I just wanted to toss in my $.02 on this discussion about Onkyo heat issues and quality. I've owned several Onkyo and Integra components over the years and I've never had any of them fail for any reason, including overheating. When I have had to contact their customer service for a firmware related issue, I have always received prompt responses to my emails and good service. I currently have a TX-NR900 and a TX-SR605 and I've been happy with both. When you get a receiver like one of these, regardless of the brand, you really have to allow for plenty of air flow around them. I cerainly would not put any components on top of it or attempt to install it in a closed cabinet type of entertainment center. It needs to be in an open rack. And I think the same can be said for any brand receiver in the range of the TX-NR905, particularly if you're making maximum use of the upscaling capability. I am looking to replace the 900 and on my short list I have included both the TX-NR905 and Denon AVR-4308ci. I was ready to pull the trigger on the 905 recently with prices being what they are in anticipation of the 906's, but I've been apprehensive with all the issues the 905's have had. It appears that units currently shipping have the latest firmware and DSP updates and should not be plagued by issues experienced by many as discussed on the TX-NR905 thread over at AVS Forum (tried to include the link but my post count < 5 at the moment). But the fact that Onkyo expects customers to take their 905's to service centers to have firmware updates installed when needed is plain ridiculous in my opinion. I mean, even the firmware in my TX-NR900 can be updated through the ethernet port. Once I set one of these beasts up in a rack, and painstackingly hide all the cables, it becomes a big hassle to have to unplug and remove it. Not to mention, the risk to damaging it transporting to and from the service center. Denon on the other hand, seems to have designed a more elegant solution. Their technicians can remotely access the 4308ci via the internet and troubleshoot their little hearts out and upgrade the firmware while the receiver reamains at home in the rack. Plus one aspect of the 900 I definitely do not like and from what I can tell Onkyo has only slightly improved on the 905, is the OSD or so-called GUI interface. I say so-called because, the 900 doesnt' have a GUI at all, Onkyo uses a propietary server and network protocol called Net-Tune to stream music to the receiver. The OSD is cumbersome and a pain in the a$$ to work with. Onkyo has at least moved away from Net-Tune with the 905 and it is compatible with Windows Media Connect but from what I've read, the user interface or OSD is no where near as polished as the GUI that comes installed in the Denon. It even comes with a web server installed so that you can configure the receiver from any web browser. Obviously not a key consideration for purchasing a high end receiver but, something that sets it apart from the competition.
Andy
