 Everything you need, nothing you don't |
| Review Date: July 28, 2008 |
| Reviewer: S. Z. Horvath, Richmond, VA |
I bought the TX-SR576 (from Amazon) and a H/K AVR-247 (BB display unit) to ultimately pick one to replace my Onkyo TX-SR501. I got the H/K because I've always wanted a Harman/Kardon AVR and b/c BestBuy sold it to me for $250. I got the Onkyo because the TX-SR501 that I've been using for several years was a real home run in its performance I figured I'd have similar good results. The end result is that the H/K is going back to Best Buy b/c while it sounded very similar to the TX-SR576 (they both sound great), the 576 won out b/c I managed to get better bass from the Onkyo; yes, for those of you who know about this stuff....I DID update the firmware in the H/K. I'm somewhat sad by this b/c I really wanted to keep the H/K, but I can't argue with better overall sound from the Onkyo.
Other things in favor of the Onkyo....simple to set up even without an on-screen display. Setting up the 3...yes T-H-R-E-E HDMI inputs was effortless as was using the microphone to calibrate the settings for my Boston Acoustics speakers.
The TX-SR576 doesn't decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD but it will handle multi-channel PCM through each HDMI port.....excellent results with my HDDVD and Blu-ray player. The absence of Dolby True HD and DTS HD onboard decoding isn't a problem, b/c neither of my HD disc players can bitstream lossless audio.....I still get the benefit of lossless audio with multi-channel pcm. I also get 5.1 audio through the HDMI from my Verizon Fios box. It's not remotely as pretty as the H/K, but it works better...it's moron-proof simple to use.
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Onkyo is AWESOME.
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| Review Date: April 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: D. Almasy, Atlanta, GA |
I decided recently that it was time to grow up and get rid of my Samsung home-theater-in-a-box. I've had it for nearly 3 years now, and though it was a good starter setup, my needs have exceeded it's capabilities.
Enter the Onkyo TX-SR576.
My current A/V setup includes 3 sources connected via HDMI (PS3, 360 and MacBook). Since my Panasonic plasma only has 2 HDMI inputs in the back, I've been using a crappy Monoprice analog switch to swap the signals. Besides being annoying, this provided me with an audio problem. I had to figure out how to get surround sound out of my devices into my Samsung's single optical digital input. Yet another switch was required to run optical-out of my 360/PS3 to the Samsung, however the switch I bought was really cheap and just didn't work consistently - save yourself any hassles and just never buy an optical digital switch, they're junk.
Just to give you an example, playing my XBOX 360, it required me to turn on the TV, choose the HDMI input, then go push the button on the HDMI switch, and also turn the optical switch to #1 to feed the audio to the receiver, then switch the receiver to the optical input. If I was lucky I might actually get audio out of the receiver. The same process was required all over again if I wanted to switch to the PS3. Frustrating.
After doing a ton of research and realistically evaluating my budget, I ended up with the Onkyo TX-SR576. This would be considered by most "audiophiles" to be a beginner's or budget model, however I find that it's the best value for your dollar for a number of reasons:
1. The most important aspect of this receiver over all others - it is the ONLY one in it's price range that can process 5.1/7.1 digital audio over HDMI. This matters because the other receivers simply pass-through the signal to your television, so for example if you're pushing a Blu-Ray player through the TX-SR576, you can get the surround audio to come through the speakers connected to the receiver. With other receivers you will only get the audio over your television's speakers. The TX-SR576 does this at a $250 price point, which is amazing. Offerings from Sony, Denon, Yamaha and even Marantz do not give you this feature and though I assume it's going to be standard across the range of receivers in the future, this is the only "budget" model that currently gives you this flexibility, and it works incredibly well.
2. Linear PCM decoding - For anyone with a modern Blu-Ray player or a PS3 this is another killer feature. Most of these newer devices can decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD within the device itself and output over PCM, so the receiver doesn't have to do the work. So, in the case of the TX-SR576 you don't need to be bothered that it doesn't decode DTS-HD or TrueHD because your player does it for you, and spits it out over Linear PCM, which the TX-SR576 can decode, giving you the benefits of these newer audio formats without paying a ton of money for a receiver that has the little logos printed on it.
In conclusion, I'm extremely happy to have a true A/V receiver for the first time in my life. It does everything I need it to do and more, with options for future upgrading (7.1 & bi-amping capability). The TX-SR576 has an automatic Audyssey speaker and EQ setup, which used to only be available on high-end models costing $1000+ and it is a much welcomed feature. Zone 2 is another cool feature which lets you run a second set of speakers in another room via a totally different audio source. You get the standard DTS and Dolbly offerings as well as some Onkyo-specific presets for sound. Onkyo makes an option iPod dock as well, which can be controlled via the remote and information displayed on the unit itself.
