Onkyo TX-NR906 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Simply amazing! I must say, this has to be one of the most sophisticated pieces of electronic equipment that I've ever owned. I don't even know where to begin. Did I mention this thing is amazing?
I was running a Bose Lifestyle 48 prior to this, but when I finally decided to make the most of HDMI connections, I shelved the Bose and stepped up to the ONKYO. What a breath of fresh air! There are so many features of the TX-NR906 that I like. Starting with the remote control--I'm sure it's common practice nowadays for receiver remotes to be fairly smart, but this guy is really bright. I've managed to teach it all the commands from my three main remote controls (TV, BD & CD Players), more or less, just by pointing the controllers at each other and clicking. I'm referring to commands that aren't usually part of a universal controller's arsenal. The large number of connection choices are really coming in handy, as well. I'm maxing out the HDMI inputs and have one of the two outputs connected to my TV. There's a ton of digital audio options as well. The front panel offers a number of connection choices, including a USB port for playing MP3s.
Another aspect of this receiver that I really like is the fact that this system not only sounds phenomenal when playing movies, but sounds equally as incredible playing CDs or listening to music from my PC. With previous systems it always seemed like one was better than the other, but with the TX-NR906, I really feels like I'm getting audiophile quality sound from all components. Oh yeah, did I mention? HD FM radio sounds phenomenal! I don't have XM or Sirius yet, but that's on the short list of near term upgrades. There's an antennae connection for both.
This receiver is the hub of my home theater. Putting things in perspective, my setup includes a Samsung LN46A750 46-Inch 1080p DLNA LCD HDTV with RED Touch of Color, Panasonic DMP-BD30K 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player, a Sony 5-Disc Carousel CD Player, Dell XPS Pentium D 3.0 GHz/3.0 GB RAM/VisionTek Radeon HD4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express Graphics Card, Playstation 3 80GB, Motorola digital cable box/DVR , and Aperion Audio's Intimus 5T Hybrid HD speaker system. All this, combined with the TX-NR906, really sounds and looks incredible. I'm utilizing HDMI for video on all components. I'm also supplementing the digital cable box's audio with a coaxial cable. Similarly, I'm augmenting the BD Player's audio by connecting audio cables via the multichannel jacks.
I bought the TX-NR906 in October 2008 and so far, I haven't found anything I dislike. The only minor thing I will point out is with the remote control. When you are teaching it commands from your other remotes, you might have to try it a couple of times. At first, I thought that some of the commands weren't going to be able to be taught, but I stuck with it and eventually was able to teach it all commands. No big deal, just don't give up if it doesn't work right away.
Whether you're watching HD TV, listening to your favorite music, watching the latest release on Blu-Ray, or playing the hottest shooter on your PC or PS3--if you have the money, this receiver is the perfect addition to any home theater.

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Multi-dimensional, superbly crafted, and loaded with impressive specs, the TX-NR906 A/V home network receiver is a true champion for the age.With seemingly endless abilities-including HQV Reon-VX video processing, dual high-def HDMI outputs,Audyssey room correction technologies, and multi-room audio and video distribution-the TX-NR906 leaves no base uncovered. Built around an isolated power block and pre-processing unit, this network receiver reveals the full potential of virtually any media.This includes any internet- or computer-based sources accessed via its network apparatus (which incorporates a new vTuner interface and Certified for Windows Vista? status). It's also equipped with CD-quality HD Radio, Satellite and Internet Radio, and XM HD Surround sound capability.The TX-NR906 is the first receiver of its kind to include ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) video calibration, further enhancing its groundbreaking pedigree.

