Summary: This unit provided an amazing upgrade from my previous receiver and all the ones I had before, especially considering the price paid. The clarity of the sound and the power and balance of it is absolutely mind numbing. The highs are high and the lows are low. There was a bit of a lack in the mid range which I've corrected by replacing my tiny JBL speakers for new KLH towers. What is really incredible is the improvement in everyday TV viewing that the NEO6 system provides. At times both my wife and I actually get up from our seats to go and see what fell down at the other end of the room, only to realize it was in the TV broadcast or DVD movie. Also very often, I can hear sounds in music CDs that I'd never heard before this little gem made its entrance.
Strengths: The unit looks fantastic and is very very quiet. The light in the front is easy to dim in order to remove the distraction when using the projector. Sounds fantastic, I've recently gone to the hifi expo in Montreal and only a few of the higher end systems managed to capture my amazement, all of these systems were using high-end, and incredibly expensive speakers and amplifiers.
Weaknesses: I wish it had a third s-video input, but I can see why they only chose to include two given the size limitations. If I could change anything in it, I'd remove the discrete 6 channel inputs (6 RCA plugs in the back) and add better surround speaker terminals and a second speaker set array (A-B speakers)
Similar Products Used: Technics, JVC and Sony. None of which even came close.
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Summary: Bought this unit at a clearance sale based on what great reviews people have been giving this receiver. After about 80 hours of breakin time, I have to give it a raving review for it's overall performance given the price of the unit. The highs are nicely extended. The mids, although very slightly weak, are smooth and accurate. The bass is very nice, but does sound a bit loose compared with my Classe system. In the imaging and detail department, this unit is remarkable at moderate listening levels, but shows convergence when the volume is turned up. Also, some loss of detail was noted when complex pieces were played. Overall, a very nice sounding piece of equipment giving no listener fatigue. This is the least expensive but best sounding "mass market" receiver I have ever had. Also hard to believe something this small and light can sound so good. Not quite audiophile quality but not too far away.
This receiver will be given a home in my second sound system.
Strengths: Amazing sound.
Looks nice
Small and unobtrusive
Weaknesses: Cheap binding posts for front R & L channels. OK if you have banana plugs on your cable ends for your mains. Bare wire hookup is difficult with heavier gage wire. Rest of hookups are via cheap and tiny spring clips with holes for wire no larger than 16G.
Similar Products Used: JVC, Yamaha, Pioneer
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Summary: It's true, it's all true: This is a giant killer. Absolutely AMAZING sound for such a cheap piece of gear. Extremely clean highs and no fatigue as you increase the volume. Bass is tight. Beautiful styling, too, in a modern look sort of way.
Note that the receiver's strenghts really come into play when you connect a digital source (CD or DVD player, or I suppose a DAT) via a digital cable. For analogue sources, it's good...it's VERY good...but it's not quite as much of a star.
I only wish it had more inputs/outputs...As it is, it doesn't quite have enough to comfortably sit in the middle of a complex, modern A/V system. (It'll do fine for the average person, however).
Strengths: Unbelievable quality sound from digital sources for the price. Extremely inexpensive. Nice styling.
Weaknesses: Not really enough inputs/outputs on the back and none on the front. The speaker connectors for the surround speakers are el-cheapo clips that won't even support audiophile quality wire. (The fronts have better connectors, though). Mediocre manual.
Similar Products Used: Just about every midpriced surround sound amp out there (Yamaha, Onkyo, JVC, Sony, Pioneer). For sound quality from a digital source, this receiver crushes them all HANDILY.
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Summary: This is one peice of gear that has set me back at it's price to ratio performance.I've been reading all the raves about this product on some audio forums and thought yeah right!! This thing can't be that good. Well it looks like I'am eating crow on this one.
After a few hours of burn in and adjusting the speaker sizes to large in the unit .I am duely impressed with this little reciever. I never dreamed you could get this kind of quality for so less.
The unit sounded terrible when I first hooked it up.Burn in is a must and it is still burning in as I type.I've ran a test disc on it to check the depth ,imaging and speed. Man there's some very expensive gear out there that could be threaten by this little wonder.
It doesn't have a tremendous amount of power and I think it is best used for near field listening.Meaning 10 to 12 feet on most speakers.But when your in that spot you know it.
I put on some Dianne Reeves Live and was astounded at the spacial ques that are going on. I've heard this disc probably a hundred times and on many setups.Some over $10,000.I still didn't realize what I was missing until I picked up this little unit for the fun of it.
The best way to use it is with a dvd or cd player straight into one of the digital inputs.This keeps the signal in the digital domain until it reaches the output devices in the unit.
I expected fatigiung highs and muddy bass. I was'nt even close. Highs are extremely natural.Midrange is transparent and life like.Bass has great pitch and definition..very tight no lagging here!
Panasonic has designed a low cost unit that will rival the big boys! For the audiophiles who are stuck on names and how much they spend on a peice of gear...I warn you not to listen or you maybe pissed at the money you have spent and gotten less performance!
Powercord upgrade is the next step. But I am satisfied with what I hear know ..so I am sure this will be just icing on the cake.
I bought this unit with plans on returning it. It's not going any where now!
Strengths: Light weight. looks pretty cool,thin profile,
Depth,Clarity,midrange,tight and tuneful bass with great pitch.And the biggest thing is spacial information.Dosen't use much power at all and runs whisper quiet.Anyone one who thinks this is average for a $200 dollar unit is nuts!!!
Weaknesses: Best for nearfield listening,not a power house but will drive most speakers with a decent impedance curve.
Similar Products Used: Adcom,McIntosh,Monarchy,Music Reference,Dynaco Van Alstine modded and a few others.
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Summary: This truly breaks all price/performance records. I read about the XR45 on the Newform Research 'What's New' August section of their web page. Everything John Meyer said there is true. Did extensive A/B comparison with my Rotel RC 972 Preamp/RB 981 Power amp combo. No doubt about it - more detail, imaging better, much better in the bass control department. Lots of power, clean at very high levels. I also tried analog input from my Cambridge D500SE CD player, vs. digital out using the DAC on the XR25. XR25 wins again. Don't know if it's pure digital through to the amplifier output, but that could explain alot. Would love to try the XR45, but couldn't find one. Finally, I am bi-amping my speakers, using the rear surround outputs, setting surround to "party" which drives front and rear equally. I also set the front to rear delay to 10 MS, but I don't think there is any delay in this mode. I can't notice the difference if there is. Unbelievable value - 200 clear watts per channel for less than $300 US. Also great on power, runs very cool. Would be interested in the Sony Digital Amp/SACD combo for comparison - but the speaker connectors are VERY small and hokey looking.
Strengths: Excellent detail
Clean power
Bass control
Imaging
VALUE VALUE VALUE unbelievable
Weaknesses: setup is a bit difficult
speaker connectors are cheap, too close together
Manual is weak
Similar Products Used: Denon AVR 2800
Marantz MA 700 Monoblocks
Rotel 972 pre/981 power
Carver M400t
Yamaha AVC 110 watt Integrated amp
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4.83 of 5
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