★★★★★ 5
CAN be used for simple Home Theater but really shines when playing music.
Style: R-S202BL, Configuration: receiver only
First: YES, you can use this as an AV receiver *IF* you have a simple home theater setup and are willing and know how to run a digital to analog audio converter from your TV to the inputs of the receiver. BestBuy sells an inexpensive and intuitive unit.
HOWEVER, if you have several devices associated with your home theater (i.e. more than 2 -- then this probably isn't a great option for you).
I generally prefer Vintage Stereo equipment -- My ideal receiver was the Yamaha CR-2020. But sadly, those are hard to come by and have are more expensive and like a used car -- you don't really know what maintenance you have ahead of you. I had inherited a Sony AV receiver that pre-dated HDMI. It worked and I could even program my Logitech remotes with it. However, it really didn't bring the best sound out of my speakers -- a pair of original Large Advents. Plus, it seemed like it was starting to give up the proverbial ghost.
My AV setup is pretty simple since I dumped Time Warner -- or whatever they are calling themselves these days. I have a TV, Roku Streaming stick and that's it! I don't have a living room that would accommodate 20 speakers and a sub without tripping over them (my cats and dog and kids shoes provide enough of an obstacle field).
The downside -- this isn't really intended to be an AV receiver. No Optical Audio in... no HDMI ports... you have to make it work if you want to use it for your TV as well. I purchased an Insignia Digital to Analog Audio converter -- you plug in the HDMI cable from your TV into the input and use RCA cables as the output to plug into the receiver. This little gizmo was about 25 bucks so I was still saving quite a bit of money over "full-featured" AV receivers.
The sound for the TV is fine -- You aren't going to be fooled into thinking you are in an IMax theater or anything. But that wasn't my primary concern.
I really wanted my music to sound great. And playing music is where this receiver really shines! I *REALLY* like the Bluetooh connectivity so that I can play from my computer, cell phone without having to use a patch cable to plug into the receiver.
It has a very simple interface -- mainly because there just isn't that much functionality. push a few buttons and you'll be able to figure it out without a manual.
I know several reviewers have commented on the flimsy clips for the speaker wire but I have some fairly heavy gauge wire and it doesn't works just fine. I don't use banana plus -- just run the copper straight in. Once you get it set up, you shouldn't have a problem -- it isn't like you are constantly re-wiring your speakers.
I was able to purchase this for less than 120 bucks and it drives my vintage Large Advents really well. It provides a beautiful full sound for a wide variety of musical genres.
Maybe one of these days, I'll stumble across another great vintage receiver. But for the money and the convenience of a remote and bluetooth, this receiver can't be beat.
[NECAR}
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Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2018