JVC RXD302B 110-Watts per channel Audio / Video Control Receiver with Wireless PC Connectivity
By: JVC Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 11
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 On: 2008-03-26
Sounds good, but I bought a refurb unit and it smells really bad.
I have smelt this smell before in new receivers, but never this strong and never this bad.
I am worried the smell will not go away, maybe others can chime in and let me know if they had this smell when it was new?
On: 2008-02-14
This receiver fits every use I need, for home theater and just as a receiver. Has lots of power, which really makes my older tower speakers sound completely different! Added a JBL sub and will be adding some Bose 901s shortly to round out the system. My computer is too far away to use the the USB connectivity to stream music, but used my in-laws lap top closer to the receiver and it works great! Takes awhile to program the receiver, but once your dialed in it sounds great.
On: 2008-01-22
I had an older 5.1 receiver by Sony that was crapping out on me so instead of getting it repaired I decided to go with a modern receiver. What first attracted me to this was its price, after reading the specs I was hooked. The USB wireless worked flawlessly with my Vista Ultimate 64 bit PC only wish it was OS X compatible as well since my mac is much quieter when on. I plugged the transmitter in to the USB port, Vista installed the drivers automatically and I started up iTunes and I had sound instantly from my 7.1 Polk Audio speakers. The receiver also works with Video Lan (VLC)Windows Media Player and WinAmp 5.x software if you dont like iTunes.
The sound is phenomenal and thanks to independently adjustable channel outputs you can adjust the audio "sweet spot" in your room if you dont have an optimal speaker arrangement like my room. Further more each input memorizes its own settings so there is no need to adjust the receiver when switching between inputs. So if you like to watch movies on the couch you can adjust the sweet spot to be on the couch but if you like listening to music in bed you can adjust the sweet spot over to your bed and the receiver will store that information so you only have to change inputs.
To those that say that this receiver runs hot:
I have mine on an open shelf with about 2 inches of breathing room on each side and about 8 inches on top. It gets warm but I have felt much much worse. As long as you give this receiver some breathing room and dont enclose it in a cabinet you will NOT have heat issues.
 On: 2008-01-12
I like this receiver very much. I am not an audio pro, so I will not talk about sound quality and so on. To me it sounds good and that is all there is. However, I am more on PC side of things and I got it to wirlessly connect to my laptop, so I can control the music in the house from any place. Wireless works great. The USB transmitter that plugs into a USB port intalls itself and configures OS to run sound through it. A true PnP device. I have connected it to Sony SS-f7000 speakers and the two work great together. The only thing I did not like was turning it up all the way. The sound was loud, but not unbearable and it got a hissing sound in the background, which may be caused by bad recording quality, speakers or th receiver. Listening on normal volume is a true pleasure.
On: 2007-12-22
I was looking for a receiver that would switch whatever kind of anaolg video (i.e. composite, S-video, or component) and output component video. My TV is analog and good, so I have no use for digital video in or out. This is one of the few that will do that switching, and luckily it is an excellent receiver. The sound is great, noticably better than the Sony that I initially bought. Some reviews say its complicated to set up, but I had no more trouble with it than the Sony, and its manual was much better, actually. It also allows much greater control over its features than the Sony did, and its inputs and outputs are more versatile and better organized. The wireless USB is as easy as can be, and is a GREAT feature when you combine it with an online radio station like slacker. I havent had any heat issue that some mention, and Ive been playing many long hours of Christmas music on it since I got it. Another feature I appreciate is that it automatically remembers all of your audio settings for each input, so you dont get blasted and have to jump on the volume control whenever you switch from one to another. From the reviews and features, I was hoping for a lot when I bought this, and I like it even more than I thought I would. Unfortunately, I think its discontinued now that digital video has become standard for new equipment, so if you want one, you better get it. But hopefully JVC will keep the same quality of engineering and design on their succeeding models.
On: 2007-09-24
HD TV + the JVC RXD302B = AMAZING! There is no other way to watch football! Plenty of outputs, plenty of wattage and it looks great!
On: 2007-05-24
Great unit with excellent sound. Some people may find connecting other
components to it a bit tricky but by taking a bit of time, this will not
be a problem.
