these Onkyos look good...

[peterS]

the 605... less than $500 hdmi 1.3 (carries hd audio formats)
waiting for the 705 as that will probably have a better DAC...
im not aware of anything under 1k that does what these claim at this point

http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/onkyo-tx-sr705-silver/4505-6466_7-32430599.html

[John Holmes]

Yes they do! I have been considering picking one up. The 805 has my attention. I've heard pretty good stuff about them so far. A few have reported popping sounds here and there. And a sec or two delay in locking onto an audio source. However, across the board, most seem extremely satisfied with them.

I've also read that they tend to run very warm. Not sure how this will translate with those like me that run 4 ohm speakers. Even though I understand that the 805 and up are THX Ultra2 which means, they should have no problem with 4 ohm loads.

I hope to listen to one soon.

[peterS]

do you know the difference between the 705 and 805 besides a little more power
its my understanding that from the 605 to the 705 you get a better DAC- but I havent been able to confirm that
non of the stores here know anything about these- i had to explain the significance of the hdmi 1.3....

[John Holmes]

Off the top of my head I think you are correct. I really haven't looked hard at the 705. But iirc, it also has an addition HDMI but, I'm not sure on that part. I wanted the extra headroom to cover my 4 ohm speakers. That was the big reason for not looking at the lower units.

[peterS]

Off the top of my head I think you are correct. I really haven't looked hard at the 705. But iirc, it also has an addition HDMI but, I'm not sure on that part. I wanted the extra headroom to cover my 4 ohm speakers. That was the big reason for not looking at the lower units.

the 805 boasts the same dac as the denon 3910 universal player- no brainer there
if i could confirm that the 705 had the sme id be all over it :T

[peterS]

update :
the 805 is where the burr brown is introduced
ill be getting one too... just going to hold tight to see what comes from denon and pioneer elite

[John Holmes]

Ah...I knew there was something else but, could not recall what. The DAC's!

I'm going to wait it out as well. Not real sure that I want to go back to a reciever. As I very happy with the sound from my current processor. I am just getting caught up in the hype of the new stuff and the thought of getting rid of some extra wires by using HDMI.

I must say that I did try the 804 last yr in my home. I was happy with it sound wise too. If it wasn't for it making my sub hum, I would have kept it.

I'm sure the next few months are going to get real interesting. Many companies will have their new toys out. Then it's going to be real tough to ignore.

[Hdale85]

The Integra's look much more apealing to me. Especially the new Pre/Pro they are coming out with. Has balanced outputs and everything Looks sexy.

[John Holmes]

Thanks Dougie085,

You just had to stir the pot! :B The Integra pre/pro does look sweet!!! I wonder what the street price will be on that baby?

[peterS]

there appearance looks very similar to onkyo
hopefully the cost too

[Hdale85]

Rumor is 1600 msrp for the Integra DTC 9.8. If this is true it may be my next pre. It's rediculous! At AVS they are complaining because it has a silver knob and that silver power button. Who gives a sh.... well you get the idea. I could care less honestly the performance is more important then a silver knob for me.

The DTC 9.8 (the new pre) has HD Radio and everything. Honestly it looks quite amazing for 1600 bucks. And if I can get a better street price then that then I'm sold. But it will all depend on whats out around the beginning of next year as thats when I'll be purchaseing.

[Race Car Driver]

Ohhh... I like that integra. I have these balanced cables and connections at my amps, just need a pre/pro with them.

That onkyo looks similar to the harmon kardon IIRC?

[peterS]

this is the onkyo 805
looks very similar to integra research

[peterS]

this is how the onkyo < 7xx models look
similar to integra imo

[Hdale85]

Eh the Integra looks somewhat different then those. A lot of people say it may not be the final chassis. Who knows?

[peterS]

something that occurred to me- does the onkyo support dvd-a?

[Hdale85]

not sure but the Integra supports DSD over HDMI. So as soon as there is a player that will do DVD-A and SACD over HDMI through DSD then you can do that. I believe every pre/pro that will do dvd will do dvd-a.

[Ovation]

I'm not looking to upgrade (I like my Integra receiver very much and will probably make it a pre/pro with outboard amps before I upgrade it) but if I were, I'd be seriously tempted by that Integra pre/pro. And I like the silver volume knob on my Integra receiver, thank you very much.

[Hdale85]

Yes it is a very promising looking piece. And if I do end up getting a pre/pro for HT use it will be high on the list.

[karnaaj]

I wonder how the 805 would work as a pre/pro seeing how I have a Rotel 1095 amp. Any opinions?

[Ovation]

I wonder how the 805 would work as a pre/pro seeing how I have a Rotel 1095 amp. Any opinions?

You'd have a THX Ultra2 certified pre/pro at a fair savings compared to dedicated pre/pros--I can't see any downside to that.

[jonathanb3478]

Regarding the Onkyo's that are out now, the 605 and 705 apparently only qualify for "level 4" as defined here. The 805 is "level 6" (AKA "future-proof") according to that same source, however.

Apparently there are pretty big/real differences between the 805 and the other two, but I would think the differences between the 705 and 605 are not large, from an architectural standpoint.

