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Onkyo 696 vs 797, I might be mistaken, but is the 696 better in some ways? (1 Viewer)

Kyle_Y

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I've been looking into the purchase of an Onkyo receiver, I jsut can't figure out which one, 696 or 797. The 696 has a powered zone 2 while from what I understand, the 797 doesn't. Also, on the Onkyo website, some features on the 697 aren't mentioned in the summary of the 797 equal power amp and other things about the insides of the receiver and the A-form, which remembers the source mode settings. If the 696 is btter, except for the DTSES, then shouldn't I get it, since I can save $200? If I am way off track, someone please explain.
 

Chris PC

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The 797 has 7.1 pre-outs and 7.1 inputs. It has a powered 6.1 output, but you need another amp or stereo amp for the 7.1 output. 797 also has DTS-ES and DD EX. I personally don't want the powered ZONE 2.
The 696 is 5.1 only.
The 797 is 6.1 with the ability to go to 7.1 because of the 7.1 pre-outs. 7.1 is really just 2 rear surrounds. Even 6.1 pre-outs can be used for 2 rear surrounds. You just take the surround center and y-cable it to a stereo amp and then you have 2 rear surrounds, like 7.1.
Anyways, so the difference is 6.1 on the 797 vs 5.1 on the 696, and the 797 is a stereo amp away from 7.1.
[Edited last by Chris PC on November 17, 2001 at 05:36 PM]
 

Dalton

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I just exchanged my sr7200 and a little cash and got this unit. I hooked it up tonight and boy it is a good, clean sounding receiver. I want to test out the THX EX on Star Wars but i have to get the disc back from my brother. So far this receiver sounds excellent. It definetly sounds different from the Marantz but still excellent. Onkyo has made an excellent reciever with the 797. I look forward to abusing it some more :)
 

Paul_Psutka

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The 797 has A-form as well. I think the only thing the 696 has over the 797 is a powered zone 2. With the 797 you'd need an external 2 channel amp -- an idea I like for having a 2 full range speakers and a great 2 channel amp in another room for audiophile listening.
The 797 is THX-Select certified, and weighs about 8 lbs more than the 696... so it must have a larger transformer for more current and peak power which isn't indicated by Onkyo's specifications.
The 797 also has more inputs and outputs which you may or may not need.
I think the 797 is definitley worth the $200 upgrade (or 25% more) from the 696. However, I'm not so sure the 696 is worth the $300 upgrade (or 60% more) from the 595.
 

ChrisAG

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Dalton, can you expand on the sound differences between the Marantz and Onkyo? 2-ch. vs 6-ch, power, sound quality?
Did you exchange the 7200 because of the hiss problem?
 

Dalton

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Yes Chris I exchanged the Marantz because of the hiss problem. I have a Parasound 5 channel amp and when i hooked it up to the Marantz it still hissed which leads me to believe the DAC's are causing the noise problem. Right now i am testing the Onkyo using it's own amps instead of the 5ch Parasound. If all goes well I will probably use the Parasound to power my rear center surrounds and possibly bi-amp my mains with 2 of the remaining 3 channels. As far as sound quality goes, the Marantz is a little warmer in 2 ch music but the Onkyo sounds excellent also(a little more neutral sounding but smooth). I am using Klipsch reference series speakers so depending on what you have for equipment you may get different results. The HT performance is phenominal. Definetly an improvemnet over the 7200. Power seems to be plenty for this unit. The THX EX is just an added bonus(sounds awesome on TPM disc). This unit also has DTS-ES discreet which my 7200 didn't have. I am very happy with this unit and recommend anyone looking for a receiver in this price range give the 797 a serious look.
[Edited last by Dalton on November 18, 2001 at 07:44 AM]
 

David Cohen

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A few additional differences-
The 797 is fan cooled
It also offers a second video source to zone 2
There is a Zone 2 12 volt trigger on the 797
There is also an optical digital output on the 797
3 optical and 3 coaxial ins as opposed to 2 and 2 on the 696
The 192/24 DACs of the 797 will perform digital upsampling
There are front panel A/V and digital inputs.
The 797 also has all of the DPLII adjustments.
I used to work for Onkyo- The 797 is a remakable product with killer performance.
 

