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The Bottom Line

The Sherwood Newcastle R-972 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver is an affordable high-end home theater receiver. This receiver delivers a strong power output, and features Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio processing. This receiver also has 4 HDMI inputs, and features multi-zone operation with two remote controls. The R-972 also includes the innovative Trinnov Optimizer Room Correction System.

On the other hand, the R-972 isn't designed for the novice as it is not the easiest receiver to use. It also has problems with video performance.

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Pros

• Very good build quality.
• Trinnov Optimizer provides accurate speaker setup measurements and sound processing options.
• Firmware upgradable via USB and RS-232 connections.
• Two remote controls provided for both main and 2nd/3rd zone operation.
• Main Remote compatible with both RF and IR signals.

Cons

• Non-functional 1080p video upscaling. There is a definite problem that needs to be addressed.
• No Networking or internet streaming capabilities.
• No Dedicated input for phono/turntable.
• No front panel HDMI input.
• User manual is comprehensive, but not always clear. Not for the novice.

Description

• 7.1 channel home theater receiver delivering 100 Watts into each of 7 channels at .04% THD. One subwoofer line output.
  
• Audio Decoding: Dolby Digital Plus/TrueHD, DTS-HD, Dolby Digital 5.1/EX/Prologic IIx, DTS/ES/Neo:6, Dolby Virtual Speaker.
  

• Audio inputs: 8 Stereo Analog, 5 Digital Optical, 2 Digital Coaxial. 1 Digital Optical Audio output.
  
• 8 additional input jacks for discrete multi-channel input. Can be used for accessing SACD, DVD-Audio, or external decoder.
  
• 8 Channel Preamp Outputs. Preamp outputs for 2nd/3rd Zones. Headphone output with Dolby Headphone. audio processing.
  
• Video Inputs: 4 HDMI, 3 Component, 5 S-video, 5 Composite. One set of AV and S-Video inputs mounted on front panel.
  
• Video Outputs: 1 HDMI, 1 Component Video, 3 S-Video, 3 Composite Video.
• Analog to HDMI video conversion and 1080p upscaling via IDT Reon processor. HDMI pass-through of 1080p source signals.
  
• Trinnov Optimizer room equalization and speaker remapping system. Trinnov 4-element microphone included.
• Two Remotes: 1 Main RF/IF remote, 1 IF second zone remote, onscreen menu system. USB flash drive connectivity via USB port.

Guide Review - Sherwood Newcastle R-972 Receiver With Trinnov Audio Optimizer - Short Review

Using both analog and digital audio sources, the Sherwood Newcastle R-972, in both 5.1 and 7.1, channel setups, delivered an excellent surround image, bolstered especially by the effect of the Trinnov Optimizer.

The main thing I observed was the entire sound field seemed pushed a little more forward and was more enveloping than I had expected. The conclusion I drew is that the Trinnov Optimizer effectively repositioned the speakers virtually in three dimensional space to create a more effective sound field in such a way that it seemed like that the room was filled with continuous row of speakers on all sides. Another way you could describe is that the Trinnov replaced the room with an imaginary giant set of surround sound headphones.

There were no perceivable audio dips as sounds moved from rear to the front speakers in movie surround sound tracks. Also, with music-only listening, the Trinnov revealed more sonic detail in the mix and very effectively allowed the Pro Logic IIx mode to perform its job better in creating a multi-channel music listening experience from two channel source material.

Depending what Trinnov parameters you wish to set for each input source, the effects of the Trinnov can be tailored, somewhat, for your listening preference. You also have the option of not using the Trinnov settings for any input that you select.

Another aspect of the Sherwood Newcastle R-972 was its multi-zone capability, which is becoming more common in this class of home theater receivers. Running the receiver in the 5.1 channel mode for the main room and using the two spare channels (normally devoted to the surround back speakers), I was able to run two separate systems.

On the video side of things, I was extremely disappointed, especially after my relatively positive impression of the R-972's Trinnov Optimizer on the audio side.

The main problem I had with the R-972's video performance is that I couldn't get it to scale up to full 1080p from composite, s-video, or component video input signals outputting a 480i signal.

The R-972's scaler seemed to work at the 480p, 720p, and 1080i settings, but when I switched to 1080p or Auto resolution output, I got only an intermittent flickering signal, or at most, the menu of the source or the disc. When any content started playing the image flickered went out completely to a blank screen.

Also, when setting the scaling to 720p, the left and right side of the image was shape distorted. Specifically, using the HQV DVD Benchmark (original version) test disc with horizontal scrolling letters and on the Race Track test, lines of the stands are straight in the center of the image, but was bent on the sides.

My observation is that Sherwood has a definite problem with the video processing section of the R-972 that needs to be addressed. To put it bluntly, the Sherwood Newcastle R-972 still needs more refinement to be considered an acceptable option as a complete audio/video home theater receiver.

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Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.