Exchanged the SR600 at the end of the 30 days (long) (1 Viewer)

[Tim_Speicher]

Well, after much deliberating, I decided to return the Onkyo SR600 tonight - just at the end of my 30 days. I really didn't have any issues with the receiver and it was the first receiver I have ever purchased. I will admit that I had some concerns regarding the rumored lack of power. That combined with the new information that my local C.C. may not be carrying it any longer made me decide to see what else is out there.
I normally hate to return things, as it is a hassle and I worry that I won't get something better than what I had. However, this time I decided to bite the bullet and pick up another receiver to try out (I figured this is the best way I'm going to learn more about this hobby).
Before I went to my local C.C. to exchange the receiver, I spent a couple hours searching the forums for other receivers to try out. I was looking hard at the Denon 1802 and the HK AVR225? as they seemed pretty equivalent to the Onkyo that I was returning. Well I ended up also reading about the HK AVR320 and the Denon 2802, both really started to entice me.
I packed up the Onkyo and exchanged it for the HK AVR320, which they carried. Unfortunately, it was quite a bit more ($685.99) than my SR 600 ($399.00). I figured I'd try it out for a few weeks and decide if it was worth the ~$300 difference.
I've heard a lot of good things about the build quality of this unit and very little negatives (other than occasion shut-down). From the little that I have played with it tonight, it is really impressive!
Here's a preliminary opinion/review as I've only spent about an hour with it thus far.

• I don't know if I'm really crazy about the front as it's a bit flashy. The Onkyo had a more regal look and minimal display that was understated, yet powerful.
• There are plenty of inputs on the back and they seem pretty logical as far as the layout goes. Being only my second receiver, I was able to connect my modest system fairly quickly without help from the manual.
• One of the biggest for the 320 is the pre-outs which I've come to realize is a very nice feature for future expansion. Although I currently have a small apt. the ability to add a 6th (possibly 7th?) channel in the future is a nice perk as well.
• The OSD is fairly intuitive as well and basic set-up goes by pretty quick.
• Setting the delay was not quite as easy compared to the Onkyo SR600, (which you only had to enter the distance from the speaker and it would calculate the delay for you) but was still simple enough.
• One of the really nice features that I (being still new) enjoyed was the EZ-Setup. It automatically helps to set your speaker at a set reference level. This is really nice as I have yet to buy a SPL meter and the Avia disc. I'm curious as to how close the EZ-Setup will be compared to the SPL and Avia DVD.
• I noticed with the Onkyo that I had to have the volume near -40dB to get any usable sound. With the AVR320 (which is only rated at 55watts, I achieve a decent night time listening level at -25dB. I don't know it that is an equal comparison, but I do know that I don't have to turn the volume knob up nearly as far on the 320.
• I also like the fact that there doesn't seem to be any audible noise (e.g. clicking) when the 320 switches between Dolby, DTS, etc. I know some people didn't like that about the Onkyo. I have yet to see how it does during layer change with my Pioneer DV-440.
• The 320 does not have a (B) speaker button, but does have some type of Zone II setup (have to read more on that).

Well that's pretty much it for the night. Just thought a few people might be interested in my thoughts on this receiver, especially those that are new and wanted something non-technical If you have managed to drudge through my rambling, please share any comments or questions that you may have.
Thanks!
-Tim

 

[Paul Clarke]

Hello Tim,
Good purchase. You can expect the EZ set to get within 1-1.5dB. Usually it's on the down side so you might want to raise the volume setting at reference 1 click. Let us know what you find when you do run the Spl's properly.
Also, the volume scale on the H/K's runs from -80 to +10 with no +/- channel adjustments. I too have found that the low level volume is quite satisfying without being 'thin'.
I own the 510 & 310 and have recently acquired a Parasound 855A 5 channel amp from Ubid which goes very well with H/K.
You might consider nabbing one on closeout before they are gone. (Just what you need, right, another suggestion to spend even more money.)
Good Luck.