On: 2007-05-23
Great unit with excellent sound. Some people may find connecting other
components to it a bit tricky but by taking a bit of time, this will not
be a problem.
On: 2007-01-11
I am not into the home theater stuff but do like my stereo. This receiver sounds great and the wireless PC connection prevented me from having to look for a CD player that can play MP3s. For someone not familiar with home theater, connecting this can be confusing. To me it would have been helpful if the instructions had said which connections can be used for stereo components (e.g., I ended up with the CD changer connected via the TV audio input). The receiver does sound great though and has some nice (but also confusing) set-up items.
On: 2006-12-18
Phew -- of all things I needed over the busy holiday weekend -- my beloved old NAD "front" power amp lost a channel. I know that this means a two to three hundred dollar repair bill, so I decided it was time to pop for a modern, gulp, home theater receiver. Now you must understand -- I was an early adopter of a home theater setup way back when a/v receivers were regarded as devices incapable of producing superior sound. So I had a big NAD amp for the front two channels, a small NAD amp for the rear two, an NAD tuner for AM/FM, and a Sony Dolby Pro decoder to pull it all together. But fast forward to the present. The NAD dies, I had just laid out major coin for car repairs, and I wanted good sound but I didnt want to spend a fortune. I looked at the Panasonic digital receiver but discovered it didnt have a single pair of outputs for recording off radio, say. No good. Still I liked the idea of the "digital" amp -- as Jessica Simpleton says, "I totally dont know what that means, but I know I want it." These days digital amp means a small unit with low power requirements. Then I found out that JVC has the digital technology, in this extremely compact and attractive receiver. I read somewhat mixed reviews of the receiver online but decided to take a flyer, based on the i/o options, digital amp, looks, and price. Am I glad I did! What am amazing little receiver! The main gripes I read online about the JVC receivers concern their tendency to run hot -- yeah, the box gets warm, and you wouldnt want to park your beer or a dish of ice cream next to the vents on the left of the receiver, but it doesnt get any warmer than my old NADs did -- and its built-in fan is much quieter than the old outboard fan I installed to keep the NADs cool. I was somewhat put off by the high distortion spec at the rated power (0.9%), but apparently theres something about digital amps that causes high distortion specs the way the power is rated. Suffice it to say, this receiver puts out GREAT sound and GOBS of it in my medium-sized listening room. I havent heard the slightest hint of distortion. And the pint-sized prodigy seems to be able to do it all day without shutting down. Really, I am a semi-pro musician with years of listening experience, and I think this JVC puts out spectacular sound. Great imaging, great bass, great everything. All coming from a little receiver about half the height of conventional units, with a sleek design that Bang & Olufsen would be proud of. (The picture doesnt do the unit justice; when you turn the receiver on, a blue band lights up above the display -- sexy!) Whats more -- no house lights dim! Thats because this machine uses just 150 watts, or less than half the power my old monster rig used -- speak about a win-win situation! Otherwise the amp has a nice delay so there are no ugly speaker pops when you turn the unit on. And the receiver keeps its memory settings if the unit is unplugged. One little feature JVC missed: the unit has a sleep timer so you can nod off to music, but theres no clock or alarm clock function. Phooey. Finally there are a number of features here I havent tried, including the ability to play wireless signals from your computer. Next computer! Meanwhile I am enjoying this wonderful sound, and I just hope my neighbors will show patience and charity as I give this baby a workout. Well done, JVC!
I am updating this review after living with the receiver for a few weeks. I LOVE THIS RECEIVER!!! You may have seen Sony ads in which they say their flat-screen monitor is the first TV your wife will actually like. Well, guys, this JVC may be the first home theater receiver your wife will like. Can such a little box put out sound as good as conventional behemoth receivers costing twice as much and measuring twice the size? It sure can. I cant get over how good this little receivers sound is. The bass is tight and full. The midrange is so detailed Im hearing stuff Ive never heard before. Transients are effortless, and percussive effects pack more punch and power (not to mention an armload of alliteration!) The imaging is so precise and stable I dont need a center channel speaker! I think the tuner performance is fine as well, comparing favorably with my beloved old NAD separate. My point is -- anybody considering a new receiver should insist on one that incorporates digital amplifier technology, like this JVC. Youll enjoy spectacular sound, your wife will love the compact design -- and youll both appreciate saving money on electricity every month!
