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Again I'm hooked via HDMI so maybe it goes away if you hook it up via component. Set up was easy and I didn't have any issues with the setup mic as some have talked about. I was expecting more from the new HD audio formats. Maybe the studios aren't fully utilizing the new formats yet and it will get better but for now I'd say if you're primary reason for updating is the new formats I'd say wait. Sony receiver but I can't compare it to the newer models. The components I have hooked up via HDMI is an HD Tivo and a BluRay player and then a Wii hooked up via component. The sound is good but unfortunately I can't say wow like some other reviewers but that doesn't have anything to do with the receiver. Also for you Tivo users the sounds seem to be muted such as the clicks for fast forward when playing back a program.
This is just my opinion however and maybe your ears are better than mine. When in the menus they return which is down right odd. I've had this receiver hooked up for a couple of weeks now and my purpose was for home theater mostly and very occasional music. I have it in an entertainment center cabinet which is enclosed on the sides and back and a door in the front. I've read postings in forums where it's a night and day difference from Dolby Digital and it's like going from standard definition to HD but personally at this point I've only heard minor differences. For comparison I've watched action scenes from BluRay's encoded in DTS MA 7.1 and then the same scenes from DVD's in Dolby Digital 5.1 and I'd be hard pressed to tell you the audio difference.
The biggest difference I've heard is because of the additional speakers I've added for 7.1 and that's because for regular tv viewing I have it in All channel stereo mode so I hear the same sounds including voices from all speakers which is a step up from my old receiver. One quirk that is a slight annoyance is a few second audio delay using the Tivo when switching from fast forward to play. Let me start off by saying I'm not an audiophile. I did allow about 10" above it and it has a few inches behind but not much room on the sides. I know some say that this receiver runs hot but it's not that bad in my opinion. It does run warmer than my[.].
So to wrap up my only complaint at this point is the audio delay using Tivo and seems to be a good receiver thus far.
Thankfully, the defaults are entirely what I expected. The manual is complete if very technical. It easily accommodated my slightly odd configuration. I am completely pleased w this receiver. I was a little concerned about the microphone problems reported in other reviews, but that did not happen to me. I only made the 2 changes recommended in the manual and 1 for the volume (db) display. Set up was easy with no surprises. I doubt I'll ever fully understand it but it appears I don't have to.
There is also no easy way to replace the fuse to a noise free one.2) Pre-amp, processor: 5/5 starsNumber of input connections, hdmi control, all the DSP and format support. It will require a nice sturdy analog source to provide the full punch. It is quite low for a active pre-amp. It is hard to rate products like this.
905/806 is a huge difference in performance. Dynamic slam, agility are also important for a amplifier. You get a lot of bells and whistles. Sound transition from speaker to speaker is never crisp and clear.
Music is art, not technology. 100+ W while driving only the main two. 80x and 90x have far better power supply than this puppy. If you are looking for stereo only amp, look at Creek Audio 5350SE. There is a lot of coloration going on. The dynamic slam is very meager with fast music.
If you have speakers with odd phase shifts, every thing will sound mushy. Wow Wow. The bass seems lot clear and music flows more naturally. There is no easy way to connect a external ground. It has much more smooth sound.
Be careful if you plan to use IPOD as AUX source. It is less than 20 db. This one is feature packed. Also the bass seems to vary a lot. 905/80x also uses draws more power and they run quite hot. If you are looking for 4 HDMI inputs, DSD processing, 1080 up-scaling you wont find another one in the ~500 range. 3) Amplifier: 3/5 starsAmp gain relies of a big negative feedback circuit. The sound is not natural.
It is a good unit, you are getting lot more than you pay. In music bass is fast and tight, feedback is not fast enough to provide the punch.Another big complaint is the channel isolation. So stereo image seems to float. Just power rating and numbers are not enough. For music I have to increase it. I never had this problem with NAD integrated and other amps.
They isolate more nose, if you have other noisy sources connected to the main line. It is not ideal for SACD or DVD-Audio.Over all rating for the entire unit: 4.5/5 starsFor this price, you cant ask for more. You are better off using Onkyo dock. 706 is strictly for speakers with 8 ohm+ rating. To get the best power, i just connect my two fronts in bi-amp mode.
It probably has a 60-16K range. A simple analogy is a automobile, dump truck and corvette both have 500 Hp. It does fare well when i connect only my two fronts. Negative feedback loop also affects the bass extension. Dont get fooled by numbers. there is no other receiver in this price range that handle it all. Sound always seems to leak to rest of the speakers in the system.
This amp is clearly meant for HT Movies. Dont try to use it for 2 channel music. In 7.1 it is probably 20 W per channel. If you have more money to spare, I would suggest getting a 90x with toroidal transformer. Especially when you play SACD driving all the 5 channels.
Phono inputs are OK at best. You need a amp that can be fast, responsive and color less. That is the main reason they are so heavy. Similar to the pre-amp, the amp is not linear. The sound is very rounded, you loose some of the low and high end. Also the power rating for the entire unit is very deceiving. For movies I have to turn the bass down.
On a large explosion that lasts for few seconds the feedback just builds upon itself and makes it too loud. It is pleasant but you do hear other artifacts that the Amp has introduced.
It is a super duper feature packed product. I use my creek audio and neutral NAD as comparison, sounds come very different with Onkyo.
Integrated amp has three main parts,1) Power supply2) Pre-amp, processor3) AMP1) Power Supply: 4/5 starsIt is quite noisy and doesn't have very good isolation. It is easy to hear the difference in clarity when you just hook only the front two, rather than all 7 channels.
Dolby True HD, DTS, LPCM, TOS Link any thing you ever want is available here.One minor complaint is input impedance. IPOD wants 100 ohm+ at all frequency range to provide linear output.
But if you have a strict
Mine has been virtually silent.There are plenty of HDMI connections on this unit. For 99% of home theater users, this will MORE than do. Ugrade to HDMI quality and do yourself a favor.Some have complained the illuminated dial screen is green. Some had complained about a loud fan.
If the product is excellent, I don't care what color the screen is. Yes, the Onkyo TX-SR706 does heat up and get pretty warm, so allow for good ventilation and you should be fine.
The Onkyo TX-SR706 has the very latest in audio technology with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. More than I need.
HDMI is the ONLY way to go these days. I bet I read opinions for 3 weeks before I decided on the Onkyo TX-SR706.
If you want the very best performance, match it with a Blu-ray player that can also decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD.and you'll need a 7.1 speaker system for the very best sound reproduction. Coupled with my Harman/Kardon HKTS 18 speakers system w/powered subwoofer, it will seriously rattle the windows and provide good balance at the same time.
Mesh that with the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U and a Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-ray player and we're talking serious home theater.Currently, I have a 5.1 audio set-up (even though this product has the capability of 7.1). In conclusion, unless you are investing half a year's salary in your home entertainment system with 8 rows of seats, and someone to take tickets, the Onkyo TX-SR706 is an outstanding choice.
The sound is crisp when I listen to music and enveloping when watching a movie. All I can say is WOW. The mic set-up worked flawlessly, although i did not run it for two weeks because my speaker stands were on back order, and I wanted to wait until I had the speakers mounted where I wanted them.
This receiver is absolutely amazing. The receiver runs a bit warm, but its nothing warmer than my previous denon receiver. I recently bought the SR706 receiver from ABT.
I also purchased the KEF 1005.2 speaker set, which is a 5.1 set-up. I wanted to get it from amazon, but I was a bit suspect with the two reviews so far. I had planned to get the 705, but with this new model out and the upgrade to 4 HDMI's in, I couldn't pass it up.
Highly recommend.
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