All AV receivers

The Bottom Line: With an extensive feature package, rock-solid build quality, and awesome sound, the Pioneer Elite VSX-82TXS is a worthy combination of everything we expect in a high-end A/V receiver.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 910, 20 - 20000 Hz, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, THX Select 2, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, 9 bands, Universal remote control (Infrared), 16.5 in x 18.3 in x 7.4 in, 35.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: Sony's great-sounding STR-DG1000 can handle HDMI switching and upconversion, and only misses the mark with its quirky setup and menu navigation.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 840 Watt, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Universal remote control (Infrared), Black

The Bottom Line: The Pioneer VSX-1016TXV offers formidable home-theater sound and a solid feature set for a midrange A/V receiver, with only its minimalist HDMI features falling short.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 770 Watt, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, THX Select 2, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, THX Surround EX decoder, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Digital - 5 bands, Universal remote control (Infrared), 16.5 in x 18.3 in x 6.8 in, 33.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Pioneer VSX-516 is the company's entry-level A/V receiver for 2006, but the step-up VSX-816 model offers a much better deal.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 700 Watt, 20 - 20000 Hz, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, 5 bands, Universal remote control (Infrared), Black, 16.5 in x 13.9 in x 6.2 in, 19.6 lbs

The Bottom Line: Boasting a host of impressive features and stellar sound quality, the affordable Pioneer VSX-816 delivers amazing value for an A/V receiver.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 770 Watt, 20 - 20000 Hz, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Digital Surround EX, 5 bands, Universal remote control (Infrared), Black, 16.5 in x 13.9 in x 6.2 in, 20.3 lbs

Editors' Take: CNET previews the Sony STR-DG600, an XM-ready 7.1-channel A/V receiver.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 770 Watt, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Universal remote control (Infrared), Black, 16.9 in x 12.4 in x 6.3 in, 17.6 lbs

The Bottom Line: Yamaha's midprice HTR-5860 A/V receiver loads up on useful features, and it sounds sweet.

Specs: AV receiver, 630 Watt, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Pro Logic, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Graphic - 5 bands, Universal remote control (Infrared), 17.1 in x 16.4 in x 6.3 in, 24.3 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Pioneer VSX-72TXV's winning combination of cutting-edge features and audiophile sound quality are hard to beat, but its HDMI features fall just a hair short.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Digital Surround EX, 9 bands, Remote control (Infrared), 16.5 in x 18.2 in x 7.4 in, 35.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: The successor to Denon's best-selling receiver gets even better for 2006, but the AVR-3806's HDMI implementation falls a bit short.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 840 Watt, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES Matrix 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic II, DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Digital graphic - 9 bands, Universal remote control (Infrared), Black, 17.1 in x 16.9 in x 6.7 in, 38.6 lbs

The Bottom Line: JVC's good-sounding HDMI switching/upconverting RX-D702 receiver sets a new standard for features in the sub-$1,000 category.

Specs: AV receiver, Surround Sound, 1050 Watt, DTS 96/24, DTS Neo:6, DTS decoder, Dolby Digital, DTS-ES decoder, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, Dolby Digital Surround EX, Universal remote control (Infrared), Black, 17.1 in x 14.6 in x 3.6 in, 18.1 lbs