My setup now is much more streamlined and easy to use, with the highest quality signals and connections possible. Everything is connected digitally, and accessible via my Harmony 520 remote with a few button presses. Since my optical ports were free I decided to use one of them for my AirPort's optical out. Oh, wait... you have an AirPort Express and didn't know it could do digital optical out? Well guess what, it can, and it spits out some really heavenly digital audio at 144khz. Couple this with the Remote App for the iPhone and you have the ultimate in music-geek luxury.
If you're thinking about stepping into a receiver for the first time, or upgrading to a model with HDMI processing, I have to HIGHLY recommend this model. Onkyo is known for great quality and value and the TX-SR576 is the embodiment of those traditions.
***There are no problems with connecting this receiver to the PS3 over HDMI - none whatsoever. If you are having trouble please try a new HDMI cable or call Onkyo service about the problem, DO NOT write off this receiver because of a localized issue, this is a great machine*** |
Perfect for what I wanted and needed
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| Review Date: January 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Zachary Newman, |
So I got this product because it accepts audio over HDMI. I don't really care about its inability to decode lossless bitstream because my PS3 can decode that and send it out over PCM. That said I guess it isn't HDMI 1.3a (a little confusing to find out from various specs, but the sticker on it said 1.2a). You only need 1.3a if you somehow get a TV with xvYCC or Deep Color, and I am not going to upgrade from my Pioneer 5080 for a long time and doubt there will be a TV on the market for a reasonable price for quite a while. But I guess the 606 will future-proof you a bit more for $100, not worth it for me.
Another reviewer noted the buzzing sound when connected to a PS3, this scared me but I got it anyway. So I heard the buzzing sound ONLY when on the home screen for the PS3. Once you start a movie, game, or even an MP3 loaded onto the PS3 the buzzing stops, or becomes so quiet that it is inaudible.
The setup using the microphone provided was simple, and I noticed the difference right away after calibrating.
This also isn't recommended, but my Onkyo seems to do fine with my 4 Ohm front speakers. That said I have not blasted the music/movies to its extreme, but loud enough that any louder and neighbors will probably complain. Also the sticker on the unit said 85W per channel, not 80. Either way if you get some speakers with a good sensitivity rating the 85W will probably be overkill unless you have a huge room. Again the $100 for another 5W for the 606 wasn't worth it to me.
Concerning looks, it goes with my black TV and black PS3, and it looks like a receiver should look. A bit plain jane perhaps, but that doesn't bother me. |
Great value & quality....Onkyo has kept its reputation
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| Review Date: November 25, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Musawir Karim, Montgomery Village, MD |
| After a lot of online research and customer reviews from various sources, including consumerreports[...] on the best home theater systems & speakers, Onkyo was rated the best in terms of price, quality and features. Harmon Kardon speakers were rated best. Believe me, HK was rated better than Bose...which is three times the price! This was my first A/V receiver purchase and HTIB system combined w/HK speakers which I purchased at Amazon too. In addition to the exquisite sound quality from Onkyo, the main feature I liked was its four HDMI inputs and the Odyssey auto set-up. Other brands with 4 HDMI inputs cost double. Installation was easy due to easy instructions, color coded speaker inputs, and Odyssey. During the Odyssey auto set, we were amused hearing the funny sound each speaker & subwoofer made while caliberating itself to the room's size & acoustics. It seemed as if the speakers were taliking to each other! The online menu was easy to understand. It took me & my son about 45 minutes to setup. Should take less for more experienced people. I have a 46" Samsung 1080p LCD HDTV which was connected with one HDMI input from the receiver. The cable box and the Sony PS (can be used as a Blue Ray player) was connected to the receiver with HDMI cables. I also connected an optical cable to the TV for audio playback, if necessary. The Onkyo remote was easily synced with my TV, although some cable box features (like channel info details, etc.) don't work on the remote. But that's no problem. I bought speaker wires from Flatwire[...] and concealed the wires myself. The Flat speaker wires, a bit pricey, are paper thin and can be installed on the wall surface w/o having to cut thru walls. Overall, Onkyo has kept its reputation of quality and value. Highly recommended. |
Good product
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| Review Date: March 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Sara Badawi, California, USA |
My technologically (is that a word? =) ) intelligent brother had to set this monster up for sure, lots of wires and places for them to go.
It's a big receiver, but it does the job beautifully. |
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