[dray]

Well I am new to this and cannot decide wich to buy. I am starting to build my HT and want to start with a good reciever, I will only have a HD Cable box and soon a HDDVD player on fire sale to hook up. I am leaning towards the HK AVR 247 or Onkyo 605, I have a 42" Hitachi Plasma speakers are TBD.
Thanks in advance for all the help.

[trnqk7]

The Onkyo has more power and also built in decoding for the new high-def audio codecs. I believe it is also the same price or even cheaper on some sites-I would reccommend it having owned it's older brother (the 601) several years ago. Onkyo makes a well-built unit and generally has a very good amp section in their receivers. Many sing praises for H/K though as well.

[dray]

Originally I was set to pull the trigger on the HK but have been leaning more towards the onkyo lately, with all of the bad things I have read about the HK.
I think the HK has mor WAF. Is there a big difference in heat with the Onkyo, that is a concern also?

[trnqk7]

My Onkyo never got very hot, certainly not any hotter than any other receiver out there. As long as there is some space around the receiver, you will be ok (i.e. a few inches of space on all sides...2-3 inches anyway). Is the HK higher on the WAF b/c it's silver? I think you can get the Onkyo in Silver as well, at least, that used to be the case. Otherwise, I'd go with what matches or will match the rest of your components the best-and that tends to be plain black in my experience.

[MaxL]

onkyo.