Im back again two months after purchase. I just read a sniffy article on digital amps from some high-end reviewer claiming that poorly designed units can suffer from excessive harmonic distortion or introduce other unwelcome coloration into the signal. As it happens, I just had the chance to hear the CBS Orchestra live at the Letterman show, and I can certify that the sound of the band I hear at home at night is EXACTLY what I heard live at the show. This is a SUPERB sounding receiver, and if the quite tangible benefits of digital amplification appeal to you -- compact size, reduced power consumption -- I urge you to give this JVC a try. You will NOT be disappointed! (And NO, I dont work for JVC, nor was I even aware of digital amps before I was tasked with replacing my ancient home theater rig...)
Im back again in April with a new laptop -- and a chance to try the USB Wireless feature on the receiver. It works like a champ! Just plug the little transmitter into a spare USB port. Two lights come on. Turn on the receiver and flip the "Learn ID" switch; then hold the ID button on the transmitter until the L and R indicators light up on the receiver. Then select "USB Wireless" as the source on the receiver, and voila -- glorious PC sound blasting out of your home theater setup. Ex-cellent!
On: 2006-09-28
It does run hot, with only side vents, none on the top, but the smaller package is the likely culprit.
The wireless USB is great, saves me from using a 25ft Toslink from the PC.
Setup was fairly simple but I did run into issues with the mixing of digital inputs and Analog. I spent several hours trying to get it set up, then called JVC. Support was only open during regular business hours, but within 5 minutes had me up and running. The manual could use some greater detail, seems to be written from the standpoint of someone who is totally familar with the unit, not a first time user.
Having said all that I still recomend the unit if: you dont put it in an enclosed cabinet, and you need the wireless usb (or can use USB cable too!)
On: 2006-07-25
I was initially very wary of purchasing this receiver. I had heard alot of bad things online about the JVC line, and had it not been for the price, I probably would have stayed away. That would have been a mistake.
To address the most common online complaints about this line: first, it does run hot. I would not place this receiver in a closed cabinet or too close to other components. The receiver has not overloaded or failed, so I do not see this as a major issue. The receiver did give off an "electronics" smell during the first couple of hours of usage. I have not noticed it since. Ive not had any problems, so I havent dealt with JVC customer service and cannot comment on it
THE GOOD:
First, connectivity is excellent. There are more a/v connection options that you will find available from more expensive receivers. In addition, the receiver can up-convert signals to component video quality. Thats a nice touch if you have an older DVD player or gaming system.
The wireless USB is great. Contrary to what Ive read elsewhere, this is a one time hookup which involves getting the receiver to recognize the transmitters signal. After that all you need to do is plug the transmitter into the USB when you want to transmit to the receiver and its good to go. The sound quality is equivalent to other wireless streamers that Ive heard. This receiver saves you the additional $100-$150 that a wireless component would cost you.
The size is nice. Its much smaller than equivalent receivers, which is probably why the heat problem comes up with these models.
The surround and DSP options are pretty good. In addition, this receiver is capable of decoding most digital signals and processes and filters digital signals very nicely. Sound quality is very good for the price.
THE BAD:
The controller is poor. The controller from my old Pioneer receiver was capable of controlling or learning just about any function for any component. This receiver has limited codes, and from what I can see, no learning mode. Ill be ditching it for a universal. In addition it is not backlighted.
This unit has two component video inputs. However, the receiver can only accept a signal from one component input at a time. If you want to switch to the other input you actually have to go in and change the settings on the receiver Very inconvenient and unless you only have one component input on your monitor, not worth the time. This is my major complaint.
The receiver does not have an onscreen display, which is odd for a receiver that has these video options and this suggested retail price. As a consequence, setup can be a hassle. I consider myself relatively knowledgeable about this stuff and still spent about 3-4 hours with the setup. The instruction book is not the most helpful either.
All in all the positives outweigh the negative by a wide margin. That being said, I would not recommend this receiver for a price above $300. However, the going price on the net appears be be low $200s, and at this price, this is a steal. I personally feel that the wireless USB makes the thing a worthwhile purchase by itself.
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