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Onkyo TX-8222 50 Watt Stereo Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I had a 30-year-old, top-of-line Marantz that gave up the ghost altogether after the internal lights started fading. Much as I liked it, the cost of repair was considerably higher than this Onkyo (the internet lists plenty of repair places to send units like the Marantz to), and I no longer use my stereo nearly as much as I used to (I wonder how often the surround-sound, 5-speaker audiophiles actually remain seated in their sonic cocoons).
Anyone with experience with audio knows that manufacturer wattage claims are variable, often essentially meaningless, even when listed as RMS, and that 50 watts is more than adequate for all but the most low-efficiency speakers (Acoustic Research, Bose). So I decided to forego the extra pound and a half and save a few bucks, because the features are practically identical with the 100 watt Onkyo. The latter has a few additional frills (brightness dimmer, effects bypass, FM character naming) along with provisions on back for a studio geek to plug in 3 addition pieces of equipment.
Both Onkyos have a convenient volume knob, but I miss the other knobs and the gyroscope tuning, which was more accurate than digital tuning. Also, the Marantz had a third, mid-range tone control (useful for bringing out vocals), both a loudness and a volume control, and numerous filters that were useful for "smoothing-out" the sound of some old LP records. The handiest feature of the Marantz was two additional phone plug inputs on the front of the machine, intended for plugging in tape recorders for dubbing or musical instruments for recording and monitoring. Most of us don't place units such as this in cabinets where it's convenient or even practical to plug and unplug other equipment to the rear of the machine on a continual basis. And as is the case with most Japanese manufacturers, including Sony, the machine is not actually assembled in Japan (try Malaysia).
The biggest annoyance of both this receiver and the more powerful one is an ill-conceived switch that doubles as both an input and a tape monitor switch. You must avoid even touching the switch (more difficult than it sounds) or you'll activate the monitor function and mute all devices connected to the receiver. (I even placed temporary masking tape over the switch to "quarantine" it from my fingers.) Nevertheless, the 8222 is a fine performer and a top brand (I don't recall ever seeing Onkyo producing cheap, low-end product and catering to the masses, as is frequently the case with Sony and Panasonic). But I'm hanging on to the Marantz in case I decide to get cash-careless and go all-out retro.

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Onkyo 50 Watt Stereo Receiver TX8222

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Boston Acoustics Horizon HRD-I iPod Docking Station (Midnight) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have a Boston Acoustics Solo radio and it's not compatible. I did as much research as I could be before purchasing and didn't find any specific information about compatibility so just be careful. It seemed to be well made and easy to use if you had the right equipment so I gave it 3 stars...

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The Duo iPod Dock from Boston Acoustics will turn your Duo radio into the the Duo-i but with an external dock. This dock will charge your iPod while docked and allows access to your files via the Duo's remote control. The Duo has a video composite output for enjoying your iPod's video files on your TV as well.

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Pyle P1002AI 1000 Watts Hybrid Receiver and Pre-Amplifier with AM-FM Tuner/iPod Docking Station Review

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(More customer reviews)Just received this on Friday and hooked it up to our new Bose environmental outdoor speakers 251 putting out 200 watts per channel. Hooked up Itouch ipod to it, was working great at first, but then unit started going haywire until it ultimately FROZE and none of the operations worked properly. Called their support office today and was informed that this unit is NOT compatible with Itouch ipod models and it will short out the unit if you try to dock it in the included dock on the top. The dock on the top is made for older generation ipod models. However, you can purchase a universal ipod doc that hooks up to the back of the unit via RCA outputs if you want to use this unit with Itouch ipod. Doing this will charge the Itouch, but then in order to hear your songs you may also have to hook up the Itouch via the Ipod/Mp3 jack on the front of the unit. Once this is hooked up properly, the sounds is AMAZING for the Bose speakers that we have! It's reallly incredible and sounds like an outdoor concert. I only gave it three stars because the manual has no directions in it and no way of knowing that if you try to connect Itouch into the ipod dock that it will short out the unit. Had we known that from the beginning in the item description or the manual it would have saved us a lot of headaches trying to figure out what the problem was! Also, another FYI, the technical support agent suggested purchasing their lower end model P1001AT that DOES NOT have the ipod dock at the top if you are going to strictly use an ITOUCH ipod with it. Again, you would just have to purchase a separate universal ipod doc.

