JVC RX-7000VBK Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver

by JVC

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 31 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00004SSRN
• Item model number: RX7000VBK
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #374,549 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Arrayed with a robust 100 watts per five channels, Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround decoding, 5.1-channel direct analog inputs, and S-Video switching, JVC's RX-7000VBK is more than ready to serve as director of your home theater. And that's just the beginning. An onscreen display guides you through all aspects of setup and fine tuning; electronic tone controls and six DSP (digital signal processing) modes let you customize the sound to suit your room and taste; the tuner sports 45 FM/AM presets, and there's even a phono stage for vinyl lovers.

The RX-7000VBK's front panel is cleanly arranged and easy to navigate. We especially like the two jog-shuttle controls: one is for source selection while the other serves multiple duties like tweaking the levels and delay settings for each speaker, setting the crossover point between your subwoofer and main speakers, and customizing the DSP modes.

The remote control is free of clutter and is preprogrammed to operate a wide range of gear from other manufacturers--something multibrand users are sure to appreciate.

And kudos to JVC for providing three digital inputs (including coaxial for the DVD player) as well as S-Video switching for all audio-video sources. Although 5.1- channel direct inputs are available (if your DVD player has a built-in surround processor), few of us are likely to use these today, but they're nice to have on hand for cutting-edge surround formats like DVD-audio.

Notably missing are binding posts for all speaker terminals (you get cheesy push connectors for center and rear channels) as well as front-panel AV inputs--a must-have for frequent camcorder users; higher-end receivers offer these.

However, the RX- 7000VBK's sound should satisfy all but the most serious of audiophiles. The midrange is open and detailed, with excellent vocal delivery. The high frequencies are extended, yet slightly elevated, which should only be a problem if you have overly bright-sounding speakers. The bottom end is quick and detailed--though the weight of its punch is more bantam than heavyweight (most subwoofers can pick up any slack here--again, performance will depend on your speakers and other equipment).

The above-mentioned criticisms aside, JVC's RX- 7000VBK has fine sound, excellent features, and enough connectivity for most of us. It must count among the best in its price range. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

• Very good, detailed sound
• S-Video switching for all AV inputs
• A/B speaker switching
• Coaxial digital input
• 5.1-channel inputs
• Phono input

Cons:

• Treble a little elevated
• Deep bass a little light
• Crummy speaker terminals for rear and center speakers
• Lacks front-panel AV inputs

Amazon.com Product Description

The RX-7000VBK, with built-in Dolby Digital and DTS decoding, is compatible with multichannel audio and has 5.1-channel analog inputs and five separate amplifiers. The receiver features a fully discrete 110-watt-per-channel (in stereo) and 100-watt-per-channel (in surround) amplifier section.

JVC's RX-7000VBK has a multitude of video switching capabilities, with three video inputs (including S-video) and four audio inputs that are gold plated for optimum conductivity. In addition, one coaxial and two optical digital audio inputs are assignable for direct-broadcast satellite, CD, minidisc, and DVD as needed.

Electronic bass and treble controls let you customize the sound to your liking, and JVC's Digital Acoustics Processor offers five preset sound fields for generating surround sound from two-channel sources.

The JVC RX-7000VBK features two jog dials for easy operation and enough audio-video inputs and outputs to hook up a video game system, a second VCR, or a camcorder. S-video hookups are included for DVD and video game use. The unit's digitally synthesized AM/FM tuner offers memory for 30 FM and 15 AM stations.

Text Compu Link displays CD Text or programmed title information on the receiver's fluorescent display and multicolor OSD (onscreen TV display). Users can select and categorize titles via the OSD and remote and can see title information even when CD changers are placed out of sight.

AV Compu Link provides simple one-touch operation between your JVC audio and video components. For example, pop a prerecorded VHS tape into the VCR and it will automatically power up your receiver and your TV and then turn them each to the proper inputs.

JVC offers a two-year warranty on parts and labor.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Value for money, November 5, 2000

By 

Arnold Z. Cruz "arnoldc" (Makati, MM Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC RX-7000VBK Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

I bought this receiver when I was in the U.S. from ... for whatI think was a great buy at ($) that includes shipping and handling to Holiday Inn Express in Belmont where I was staying. It came in a huge box full of protective styrofoam. Inside it revealed the JVC box containing the RX-7000VBK (plus accessories) that requires 110V input (not auto-voltage, nor does it have a voltage switch which is important to me since the Philippines is 220V).

