Onkyo TX-SR604 vs. HK AVR 245, or other?

[tenshi]

I just bought a wonderful in72 projector from woot.com:

http://www.infocus.com/Products/Projectors/IN72.aspx

I will be rearranging my living room, mounting it on my ceiling, and replacing my current CRT TV with the projector for all purposes. This means that I need a good receiver to hook my wii, ps2, dreamcast, dvd player, and gamecube into, as well as something to handle all of the audio (since I'll need to invest in speakers now). Here are the two choices that seemed to have roughly what I wanted:

Harman Kardon AVR 245:
http://www.harmankardon.com/product_detail.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&prod=AVR 245&sType=C

or the Onkyo TX-SR604:
http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=TX-SR604&class=Receiver&p=i

They have identical specs except that the onkyo has higher wattage, while the HK has better signal/noise ratio. I have heard of possible problems with the subwoofer out on the onkyo, and problems with the remote's IR receiver on the HK unit. Can anyone help make my decision a little easier, based on clarity of sound and video signal/conversion quality?

Alternatively, if anyone can suggest something better (but still $400 mark) or cheaper, I am open to suggestions. I don't care what audio standard, as long as it's at least 5.1 and has respectable audio (I care more for clarity than volume).

Secondly, I want as many inputs as possible in one package to conveniently accomodate all of my devices (the more component inputs the better). I currently have no hdmi capable devices, so this is not much of an issue, and won't be for some time. If anyone could suggest a sub $200 model to use that meets these needs, I'd be grateful.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver options

I would also add the Yamaha RX-V659 and Yamaha HTR-5960 to your short list. Both are in the $300 range and I have last years model and recommend it. I think you will find many of the <$200 receivers lacking in inputs and power, usless you are considering used or refurbished models.

If you will have a 5.1 system with small satellite speakers, then an entry level Yamaha or Pioneer might work well. You might consider deciding on the speakers and total budget before buying the receiver.

 

[Nick250]

I would also add the Yamaha RX-V659 and Yamaha HTR-5960 to your short list. Both are in the $300 range and I have last years model and recommend it. I think you will find many of the <$200 receivers lacking in inputs and power, usless you are considering used or refurbished models.

If you will have a 5.1 system with small satellite speakers, then an entry level Yamaha or Pioneer might work well. You might consider deciding on the speakers and total budget before buying the receiver.

To add my take to what jcPanny alludes to and that is that the the speakers are the first, second and third most importent items for the optimum sound quality. The receiver is barely a blip on the radar in regards to sound quality. Figure about two thirds of your audio budget for speakers. All the receivers mentioned so far will work just fine. My bias is for Onkyo, Denon and Yamaha since I have owned all three and been very pleased.

That's my view.

Nick

 

[tenshi]

Thanks for your replies thus far.

As for refurbished, I have absolutely no qualms going refurb as long as there is a warranty behind it. In fact, if I could find refurb significantly cheaper, I'd jump on it.

I understand that the majority of my budget should be on speakers, but the speakers will be added and upgraded over the next two years as I find good deals on quality speakers and have more money, so what I need most of all now is just a good base.

Again, I care most about clarity of sound, quality of video, and number of simultaneous inputs that I can place on this receiver, but I know little about the first two.

 

[tenshi]

I would also add the Yamaha RX-V659 and Yamaha HTR-5960 to your short list. Both are in the $300 range and I have last years model and recommend it.

The HTR-5960 goes for about $350, from what I have seen. The RX-V659, however, goes for $400 from what I could find, which is the same price range as the other two that I mentioned. It has slightly higher power output, but does not have HDMI inputs/outputs. Am I to assume that it has better audio or video quality/conversion than the HK or the Onkyo to make up for the price? Why are they so expensive? ~$250 and either one of them would be a pretty good buy for what I need.

 

[MDS]

I'd pick the Onkyo too but that is also my bias having owned various models for the last 15 years without a single problem.

Where did this notion of problems with the 604 subwoofer pre-out come from? I've seen more than one person mention it in the past week. Did it come from the one post where someone said the Onkyo sub out volume has to be set higher than his older HK and everyone jumps on that to conclude there is a problem with the pre-out? I'm betting that is the case.

