD in the living room while someone else is listening to a CD in the kitchen. The supplied Remote Commander learning LCD remote control comes preprogrammed for a range of devices, and it also learns new commands and has the ability to perform limited macro commands.

The receiver includes an FM/AM tuner with 30 station presets (20 FM, 10 AM) and a host of video inputs--5 composite-video, 3 S-video, and 2 component-video--to simplify switching between components and your television. Component-video upconversion from composite- and S-video sources improves upon the quality of your video inputs while simplifying connections with your component-video-capable television. Further, the receiver's actual component-video inputs accommodate wide-bandwidth (80 MHz) high-definition signals and work well with 480p signals such as those from progressive-scan DVD players, while composite-video inputs are upconverted to S-video quality.

A set of front-panel audio/video inputs includes an optical digital-audio input and facilitates spontaneous hookups with camcorders, gaming consoles, MP3 players, and minidisc player/recorders.

There's even a phono input for your once or future turntable--yes, they still make 'em, and yes, your vinyl will sound as good or better than ever. The unit's 3 stereo and 1 set of multichannel analog audio inputs simplify hookup of, for instance, a cassette deck, a VCR, and a high-resolution audio device that decodes formats like SACD and DVD-Audio. A total of 6 assignable digital-audio inputs (4 optical and 2 coaxial) accept bitstream feeds from DVD players, CD players, and other digital devices, while a single optical digital-audio out channels sound to a CD or minidisc recorder.

Digital Cinema Sound System is a group of exclusive Sony algorithms (the receiver offers 13 total) that represent a total re-thinking of home theater sound based on careful measurements of movie-production dubbing stages in Hollywood. Cinema Studio EX modes offer greater apparent distance from listener to screen and a full array of 10 additional virtual surround speakers.

Sound Field Link applies the last-selected sound field to an input whenever you select the input. For example, if you select STADIUM for the CD input, change to a different input, then return to CD, the receiver will automatically apply the STADIUM sound field.

Finally, Auto Channel Grouping helps integrate 5.1- and 6.1-channel programs with your 7.1-channel system. When a 5.1-channel mix is present, Auto Channel Grouping will route the discrete information for surround left/right directly to surround left/right outputs while adding a new surround back left/right channel. When 6.1-channel mix is detected, Auto Channel Grouping will route the discrete information for surround left/right directly to surround left/right output while the sixth channel is duplicated by both surround back channels (left/right).

What's in the Box
Receiver, remote control (model RM-LG113), remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty/registration information.
List Price: $499.99
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Sony STR-DE595 - AV receiver - 5.1 channel

The receiver includes an FM/AM tuner with 30 station presets (20 FM, 10 AM) and three video inputs to simplify switching between components and your television. Two of the inputs are for standard composite-video (yellow RCA jack), while the third is ready for wide bandwidth (80 MHz) high-definition component-video signals.

There's no phono input, but the unit's two stereo and one multichannel analog audio inputs simplify hookup of, for instance, a cassette deck, a VCR, and a high-resolution audio device that decodes formats like SACD and DVD-Audio. Three digital-audio inputs (two optical and one coaxial) accept bitstream feeds from DVD players, CD players, and other digital devices.

An additional "B" speaker output lets you enjoy music or movie sound in a room other than your central listening area (speaker cable not included).

What's in the Box
Receiver, UniCommander preprogrammed remote control, 2 AA batteries, AM loop antenna, FM wire antenna, a sheet on correct loudspeaker connections, owner registration card, user's manual, and warranty information.
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Sony STR-DE897 Audio / Video Receiver, Black

You get conveniences, too, like multi-room outputs that come with independent source switching, so you can listen to a DVD in the living room while someone else is listening to a CD in the kitchen. The supplied Remote Commander remote control comes preprogrammed for a range of devices, and it also learns new commands and has the ability to perform limited macro commands.

The receiver includes an FM/AM tuner with 30 station presets (20 FM, 10 AM) and a host of video inputs--5 composite-video, 3 S-video, and 2 component-video--to simplify switching between components and your television. The component-video inputs accommodate wide-bandwidth (80 MHz) high-definition signals and work well with 480p signals such as those from progressive-scan DVD players, while composite-video inputs are upconverted to S-video quality. A set of front-panel audio/video inputs includes an optical digital-audio input and facilitates spontaneous hookups with camcorders, gaming consoles, MP3 players, and minidisc player/recorders.

