Ready for all your Entertainment Connections!
Written: Jun 06 '01 (Updated Feb 01 '03)
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Pros: This receiver decodes HDCD CDs, Dolby Digital and DTS!
Cons: No Component Video hookups!
The Bottom Line: This receiver is made for the serious Home Theater Buff!
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| surferdude7's Full Review: Kenwood VR-4080B Receiver |
Kenwood has come out with a new 4000 series line. The Kenwood VR-4080B is part of this line of receivers with many new features that have come out lately.
This beauty pushes 110 watts at 6 ohms into each of the five speaker hookups, in an 8 ohms setup it will be a little less.
This receiver can decode HDCD, (High Density Compatible Digital) CDs, Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS surround sound formats.
It has a digital AM/FM tuner with 40 presets stations to program into, this is more than most will ever need. It can find the radio stations automatically or you can manually tune them in.
Do you still have an old turntable, well this receiver still has the connections for one?
There are two AC outlets in the back of it that make it easy to plug in other components and it is switched, meaning when you turn the receiver off, it will turn off what ever is plugged in also.
It can display you songs and artists on the receiver from a compatible CD changer.
This is a pretty good size receiver measuring 7.5 inches in height x 17.31 inches wide x 16.38 inches deep and weighs a whopping 30.4 pounds.
The display is very nice and easy to read that displays your functions and what is playing on your CD player if it is made for it. You can also see how high and low your volume is on it.
The Remote
This is one of the nicest remotes I have used. This remote works on both IR (infrared) and RF (radio frequency) signals, what this means is, you can be in any room in your house and the remote will work. No more having to point directly at the receiver to get it to work.
This receiver and remote work special features if you add on a compatible Kenwood CD player, now you can read the CD titles and artist right on the remote. Yes this remote has a LCD screen built in the top part of it for viewing what is on the CDs.
This remote will preprogram many other components so you can use just one remote. You can also use it to learn a code if it is not listed in the book.
The buttons are easy to use and the remote has a good feel to it.
The Audio
This receiver will automatically detect weather it is Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, (Digital Theater Sound) MPEG 5.1 or PCM.
There are all kinds of sound options to pick from Dolby 3 Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic, DTS and more. You also can enhance the sound like a theater sound and others to pick from.
There are a total of five Digital inputs, two are optical (Fiber Optics cable) and three are coaxial.
Then you have a 5.1-channel preamp output and a 5.1-channel line input.
There is a subwoofer output and a headphone jack.
The speaker terminals are binding-post type.
The Video
This receiver is made for all your video connections also. What this does is, it makes the connection to the TV with only one video connection instead of several. Generally all your components are located closer to the receiver than the TV.
In front you have an AV/auxiliary with an S-video.
In the rear you have the inputs for 4 Composite (RCA type jacks) and 4 S-video. Four S-video connections is great!
For the video outputs in the rear you have 1 Composite and 1 S-video.
There are also two outputs for video monitor, 1 Composite and 1 S-video.
The VR-4080 doesn't have any Component hookups, this is the only downside I see to this receiver. Most people will not need Component hookups, but if you do, you will have to connect your source directly to your TV or you can just use the S-video.
Overall
This is a really nice receiver made for all your entertainment needs. It is very powerful with 110 watts per speaker times five speakers. It is a beautiful looking unit that will look good with any setup.
It comes with a very detailed manual on operation and hookups. You will probably need it, there are a lot of hookups. The receiver offers so much that it will take some time to learn everything that is will do for you.
If you register with them this receiver will be warranted for 4 years, that is a nice warranty.
This unit lists for well over $800 and is probably well worth it but, you can search the Web and your local stores for prices under $500. Now that is even a better bargain.
I highly recommend the Kenwood VR-4080B receiver.
Here are some of my other reviews!
Thank You for Reading Them!
Advent Wireless Indoor-Outdoor Speaker
Advent AW770 900MHz Wireless Headphones
Onkyo TX DS787 Surround Sound AV receiver
Sony XM Satellite Radio Receiver Home Package
Polk DS7200 Home Theater System
Harman/Kardon AVR 520 Surround Sound AV Receiver
The Harman Kardon AVR 325 Receiver
JBL 12" Powerbass Subwoofer
Things to know before Buying a New Receiver!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 479
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surferdude7
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Location: Elizabethtown, Ky.
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