Onkyo TX-SR674 capabilities

dane_peterson

Hey everyone, new to the board and to HT here.
I just purchased the brand new Onkyo TX-SR674 receiver. I got it primarily because it upconverts to HDMI, cutting back on cables. It's rated at 95w @8ohms. This, I'm afraid, is a foreign language to me. I understand that the higher the ohm rating, the lower the wattage rating. (IE a HTIB could claim 1000watts @ 4ohms, which would mean about half that at 8ohms... correct me if I'm wrong)
I also know that some receivers are better performers than others... Harman Kardon being among the better mainstream units. Where does Onkyo fall in this spectrum? Which leads me to my next question... what's the best Polk speaker I can run comfortably? I'd really like to get RTi8 or RTi10s, but not if my receiver isn't capable of outputting the necessary power.
Thanks for the help!

danger boy

dane, welcome.. you can do a search for thread on Onkyo receivers... there should be quite a few that come up. one was just being discussed I think last week.

dane_peterson

Sounds like there's a few users out there that are very anti-Onkyo. It's too bad, really. I just bought this after WEEKS of research, and thought I had made a wise purchase. If only I had thought about the lacking pre-out aspect...
Either way, I think I'll have to either keep my RTi6s, or maybe bump up to the RTi8s. Bummer. Though that's probably best for my wallet.

Thanks for the welcome. I know all about the search function--partially just making my own posts to see response time and get my post count up.

tommyboy

dane_peterson wrote:

Sounds like there's a few users out there that are very anti-Onkyo. /QUOTE]

Yes, and I have recently changed my mind about onkyo also.

you can read about it here...

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44246

But if you need HDMI switching, I'm not sure what to recommend...

PhantomOG

tommyboy wrote:

Yes, and I have recently changed my mind about onkyo also.

you can read about it here...

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44246

But if you need HDMI switching, I'm not sure what to recommend...

You do know that Onkyo sells models with pre-outs right? I'd be willing to be that MOST manufacturers that sell AVR's in that price range don't include pre-outs. I know Denon's don't.

DollarDave

PhantomOG wrote:

tommyboy wrote:

You do know that Onkyo sells models with pre-outs right? I'd be willing to be that MOST manufacturers that sell AVR's in that price range don't include pre-outs. I know Denon's don't.

Your probably right about that, but I know you can score a refurb Marantz 4600 with pre-outs at Assecories for less for under 300 and you can also go HK refurb for about that - the HKs from the AVR-230's on up all have pre-outs. You can usually find Pioneer 1014/1015's for around 300, too. My best guess on the Onk is that it was around 600?

PhantomOG

DaveMuell wrote:

Your probably right about that, but I know you can score a refurb Marantz 4600 with pre-outs at Assecories for less for under 300 and you can also go HK refurb for about that - the HKs from the AVR-230's on up all have pre-outs. You can usually find Pioneer 1014/1015's for around 300, too. My best guess on the Onk is that it was around 600?

Try 300. And if you want to include buying used, you can discount ALL new manufacturers in that price range. I'm not saying Onkyo is the be all end all. I'm just saying this criticism extends to everything new at that price point. Onkyo makes a decent product for the price, as do most of the manufacturers. Everyone has their preferences. Bash away at Onkyo all you want.

OP, read the manual and try it out. Depending upon where you bought it, you probably have a return period. Let your ears decide what is good and bad.



CC has the 603X for $350 now

danger boy

personally. i wouldn't buy a receiver that didn't have pre outs.... just makes sense to get the receiver you like with pre outs.. give you room to grow in the future.

PhantomOG

danger boy wrote:

personally. i wouldn't buy a receiver that didn't have pre outs.... just makes sense to get the receiver you like with pre outs.. give you room to grow in the future.