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Pyle Pro's amazing new 1000 watt Hybrid Reciever and Pre-Amplifier is the perfect solution for any home or office audio needs. Using sophisticated circuitry and premium components for uncompromising musicality -- this reciever is famous for delivering powerful and accurate sound. Complete with i-Pod docking port -- simply plug in your i-Pod and enjoy hours of high quality music. Experience warm, detailed sound from all your music sources with the P1002AI integrated amplifier. This powerful amp and reviever can easily power up to 4 speakers and has a separate gain control for the preamp and subwoofer. Unit includes AM/FM radio with auto-seek, 2 mono RCA outputs dedicated for subwoofer use, and tons of other great features. You won't find a higher quality amp/reciever at a lower price.

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Onkyo TX-8255 Stereo Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I've wondered at times about some of the glowing reviews I've read online over the years for various products: Are these real folks or PR plants from manufacturers? (Hey, it happens all the time in the hotel biz.)
So... if you share my suspicions, no, despite what follows, I don't work for Onkyo in any way shape or form--but I have been involved with audio in various capacities for many years. And... the last time I got this excited about a piece of electronics Ronald Reagan was president...
In short, if you're considering replacing an older receiver (or any receiver you're not currently totally in love with) and you aren't looking for surround sound or lots of bells and whistles, this is your amp. It has a rich, lush (very tube like) sound, and it doesn't sweat driving 4 ohm speakers very loudly (trust me, I know.)
But let's stay respectful: If you're looking to fart out bass at 130db, please don't waste your time with this receiver. Consider 10 o'clock the maximum volume setting for most digital sources. There are cheaper models on the market you can abuse. Please do.
Power. Clarity. Smoothness and functionality. Especially for well under $200 I doubt this receiver will ever meet its match.
post script: Since I wrote this review some time ago, I've noted a few criticisms regarding the sound of this receiver. Ok, here's the deal: It ain't a Krell or a Mark Levinson, but for a fraction of the cost you're getting, to me, the best sound available for a few hundred bucks--and quite often for multiples of that figure. Add in a cheap but fair sounding EQ and you suddenly have yourself fidelity that can very much approach audiophile standards. Under $1000 per unit, the number one problem I've found in so-called "mid-fi" gear is trouble in the 1K range. So if you can cheaply attenuate that, again, you've got yourself some very respectable sound at a bargain. But "off the rack," I've never found anything that approaches the sound of this unit at anywhere near the price. It was especially rewarding to read from so many folks (older ones in particular) how they and others were able rediscover the simple pleasure of listening to music again thanks to this cheap Onkyo receiver--and isn't that what good audio is all about?

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If you want your receiver to focus purely on two-channel audio, the TX-8255 could be just the answer. It`s perfect for your living room, or anywhere else you like to sit back and soak up your music.The TX-8255`s rock-solid construction incorporates a heavy-duty extruded aluminum heat sink to ensure cooler operation.The whole unit is housed in a rigid, reinforced chassis-finished off with a hairline-brushed aluminum front panel-to help eliminate vibrations. Add compatibility with RI dock for the iPod(R), and you have a superb stereo solution that brings out the power and dynamism of your audio sources.

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Onkyo CSV720S Executive Shelf System with Universal DVD Review

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(More customer reviews)I own 2 of these because the first one was so good. Besides being able to play anything well (CD, SACD, DVD), the amplifier section generates a clean, cool 23W into 4 ohms, enough to drive the included speakers to very high levels, the baby speakers are fantastically good, the microfibre woofer-midrange really works. Give the speakers 100 hours or more to break in, because they are light, you may want to weight them down. I listen only to classical music and I switched to these speakers from Epos 11's, for those who know, I cannot say more about the quality. Just listened to Water Lily Acoustics' SACD of Shostakovich 7 from St Petersburg. All I can say is "wow". But Boulez and Cleveland doing Debussy from 1992 on good old PCM sounds almost as good. Who would have thought Onkyo could produce such a great miniature.

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Onkyo Executive Shelf System w/univ. DVD CSV720S

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Audiovox CE1000SR Sirius Satellite Radio Home Tuner Review

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(More customer reviews)I debated between this one and the kenwood. I read some reviews about the software on the kenwood having problems so I bought the audiovox. This thing does everything it's supposed to. The sound is cd quality and it comes with everything you need. Including the antenna with 20 feet of cord. The read out is very easy to read. My husband and I absolutely love it and recommend the audiovox to everyone.

