Excellent A/V Receiver for a low price

I recently purchased the Kenwood VR-4900 receiver and have been very satisfied with its performance. It comes with numerous standard features typically reserved for models that cost thousands more such as component video inputs and outputs and the ability to upgrade and downgrade video signals to optimize them for your system setup (i.e. non S-Video to S-Video and vice versa). It provides good, clean power output from low to high volume levels and provides accurate reproduction of nearly all available types of digital music and inputs. It has the ability to go from all digital to all analog (no signal conditioning) to allow the unit to act as only an amplifier if desired.

The remote control is RF and allows you to control the unit from nearly any room in the house. It's touch screen display is easily programmable and has numerous macros which greatly simplify multiple button pushing tasks (setting up your VCR for recording, etc.) The remote can also control some home automation systems for lighting and blinds.

I use Boston Acoustic speakers with my system and all Monster interconnects to provide reasonable and affordable, mid-grade A/V quality. The system is able to drive up to 130 watts per channel in stereo mode, and in surround mode, the unit is capable of delivering 100 watts per channel to all six speakers at once.

I enjoy numerous types of movies and have found the surround processing to be excellent. It has Digital Signal Format Auto Detection/Auto Switching: DTS, Dolby Digital, MPEG 5.1, and PCM, as well as Dolby 3 Stereo mode. In addition, several built in digital signal processing modes are available to simulate various listening environments from clubs to churches, to theaters to enhance the listening experience.

Overall, a very good buy for the price.