Newcastle R863 and R963 owners... (1 Viewer)

[StevenK]

Where did you purchase your receivers? I've seen people quote excellent prices for them but can't seem to find prices anywhere close to the numbers people say they can get them for ($700-$800 for the 863,

 

[Ed Haze]

Check your PM area.

 

[BenG]

I got mine from Link Removed (just called them on the phone for a better price than their site shows).
I got my 963 for a shade under $1300 shipped. I've never seen them go for less than that. Check out Ebay and Ubid for auctions, but they usually end up closer to $1500.
And I love my receiver, by the way

 

[Marvin E]

I got my Sherwood R863 from Link Removed for $799 plus shipping, double-boxed. Make sure that you specify titanium or black.

 

[StevenK]

Unfortunately, hificoncepts doesn't seem to carry the 863 any more.

BTW, do you all think the features of the 963 are worth the $600 or so jump in price?

 

[Marvin E]

Steve:
The feature matrix would help:
http://sherwoodusa.com/newcastle/rec_fm2.htm
It depends on how you are going to use the R963.

 

[John Kotches]

I won't tell someone else what their "personal value equation"....

What's worth $600 to you, might be something I place no value on.

I haven't heard the R-863, but the R-963, aside from its imperfections sounds pretty damned good.

Regards,

 

[Marvin E]

...And I haven't heard the R963, but if it sounds as good as my R863, then the only difference would be the features. Like John says, it's what you value as important.

 

[brian_h_kim]

a not-so-good review on the 963:
Link Removed

 

[StevenK]

Indeed...I'm definitely leaning towards the 863 now because of the lack of bass management and the $600 price differential for features I won't be using. This ergonomics issue really worries me though because it's exactly the reason why I'm looking to exchange my Harmon Kardon 520...it has nothing to do with the sound, but it simply too much of a hassle!

 

[Philip Hamm]

Steven,

Perhaps something like a Pronto would be a better investment. They are highly configurable and can really help with ease-of-use issues. I bought my current Sherwood largely for improved ease-of-use over my previous (combersome to use but wonderful sounding - click the little house for the page and "history" link) DD-Ready + multiple decoder setup. Upgrading for ease-of-use is a very good thing to do, and my current system is worlds easier to use than the old one. But I think a Pronto may be a better investment than a new receiver.

 

[John Kotches]

Brian,

Sonically I had no issues with the R-963T -- it needs improvements in User Interface (subjective) and Bass Management (objective).

No product is perfect, and I get frustrated when I read a publication that paints every product as the "best product ever*"

* in this issue

The truth is that there are very few products out there that have zero imperfections. I can't speak for anyone else, but I much prefer understanding what a products strengths and limitations are, rather than waxing eloquently for 1000 words on the sonic subtleties of two different brands of guitar strings.

Regards,

 

[John Garn]

For John Kotches--

For 34 years now I have been in technical staffing. In the 70's and 80's I spent many hours recruiting and supplying technical writers to the likes of Westinghouse, AT&T and Bell Labs....both hardware and software.

I have been amazed at times how some of the most technically expert engineers, physicists and IT gurus just simply are in a world where communicating with end-users and less technical personnel is near to impossible.

Having just read your review of the Sherwood 963 I must confess I am quite impressed with your ability to take exceptionally technical issues and funnel them down to simple, understandable explanations that benefit the end user--the everyday music lover.

There is a great need within the hifi reviewing community for writers who can meet this need and who do not, as you have stated, find everything just peachy!

I hope for the benefit of those of us who do truly need someone to simplify our search for the right product, that you will do whatever it takes to continue with your reviews.

You are needed, you are appreciated and above all else respected....at least by me.

Thanks

John Garn

 

[John Kotches]

John G...

Thanks for the positive feedback, I do appreciate it.

Regards,

 

[Han]

The remote control side of things can be addressed if you have the means and the patience. If you have another learning remote lying around, teach it the Sherwood specific commands. Then carefully plan out how you want the pages and buttons on the Sherwood's MX-500 remote to be set. Re-label the Sherwood's remote's buttons accordingly. Then teach it the commands stored in the temporary learning remote.

The MX-500 IMHO is the best RC out there right now under $500. The only problem I have with it is not enough "quick" macro buttons. The "hold down for a couple of seconds" macro buttons are useless to me (and moreso, the wife and guests). It's got a pretty big following as far as RCs go, and has gotten a lot of Pronto users, like myself and some remotecentral.com people, to switch.