Onkyo receiver feedback needed... (1 Viewer)

[PaulW]

Ok my Onkyo TS-DS777 that I've had for 4 years is starting to have trouble. My front right channel gets all staticy at time. I plan on replacing it and was thing of going with a Onkyo TX-SR602 or TX-SR502 or 503. I was wondering if this "down grade" we be noticable to me? The room I have my HT in is much smaller (12 x 10) then when I got my 777 so I don't need all the power the 777 gives me. Thoughts?

I plan on ordering a reburb of the 602 or 502/503 from either ubib.com or ecost.com today or tomorrow so please let me know.


Thanks,
PaulW

 

[JeremyErwin]

Are there any features of the 777 that you might miss? Digital Outputs, perhaps? A phono input? Zones?

How efficient are your speakers?

The 777 has pre-outs, so you might be able to add a power amplifier. On the other hand, the lower end machines don't have pre/outs, so if the fault lies with the pre/pro section, you're going to be stuck with a useless power amplifier.

You might stop by a shop that sells Onkyo (Circuit City, if you can stand the place) and give it a listen.

 

[PaulW]

The 602 has most all of the features I would like. The THX features are the only thing I might miss but the other receivers have a "Re-Eq" type feature of their own.

On the other hand I would gain the 196/24 DAC and get the 6.1 or 7.1

My speakers are Onkyo THX system 1, fronts are rated at 87/db/2.8 @ 1 M and the surrounds 83db/2.8v @ 1M

Both are 6 Ohms

My biggest question is would I loose any sound quality? Would the lower end amps produce as clean of output as my THX certified 777?

Thanks,
PaulW

 

[JeremyErwin]

I wouldn't be completely honest if I had said

because my Grado SR80/Powermac G4 setup is often clearly superior. It may be my speakers, though (old Infinity RS9 bookshelves ).

 

[PaulW]

Hehe, was that an answer to my question?

Paul

 

[JeremyErwin]

Maybe. I'd still use my ears, and not just a spec sheet.

(The Grados are very nice headphones, and the G4, IIRC, has one of those digital tripath amplifiers, though I do not know whether that amp also drives the headphone stage.)

 

[PaulW]

I just picked up an open box Harman Kardon AVR135 from Onecall.com for $199.

I hope the Haran Kardon are all they are talked up to be!

Paul

 

[John Garcia]

The 702 is on discount at most places right now with teh 703 hitting stores now. I'd seriously look into one of those. www.jr.com has them new for $599.

The 135 is the lowest model, so don't expect it to be the greatest performer.

 

[Larry Fabbri]

John is right, and the 702 has pre outs if you wish to upgrade the amplification later or add a two channel amp for stereo music.

 

[PaulW]

Thanks, I understand it is their lowest end model. According to the rep at Onecall the amp quality of the Onkyo's doesn't equal the H/K (even their low end) until you hit the 7xx series. He suggested the 135 over both the Onkyo 502/3 and the Onkyo 602/3 that I was considering.

So time will tell.... I know I will be loosing a lot of power from my Onkyo 777, but dang, they want $350 to fix my 777!

I'll have the 135 on Thurs so I'll let you all know how it compares to my 777

PaulW

 

[PaulW]

Hey I thought you all might want to see a little more about my Onkyo THX speaker system.

http://members.cox.net/paulgyro/images/CoverWeb.jpg
http://members.cox.net/paulgyro/images/SpecsPageWeb.jpg

Paul