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72 of 73 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The STR-D-E335 is a Great Value!, October 21, 1999
By A Customer
Comparing receivers in this price range, I have found several new things that anybody should take into consideration when purchasing a new receiver. First, what features are you looking for? How important is sound quality? How important is having theatre-sound capability?My Sony receiver STRV-114 (1984) recently underwent a serious meltdown. Believing I had been fortunate to have a receiver last this long, I went without hesitation to find a new model with more features that didn't break the bank. I went to all of the area low-priced dealers (ABC, Circuit City, Best Buy, Sears). If you want to buy Sony because it's a Sony, you can go anywhere, and the prices are comparable. I have found shopping for a receiver at this price level does not make the salesmen jump up and down and provide you with their undivided attention. In fact, at ABC and Circuit City, I wanted to listen to 3 different models including the STR-D-E335, Kenwood ARV-304, and Pioneer's comparble model. ABC's salesman was bold enough to tell me I wouldn't notice the difference between them and I should take his word for the best quality. He wanted to sell me a Kenwood Arv-304. Circuit City was very similar, but wanted me to purchase the Kenwood ARV-355 (a higher priced model), and I still hadn't listened to any of them yet, because I was assured I would not be able to tell the difference. So, I went to ABC and bought the Kenwood ARV-304. Then I went to Best Buy. They did not have Kenwood in their lineup, but, amazingly enough, I got to listen to the other 2 models I wanted to listen to (STR-D-E335, and Pioneer's comparable model). After listening to them, the Sony came out ahead hands down. I purchased the STR-D-E335 and also found out that there was a set of free home-theatre speakers that came with it (Best Buy promotion). I took the receivers home, and first hooked up the Kenwood. To put it simply, there was a LOT of sound missing. No matter how I adjusted the Bass and Treble something was missing (the theatre speakers were not part of the test)even when I used the Bass Boost button, all it did was take the Bass setting up to +10 (max setting). I then hooked up the Sony 335. WOW! My speakers came to life. When I used the bass boost, amazingly enough, there was extra bass, and full rich sound. Both receivers were rated at 100 watts x 2 into the same speakers in the same position. Somehow, despite all the comments from the salespeople that I would not be able to tell the difference between them, I was, in an instant, able to determine which one sounded better. This receiver will please even the most critical of audiences (shopping in this price range), and add some features that will allow the expansion into the digital world, down the road.
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