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Get ready for serious audio entertainment with the Audiovox CE1000SR Sirius Satellite Radio Home Tuner. This unit delivers more than 120 channels of crystal-clear Sirius satellite radio programming at home. Just hook the CE1000SR to a receiver, amplifier, shelf system, or a pair of powered speakers, and you'll be ready to surf Sirius' wide array of music, news, talk, and sports programming. With a standard 15-inch width, this tuner is easily compatible with most home stereo systems, plus it is stylishly designed to accent your home decor.
The CE1000SR features a large, front-panel LCD screen with six lines of text that displays channel information, song name, and artist's name. The tuner includes 30 programmable preset stations for quick, one-touch access to your favorite channels. You can also surf the Sirius network from your couch with the included remote control.
The Sirius satellite radio network is all about variety, and this tuner helps you navigate the network with ease. Search by category, channel, artist, or song title to find just what you're looking for, whenever you want it. The tuner also doubles as clock with an alarm and a sleep timer. For more information about Sirius digital-quality sound, coast-to-coast coverage, and more than 120 channels of satellite radio entertainment, visit the Sirius web site.
What's in the Box CE1000SR receiver, wireless remote control, two AAA batteries, antenna, AC power adapter, audio cable, user's manual, and product registration card.

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Onkyo HT-S5200 7.1-Channel Home Entertainment Receiver/Speaker Package with iPod Dock (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are going to spend big bucks on a large screen TV, why not get a good quality audio system too. Any of them will beat TV speakers. Given the amount of time most people use their TV, would encourage others to get a good audio system if they can afford it. This thing brings a whole new dimension to movies as well as other programming.
So far, have the center and front speakers hooked up along with the sub woofer. Like the adjustable active sub woofer volume knob. Have more speaker wire on the way for the long wire runs on my side and rear speakers. Am not using HDMI cables on my standard definition system yet. Next, will begin mounting more speakers with the Sanus mount system.
The clear and deep sound quality of this powerful 1200 watt system is great for the money- as many reputable online review sources said. The powered (110 volt) 290 watt subwoofer will make the floor shake, windows rattle and my cat head for cover. One can crank up the volume to the point where the house is vibrating but it still maintains clarity and quality sound. They include cheap little plastic protective pads to keep the sub woofer from marking floors. After watching a James Bond movie with it, believe the 10" sub woofer, that is pointed straight down, was designed so viewers could feel explosions and such for it sure shakes the floorboards. It gives one a sense of being right in the action scenes when you can actually feel the movie. All of the wires are fully color coded making it easy to hook up with no mistakes. It would be hard to be unable to get this system up and running properly if you pay attention to the easy set up guide.
Consumer Reports rated the Onkyo 5100 model that this system recently replaced their highest rated choice for a home theater system. It was the only model that they rated "very good" for sound quality. All of the rest only rated "good" per their opinion. This 5200 model is a new release to replace their 5100 system. Wonder just how many systems CR tested total.
You can't go too far wrong here for high sound quality at a budget price. One review source said Onkyo consistently beats other brands.
My goal was high quality sound and realism at a reasonable price. Will add extras (blu-ray player...) after I have the system set up and properly tuned with their included syncronization mic system that automatically adjusts the system for each unique application, room size, etc.
Everything about this HTIB is big including the large, heavy box it comes in. Physics is physics- that's how they get the clear, deep, high quality sound out of the sound chambers. All of the speakers have a real wood grain laminate exterior finish- look good. There are numerous higher priced Onkyo home theater systems and one lower priced model than this one.
Oct. 6, '09: Consumer Reports has now put this one- the Onkyo 5200 system in their number one spot with a Yamaha YHT-591 model second at $600 and a cheaper Yamaha YHT-391 ($300) in third place. They have these three systems rated "very good" for sound quality currently. Been enjoying mine about everyday now. Especially using it for XM music from my Direct TV satellite connection. Am now working on getting a good old fashion TV antenna 34' feet into the air with a powered pre amplifer on it for all of my regional broadcast stations. The amplified rabbit ears have to go with what's available free off the airways nowadays.
Nov. 13, 2009: Am definitely getting my money worth out of this system. Use it a lot for XM music. Usually last less than five minutes before I switch from TV speakers to the home theater system and turn off the TV- great sound quality. There is no comparison with TV speakers. It is comparable to a high quality stereo system.
Dec. 9 2009: Consumer Reports now has the Onkyo 7200 model ($800) in 1st place with the 5200 model in 2nd. They rated the Yamaha YHT-391 ($300) system a best buy. CR rated all of them "very good" for sound quality. Have noticed that many appear to like the Onkyo 6200 model system for its capabilities.
Bought my Onkyo 5200 HTIB system back when they were going for a best price of $500.00 or more at about all of the larger online retailers. Paid $443.00 for my system new including shipping from a small but reputable seller but I have no factory warranty for Onkyo does not see fit to cover their products unless you purchase them from an "authorized Onkyo dealer". So far, have not encountered anything I have not been able to figure out using the owner's manual. Hopefully, it will not need repair service anytime in the near (or distant) future. It appears that Amazon is an authorized Onkyo dealer.
Guess you can tell, I'm happy with this HTIB. It has the level of sound quality and power that I wanted. It was money well spent. Don't comprimise sound quality just to get a system with a built in DVD/Blu-ray player. The live concerts Direct TV broadcasts periodically are great with this system and a 52" LCD TV.
After watching a live Jethro Tull concert last weekend and a live Toto concert this weekend with this thing cranked up just right, must add: if you have a hang up about the size of the speakers, do yourself a big favor and get past it.
May 2010: See that Amazon now has a similar looking Onkyo 5300 model currently for sale for $39.00 more. It probably has technical improvements. Looks like it's a newer model. Check out Onkyo's website at [...].




