JVC RX-8000VBK 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: B00004SSRO
• Item model number: RX8000VBK
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,566 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The audio-video receiver is one of the most rapidly evolving species in the world of home entertainment, and JVC's RX-8000VBK is one of the finer specimens. At a time when consumer interest has lowered the price bar on popular technologies like Dolby Digital and DTS, it's exciting to see value-added products like this one, which offer clear-cut reasons to pay a little more.

With impressive sonics and a feature set that must have kept a design team busy for months--including Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround decoding, a beefy 100 watts for each of its five channels, 5.1-channel direct (analog) inputs, S-video switching, an onscreen display, a host of digital inputs, six DSP modes for music and movies, advanced home theater set-up procedures, and a phono input--the RX-8000VBK delivers not only excellent performance, but exceptional value.

Unlike some of this receiver's competition, the RX-8000VBK's front panel is beautifully and intuitively laid out, with an uncluttered display window. We especially like the two jog-shuttle controls, one for source selection, the other a multifunction control for setting things like speaker balance, output level and delay times, crossover points for the subwoofer and main speakers, and dynamic range compression and for changing source names and customizing the DSP modes.

Other noteworthy features include an A/B speaker switch for the front speakers, which lets you place a second set of speakers in another room or easily biwire speakers that have the required pairs of inputs. Four factory-set digital inputs correspond to DVD, CD, TV/DSB, and CDR sources. Sound select lets you watch a video source while listening to a different audio or video source.

One-touch operation lets you assign and store different sound settings--like those for input level, bass boost, subwoofer level, balance, and DSP modes--to each source. Among other things, this feature frees you from cranking your subwoofer level up for movie viewing and back to rational levels for everyday music listening.

The onscreen display (which turns your TV into a set-up window) and smartly arranged remote control make configuration relatively easy. And we love the RX-8000VBK's thoughtful connections, which include S-video switching, 5.1-channel direct inputs (useful if your DVD-video player has a built-in processor and essential for enjoyment of formats like DVD-audio), sturdy binding posts for all speaker terminals, coaxial digital input for DVD, and front-panel AV inputs. Finally, the phono stage is a happy surprise for the vinyl hounds among us.

Performance-wise, the RX-8000VBK offers clear, precise midrange reproduction with vocal music as well as movie soundtracks. Individual instrumental textures--from a lilting piano to the raspy honk of a tenor sax--have authoritative presence. The high frequencies are slightly up-front and may sound overly bright if your speakers exhibit any peaks in the treble. Bass is solid and punchy, though not quite as lush as we've heard from other receivers. If you're using a subwoofer, however, this is a moot point.

While we've been impressed with many current receivers, few have the top-to-bottom combination of features, performance, and value of JVC's RX-8000VBK. This is a serious contender. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

• Very good, detailed sound
• S-video switching
• Binding-post terminals
• A/B speaker switching
• Coaxial digital input and output
• Onscreen display
• Phono input

Cons:

• Treble is a little up-front
• Deep bass lacks body

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good regardless of hookup/setup problems, September 3, 2000

By 

Glenn Starkey "Author- Solomon's Men" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC RX-8000VBK Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

I believe it's a good buy and performs well, but the owner's manual could be more informative & give better explanations to assist the layman in the hookup & setup phase.

I am still trying to test and get the proper sound settings for my speakers (Polk RM6600 & PSW250 sub). Still confused about a couple of settings and can't find the answers in the manual.

The receiver definitely gets warm and needs good ventilation. This makes me wonder if I can leave it in my glass-front stereo cabinet.

The on-screen setup menu is great and allows for easier programming. But, if the owner's manual was better written and provided more information, I would probably have given this a 5 Star rating...

If anyone knows of a site where I can find hookup drawings and better information on the various functions of this receiver, please let me know. The JVC website has limited information.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars JVC 8000 Receiver, June 10, 2000

By 

Raj Dham (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JVC RX-8000VBK Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

One of the best receivers for its price. Compares better than Harman Kardon 500 in specs. Textlink technology makes this an incredible buy. Comes with a universal remote which makes life so easy. Great Sorround sound effect.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Equip, August 19, 2000

By 

Andrew B. Thompson (Goldsboro, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JVC RX-8000VBK Dolby Digital/DTS Audio/Video Receiver (Electronics)

This is the 2nd Jvc reciever I have owned and I only bought this one so I could hook up even more things ie the digital side of things. I have had no problems with speakers in all modes ( be sure to set them up for size etc.) Neither have I had problems with vcrs etc even though it is a Sony. On screen programming is a useful extra. I have noticed that this reciever is a lot easier on my speakers even with the sound cranked. Ps Dont think much of Jvc vhs players tho