Onkyo 605 or 674

[Derrleak]

Quick and simple...which do you suggest? I know I am buying one...

 

[MDS]

The 605 supports decoding of the new lossless audio formats from Dolby and DTS and the most current version of HDMI (1.3a) so I'd probably go for that one vs the 674. You may not actually need those features right now but it is at least a little step toward future proofing your purchase.

I'd have to go through the manuals for each to be sure but in my experience Onkyo migrates features from the higher numbered models down to the lower numbered models each year, so there are proably a few other little 'nice to have' features that the 605 offers and the 674 does not.

 

[Derrleak]

Oh...I didn't know that the "upgrades" went up as the model number went down...I guess that would explain the prices of them. I was a little confused because on Amazon the 674 is originally 800, but it is 50% off... Thanks for the info...that alone basically settles it for me.

 

[MDS]

Yeah, I'm a longtime Onkyo owner.

Just as an example off the top of my head, when digital HDTV started to be the norm you could only get the lip sync delay adjustment in the 80x series. Now the 605 has it. Even the 5 series now has HDMI switching (although it is pass-thru and not repeater functionality like the 6xx and above).

It's just the way electronics work. If you can wait 3 years, the then current 5xx series will make today's top of the line model look like a piece of junk.