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If you want an idea of where Onkyo's home theater packages are heading, the HT-S5200 is well worth checking out. Like previous Onkyo 7.1-channel receiver/speaker packages, the HT-S5200 delivers reassuringly hefty amounts of power and all-round performance.And in line with other recent offerings, it's also perfectly suited for high-definition entertainment in the home: 1080p video takes center stage from sources such as Blu-ray Disc, DVD, HD broadcasting, and gaming. The emphasis is still on Onkyo's audio prowess, so the HT-S5200 is equipped with three groundbreaking Audyssey technologies that will give you the edge in terms of surround sound. It also features some exciting innovations from Onkyo: a dedicated port that connects the iPod via the Dock for the iPod and DSP modes specifically designed for gaming.

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Harman Kardon AVR7550HD 7.2 Channel Audio/Video Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)Well this product worked for me for about 3 months. Everything was going fine and then all of the sudden the audio cut out. I turned it off and then back on and nothing worked. I tried unplugging it and waiting a few and then trying again, I even did the factory reset and still nothing. I called harman kardon and I have to send it back to them for another one, pain in the ass.... but other then that, its pretty awesome when it works.

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7x 110W 7.2-Channel A/V receiver with HDMI V1.3a repeater, audio/video processing and upscaling to 1080p, Harman Kardon A/V receivers are renowned for their power, performance and ease of use, and the AVR 7550HD will only enhance that reputation. Among the fi rst receivers to offer Dolby Volume technology, which automatically adjusts volume levels when switching between sources and channels, the AVR 7550HD delivers 110 watts of power to each of the seven channels, plus two subwoofer outputs. It accepts a universe of inputs, including HDMI, component, S-video, USB and broadband Internet, as well as The Bridge II docking station (included) for iPod A/V playback, control and charging. Every Dolby and DTS technology is here, as is Faroudja DCDi Cinema and our exclusive Logic 7 processing. Zone II remote, Zone II OSD and A-BUS technologies work together to greatly simplify multiroom A/V applications. And the EzSet/EQ II system fi ne-tunes system performance to the acoustic needs of your space in justa few easy steps.

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