More consumer reports musings...
Posted yesterday on speakers---a lot more subjective than cold electronic receivers without a soul....2003 issue lists Panasoic SA-HE100= as the best value at 300.00.It rates better than onkyo tsxr600==$500 and HKavr320=$650. Panasonic unit discounted many places at about $215.It looks like Panasonic units(HE 70 and HE200 also well rated) meet or beat specs better than the important names bandied about here.Its a 23lb unit and not one of the 12lb sony or pioneer pieces of junk a few years ago. It is also one of the few designed to operate 4 ohm speakers. Assuming the tests are conducted correctly on accurate test equipment...it appears there may be some bargains out there that no one here discuss very often....I have a Denon and 2 Yamahas, so I have a knee jerk brand bias, but if the Panasonic tests well, has good specs and good features and the price is right...why not try something different? Maybe its time to reward makers who really produce value at low cost rather than chase yesterday's big names.