anyone have a Onkyo TX-DS494 ?

gacole2000

U-571 on my system has converted another. My family came over for Mothers Day and now my brother wants me to help him get a starter HT. I will try for some RT 35/25 and a CS 245 to get him started. Use his old Bose 301 for surround until he can get some Polks.

I can pick one of these (Onkyo TX-DS494) up pretty cheap for my brother. Does anyone have any experience with this model? If so, please let me know what you think: good, bad, or otherwise.

Thanks- Greg

jefft1314

If you can get it for under 200 new, or under 150 slightly used, I'd grab it. Anything more than that seems excessive. You should be able to get a 501 for way under 250 now that it's been replaced.

gacole2000

Jeff,

Have you heard one of these? What were your impressions. I'm looking at $120 shipped.

Thanks- Greg

woodyjacobs

Just picked one up off of ebay for $125 shipped myself for my second room system (which is on it's 6th receiver in two years - I just like to try different receivers). So far I'm pretty impressed with it sonically...it measures up favorably to some of the other units I have run with this system (Klipsch quintet satellites). The remote is kind of crappy, however, and the setup is a bit strange (it requires some front panel work). All in all a good deal for the money though. What I like about it is it has PLII, DD5.1 and DTS5.1 AND has a B speaker switch and a Phono (turntable) Pre...not many other receivers have this without spending a bunch more cash. And so far I think the Phono pre is superior to the Yamahas and Denons that I have owned, for whatever that is worth.

This thing is not really a powerhouse, however. Rated at 55w/channel (8 ohms) x 5. Okay for smaller rooms but I wouldn't think it would do the job if you like it loud in a medium to biggish room.

If you think of any specific questions let me know and I'll try to help.

jefft1314

I haven't heard it. However, I imagine that considering its specs and the limited reviews I read on it, it should be adequate for a budget home theater, and I can't imagine you even finding a 5.1 receiver for less than 200 dollars, so I'd probably hop on that opportunity

woodyjacobs

One more thing...Oinks are notorious for not putting out a lot of bass to the mains when running them in stereo mode. A sub will be a definite necessity.

Woody

Danny Tse

Actually, there are a lot of choices for 5.1 or 6.1 HT receivers around $200.00.

Refurbished Denon AVR-1603 can be had for $189.99 at J&R. J&R is a Denon-authorized dealer.

Both the Sherwood RD-7108 and the RD-8108 can be had for under $200.00. Brand-new.

J&R even has the new Onkyo SR502 (the latest update of the 494) 6.1 HT receiver with Dolby Pro-Logic IIx for $250.00 shipped.

And Sears is closing down its audio department, both online and in stores. Check for prices there. I've heard the JVC 7030 can be had for $135.00. This receiver sounds awesome and normally retails for $300.00.

I am not affiliated with either J&R or Sears.

kingtut

double post by accident, so I deleted one of the posts.

kingtut

I vote for the Sherwood. My brother had the RD7108, and it sounds pretty nice for the price. It has all discrete channels and very laid back sound. The weak points are: it doesn't have pre-out for all channels for adding amps, nor does it have on screen display; its speakers connections are the spring clip type, not the binding post. The RD7108 only has three A/V connections. I believe the RD8108 has OSD, but not the other functions listed above.

I have the Sherwood RD7106, which is the older but better version. It has pre-outs connections for all channels, OSD, binding posts speakers connection and 4 a/v inputs. The sound is very smooth and neutral. HomeTheater Mag and Sound and Vision reviewed the 7106 and gave it pretty high marks for a budget receiver. The RD7106 is a 5.1 receiver.

Search ebay and Audiogon for the Sherwood RD7106. It's a better receiver than the RD7108, although most owners are very happy with this budget receiver, so it's rarely for sale.

gacole2000

Great input, thanks. I did not know about Sears. May want to check that out. His den is very small, so I will not need much.

Thanks again- Greg