Check the JVC website since crutchfield doesn't carry all the JVC head units. Don't listen to this guy about JVC's poor quality. I know people who have had them for years. In fact, I'm in process of getting rid of my Eclipse to get a JVC.
You're right I've never owned one or cracked one open but when is the last time you owned one or cracked one open. I want something that gives me more options than the Eclipse. I didn't have to do much research as the Arsenal 8500 was recommended to me by a local company that I trust. I'm far from desperate. Price is not an object here but functionality is. I just bought the Denon AVR-5805 from the same company I'm getting the JVC from. I doubt serious that they are going to sell me "utter trash" when they know still need to upgrade my current 6.1 system to a 10.1 system. Plus I've spent over 40K with this company I doubt they want to lose me as customer.
I didn't have to do much research as the Arsenal 8500 was recommended to me
So...no research was done.
The A/V industry is entirely different from car audio, and if they have a six thousand dollar receiver to sell, their obvious priority is in home audio, not car audio. In addition, I know BestBuy also has/had the KD-AR500. So where you buy from can be tangent, basically.
I've opened three JVC's within the past week.
I admit, the arsenal series is a slight cut above the rest but nothing wonderful. And I'm extremely surprised they would recommend that thing to you.
Keep in mind Clarion ProAudio, Pioneer Premier, and Alpine are excellent contenders. I feel like you're limiting yourself to only JVC and Eclipse. Eclipse isn't my favorite to begin with, anyway.