Av Receiver Choice - Urgent Help Please!!

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H

heinza1983

Audiophyte
Hi all,
I have just bought a Denon AVR-689.
However, I have been having second thoughts about it as it doesn't have Dolby True HD and DTS HD MA (for BluRay etc) + no audio over HDMI ports + no video upscaling over HDMI
I am considering taking it back for either of the following:
- Denon AVR-590 (although 5.1 versus 7.1+multi zone and more connections on the AVR-689, it supports both new codecs)
- Onkyo TX-SR606 (same number of channels (7.1) and connections as the AVR-689, plus support for the new codecs and video upscaling, but I don't know if Onkyo is quite as good as Denon).
Both these receivers would be $200 more than the AVR-689 at the shop.
What would you recommend I do??
Keep the one I have or return it for one of the above?
Denon or Onkyo?
Thanks in advance for a kind and prompt reply! :)
 
Ares

Ares

Audioholic Samurai
You have answered your own ? if you are having doubts about AVR-689 my advice is to exchange it for one of the 2 that meets your needs at this moment the Denon is this years model and Onkyo I believe is last years. I could be wrong on the Onkyo if you can shop online that would get you the most for your money here is a link to A4L

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR606/Onkyo/Tx-sr606-90w-X-7ch-Hdmi-Theater-Receiver-Black/1.html

and one for Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002AKKFQM/ref=s9_simp_gw_s0_p23_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0R9JVT4A9Y8CCJF5MAVV&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
 
AVRat

AVRat

Audioholic Ninja
The 590 is at the bottom of Denon's line so I imagine its reliability/build are on par with the 606. If it were my money I'd probably go with the 606 for peace of mind with the features you seem to prefer/need.
 
H

heinza1983

Audiophyte
returning it - suggestions for other models?

thanks.
in fact, I wouldn't be too keen on the AVR-590 (limited connectivity and 5.1 only). I would go with the Onkyo. Thing is I have read numerous reviews complaining about
1- overheating
2- connections dropping out over time
3- hissing and humming developing over relatively short time
4- background noise
5- improvable audio quality, music-wise - perhaps not quite up to the Denon's standard.
Having said that, 1-4 refer to the US models according to Amazon.com customers and 5 to a CNET in depth review.
Australian models might have been revised. + Most of Amazon's comments were very positive.

I am taking the AVR-689 back to the shop, they are going to refund me.
This allows me to have more time to consider things and look around.
In saying that, what models would you recommend for about $600~ with
- Dolby TrueHD + DTS HD MA
- Audio via HDMI
- 7.1 channels
- SACD/DVD-Audio support (possibly bitstream)
- good (for the price range) sound quality/clarity for music
and optionally
- video upscaling
- multi zone
(pretty much like the Onkyo TX-SR606, just more reliable..)

Thanks again!
 
sholling

sholling

Audioholic Ninja
I have two Onkyos, a TX-NR906 in my family room/home theater and a TX-SR606 in my master bedroom. The 906 runs very hot but if you read the weight specs you'll see why - everything is built for maximum power delivery. I've had it a year now and I'm very happy with it.

The 606 has been in my bedroom for about 6 months and is doing its job just fine. It runs warm but not any warmer than the lightly built Pioneer VSX912 that it replaced. It's in an enclosed cabinet so I do have a thermostatically controlled fan cooling the cabinet anytime it gets warmer than 80 degrees but like I said it's an enclosed space.

If you shop reputable online shops you should be able to find a TX-SR707 with a few more features than a 607 for under $500. I think that's probably the sweet spot.

Another option is the Onkyo HT-RC180 which includes a similar feature set to the 707 but adds internet radio for $629 at Amazon.com. I've maybe used the internet radio feature in my 906 twice so I'm not sure it's worth the extra money.
 
njedpx3

njedpx3

Audioholic General
sholling said:
I have two Onkyos, a TX-NR906 in my family room/home theater and a TX-SR606 in my master bedroom. The 906 runs very hot but if you read the weight specs you'll see why - everything is built for maximum power delivery. I've had it a year now and I'm very happy with it.

The 606 has been in my bedroom for about 6 months and is doing its job just fine. It runs warm but not any warmer than the lightly built Pioneer VSX912 that it replaced. It's in an enclosed cabinet so I do have a thermostatically controlled fan cooling the cabinet anytime it gets warmer than 80 degrees but like I said it's an enclosed space.

If you shop reputable online shops you should be able to find a TX-SR707 with a few more features than a 607 for under $500. I think that's probably the sweet spot.

Another option is the Onkyo HT-RC180 which includes a similar feature set to the 707 but adds internet radio for $629 at Amazon.com. I've maybe used the internet radio feature in my 906 twice so I'm not sure it's worth the extra money.
Click to expand...
OP, of the AVRs you mention I would go with the Onkyo. As Sholling mentioned the heat problem is nothing to worry about , especially if you follow Onkyo's recommendations for air space clearance.

If you can bump your budget just a little , look at the Marantz SR5004

Info : http://us.marantz.com/Products/2981.asp

Pricing : However as low as $569 from Thunder Audio Video, but I don't know anything about that store ?? what a name :eek:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=marantz+sr5004&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8308329565221667836&ei=4ok4S5vIO4HiMOqJuMsI&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CB4Q8wIwAg#ps-sellers

Peace and Good Sound!

Forest Man
 
droht

droht

Full Audioholic
Get the features/specs you need in one of the big name AVRs. Don't read every post in every thread about every issue with every AVR. Read enough to avoid the trends and obvious issues (don't buy Onkyo for enclosed install, for example), but don't micro-analyze and make yourself crazy. Been there; done that - it's no fun in the end.
 
AcuDefTechGuy

AcuDefTechGuy

Audioholic Jedi
I've heard and read about too many ONKYO problems (from HEAT to WARRANTY) to recommend at all.

I've even read 2 complaints of Onkyo receivers literally catching FIRE!!!:eek:

I would say NO to Onkyo.:D
 
Shock

Shock

Audioholic General
Ares

Ares

Audioholic Samurai
The first 2 links I gave you were if you wanted to stay within the budget of $600. The vsx 21txh is a bit more but it's worth it IMO. I can no longer recommend Onkyo in good conscience due to their heat issues,backing out of warranties and at least 2 reports of the units setting themselves on fire. As I did research on Onkyo products I have found all these issues on units from all price ranges. So with that disregard my previous recommendations on those Onkyo units that I gave you links for. Good Luck on the hunt.
 
H

heinza1983

Audiophyte
Went for the Onkyo tx-sr606 in the end.
Couldn't be bothered looking around any further and at the end of the day it's got the features I need.
Same went for the speakers. Got a set of Klipsch 5.1 from the same shop for $1600 (initially $2900) and that was it.
Hope it's been a good purchase (don't have the speakers yet so can't tell, other than brief audition at the shop which was fine).
Cheers
 
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