Chris PC

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The 797 actually doesn't have a fan.
Dalton,
So the Onkyo sounds good, but doesn't have that "warm" Marantz sound compared to the 6200/7200? Neutral is good though. My biggest annoyances with the SR 6200 are the audio dropouts and the HISS. I have a Panasonic CV-51 dvd changer hooked up to my 6200 with a toslonk cable.
So what about HISS and audio dropouts?
Can do this test for me?
Using a DVD changer or CD changer/player, preferably hooked up with a digital optical cable, try this:
1) Turn on the DVD/CD player and play a CD. Does it miss the first split second of the track?
2) When using track advance, or going to the previous track?
3) Changing discs?
All the above cause my receiver to miss the first bit of the track. Instead of starting at 0:00 with "BAaanngg" I here "anngg". It really annoys me.
[Edited last by Chris PC on November 18, 2001 at 11:33 AM]
 

Dalton

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Chris,
My 7200 had dropouts with optical and digital coax. I had dropouts during dvd menu changes, and on cd's(missing a little at the beginning like you said). The Onkyo has none of these problems. It was worth the extra $150 for me to get the onkyo.
 

Chris PC

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So the 797 was only like another $150.00 USD? Thats well worth it. I really want to fix my 6200, but I'll leap frog the SR 7200 and while I'm at it, I'll skip the 696 too and go directly to the 797 if it avoids all these hassles. Plus the 797 has lots o extra' toys :)
How much did you pay for the 7200 and how much was the 797?
Any background noise on the 797? At what volume?
 

Dalton

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Chris,
There is little to no background noise on the Onkyo. Very quiet. I paid $675 US for the 7200 and $830 for the 797. Plenty of power with the 797 also(even though it is rated 5 watts per channel less than the 7200!). I think you would enjoy that Onkyo high current power! Good luck whichever way you go Chris.
 

Chris PC

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Sweet. Thanks for the info. I will go for the Onkyo797 if I can swing a fair/reasonable price.
Happy listening and watching.
:)
 

David Cohen

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Chris,

Although it does not matter for anyone's final decision; the 797 does have a fan. It is strategically palced at the left side of the heat sinks and angled downward to direct the heat out of the bottom vents.
 

Chris PC

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Doh! I saw a picture of the back of the 797 and it didn't have the fan like the 787 had, so I ASSuMEd that the 797 did not have a fan either. Opps. Thanks for the tip.
Anybody experience audio drop outs during to DVD layer changes with the 797 or 696???
Dalton? Someone mentioned they experienced audio drop outs during layer changes, when they used an Onkyo TXDS 696.
Dalton, what DVD and CD players do have connected to your 797?
thanks :)
 

Dalton

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Chris,
I have the Toshiba SD 4700 dvd-audio progressive scan player. It doubles as my cd for now until i get a new one. The audio dropouts were definetly caused by the SR7200. I have had no dropouts with the 797 at all. It runs perfectly so far:)
 

DaveF

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I've got a 696 and a Tosh SD-1600 DVD; I've noticed no audio dropouts during layer changes.

I really like my 696; the 797 would only be better, I'm sure.
 

Paul_Psutka

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David, thanks for pointing out where the fan is located in the 797. I too thought there was no fan on the 797 because I couldn't see it on the back panel like with the 787. I'm sure glad I haven't heard the fan yet! I know Onkyo has had some issues with fan noise in the past.

Dalton, I'm glad to hear you haven't noticed any audio dropouts with the 797 and 4700 combiniation. I now have the same combination, as I just picked up a 4700 a few hours ago!
 

Dalton

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Paul,
Let me know what you think of the 4700. I am still evaluating mine. It puts out a good picture but the Chroma bug is a little annoying. The question for me is can i live with the bug? I think i can:)(that is of course unless something else comes out that catches my eye before my 30 day return period expires). So far though i like the 4700. BTW, the 797 is just plain AWESOME!!
 

Jeff Weight

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David Cohen, since you worked for Onkyo, would you then comment on the Integra line compaired to Onkyo? I own an Integra DTR 7.1 and chose it over the Onkyo becasue it was supposedly had upgraded components. And the price was better for the Integra.

What if anything can you enlighten us on this ongoing Onkyo vs Integra debate?
 

Chris PC

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Cool feedback. Anybody have an onkyo 797 or 696 with a panasonic CV 51 or RV 31 DVD player? Any dropouts with that combination with songs/tracks on CD's or DVD layer changes?

I have a CV 51 so I am concerned about how it will work with the 797.
 

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