Due to the numbering convention, it might seem like the RX-5700 is a big drop down in the model lineup from the RX-7000. Here is a simple mini-comparo.
Looks: Personally, I think the more conventional look of the RX-5700 has it hands down, over the RX-7000. It LOOKS like a boombox compared to the 7000 which looks more like a piece of home gear. When idle, like the silver dial of the RX-5700 better than the dark dial of the RX-7000 but that is a personal preference. In operation, the lighted dial of the 7000 is more attractive. Who doesn't like lighted tuner dials? Size wise is almost the same, as you can see. The 7000 is probably a tad bigger, but the size difference is neglegible. For all practical purposes, they're very close in size. In fact, with the tuning knob on the side of the 5700, the overall width is probably the same. The 7000 has soft-touch cassette mechanism compared to the 5700 which uses the traditional manual lever/controls ala M70/M9994. BUT the 5700 music search feature is far more robust than the puny 3-song search engine of the 7000. I didn't compare the number of features but the 5700 "looks" like it would have more features although I'm not 100% sure. The RX-7000 was released in the USA as a domestic model but the RX-5700 apparently never was so this is a very rare model to find in the USA. If you get one though, it invariably will have the typical japanese scum of death unless it has already been cleaned. The environment must be very corrosive over in japan. I didn't weigh them but the 5700 is a tank. Solid like a rock. The 7000 seemed like it might weigh a little less but I didn't actually weigh it so I'm not 100% certain. Tuner knob on the 7000 is fantastic. The weighted knob feels like something that belongs in a quality home hi-fi tuner. The knob on the 5700 is on the side so it's not weighted. Reception -- My best guess is that it's a toss up since aside from the weighted knob, I would expect the two models to share the same tuner circuitry. Sound wise -- Both are very good but I have to give the nod to the 7000 which seems like it has a bit better bass. Looks to me like the 7000 might have a better woofer which possibly accounts for the difference. Putting in more robust speakers might make the 5700 perform a bit better and match the bass of the 7000 but it's good the way it is. The difference isn't all that much and certainly not night/day so if you like this model, do not let that discourage you.
To give you a size comparison, here is the 5700 + 7000 + M9994. Many of you might not have either the 5700 or 7000 but ARE familiar with the Sanyo M9994 so this puts them into perspective.
Here again a 9994 in front of the 5700 and 7000.
Top View: In the picture, the 7000 looks like it might be deeper but look again -- the handle on the 5700 is up while the 7000 is down and the handle protrudes backwards.
Looks: Personally, I think the more conventional look of the RX-5700 has it hands down, over the RX-7000. It LOOKS like a boombox compared to the 7000 which looks more like a piece of home gear. When idle, like the silver dial of the RX-5700 better than the dark dial of the RX-7000 but that is a personal preference. In operation, the lighted dial of the 7000 is more attractive. Who doesn't like lighted tuner dials? Size wise is almost the same, as you can see. The 7000 is probably a tad bigger, but the size difference is neglegible. For all practical purposes, they're very close in size. In fact, with the tuning knob on the side of the 5700, the overall width is probably the same. The 7000 has soft-touch cassette mechanism compared to the 5700 which uses the traditional manual lever/controls ala M70/M9994. BUT the 5700 music search feature is far more robust than the puny 3-song search engine of the 7000. I didn't compare the number of features but the 5700 "looks" like it would have more features although I'm not 100% sure. The RX-7000 was released in the USA as a domestic model but the RX-5700 apparently never was so this is a very rare model to find in the USA. If you get one though, it invariably will have the typical japanese scum of death unless it has already been cleaned. The environment must be very corrosive over in japan. I didn't weigh them but the 5700 is a tank. Solid like a rock. The 7000 seemed like it might weigh a little less but I didn't actually weigh it so I'm not 100% certain. Tuner knob on the 7000 is fantastic. The weighted knob feels like something that belongs in a quality home hi-fi tuner. The knob on the 5700 is on the side so it's not weighted. Reception -- My best guess is that it's a toss up since aside from the weighted knob, I would expect the two models to share the same tuner circuitry. Sound wise -- Both are very good but I have to give the nod to the 7000 which seems like it has a bit better bass. Looks to me like the 7000 might have a better woofer which possibly accounts for the difference. Putting in more robust speakers might make the 5700 perform a bit better and match the bass of the 7000 but it's good the way it is. The difference isn't all that much and certainly not night/day so if you like this model, do not let that discourage you.

To give you a size comparison, here is the 5700 + 7000 + M9994. Many of you might not have either the 5700 or 7000 but ARE familiar with the Sanyo M9994 so this puts them into perspective.

Here again a 9994 in front of the 5700 and 7000.

Top View: In the picture, the 7000 looks like it might be deeper but look again -- the handle on the 5700 is up while the 7000 is down and the handle protrudes backwards.
