Help Picking Equipment

Re: Help Picking Equipment

Maybe check out the Onkyo 805 and see if you can find a good enough deal to get it down to ~$600. I saw it for ~$600 at Amazon for maybe a week a few weeks back. Right now, they have it for ~$660 I think. Chances are it'll come back down toward ~$600 in the next few weeks me thinks -- and maybe in time for some clearance pricing as Onkyo start rolling out a new replacement model in the not too distant future me thinks.

The Onkyo 805 gets great reviews, especially considering the price range. Only real caveat is that it runs pretty hot -- definitely would need good ventilation for it and maybe add a small cooling fan or similar to help out.

_Man_

Re: Help Picking Equipment

I second the recomendation if you can get a deal on the Onkyo TX-SR805. The main thing with the 805 is that you need to make sure it has enough ventalation as it runs very hot. The scaler may not be the greatest but if you find it lacks to much for your taste you can allways bypass it. It is very difficult to get this much receiver for as little as this one sales for. Oh and make sure you have a sturdy shelf for this pig to sit on, (Weight 50.9 lbs.).

Onkyo TX-SR805 Specifications
130 Watts per channel X 7 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.05%)
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) 0.05% (Rated power)
High Instantaneous Current Capability 60A
Amplifier Frequency Response 5Hz-100kHz
S/N Ratio (LINE IN) 110dB
THX ultra2 certified (If that is important to you)
Neural Surround
HDMI V1.3 repeater (3in/1out, 1080p compatible)
Component Video 3 Inputs / 1 Out
Component Video Bandwidth 100MHz

Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS, DTS-ES, DTS-HD Master Audio decoding & PCM Audio.

Burr-Brown 192K/24 Bit DACs for clean sound
Multi-Band Speaker EQ
Multi-Channel Input 7.1
Surround Pre-Outs 7.1
XM Radio Ready
SIRIUS Radio Ready
RS-232 Input for devices like a Crestron Remote System
12V Trigger (2)
Pre-Pro/Learning Remote
Auto Speaker Calibration W/Mic. (Audyssey MultEQ XT)
Input Name Edit
Warranty 2 YEARS
Weight: 50.9 lbs. (23.1 kg)

Onkyo TX-SR805 - 7.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver | Model Information | Onkyo USA Home Theater Products

Yamaha RX-V663 MSRP $549.95
RMS Output Power (20Hz - 20kHz) 95 Watts per channel x 7
Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD MA
HDMI (In/Out) (2 / 1) Ver. 1.3
Component Video (In/Out) (3 / 1)

RX-V663

Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K MSRP $599.00
RMS Output Power 130 Watts per channel x 7
1kHz w/0.05% THD @ 8 ohm
Not high current
Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD MA
HDMI (In/Out) (3 / 1) Ver. 1.3

Pioneer USA - Pioneer A/V Receivers



There are other solutions from Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer that are inexspensive but no lossless decoding and very few HDMI conections. I am assuming that you will want lossless decoding in your new receiver. If not than I can modify my recomendations, but the 805 still offers alot of bang for the buck. Depending on cash flow the 805 might end up being what replaces my current Yamaha RX-V995.

Hope this helps

Re: Help Picking Equipment

The ability to decode the new 'lossless' formats (TrueHD, DTS Master HD) found on BluRay and HD DVDs. Only important if you have a player that does not decode them internally (like the Panasonic BD30). For players like the Sony Playstation, this is not an issue.

Add the Onkyo 705 to your list of AVR's to check out. They are going as cheap as $499 or less some places.

Re: Help Picking Equipment

Sounds like a solid deal, if it's just very minor cosmetic issue(s) and the warranty is still intact.

_Man_