Also, my refurbed 602 (which I got in '05 for <$250) handles 4 ohm across the front (3x Dynaudio Audience 42s) with 6 ohm on the 4 surround channels (Monitor Audio BFX surrounds). It does not get hot, it is only warm. It is open an all four sides, but the top is <1" from the shelf above it.

I hope, if my older version does that well, the newer ones (603, 604, 605 - etc) would do just as well. Especially as you go "up scale" (705, 805, etc).

[spyboy]

Balanced inputs and output are a waste unless you are going to have runs over 30 feet. I want to see all of the spec for the top of the line Onkyo.

Balanced is really a waste about 97% of the time.

All the Best

[karnaaj]

You'd have a THX Ultra2 certified pre/pro at a fair savings compared to dedicated pre/pros--I can't see any downside to that.

That's exactly what I was thinking. I mean I'd love to get my hands on a AVM 50 or even a 30 and get it upgraded but realistically I just can't afford it. I'm running an Onkyo 797 that I bought a few years ago and it has worked flawlessly but now I have a Samsung 1080p display and I want to take better advantage of its hdmi capabilities.

[Hdale85]

Why do you need a THX certification? You get a few DSP's that you'll probably never use. Thats about it. Honestly THX certification is a waste to me. I wish companies wouldn't use it but its a marketing thing. People see THX and are like "Oh this must be the best"

[Alaric]

Balanced inputs and output are a waste unless you are going to have runs over 30 feet. I want to see all of the spec for the top of the line Onkyo.

Balanced is really a waste about 97% of the time.

All the Best

Aren't balanced inputs/outputs a moot point without an amp with a balanced topology , anyway? I understand the whole 'run length' thing , but if the amp wasn't designed with balanced circuitry , then you're just converting RCA (unbalanced) signal to an XLR connector at the jack on the back panel....?

[Ovation]

Why do you need a THX certification? You get a few DSP's that you'll probably never use. Thats about it. Honestly THX certification is a waste to me. I wish companies wouldn't use it but its a marketing thing. People see THX and are like "Oh this must be the best"

THX offers a few things that I've come to appreciate, though I would never base my purchase decision on whether it is THX certified. By selecting THX Cinema, I find that many films (especially action/blockbuster films with aggressive sound mixes) sound better. The treble sounds less harsh. Also, with that selection, if one has THX certified speakers (like the old M&K set), the crossover and slope settings in the receiver match the speakers' specs (not applicable in my case, but I could see it being useful). THX certified receivers and pre/pros also have, in my experience with gear with and without THX, test tones that are easier to work with when setting levels.

Certainly these are relatively minor issues and none of them would be a deal maker/breaker for me. But it isn't ONLY a marketing label. The features are useful, even if not required.

[Hdale85]

I didn't say they don't have extra features. I simply said its mostly used as a marketing label. I have THX cert speakers and a receiver. I didn't pick them out that way it just turned out like that. And when i run THX Cinema it sounds like there are heavy blankets over my speakers and what not. I don't know I'll have to play with it sometime.

Ok so maybe my speakers aren't THX certified. Oh well no biggie

[Ovation]

I didn't say they don't have extra features. I simply said its mostly used as a marketing label. I have THX cert speakers and a receiver. I didn't pick them out that way it just turned out like that. And when i run THX Cinema it sounds like there are heavy blankets over my speakers and what not. I don't know I'll have to play with it sometime.

Ok so maybe my speakers aren't THX certified. Oh well no biggie

When I first tried using THX Cinema, I had a similar sound issue as you describe--so I left it off. About 2 months ago, we got new furniture/shelving for the HT room and I had to re-install everything, as well as adjust my speaker placement. On a lark, I tried the THX Cinema setting again with a loud, bombastic war movie (Enemy at the Gates, IIRC) and this time, it tamed the treble without the "blanket" effect. I A/B'd it with a few other films with similar soundtracks (essentially, the kinds of films for which the function was designed, according to the owner's manual) and I noticed an improvement. But no one should use it with a DVD concert--the effect it has on audience cheers between songs is a bit unnerving and the music doesn't sound quite right.

Anyway, all that to say that I've grown to appreciate the convenience and functionality of a few things that come with THX certification but, again, I would not let that certification be the deciding factor for purchasing anything (least of all cables--on that score, the "it's just a marketing label" charge is quite appropriate and regrettable). I view THX certification like ISO 9000--nice to have but not necessary nor high on the list of my criteria.

[John Holmes]

Well, for me, the fact that the DTC 9.8 and the SR 805 are THX Ultra2 is one of my key reasons for considering them.

I've found that, the closer to reference level I playback a film, the more I appreciate what THX does. At low levels I agree that, THX seems to put a "blanket" on the sound. However, once I get into the area of -18 db or higher, the sound becomes very balanced with THX engaged. This is on most films. Films that have been RE-EQ'ed for home are a little different. I will still use the THX settings but minus the THX RE-EQ feature.

Now I have those "old M&K speakers" that were mentioned above. :B Thus, I'm sure this is a big part of why THX works in my home. But, I too have a hard time with the THX certified wire, connectors, etc.

So I guess the point of my post is, I don't believe that most should base buying either of these units simply on THX. I do belive if you have THX speakers, it make very good sense to consider them. To my ear, when I'm in the mood for theater level playback, my THX processing with THX speakers are simply heaven! :T opcorn: :yesnod: :-y