Sherwood RVD-6095RDS

The RVD-6095RDS is an audio/video receiver manufactured by the Sherwood Corporation, designed in USA and assembled in Korea. It is one in a series of identical amplifiers consisting of RVD-6090R, and RV-5080R/RDS. The former, lacks the RDS EON functionality, whilst the latter has additional Dolby Digital Pro Logic functionality. The RVD-6095RDS is a 60-watt per channel amplifier in stereo mode, and 65-watts per channel in surround sound mode. It has Dolby Digital 5.1, Digital Theatre System (DTS), Radio Data System (RDS), and DigiLink III Remote Control. This amplifier has Totally Discrete Amplifier Stage (TDAS), which sounds better and costs more to manufacture. It has 6-channel direct input capability, so you can use all 6 channels for whatever purposes you desire. It also has AC-3/PCM compatible digital inputs consisting of one coaxial input socket, and one optical input socket. This is a huge robust beast of an amplifier with dimensions 440 mm × 125 mm × 330 mm, and mass over 10 kg.

Review

This was the first TDAS amplifier I had heard and it reminded me very much of the Nakamichi AV-8 because Nakamichi too believe that a totally discrete power amplifier stage sounds better. In many ways, it is true, because in a discrete design the engineers can introduce additional innovative circuitry to eliminate crossover distortion, whilst with an IC package you are stuck with other manufacturers limitations.

The RVD-6095RDS is a lovely amplifier with a top-class user control interface so that all the main functions you could possibly desire are on the front panel. If you do not have the remote control, then simply pressing "Audio" on the "Input Selector" wheel, takes it out of standby mode, which is an extremely useful tip to know.

Since the centre speaker is usually closest to the listener, the sound from it reaches them first, which in the field of Acoustic Engineering is undesired. Therefore, Sherwood engineers have thoughtfully included a time delay setting for the centre speaker. Once set properly, the listener hears the sound from all the speakers simultaneously. The bass and treble are very prominent and the sound quality is excellent providing you use a good pair of speakers.

Price/eBay

This amplifier not only looks good but also sounds good, and has excellent electronic design, making it very desirable amongst audio professionals. A lot of electronic engineering goes into making this amplifier due to its discrete component design; however, you can pick these up very cheaply on eBay because many people are not aware of the Sherwood name. An amplifier in good working order, together with its remote control and manuals should sell for well over one hundred pounds and it is worth it.

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