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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #97677 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Kenwood
• Model: VR-309

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

Customer Reviews

Fantastic unit, somewhat difficult remote
As a previous owner of Kenwood recievers, I knew I would not be disappointed with the VR-309. On top of the great name, I was excited about getting plenty of "home theater" power, AND Dolby Digital/DTS Decoding. 100 watts to all channels has brought Dolby Pro Logic to new life. (Unfortunately, I haven't yet been able to test DVD). As far as versatility, you really couldn't ask for more...multiple video inputs, direct inputs for CD Players, and all of the latest connections (banana plugs, optical/digital hook-ups) make this a "capable" reciever for a long while to come.

My small gripes deal specifically with Kenwood's multi-brand remote and the input selector dial on the receiver. Kenwood certainly goes all out when trying to become compatible with other brands of remotes. Everything from Satellite controls, cable boxes, TV's, CD-players and VCR's seem to be covered. While Kenwood makes a nice attempt at diagraming and explaining usage of their remote, simple tasks like turning on your VCR or TV result in ridiculous three step process (instead of simpler methods). On the receiver itself, things also get "hairy" when attempting to switch from your tuner to your Video or CD units. Instead of assigning specific buttons on the front panel for immediate access, Kenwood jumps on the Sony bandwagon of using spin-dials. This becomes annoying at times when you want to tune into the radio and have to spin the "input selector" ten times to cycle through VCR, CD, DVD, etc just to reach your tuner. If you can overlook these few minor annoyances, I am positive you will be extremely happy with this product.

On a side issue, just last week I misplaced my VR-309 manual and couldn't find it. When I visited Kenwood's website, I was extremely pleased to find that the last four years of manuals are stored in ADOBE Acrobat format that you can download for free! Now that's service!

In conclusion, the only thing keeping this unit from getting 5-stars are the remote and the input selector dial. I love this receiver and am itching to hook my DVD player up...Happy listening!

Incredible Sounding Receiver!
The Dolby Digital sound from DVD as well as Pro-Logic from VHS, sound unbelievable. It will blow your mind! The discrete output to your powered subwoofer will rumble your socks off! Haven't yet experienced DTS, not many DVDs out yet that contain it. Setting up the remote was less than straight forward (otherwise I would have rated it five stars) but don't let that stop you from purchasing this bad boy, once you figure it out, it's really not that bad and the sound more than makes up for this minor flaw.

Don't let the remote scare you
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.