Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This was my first purchase when putting together my home theater system, based on Consumer Reports' recommendation. I still can't believe what a value I got for the money spent.
Does the job of decoding every type of DTS signal (even DTS-ES Discrete) and Dolby signals up to Dolby Digital 5.1 (however no Dolby Digital EX). One of the few receivers in any price range that is rated to power 4 Ohm speakers (albeit front only), and puts out more power than many [other]models. And of course the sound is great.
This is the core of my system consisting of a 30" HDTV and 6.1 speaker setup. I will say that I am now limited on my digital inputs, having my PS2, DVD player, and laptop all giving it digital (via Toslink optical) audio; if I ever get digital cable the PS2 will have to go to RCA stereo output.
Gives all the options you need for speaker setup, including filter for small speakers (100-200 Hz), individual speaker distance, and attenuation (+/- 10db).
Frills missed: radio station labeling, sleep timer, 7.1 channel out, not as many "environment" sound fields (only 6) as some, and no on-screen display. I consider these inconsequential though... the only thing I can really pick on is the "universal" remote is garbage for controlling anything else. Fortunately my TV has a good universal for controlling the receiver, otherwise I'd have to buy one.
There is a help function if there is a problem, I have never had to use it and can't speak to its effectiveness. It does require some time to setup, but no more than any other receiver should. The inputs and outputs are all clearly labeled on the back, and there is a composite video and RCA stereo connection in front for ease of use with a camcorder or video game system.
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Panasonic SA-HE100K Home Theater ReceiverThe SA-HE100 has been designed for ultimate audio performance, delivering cutting-edge surround sound from CDs, DVDs, and high-resolution formats like SACD and DVD-Audio with high power and great features. The receiver is equipped with six discrete RCA analog inputs to deliver the enhanced sound quality of multi-channel SACD (Super Audio CD) and DVD-Audio music.
It also decodes DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1-channel sources and Dolby Pro Logic II, which converts sound from regular two-channel stereo sources into 5.1 channel for spacious surround effect. And, you'll also enjoy DTS-ES and Dolby Digital EX extended surround formats, which add a rear center channel for a full 6.1-channels of surround--great for large rooms and home theaters with above-average resolution.
The SA-HE100 incorporates Panasonic's "Times Six" power amplifiers, which use Class H+ circuitry for a smooth, consistent sound from all six main channels. It delivers a full 100 watts per channel output (at 1 kHz into 6 ohms with 0.9 percent THD) so you'll feel the powerful bass of favorite music or the stomp of the Tyrannosaurus Rex breathing down your neck. You'll get slightly higher power--or lower distortion across the audio spectrum, depending on how you look at it--with stereo playback: 100 wpc from 40 to 20,000 Hz into 6 ohms with 0.9 percent THD).
The receiver uses Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOS-FET) circuitry to enhance performance. By improving power bandwidth and contributing to highly linear sound quality, MOS-FET allows the receiver to reproduce a broader spectrum of frequencies than do standard amplifiers. Among other advantages, MOS-FET is what makes this model completely SACD and DVD-Audio compatible, with the ability to reproduce the rich, lifelike sound the formats are quickly becoming known for.
The SA-HE100 includes three optical and one coaxial digital-audio inputs, three S-video inputs, and one S-video output, as well as two high-resolution component-video inputs.
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