Onkyo & Polk

kennethkars
kennethkars Posts: 47
edited August 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
My son is getting his first HT. Speakers are the basic monitor 40's in the front and 30's as surrounds a CS1 center and PSW10 sub. Got a great deal from Newegg. Will undoubtedly upgrade in a year or two and am looking to get an Onkyo minimum 100 watts per channel. Have researched for the last week and narrowed it down to a short list of top 3.

1) TX-SR608
2) TX-SR707
3) HT-RC180

Any experiences ( pros and cons) from owners of the above units you want to share?



Thanx for reading!
Post edited by kennethkars on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • MLZ
    MLZ Posts: 214
    edited July 2010
    I think Polk and Onkyo play very well together.
    My 2-channel and HT are Onkyo / Polk systems and I am very happy with both.
    Do note that my TX-60x tends to get almost too hot to touch, but I have not experienced any problems.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gulfstrings
    Gulfstrings Posts: 313
    edited July 2010
    There are several good reads out there about how well Onkyo featured the 707. Also, because it has preouts to facilitate future power amp addition, it would not need replacement when that inevitable day comes as would an AVR without them.

    The new 708 features 3D if you/your son is looking that far ahead.

    Of the three listed, the 707 is the only one I'm familiar with - so unable to compare. Mine has been in use since December with no problems at all.
    Marantz AV7005
    Marantz MM7055
    Onkyo DX-755 CdP
    Oppo BDP-93
    Technics SL-1301/Shure M97xE
    Polk RTi A7s
    Polk CSi A6
    Polk FXi A6s
    Velodyne VDR10-BV
    Panamax M5100-PM
    Antec VERIS A/V Cooler x 2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • geebolt
    geebolt Posts: 215
    edited July 2010
    Definitely get something with pre-outs.
    Fronts: Polk RTi A7's
    Center: Polk CSi A6
    Surrounds: Polk TSi500's
    Subwoofer:Polk DSW Pro 500, Emotiva Ultra 12
    Amplifier: Emotiva XPA-5
    Processor/AVR: Emotiva UMC-1
    DAC: Emotiva XDA-1
    CD player:Emotiva ERC-1
    Blu-Ray: Oppo BDP-93
    Turntable: Kenwood KD-500
    Tonearm: Polk-Mayware Formula 4
    Cartridge: Shure M97-XE
    Television: Sony KDL-55EX500
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kennethkars
    kennethkars Posts: 47
    edited July 2010
    Gulfstrings wrote: »
    There are several good reads out there about how well Onkyo featured the 707. Also, because it has preouts to facilitate future power amp addition, it would not need replacement when that inevitable day comes as would an AVR without them.

    The new 708 features 3D if you/your son is looking that far ahead.

    Of the three listed, the 707 is the only one I'm familiar with - so unable to compare. Mine has been in use since December with no problems at all.


    The 707 looks great but have read it runs very hot. Am reading on some reviews that there are lapses in video processing and many believe it may be related to the heat issue not only in the 707 but other modells. The 608 has a built in fan and runs much cooler.

    Does the 707 run hotter than most other Onkyo's? Should this be a factor in my decision making process?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gulfstrings
    Gulfstrings Posts: 313
    edited July 2010
    kennethkars wrote: »
    Does the 707 run hotter than most other Onkyo's? Should this be a factor in my decision making process?

    Wouldn't present myself as an Onkyo (or any other audio equip) expert, but can't imagine any mainline manufacturer placing a product in the market with this type of reliability issues. My 707 lives in a cabinet and has never done anything but perform as expected. Not saying I'd like to sit on it for an hour or two, but when compared to my NAD amp - it's a cool runner.

    My 707 resides in a space that provides ten or more inches above, one or two inches on either side, complete opening behind and closed (door) in front. I believe that satisfied Onkyo's recommendations - they have (or did have) a help line on their website you could call for better understanding.

    I have been looking for a cooling fan for the NAD amp but have not ever thought the 707 was running hot.

    Good luck,

    Dave
    Marantz AV7005
    Marantz MM7055
    Onkyo DX-755 CdP
    Oppo BDP-93
    Technics SL-1301/Shure M97xE
    Polk RTi A7s
    Polk CSi A6
    Polk FXi A6s
    Velodyne VDR10-BV
    Panamax M5100-PM
    Antec VERIS A/V Cooler x 2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited July 2010
    @OP

    I recommend the 707 from accessories4less.com. The sell factory refurb Onkyo's w/ a one year warranty. The 608 is good, but as mentioned I suggest getting something w/ pre-outs so you can add a power amp later if you need the extra umph in your speakers (or if you upgrade to better ones).

    The 608 will do 3d I believe as well, but personally I think thats a passing fad and even if not, its still in the early adoption phase and you will pay dearly to join those ranks.

    Gulfstrings wrote: »
    I have been looking for a cooling fan for the NAD amp but have not ever thought the 707 was running hot.

