Surround speakers don't amount to much without a quality receiver, and this JVC 7.1-channel model plays the role perfectly. Equipped with a full complement of surround decoders, including Dolby Digital EX, DTS (ES, Neo:6, and 96/24), and Dolby Pro Logic (II and IIx)--the receiver breathes life into home theater audio, delivering spectacularly crisp, explosive sound for both movies and music. The decoded formats are complemented by JVC's digital audio processor (DAP), which creates dynamic audio soundstages that mimic the acoustics of the most popular live venues. Among the multichannel DAP selections are Theater, Hall, Dance Club, Live Club, and Pavilion.

Internally, the receiver is equipped with a hybrid feedback digital amplifier (version III) and a DSP digital equalizer. The amp runs at 770 watts of total power (110 watts x 7 in surround mode, 110 watts x 2 in stereo mode), which should satisfy all but the largest listening environments. To create an even wider sound field, the receiver offers a virtual surround back function that simulates the effect of a rear surround speaker even if you don't own one. And if you're not quite ready to upgrade to full surround but want to keep your options open, you can employ the receiver's 3D Phonic virtual surround function, which simulates the dynamic realism of full surround sound through your system's pair of stereo speakers.

Busy listeners will appreciate the RX-D206B's AV Compu Link function, which facilitates simple one-touch coordination between your JVC audio and video components. Simply pop a DVD into your JVC DVD player and the RX-D206B automatically activates the receiver and TV while switching them to the proper modes. Meanwhile, people who live in large households will delight in the 3-D Headphone feature, which creates an out-of-the-box surround effect through any ordinary pair of stereo headphones (not included). The receiver even lets you stream audio directly from your computer using its USB PC link, which works with both PCs and Macs.

The RX-D206B isn't just for music and movie fans, as it also offers a Game mode that's designed to enhance the gaming experience. The game mode offers four different settings--RPG (role-playing game), sport, action, and night--each of which creates a customize sound field for the genre type.

Components connect to the unit through its comprehensive series of inputs and outputs, including three digital audio inputs (two optical, one coaxial), four analog audio inputs, and two analog audio outputs. The RX-D206B also acts as an audio/video switcher, with two component video inputs and one output, three S-video inputs and three outputs, and three composite inputs and three outputs.

The RX-D206B is backed by a two-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
Receiver, remote control, AM and FM antennas, user's manual.