You have to be careful with random scuttlebutt. It's entirely possible that the HK was the one with the problem and its output was too high or that the user had the Onkyo subwoofer output set to -10 dB in the setup menus. You just don't know, but if you want to take random anecdotal evidence to heart without serious investigation, you should know that based on forum posts over the years it is easy to conclude that HK has very poor quality control and has the most reported problems of any manufacturer.

Your mileage may vary of course.

 

[Nick250]

FYI, I bought a Onkyo around 2001 and the sub pre out died after about 4 years. No other complaints.

Nick

 

[salad 419]

Just picked up a HK 245 a touch over a month ago. Warm, full, powerful sound. I like it, a LOT!

And as you've heard before, don't let the lower wattage ratings deter you.

 

[Seth=L]

The HK 245 does not process incoming HDMI signals, therefore no audio capability via HDMI. The Onkyo 604 does process the audio from HDMI. Onkyo has a very good reputation for being very user friendly, I have owned two myself and agree that they are easier to operate than most if not all receivers in it's price range. Onkyo has a very direct sound, if your speakers are setup properly it should sound great.

 

[angstadt530]

Pioneer's VSX-816 has received many good reviews, has three conponent video inputs, and can be found for under $300. 4electronicwarehouse.com used to have it for $269, but the black one is now out of stock and the silver one is on order.

Also, Denon's AVR-1507 and AVR-587 can be found for around $300.

...Component switching on a sub $200 model is hard to find.

 

[tenshi]

Thank you everyone for all of your input. After much deliberation, I decided to go with the Onkyo TX-SR604.

I have it sitting in my living room now, but haven't had a chance to truly test it out.

I will let you all know if there are any problems that I encounter with it.

 

[ddcobb]

Thank you everyone for all of your input. After much deliberation, I decided to go with the Onkyo TX-SR604.

I have it sitting in my living room now, but haven't had a chance to truly test it out.

I will let you all know if there are any problems that I encounter with it.

Good choice. I like mine.

 

[Seth=L]

Second the good choice, I wish I had one actually.

 

[mraman]

I'm looking at the same receivers - i.e. HK AVR245 or Onkyo TX-SR504/604

Would there be a noticeable difference in terms of sound quality between the two? And, other than HDMI, is there any reason to choose the Onkyo over the HK?

I have a related question about wattage. Is it just me, or is HK really conservative in terms of its claimed watts?


I plan to use the receiver mostly for audio, with Athena AS-F2's

Thanks for any input....

Madhu

 

[Ryan8886]

I'm looking at the same receivers - i.e. HK AVR245 or Onkyo TX-SR504/604

Would there be a noticeable difference in terms of sound quality between the two? And, other than HDMI, is there any reason to choose the Onkyo over the HK?

I have a related question about wattage. Is it just me, or is HK really conservative in terms of its claimed watts?


I plan to use the receiver mostly for audio, with Athena AS-F2's

Thanks for any input....

Madhu

Depends on how you look at "conservative". Harman rates it's receviers with all channels driven. Many receivers are rated with just one or two channels driven, giving you some of those hugely impressive numbers you see. I would say H/K is realistic while some others are overly optimistic!
That being said, I have an AVR 330 (rated at 55w x 7) running my Athenas and have absolutely no problem driving them to Dolby reference level with no hint of amp clipping. Don't let the low power rating fool you!

 

[mraman]

Depends on how you look at "conservative". Harman rates it's receviers with all channels driven. Many receivers are rated with just one or two channels driven, giving you some of those hugely impressive numbers you see. I would say H/K is realistic while some others are overly optimistic!
That being said, I have an AVR 330 (rated at 55w x 7) running my Athenas and have absolutely no problem driving them to Dolby reference level with no hint of amp clipping. Don't let the low power rating fool you!

I agree, the HK numbers do sound conservative. Ryan, if you don't mind me asking, what made you choose the HK for your Athenas?


madhu

 

[MUDSHARK]

Most of the moderate av receivers discussed include H/K, Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo, and Marantz. How about JVC? Is their quality less? I have owned seveal JVC products in my life with good results and was wondering about their exclusion from the discussions.