I think that the receiver's speakers can be overkill when you are just watching regular cable TV. Who needs all that sound when the baby is asleep and you are watching Everybody Loves Raymond?
Part of the problem is indeed the remote control, which I hope to have solved now that I ordered the URC MX-500.
Also, if the audio output is so weak, how can it work with a VCR, for example. If I want to record a show, the audio to the VCR should be "strong" enough.
Take soundcards for example - they have a pre-out that goes to auxiliary devices, the output to the speakers is not amplified and the one to the headphones is.
This may be solved by turning off the receivers' speakers and turning up the volume on the receiver...but the next person to use the system has to remember to turn on the speakers; and, when they do, they may be in for a blast.
