Sherwood - RD-705i A/V Receiver (1 Viewer)

[Sky Ears]

Has anyone used this new Sherwood RD-705i A/V receiver yet and have any opinions on it?
I am considering purchasing one.
But so far I can't find a single review on it on the internet.

 

[schan1269]

Sherwood, unless it is a Newcastle, is typically...
1. Not very well made.
2. The specs are lackluster.
3. Very difficult to use.
But how much are you finding it for?
And just so you know, it has been rumored for years that Sherwood makes everybody else's $400 and under receivers.

 

[Sky Ears]

The Sherwood RD 705i is advertised through Best Buy at Buy.com for $364.99 to as much as almost $475.00 elsewhere.
One thing confuses me. Several posts in other5 forums were dated September 2010 and said it was due out in November 2010.
Almost two years has gone by and there are no reviews on it or was it held back until now by Sherwood?
IT calls for 110 watts RMS per channel ( 7.1) WiFi, internet streaming capable. with 3 HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output.
Internet radio capable HD radio capable. and about every kind of Dolby encryption decoding
It would be replacing an older Pioneer 5.1 AV receiver with none of these capabilities except Dolby Pro Logic.

 

[Sky Ears]

Sherwood, unless it is a Newcastle, is typically...
1. Not very well made.
2. The specs are lackluster.
3. Very difficult to use.
But how much are you finding it for?
And just so you know, it has been rumored for years that Sherwood makes everybody else's $400 and under receivers.

As for difficult to use, that depends on the user.
Were you referring to Sherwood speca in general as lackluster or this particular unit?
What is your background in audio-video?
Myself I am an ASEE with 1st class FCC license with radar endorsement, and an Indiana Radio and Television licensed technician.
The unit appears to be able to do what I am looking for.
I don't have a need for many HDMI inputs as it will most likely only have a a blu ray DVD player connected to it. and my LED projector.

 

[schan1269]

My background is 30 years in AV.
That receiver probably IS 3 years old.
IF you go to SherwoodUSA.com you'll find its specs.
One, yes one...not even two, channels running...doing a 1kz sine wave, it musters 110 watts with a blistering 1% distortion.

 

[schan1269]

Even Amazon has no clue when it came out...
Four different "adds" for it show "release dates" in March, May and August of this year. The fourth says sometime in 2004.

 

[Sky Ears]

Thanks, I'll take a look at it.
Do you suppose they held it's release back, updated it with more features to match or beat competitors?
I went to CNET and several other places and I couldn't find any reviews on this model. Found other Sherwood models, but not this one in any review.
I found that rather peculiar.
I have always had good luck with Pioneer , but may upgrade to a better receiver as mine gave up the ghost the other day.
It has no HDMI or USB connections as it is about ten years old.

 

[Sky Ears]

Was looking at the Pioneer VSX-1019AH-K on CNET and a few other places.
After 3 years CNET upgraded their review on it and still list it as better than newer Pioneer units and other brands.
I have always had good luck with Pioneer .
I have a Pioneer Stereo-AM/FM with tape , phono and aux plug ins I purchased in 1972 while in Okinawa,and it still works great-40 years later!
I even have an Akai 8-track tape deck that is connected to it and still works great 40 years later!
I have a Girard SL95B turntable plugged in and it still works just like new!
So I think I'll purchase the Pioneer unit! Why not stay with a good brand?
User reviews on CNET seem to weigh in on the positive side as well as reviews on Amazon.com