There's even a phono input for your once or future turntable--yes, they still make 'em and, yes, your vinyl will sound as good or better than ever. The unit's 3 stereo and 1 set of multichannel analog audio inputs simplify hookup of, for instance, a cassette deck, a VCR, and a high-resolution audio device that decodes formats like SACD and DVD-Audio. A total of 6 assignable digital-audio inputs (4 optical and 2 coaxial) accept bitstream feeds from DVD players, CD players, and other digital devices, while a single optical digital-audio out channels sound to a CD or minidisc recorder.

Digital Cinema Sound System is a group of exclusive Sony algorithms (the receiver offers 13 total) that represent a total re-thinking of home theater sound based on careful measurements of movie-production dubbing stages in Hollywood. Cinema Studio EX modes offer greater apparent distance from listener to screen and a full array of 10 additional virtual surround speakers.

Sound Field Link applies the last-selected sound field to an input whenever you select the input. For example, if you select STADIUM for the CD input, change to a different input, then return to CD, the receiver will automatically apply the STADIUM sound field.

Finally, Auto Channel Grouping helps integrate 5.1- and 6.1-channel programs with your 7.1-channel system. When a 5.1-channel mix is present, Auto Channel Grouping will route the discrete information for surround left/right directly to surround left/right outputs while adding a new surround back left/right channel. When 6.1-channel mix is detected, Auto Channel Grouping will route the discrete information for surround left/right directly to surround left/right output while the sixth channel is duplicated by both surround back channels (left/right).

What's in the Box
Receiver, remote control (model RM-PG413), remote batteries, a user's manual, and warranty/registration information.
List Price: $399.99
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Sony STR-DE835 Surround Receiver

The flip side of using a powerful, full-featured surround amp is often a detailed, head-scratching setup process. The STR-DE835 can go both ways. To get it up and running is a very simple matter: plug in your components, select which source to watch or listen to, and sit back and enjoy its 100-watt-per-channel sound. A button found on both the front panels and the nearly full-function remote labeled "2CH," or two-channel, is your ready-made shortcut to auditioning straight, unprocessed left/right stereo from any of your input sources.

When using the digital inputs, the receiver automatically selects the correct listening mode for the incoming signal (DTS, Dolby Pro Logic, and any of the variants of Dolby Digital). With certain components, however--such as DVD and possibly CD--you may wish to use both analog and digital outputs. While surround-sound signals such as Dolby Digital and DTS tend to be transmitted digitally and decoded by the receiver, certain music-oriented DVDs have high-resolution digital content (with 96-kHz/24-bit signals) that require digital-to-analog (D-to-A) conversion upstream from this surround receiver (and most others). When listening to these sources--or to CD players with higher-caliber D-to-A conversion than this receiver employs--it's best to listen through the analog, rather than the digital, outputs of your source components.

This brings us to the only real drawback of the remote: while you can use it to switch between different components, you can't cycle through the different inputs for any one component. The remote (Remote Commander RM-PP402) is otherwise well designed and controls a host of Sony and non-Sony products.

More advanced operations require careful perusal of the STR-DE835's well-written manual, and configuring the surround modes is one of them. An internally generated test tone helps adjust the relative levels of the center and surround channels (which you can do right from your listening position). To compensate for the fact that the center channel is often slightly closer to the listening position than the left/right main speakers, many receivers let you delay the sound from the center channel to keep it aligned with the sound arriving from the other front speakers. The STR-DE835 doesn't let you do that, but it does let you tell it how far you're sitting from each of your speakers, and it makes the appropriate internal adjustments for each.

This unit boasts 27 surround modes (reverberation settings traditionally titled Hall, Stadium, or even Jazz and Rock), and Sony's Digital Cinema Sound puts other units with this feature to shame. First, the STR-DE835 contains real surround modes; the music plays in front and reverberates through each speaker in your surround setup. Second, Sony allows you to adjust the parameters of many of the sound fields, including aspects such as effect level, wall type, and screen depth. This degree of user control extends into other areas as well: The STR-DE835 offers dynamic-range compression for minimizing volume peaks (for quieter night viewing or listening), and you can adjust the amount of compression the unit employs.

As to sound quality, the receiver boasts a wide and detailed soundstage with no tizz (displeasing peaks in the voice range) or glare (broad overaccentuation) in the high frequencies. Discrete output transistors provide the receiver with high-speed, high-current capacity and keep distortion to a minimum. The unit also delivers good low-level support for the bass. Small increments in the volume control from the remote are perfect for when you want the sound level just a touch louder or quieter. And it's always nice to see a phono stage in modern receivers, and the one aboard the STR-DE835 is of higher quality than many.

