The Kenwood Sovereign VR-5700 A Superior Receiver
Written: Jan 17 '03 (Updated Feb 05 '03)
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Pros: 120 watts *continuous* power, THX Ultra certification, decoding ability, video switching, intuitively designed
Cons: Input mode switching, for various functions, can be annoying without macros (not a big deal)
The Bottom Line: If you desire a quality built receiver that can decode almost any format available and has ample, continuous power reserves then seriously consider the Kenwood Sovereign VR-5700
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| white-rabbit02's Full Review: Kenwood VR-5700 6.1 Channels Receiver |
I spent a long time (around a year) reviewing the many high end receivers out there, through stores, word of mouth and magazines, and was finally introduced to the VR-5700. Simply put, it is an exceptional receiver...bottom line. It does everything I wanted a receiver to do and it does it all with grace and confidence. If you are looking at high-end receivers, you owe it to yourself to try either the VR-5900 or the VR-5700 (the VR-5900 has a powered switch for a projector screen, 10 watts more power per-channel, blue lights, a power door and a touchscreen remote). Some of the features that impressed me about the VR-5700 are the ease of use, the clear, clean quality of the sound, the ability to decode almost any format (Pro-Logic, Pro-Logic II, Dolby Digital 5.1, THX EX or Dolby Digital EX, DTS Neo6, DTS, DTS ES, MPEG, HDCD and several Kenwood music/movie processing modes), the THX post processing, THX audio adjustment options, audio digital sound processing (DSP) adjustments, two switched outlets, the video switching capabilities, the gold plated inter-connects, the double banana plug speaker terminals, the artful styling, the intuitive remote control, the 6ch analogue input (for SACD/DVD Audio or DVD) and the coveted THX Ultra certification. The accompanying four line, LCD remote control is well laid out and relatively easy to use (uses both IR and RF signals!) and incorporates learning and macro capabilities. I have a complete Klipsch 5.1 speaker system which is rather power efficient but the VR-5700 is very capable of powering much more power hungry systems. As far as sound, with 120 watts (x5) K-Stat grounded, all-channels-driven power, it produces clean, crisp highs and deep, heart-pounding lows. The Pro-Logic II (PLII)technology greatly improves decoding of less than 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 channel material. The VR-5700 also has a duel source, duel room capability. On the downside (and my only complaint) it has no bass management for SACD/DVDA processing, but a company called Outlaw Audio makes a separate unit at a reasonable price that solves this problem. For the custom installers, it has IR repeater outputs, IR inputs/outputs for rooms A/B and RS-232 (serial) control input. Another plus is the fully automatic signal format detection and selection. Combined with the other Kenwood Sovereign components and the Kenwood SL16 connection (DV-5900/DV-5050: 400 disc DVD, DVDA, CD megachanger, the Entre: music server, burner, entertainment hub, and the Axcess: networked music portal) it becomes an even more impressive and versitile entertainment system. Overall the VR-5700 is a superior product and, without a doubt, one of the best receivers on the market! I have been enjoying mine for around a year now and, without hesitation, give the VR-5700 an enthusiastic two thumbs up!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1,600.00
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Epinions.com ID:
white-rabbit02
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Reviews written: 6
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