With impressive sonics and a feature set that must have kept a design team busy for months--including Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel surround decoding, a beefy 100 watts for each of its five channels, 5.1-channel direct (analog) inputs, S-video switching, an onscreen display, a host of digital inputs, six DSP modes for music and movies, advanced home theater set-up procedures, and a phono input--the RX-8000VBK delivers not only excellent performance, but exceptional value.

Unlike some of this receiver's competition, the RX-8000VBK's front panel is beautifully and intuitively laid out, with an uncluttered display window. We especially like the two jog-shuttle controls, one for source selection, the other a multifunction control for setting things like speaker balance, output level and delay times, crossover points for the subwoofer and main speakers, and dynamic range compression and for changing source names and customizing the DSP modes.

Other noteworthy features include an A/B speaker switch for the front speakers, which lets you place a second set of speakers in another room or easily biwire speakers that have the required pairs of inputs. Four factory-set digital inputs correspond to DVD, CD, TV/DSB, and CDR sources. Sound select lets you watch a video source while listening to a different audio or video source.

One-touch operation lets you assign and store different sound settings--like those for input level, bass boost, subwoofer level, balance, and DSP modes--to each source. Among other things, this feature frees you from cranking your subwoofer level up for movie viewing and back to rational levels for everyday music listening.

The onscreen display (which turns your TV into a set-up window) and smartly arranged remote control make configuration relatively easy. And we love the RX-8000VBK's thoughtful connections, which include S-video switching, 5.1-channel direct inputs (useful if your DVD-video player has a built-in processor and essential for enjoyment of formats like DVD-audio), sturdy binding posts for all speaker terminals, coaxial digital input for DVD, and front-panel AV inputs. Finally, the phono stage is a happy surprise for the vinyl hounds among us.

Performance-wise, the RX-8000VBK offers clear, precise midrange reproduction with vocal music as well as movie soundtracks. Individual instrumental textures--from a lilting piano to the raspy honk of a tenor sax--have authoritative presence. The high frequencies are slightly up-front and may sound overly bright if your speakers exhibit any peaks in the treble. Bass is solid and punchy, though not quite as lush as we've heard from other receivers. If you're using a subwoofer, however, this is a moot point.

While we've been impressed with many current receivers, few have the top-to-bottom combination of features, performance, and value of JVC's RX-8000VBK. This is a serious contender. --Wayne Garcia

Pros:

• Very good, detailed sound
• S-video switching
• Binding-post terminals
• A/B speaker switching
• Coaxial digital input and output
• Onscreen display
• Phono input

Cons:

• Treble is a little up-front
• Deep bass lacks body