Back home I have a modest system. This receiver will actually replace an older JVC RX-801VBK which has been running since 1987 (and still working very well). I have a JVC XV-K503 DVD player (bought in Singapore), JVC HR-J7005UM 6-head Hi-fi VHS, JVC TD-W901 double cassette deck (since 1987 also) and a 25" JVC Interiart Flat multi-system TV. My main speakers are Bose 301 Continental Direct/reflecting system (the Continental edition was limited, for only ($) were sold in the Philippines). With no other speakers at hand, I rushed to a local audio store to buy a pair of US Audio Surround speakers and a center speaker (I did not buy a subwoofer since I want to know if this Amp can pump my Bose). After connecting everything, with particular attention to the COMPULINK cables, I powered on the DVD player, inserted the Terminator 2 DTS DVD and the receiver automatically turned-on and switched to DVD Digital mode(courtesy of the JVC's COMPULINK). My speaker settings were Front=Large, Rear=small, Center=Large, Subwoofer=No. I set the DVD audio to DTS and after listening to the DTS intro on the disc, I had a wide grin on my face. Further "testing" with Saving Private Ryan, Eagles Hell Freezes Over, Metallica S&M, U2 Rattle and Hum, Santana Supernatural and Kitaro, at that price, I'd say it was a bargain.

There are things that you need to set before everything works though. One is setting the digital input and the display properly (page 16 of the manual), the other is the speaker settings (page 14). Read the manual, it will keep you busy for a while.

Convenient features: The COMPULINK system is unbeatable. Insert a VHS tape on the VHS deck, and the system automatically switches to VHS input. Press Play on the cassette deck and the system switches to Tape audio. Turn off the RX7000, and everything turns off (except my cassette deck which has a mechanical switch). One COMPULINK feature I cannot use right now is TEXT COMPULINK, which would allow me to search for genre, title, artist, etc. if I have a 200-disc CD changer from JVC. The remote control allows me to control the entire system and even replicates my DVD's joystick function. Just make sure that the little switch to the right of the remote is in the proper position. Another convenient feature is the one-touch button, which would allow me to set various settings (such as equalization, bass boost, DSP mode, etc.) for each of the input (even each station on FM/AM) and automatically sets the correct mode if chosen.

Wishlist? We'll my old RX-801's SEA allows me to create four named equalization settings on seven bands with individual frequency control. The RX-7000's SEA is not that flexible since it has only three bands and one user preset.

It's DSP modes are flexible. When playing audio CD, my settings are SEA=ROCK, DSP=DANCE CLUB, BASS BOOST=ON, it makes Metallica sound great. For DVD and best surround listening experience, make sure that speakers are positioned properly (page 23).

Should I still get a subwoofer? At this point, I don't need it. Should you need a subwoofer, make sure it is the Active type (powered).

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Value, December 27, 2000

By 

"kevin_k" (Rochester, MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC RX-7000VBK Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

I have always been a fan of JVC. They always manage to squeeze an amazing number of features per dollar into their products. This unit is no exception. The "Compu-Link" feature is a great feature for those of us with other JVC components. It makes the entire system function like one unit.

The sound quality is excellent for this price range. However, I noticed the volume needs to be set relatively high to get decent sound from my speakers. Not a big deal though - the sound quality isn't affected.

The lack of decent speaker terminals for the center and rear channels is disappointing. However, considering the price of this unit I suppose they had to cut corners somewhere.

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbeatable bang for the buck!, July 10, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (Acworth, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC RX-7000VBK Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

I have this receiver in a secondary media room (what I have in the main is far too formidable & expensive to get into), and the performance for the dollar is extraordinary...If you utilize the "compulink" interlink from JVC to other JVC components as I did, you will enjoy incredible quality as well as unsurpassed (at any price) convenience. As always with a modest priced receiver such as this, you MUST use a powered subwoofer. Nothing in this price range can be expected to put out the bass power required for today's DVD soundtracks. Do yourself a favor: Go take a look at this receiver, a JVC HI FI vcr, a 200 disc JVC CD changer, a JVC DVD player, and top it all off with some incredible bargain priced AR (the PS series)speakers from J & R electronics (jandr.com). This will top you out [for a reasonable price](if you shop around)for the entire system, and nothing in that range will even come close...Trust me, I've been a hobbyist in this category for many years. Does my main system outperform this one...You bet, but at 10 times the price.Highly recommended!