Onkyo 605 and the Pioneer 1016

[Derrleak]

Alrighty. I was skimming over the features to both of these. Looks like JR.com is the cheapest for both... I have had my 605 on order for probably 1-2 months and I have my speakers on backorder also but "supposed" to be on there way within the next few weeks (x-series stuff). Anyways I was browsing through the archives and saw someone speaking about these two recievers and went with the pioneer because the 605 was on backorder and did not want to have there speakers just sitting due to warranty related things. I notice on the pioneer it says the HDMI output is video only...why would it only be video when HDMI can transfer both? The 605 does both...right? So I was wondering what you guys think I should do and which one is "better" then the other...the Pioneer is a bit cheaper on JR.com but also not out of stock... If there is anything else you guys want to add or mention, please do. Thanks

Derrik

[edit] Now that I read about these...I know the Pioneer will only move video over HDMI...but does the Onkyo transfer EVERYTHING through the HDMI out? Or do I have to hook up audio cables and stuff up to my TV? My only media things are my PS3 and Xbox360..PS3 is HDMI but 360 is RGB

 

[MDS]

A receiver that can only handle the video portion of an HDMI signal will usually be described as 'pass-thru'. This is a longstanding criticism but only affects you if your setup actually needs the receiver to process the audio too.

I think the 605 is the lowest model that acts as a 'repeater' (the lower models are pass-thru only like the Pioneer). A repeater will take the audio and video from the HDMI connection, strip out the audio portion and process it (so you can hear it through your speakers) and then 'repeat' (retransmit at the correct level) the video signal to the TV or whatever device it is connected to.

If you have any devices, like a dvd player or cable box, that can send audio and video over HDMI you want a receiver that acts as a repeater; otherwise you have to send the video directly to the display device and use a separate audio connection to the receiver which defeats the purpose of using one single cable from the receiver to the TV.

I personally would not buy a pass-thru only receiver and given the choice between the Pioneer and Onkyo (even if the Pioneer were a repeater), I'd choose the Onkyo but that is mainly because Onkyo is my brand preference given that I've had many over the years and they have yet to let me down.

 

[Seth=L]

Points for the Onkyo.

1. It has HDMI repeater (processes audio)

2. It upconverts incoming signals like DVD and other SD material

3. It has HDMI 1.3, so it supports deep color and bitstream high resolution audio when it becomes available (Onkyo will be releasing their first HD DVD player that will output Bitstream Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master audio)

4. Ease of use and setup (has audyssey's most recent auto-calibration)

Pionts for the Pioneer.

1. It is THX certified, not super important but helps ensure that you get reference level output in small to medium size rooms

2. It does have a slight edge on power to the Onkyo, but not enough to be that noticiable

3. It has preouts for all channels, so external amplification can be added (The Onkyo does not support this feature)

If you want the best of both worlds you might look at the Onkyo TX-SR705. It is THX certified and has preouts.

 

[Addy]

id have to agree with Seth=L id spend the extra 150-200 bucks and get the 705 onkyo it has every thing that you need... and some

 

[fmw]

Strangely, I've owned both of them. I bought the Pioneer originally but the unit I received was defective. The subwoofer outputs wouldn't work. I exchanged it for the Onkyo 605 which I still use.

The only meaningful advantage of the Onkyo is the upscaling feature for video. It works very well. It isn't necessary for me because my HD players upscale quite well all by themselves. The Pioneer doesn't process audio through HDMI, as others have mentioned. That means you have to add an optical or coax connection for the audio from your sources. That isn't a terribly big deal but it does a add a few more cables to the mix. I have literally crates of cables from my project studio so it didn't bother me in the least.

I liked everything else about the Pioneer better. I liked the way it operated, the additional features, the quiet audio processors that didn't yield the occasional click or pop like the Onkyo does. It was sturdier and cleaner. I even liked the cosmetics of the Pioneer better. The truth is, I wish now I had replaced my defective Pioneer with another of the same model. While the Onkyo is a little more advanced technologically, the Pioneer is a better receiver all the way around.

 

[Seth=L]

The only meaningful advantage of the Onkyo is the upscaling feature for video. It works very well. It isn't necessary for me because my HD players upscale quite well all by themselves. The Pioneer doesn't process audio through HDMI, as others have mentioned. That means you have to add an optical or coax connection for the audio from your sources. That isn't a terribly big deal but it does a add a few more cables to the mix. I have literally crates of cables from my project studio so it didn't bother me in the least.

The Coax and other SPDIF connectors do not pass high resolution, HDMI does. Since the Onkyo can, you can get up to 7.1 discrete high resolution audio instead of your standard Dolby/DTS formats. Audio processing over HDMI is not pointless.

 

[jimfitz]

I am a hugh fan of Onkyo. I just sold my 575 and bought a TX-SR805. So far, I have zero complaints.

 

[rnatalli]

I have to lean Onkyo as well.

 

[Derrleak]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll stick to Onkyo then...I for some reason just like the look and have a better feeling about it. I may just have to cough up an extra 50-100 bucks to get a 605 a few weeks early. My speakers are on there way and I have no reciever and I need it just for warranty issues. I went with AV123.com x-cs center, sls towers and x-ls bookshelves... I think all will be cool except for that damn center! So big and I can't fit it under my TV on my TV stand and I live in an apt so I'm afraid of getting my *** reamed over holes in the wall... Was thinking about just getting a tube tv mount and blue tack it on that... Anyways, thanks guy!

 

[fmw]

The Coax and other SPDIF connectors do not pass high resolution, HDMI does. Since the Onkyo can, you can get up to 7.1 discrete high resolution audio instead of your standard Dolby/DTS formats. Audio processing over HDMI is not pointless.

Be good enough not to misquote. I didn't say it was pointless. I said it wasn't a big deal for me and it isn't. Regular old Dolby and DTS are just fine by me.

 

[Seth=L]

Be good enough not to misquote. I didn't say it was pointless. I said it wasn't a big deal for me and it isn't. Regular old Dolby and DTS are just fine by me.

You said the only meaningful function was the upscaler, it was implied that everthing else would be pointless.