 

[Tim_Speicher]

Paul,
Thanks for the info. I haven't yet had much time to play around with it, as I don't get home from work until the evening and don't want to upset the neighbors. Hopefully, this weekend will allow me some time to play with my new toy.
I will take a look at the Parasound amp that you are referencing. I'm not too familar with the different amps on the market as my previous receiver did not support this feature.
Thanks!
-Tim

 

[Adil M]

Tim,
Just so you know, the Onkyo Supply problem is purely a supply problem. It is not a recall as I had guessed. However, the HK is a great piece of equipment. Remember that if CC drops the price in the next 30 days you get the difference plus 10%.

 

[JackS]

Nice Choice Tim. A few years ago, I was prepared to purchase the Avr7000 based soley on my complete satisfaction of a HK 2 channel receiver owned in the 80's. It was the best of several that I've owned. I wound up with a Sony 777es because of liberal discounts and a few other incentives at the time. I love my 777, but have the feeling I would have been just as happy with the 7000. HK is nice stuff and nice looking stuff to boot. To my mind, you made the right choice. Further appreciation of your HK will grow on you. Believe me, you won't have any reason to second guess yourself. Best of luck, Jack

 

[Ted Lee]

tim -

in your "real world" listening of the onkyo, how was your impression of the oft-mentioned lower-than-advertised power rating?

supposedly that thing only puts out a true 27w/ch?

did you feel that the onkyo couldn't hold up?

just curious...

ted

 

[Tim_Speicher]

tim -
in your "real world" listening of the onkyo, how was your impression of the oft-mentioned lower-than-advertised power rating?

Ted,
I only owned the SR600 for a month before returning it and it was the very first receiver I had ever owned. I just recently started to dabble in H.T. thanks to this forum. So with that in mind, here's my opinion.
I was never disappointed with my Onkyo. Even though it has the claimed low power output (do a search for posts by NormanL), it never had an adverse affect on me. However, I live in an apt. and have a living room that is approx. 17.5'x12.5' and has the kitchen behind it, with no barrier. I had the Onkyo 600 connect to a pair of JBL NSP-1 speakers, set to large, with no Sub. Depending on the material I was viewing I had the volume set anywhere to 70-75 for DD and 65-70 for DTS. This was plenty loud for me, but not near reference levels (walls are thin, neighbors are older ). All of this was without making any adjustements to the ?Intellivolume? or increasing the dB on the speakers. (Didn't have a chance to get a SPL meter or Avia disc). I was pretty happy with the receiver in that aspect.
So why did I return it, you may be asking? Well, like I had mentioned, it was my first unit. At the time I did not have anything to compare it to. I decided to exchange it for something else that many others claim to provide power that is in line with what the manufacturer states (AVR320). I also have been sold on the idea of having a receiver with pre-outs, in case I want to add more power down the road. Lastly, my local C.C. carried the HK line, but not the Denon (was looking at the 2802, also).

 

[StevenK]

hey tim,

if you're really sure you like the H/K, check out onecall.com. they have phenomenal deals on their H/K stuff. You have to call in though, cause the web site doesn't list the cheap prices. I got my 520 for $627 shipped, so I would imagine the 320 goes for even lower...

 

[Kevin L K]

Tim--most important---how do you like the SOUND compared to the Onkyo? I don't mean to rufffle any feathers but the H/K sound is superior in every way to the Onkyo(IMO)and I've owned both in the past.As a matter of fact I just returned the Onkyo 500 and exchanged it for the H/K 125 and it was the smartest decision I could have made. You won't regret it Tim--enjoy

 

[Norman L]

Tim,
If you happen to buy it with the Gold or Platinum American Express card you get get a price match from them. Amex will send you a check for $217 the difference between the $685 and $468 that is linked below:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/dirtchea...hrmavr320.html
Call 800-557-8317
It will not work on American Express Blue or Optima, only
Gold or Platinum

 

[Chris Sharp]

Tim,

Like you, I kept my Onkyo 600 to the end of the 30 days and decided to return it. I think it may have held up but there was something psychological going on in my mind that wouldn't allow me to enjoy it knowing that it was not producing the power as advertised and that someone had actually damaged his speakers with it. I have not had much experience with other manufacturers but I do know that I like the way the Onkyo sounded for both music and HT. So like you I bit the bullet and ended up spending quite a bit more than I had intended to on the receiver and got the Onkyo 797 from jandr.com at a very good price.

