onkyo TX-SR805 with HR21

Apparently, it doesn't work realy well with HR20/21's.

 

Sure, I could live what that too. Some people are getting +8 second drop outs though.

 

As I recall, hasan, has this unit. You might PM him to see if he can help.

 

I was set on getting the 805 as well (within the next 2 months). Now, I'm reconsidering.

 

I am also in the shopping mode for a new receiver. I was looking at the Sony STR-DA3300ES....It is in the same price range as the Onkyo Wayne ordered. Can anyone enlighten me as the the better one and for what reason. I have studied the specs on both but and they seem very similar except the Onkyo has a little more power to each speaker....I have never heard one of the in person so can anyone throw me a bone on this ? Does one sound better than the other ?

 

Does the Dolby Digital pass through on HDMI on any of these or do you still need optical cables?

Also, what's the price range?

 

THanks... thats a bit out of the price range I want to spend. But everything I look at still requires the optical cables.

 

I've done some research on the TX-SR805 and found some comments that it runs very hot. There are reports of it shutting down, possibly from overheating. There is a review on c|net, here's the summary:

"The good: Three HDMI 1.3 inputs; converts analog video sources to HDMI; onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding; THX Neural surround processing; XM- and Sirius-ready; automatic speaker calibration; switches as many as six high-definition video sources; multiroom functionality for second and third zones.

The bad: Downconverts 1080i component video signals to 720p when outputting over HDMI; HDMI video quality converted from analog sources may not satisfy videophiles; current crop of high-def disc players lack bit-stream output, which is needed to utilize the receiver's onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding.

The bottom line: The Onkyo TX-SR805 is an all-around excellent AV receiver with plenty of audiophile appeal, but its less-than-ideal video performance may give HDTV aficionados a reason to hold out for higher-end alternatives."

Interestingly, c|net rates the 605 as an Editor's Choice, but with the same "bad" comments about the video. They rated it 8.0/10, but the average user rating is 6.8 with 53 user opinions.

I considered this receiver and spent a lot of time looking at it at Circuit City. You can get it on Amazon for $730 with free shipping and no tax. Last week it was $703. I found one locally on craigslist "brand new, still in box" for $750. I offered $600 and he countered at $660. I decided not to buy it. He's since dropped his price to $700.

 

I am still shopping but have read that the Onkyo is THX certified and the Sony is not..I am not sure how much difference it makes...I run my video through my Sony 910 HDMI inputs now but wonder if I am losing any quality in doing so. Do you guys use the HDMI on the reciever instead of going straight to the TV ?

Rocker, I took your advice and just picked up a Samsung 4661F...I really wanted a 40 inch for the bedroom but with the deal I got on it I will make the 46 work.....picked up a Sony BluRay player too so now I have both HD formats and wont worry as much over which format will prevail......Thanks for suggesting another look for the Sammy......

 

While THX appears to be a big selling point on higher-end A/V equipment, there's a lot more to it than just the THX sticker on a receiver. If you are going to use THX optimally, your speakers need to meet the THX specs. Last time I checked, all five speakers in a 5.1 channel setup needed to be identical. THX also specifies specific angles of listening, such as the front speakers placed at a 45 degree angle facing the listener and the side speakers mounted two feet above the listener at a 90 to 110 degree angle. In a 7.1 channel setup the rear surround speakers should be mounted side-by-side on the back wall unless it's a Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD setup in which case they should be separated at a 60 degree angle to the listener. The THX spec also calls for four or two subwoofers mounted across from each other on opposing walls. If you have only two subs they need to go on the side walls. If you only have one sub you can place it in the middle of the front wall.

There are also five THX categories, Select, Select2, Ultra, Ultra2, and Ultra2 Plus. These define the room size and each category is for a specific room size. THX also recommends a 1080p HDTV that is calibrated using the THX Optimizer on THX-certified DVDs.

Because THX-certified DVDs are mixed for these specs, if your speakers are not identical or in the recommended position, there is really no point in using THX. Also, it will only be good for THX-certified DVDs, not for your HR2x, because there is no THX encoding in a DirecTV broadcast, since DirecTV only broadcasts in Dolby 5.1. THX is designed mostly for a dedicated home theater room, not a living room or family room where there are always compromises in speaker placement, not to mention the WAF.

I have a Yamaha A/V Receiver that is THX Select certified. If I play a THX-certified DVD using one of the THX settings on my receiver, the surround sound is more predominant than on a non-THX setting. The room is the appropriate size for Select, but is rectangular, not square and is open to the breakfast nook behind it, and the side speakers are mounted about a foot higher than recommended and while they are not identical to the LFR speakers, they are made by the same manufacturer and one model line down from the LFR speakers. If THX certification was the only significant difference between two A/V receivers and the THX-certified receiver cost more, I wouldn't pay the extra money.