    Good luck,

    Dave

    Might check out this cooler from Antec. I plan to pick one up at some point myself.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NewHTguy
    NewHTguy Posts: 584
    edited July 2010
    My Onk runs VERY hot. Literally too hot to touch with an open palm. The key with Onks is that they should be well ventilated. Mine sits by itself on an open shelf. You would NOt want to place other gear on tip of it. You want to leave at least 6-8 inches of headroom and make sure the shelf has good airflow if it is enclosed. I have reservations about built in fans. If the fan is taking the place of a heatsink and it breaks you may find yourself with problems. Heat sinks don't break, at least I don't believe they do :o)
    MAIN: Polk Lsi9s; Polk PSW505; Lsic (in box); Onkyo SR-875; Parasound 2250; Cambridge Audio 740C; LG BD370
    OFFICE: Polk Lsi7; REL T3; HK 3490; CA 840W; Onkyo C-S5VL
    BENCHED: CS20; OWM3s
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Gulfstrings
    Gulfstrings Posts: 313
    edited July 2010
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    Might check out this cooler from Antec. I plan to pick one up at some point myself.

    This is the cooler I'm interested in. Started another thread in Electronics to gain some info. It only moves 8 cfm but I believe that will be all that is needed because it's designed to sit atop the amp and needs only to evacuate the air from inside the amp for heat management, not the entire cabinet.

    Thanks,

    Dave
    Marantz AV7005
    Marantz MM7055
    Onkyo DX-755 CdP
    Oppo BDP-93
    Technics SL-1301/Shure M97xE
    Polk RTi A7s
    Polk CSi A6
    Polk FXi A6s
    Velodyne VDR10-BV
    Panamax M5100-PM
    Antec VERIS A/V Cooler x 2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • geebolt
    geebolt Posts: 215
    edited July 2010
    I have an 807 and it does run hot. Hotter than the seperate amp I use. And the Onk isn't even using any amplifiers in my setup!
    Fronts: Polk RTi A7's
    Center: Polk CSi A6
    Surrounds: Polk TSi500's
    Subwoofer:Polk DSW Pro 500, Emotiva Ultra 12
    Amplifier: Emotiva XPA-5
    Processor/AVR: Emotiva UMC-1
    DAC: Emotiva XDA-1
    CD player:Emotiva ERC-1
    Blu-Ray: Oppo BDP-93
    Turntable: Kenwood KD-500
    Tonearm: Polk-Mayware Formula 4
    Cartridge: Shure M97-XE
    Television: Sony KDL-55EX500
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kennethkars
    kennethkars Posts: 47
    edited July 2010
    big price drop today on newegg to only 394 Bux

    http://bountii.com/search.php?item=onkyo+608
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kennethkars
    kennethkars Posts: 47
    edited August 2010
    xcapri79 wrote: »
    Not sure why you are limiting yourself to just Onkyo receivers. They do run hot.
    I would suggest you look at Pioneer AVR's which generally run a lot cooler and work well with Polk Monitor series speakers.


    I want an onkyo as have owned 2 of them and they have never let me down. I also like the forward sounding "in your face" of onkyos.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mikeym
    mikeym Posts: 6
    edited August 2010
    If you live near a Frys electronics you could check out the ht-rc180.
    Todays ads list it as on sale.

    I've been happy with mine since Novemeber. I'm a noob myself and by no means an expert, but I've had no problems yet and it makes my RTi12's sound amazing when bi-amped :)
    Fronts: Rti12, Center: Csi5, Surrounds: Rti8, Sub: DSW microPRO 4000
    AVR: Onkyo HT-RC180, DVD/CD: Denon DVD-758, BD/Games: PS3
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kennethkars
    kennethkars Posts: 47
    edited August 2010
    mikeym wrote: »
    If you live near a Frys electronics you could check out the ht-rc180.
    Todays ads list it as on sale.

    I've been happy with mine since Novemeber. I'm a noob myself and by no means an expert, but I've had no problems yet and it makes my RTi12's sound amazing when bi-amped :)

    This unit was number 3 on the list but it runs 100 bux more than the 608 so we removed it. Our budget is to tight.

    My brother has been a big fan of Pioneer for the last 10 years. He has a pioneer Elite receiver he got it late 2007 or early 2008 but am not sure of the model number. He recently got another Elite receiver and has made me/my son an offer we could not refuse. My son will pick up the unit Thursday/\Friday. So with the extra 400 we had budgeted for the Onkyo we decided to upgrade our fronts to the polk Monitor 70 to replace the 40's. Our 5.1 will be a 7.1

    The monitor 70's was also a greast deal. J$R Music had an advertised special of 379 a pair. Calling there toll free number they then gave it away for 360 a pair + free delivery.

    http://www.jr.com/polk-audio/pe/POK_MONITOR70BK/
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter