Kenwood VR-309 Dolby Digital Receiver

Kenwood VR-309 Dolby Digital Receiver

Product Description
Product Description:
If you want DTS and Dolby Digital decoding for your DVD player and cost is an object, the Kenwood VR-309 does it on the cheap. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more inexpensive receiver with the capability to serve as the heart of a surround set-up outside of home-theater-in-a-box solutions. This receiver offers five channels of 100 watt amplification delivered through banana-plug terminals. Along with the decoding, major features include a remote that's pre-programmed to control up to nine variously-branded components.

Kenwood VR-309 Dolby Digital Receiver
Average customer rating:

Excellent Performance at Excellent Value

Best value!

Don't let the remote scare you

Dollar for dollar, best receiver available

the good the bad and the ugly

Kenwood VR-309 Dolby Digital Receiver

Manufacturer: KENWOOD
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Stereo Receivers | Receivers & Amplifiers | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
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Accessories:

NETGEAR Wireless Digital Music Player

Kenwood Lead Wire Antenna

Kenwood Remote Control (Remote Number RC-SUS)

Kenwood Knob

Kenwood Instruction Manual

Product Features:

Controls most brands of audio-video components

KAM-1 power-amplifier circuitry

Quartz PLL-synthesized digital tuning

Auto function 1-touch operation

Variable input sensitivity with individual source memory

ASIN: B00001ZUJB

Product Description

If you want DTS and Dolby Digital decoding for your DVD player and cost is an object, the Kenwood VR-309 does it on the cheap. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more inexpensive receiver with the capability to serve as the heart of a surround set-up outside of home-theater-in-a-box solutions. This receiver offers five channels of 100 watt amplification delivered through banana-plug terminals. Along with the decoding, major features include a remote that's pre-programmed to control up to nine variously-branded components.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Performance at Excellent Value.......2000-01-19

Having recently purchased a DVD player, I was looking for a digital receiver that could maximize the terrific sound that DVDs are known for.

I wanted to find one with DTS. I was dismayed at the prices I would have to pay to get that feature. When I found this receiver with DTS at this price, I was ecstatic.

The sound quality is terrific. I am 100% satisfied that I bought a great piece of audio equipment.

Best value!.......2000-01-17

The sound from this receiver is impressive. The offering of both Dolby Digital and DTS decoding at this low price range is another great feature (The Eagles DVD was what drove me to upgrade to include DTS). Yes, the KAM amplifier, that some may view as cheap, is probably how Kenwood can keep the price down and yet can offer all the other features. A home theater magazine tested this receiver in the lab and their measured figures are actually much better than what was published in the Kenwood spec. You have to read the instructions to set this receiver up to make it play. It is true for all receivers with all these features. To some, it may be confusing. The pink noise generator in the receiver does not seem to help balance the channels properly during the setup. I ended up using a home theater calibration DVD with a sound pressure level meter to balance all the channels. I drive with this recevier a pair of Polkaudio RT800 speakers with its matching center channel and bipole/dipole switchable rear channel speakers, plus a Infinity powered sub. The sound is just unbeleivable. The only complain with this receiver I have is that it has only 1 optical audio input. I would like to have one more for the satellite receiver. I have to settle for the copper digital input. The 3 macro keys on the remote are extremely handy. Once programmed, you can push just one macro key to turn on and set up all the necessary components, such as the DVD player, the receiver with the correct audio/video input, and the TV with the correct video input. Push the same macro key once again to turn off all the components when done watching your favorite video. I am extremely happy with this receiver.

Don't let the remote scare you.......1999-12-18

I got this receiver as part of Kenwood's Digital Home Theater in a Box. I was blown away by the sound. I had returned a different model and was about to give up hope of finding an affordable DTS receiver. I was a little confused by the hook ups and the remote, but a phone call to thier 800 support # cleared up all of my problems. I was able to program the remote to work with my odd mix of stereo and TV components. I would recomend this receiver to anyone looking to make the DTS plunge. I works great with my Sont 530 DVD.

Dollar for dollar, best receiver available.......1999-12-02

The VR-309 Dolby Digital/DTS receiver is the best receiver under $700 on the market today. It is designed for the NON-audiophile (ie, most everyone), but in no way does it "cheap out" on anything. Inputs include digital optical in (for DVD) and S-Video in (for DVD and S-VHS VCR's), so it won't be obsolete by next Christmas. Speaker connections include "A" & "B" for versatlity, while the bells and whistles that the average person won't use are omitted. Connection instructions are as straightforward as possible, but if you aren't familiar with surround systems, it may be worth it to pay someone to set it up (properly) for you.

The remote is extremely intuitive WHEN PROGRAMMED PROPERLY. Again, if you are new to surround systems or universal remotes, you may get frustrated. The Kenwood remote has more codes (for other manufacturers equipment) than any other remote I have ever used. It has three macro sequences available that can simplify life greatly. The process of programming the remote will be dificult for those who are technology challenged or don't want to read instructions, but once programmed properly, it can turn your whole system on (TV, VCR, receiver, cable box) by just pressing two buttons. The other macros are handy for setting up DVD on and DVD off, especially if you have to change video inputs on your television.

I have two Kenwood receivers in my home, and I would recommend them to anyone looking to set up a home theater. Just be sure to read the instructions or hire someone to do it for you!

the good the bad and the ugly.......1999-11-30

the good thing about this product is the excellent sound output , without any technical mythology,it just sound wonderful and it gives you real home theater experience . the bad is the complexity of instillation and operating the remot , i have to read about 15 pages of information . and i still don't get right . the ugly : the remot , too large size and out of style shape

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