Like you, I am glad to have the preouts, as well as the extra power. I think with the better power supply the music and HT has more punch to it and I can actually hear a noticeable difference.

I also listened to the HK 320 at my local CC. And it sounded good, I think I could have been happy with it as well...but I went to two different CC and both times the CC people did not react well when I said I was considering the HK over the Onkyo. Even though everything I have read about the HK's here has been very positive...however they swayed me away. So, that coupled with the fact that I think Onkyo makes a great sounding receiver where the only negative was perhaps the lack of power in the 600 that was more a psychological problem for me than anything else, led me to picking up the Onkyo 797.

So I have rambled long enough...not sure if any of it made sense or that I was really even able to justify my reasons for getting the Onkyo 797. It's just been a very frustrating couple of weeks or so, going from thinking the onkyo 600 is definitely what I want to not being sure about any receiver. I'm very happy with the 797 so far and relieved the decision is over and I can now kick back and enjoy!

Tim, I hope you come to the same happiness as I have...and if your still unsure, give the Onkyo 797 a try, as you won't be paying much more than you have for the HK.

Chris

 

[Ted Lee]

tim - thanks for your comments.

the CC people did not react well when I said I was considering the HK over the Onkyo. ...however they swayed me away

i'm surprised they told you to go with the onkyo. at least when i worked there, the HK always had a higher margin - which meant more money in the salesperson's pocket.
assuming that is still the case, it sounds like you got a pretty honest salesperson - that's nice to hear.

 

[Adil M]

Actually Ted there is no more margin there anymore. It's a solid 4% in Audio and 2% in video w/ 10 % on all accessories. However, I have only been working there two months. I heard in the past that they had "spiff's" which could be ridiculous like 15 dollars commission on a 50 dollar product if it's OB to get it out of the store. Now CC just keeps the margin for themselves. IMHO I rec'd the HK above the Onkyo. Both of them are very good receivers, but the HK sounds better to me. In addition, I'm an honest salesman (to my detriment :frowningand I even try to educate customers to the side "real quick."

 

[Ted Lee]

wow, i guess things have changed. that totally sucks.
when i worked there, some of the gear was totally "fat"...i'm talking 20 or 30 points. i think speakers had even more. we used to take home a decent chunk of change. i remember during x-mas taking home 1500 net per week.
hmm...i guess time's are a changin'
regarding spiff's: me and my coworkers used to comment on a piece that the other guy was selling that we knew had a high spiff. we'd say something stupid like, "that piece is highly regarded by spiff magazine." we'd say that right in front of the customer...

 

[Tim_Speicher]

It's nice to see all the opinions and information from current or previous owners of both the Onkyo and Harmon receivers. I do honestly believe that I would have been OK if I would have stayed with the SR600. As I mentioned, it did not fail me in any regard. However, I think that Chris Sharp and I were on the same page when he stated:

think it may have held up but there was something psychological going on in my mind that wouldn't allow me to enjoy it knowing that it was not producing the power as advertised and that someone had actually damaged his speakers with it

This was probably the biggest factor in my returning it. Whether it was warranted or not is beyond me. However, for the peace of mind, I was will to accept the associated cost. I'm sure that for every piece of equipment out there, someone has a great story to tell and someone has a very unsettling story to tell.
While I do think I prefer the overall sound of the HK 320 compared to the Onkyo 600, I won't dare try to say that it is overall better that the Onkyo. I think that is purely subjective. Besides, with less than a year of experience in this hobby, I don't have a leg to stand on.
StevenK & NormanL thanks for the pricing info. I have decided to keep the HK 320 and managed to get one from Ubid last night for S369.00 which after shipping and handling came out to about what I paid for the SR600, plus it still has the full 2 year warranty from HK. So all in all, I think I will be happy until the bug bites me again.