The unit's only other drawback that its speaker terminals are of unequal size. This might not be an issue for you, depending on your speaker cables, but if you already own standard-size banana-plug-terminated cables, you'll be disappointed to find that the center and surround terminals are too small for your plugs. Stick with bare-wire cables or use small banana plugs on this one.

Tuning will likely require use of the supplied antenna, but beyond that, setting (and naming) the preset stations is simple. The STR-DE835 can automatically scan stations or you can enter them by frequency (e.g., FM 103.7). You can set up to 30 presets, divided between AM and FM, using either of the above methods.

In all, the STR-DE835 is a nothing short of a marvel of modern technology. If you're into features and flexibility, this receiver has your name written all over it.

Pros:

• Amazing features for the price
• Great sound
• Abundant processing power
• Future-ready design

Cons:

• Speaker terminals are unequal in size
• Remote does not perform all essential functions
• Learning curve for using all the features

Yamaha RX-V750 - AV receiver - 7.1 channel

When hooked up with the digital-audio output from a DVD-Video player or digital satellite receiver, the 100 watts-per-channel receiver (20 to 20,000 Hz into 8 ohms with 0.06 percent THD) handles standard 5.1-channel surround decoding for both major formats, Dolby Digital and DTS. In addition, the receiver processes Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, and DTS-EX Discrete 6.1. The extended-surround formats (including Yamaha's own) create even more expansive soundfields through the use of an additional rear pair of surround speakers, resulting in 7 discrete, full-range signals in addition to the LFE (low-frequency effects) channel: front left/right, mid-surround left/right, rear-surround left/right, and a front-center channels.

A key benefit from a Yamaha receiver, of course, is Yamaha's proprietary signal processing, including Cinema DSP (digital soundfield processing), which creates aural "imaging" that not only makes your home sound like a theater, but also sounds better than most movie theaters. Based on a wealth of measured data in real studios and halls, Cinema DSP is designed to bring out the full potential of movie sound mixes, reproducing them the way directors and sound engineers intended.

Non-Dolby Digital and DTS sources can benefit from surround processing, too. With enhanced directional steering over standard four-channel Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic IIx provides 5.1 channels of surround processing from any stereo source--whether that's a TV broadcast, VHS tapes, or your favorite CDs, cassettes, and LPs.

And, when you're listening to multichannel presentations late at night, you'll appreciate Silent Cinema, which simulates 5.1-channel listening through a pair of ordinary 2-channel headphones (not included). Silent Cinema uses unique parameters for each soundfield to ensure accurate headphone representations of each soundfield.

DVD-Audio and SACD can each deliver up to 6 channels of discrete, full-frequency sound at greater-than-CD resolution (in the case of DVD-A, that means 24 bits, 192 kHz sampling rate versus 16 bits, 44.1 kHz for CD). In stereo or surround, the sound from DVD-Audio and SACD is packed with detail, yet smoother and sweeter from than the sound from even the best standard CD players.

This receiver also comes fully equipped with Yamaha's YPAO system, which uses a small microphone (supplied) to analyze the acoustics of your room and, based on the results, make intelligent adjustments of various speaker parameters to provide the optimum sound at your primary listening position.

The receiver offers 7 stereo audio/video input connections (all with composite-/S-video, 2 with component-video), 1 stereo phono input (with ground), 1 set of multichannel (7.1) analog inputs for your DVD-Audio or SACD player, 6 fixed and assignable digital-audio inputs (great for DSS, CD, laserdisc, gaming consoles, or minidisc), and front-panel input connections for your camcorder or other spontaneous hookup. The receiver's video circuitry is high-definition ready, too (60 MHz bandwidth for the component-video circuits), and it will upconvert composite- to S-video and S-video to component-video (720p/1080i) to simplify TV hookups.

For outputs, you get 3 standard AV outputs (stereo RCA audio with composite- and S-video) and a set of 7.1-channel preamplifier outputs, in addition to a stereo RCA (left/right) Zone 2 line-level output. Speaker outputs for all 7 main channels are sturdy binding-post type (including the left/right B Speakers set), while the Zone 2 speakers (which do double duty as "presence" speaker outputs for Yamaha DSP algorithms) feature clip-type terminals.

Last, but certainly not least, the RX-V750 benefits from Yamaha's Digital ToP-ART (Total Purity Audio Reproduction Technology) build philosophy. The culmination of the best digital engineering and design possible, it brings together several key elements to create the best-sounding, easiest-to-use A/V components available.

What's in the Box
Receiver, remote control, 4 AAA batteries, an AM loop antenna, an indoor FM antenna, an optimizer microphone, a warranty card, and a user's manual.
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