Sounds like a much smarter comment than "don't buy Onkyo!" just because you bought the model without pre-outs before checking.

dane_peterson

Well, truthfully I didn't consider preouts as a need until I stumbled on this site. Looking at everyone's setups makes me want to upgrade!
For $550, it was the best-performing HDMI-upconverting/switching unit available. I do have another 2 weeks to return. I'm wondering if I maybe get the TX-SR804 when it comes out later this month. It has preouts, and another 10w/channel. (Despite the slaying of Onkyo, I also have an Onkyo changer, and I want my units to match)
Thanks for the input guys!

danger boy

$550 and it didn't have pre outs? wow.. like someone said.. i think the entry level Marantz receivers have pre outs.

But yeah if you can still return your corrent Onk. and move to the new one when it comes out.. might make a lot of sense in the long run. Plus it probably has more features you may like as well.

dane_peterson

Yeah, the 804 is also THX certified, which is another feature that some people like (though some people argue doesn't mean much). It's $1000. Do you, or anyone else, have a better recommendation for that pricepoint? (including the features that I'm wanting)

PhantomOG

Denon AVR-2307CI

$799 msrp, with HDMI upconversion/switching, and pre-outs.

PhantomOG

I'm curious as to you need for the HDMI upconversion. I know the convenience factor sounds nice but I don't think the scalers in these AVR are all that spectacular so if your TV has the correct inputs you will probably get a better picture with a direct connection from the source.

danger boy

well. adding THX adds to the price of the receiver.. and seriously. it will not make it sound better than a non THX receiver. you're paying for something you can't see or hear. like paying for air.

THX receiver means they meet the THX requirements set by them.. it's not a decoding DSP or anything like that. it's not like DTS OR Dolby Digital. Alot of people as you've prob read.. don't consider THX a reason to buy or not buy a certain receiver.

I've never owned any THX gear.. and I don't feel i'm missing anything.

ahorvitz

I'm an Onkyo fan, actually. I've owned a couple Oink receivers in the past, and they were always good to me. But $550? You can get the same qaulity for a lot less money. Look for a HK on eBay 2xx and up (will have pre-outs). Buy another brand (one that includes pre-outs farther downmarket) for $300- max, a CDP for $100, and a 2 channel amp for your fronts with the remaining $150.

As to the HMDI switching issue, I wouldn't opt for convenience over quality. Just my $.02.

Oh, and if you're considering going as high as $1000- separates! $1000 will buy you a nice used processor and a 5 channel amp.

Good luck.

dane_peterson

You all bring valid points to the table... and I appreciate it. Keep trying to talk me out of it... I'd rather get talked out of what I'm currently leaning towards, than kick myself later.
My thought is with my HDMI DVD player, HDMI cable box, and HDMI coming on the PS3 I'd like to get, that's a lot of cables running directly to the source. (and the TV only has two inputs)
I'm a fan of clutter-free, especially when it comes to cables. (I have things verlcroed together everywhere to clean things up) And I also like my components to be aesthetically pleasing (attractive, and matching units)

So with that being said, get a used preout equipped receiver. And then I'd like a matching DVD player. Recommendations? Pioneer? Denon--but their DVD players are so spendy? (*sigh* I've spent so much money lately)

ivansfo

I've been down a similar road with my Onkyo. I have an Onkyo SR-701 (with THX) with rated outputs of 100W @ 8ohms. This appears to be the same class of receiver as your Onkyo. This receiver along with my R50 setup sounded spectacular.

Then I got the upgrade itch and upgraded to a HT system consisting of RTi8s, Csi5, RTi4. The Onkyo 701 just could not do a good job with the bigger RTi speakers. The highs were nice but there was no midrange/midbass to balance out the sound. So all I got was a lot of highs from the RTI and usual bass from my sub. I sold off the RTi speakers and now I'm back to my original R50 setup.

To take full advantage of the RTi8s, I think you need a $1000 class receiver or a separate amp capable of at least 120W per channel. with a Onkyo TX-SR674, I think the R or Monitor series will be a nice match up.

danger boy

dane_peterson wrote:

You all bring valid points to the table... and I appreciate it. Keep trying to talk me out of it... I'd rather get talked out of what I'm currently leaning towards, than kick myself later.
My thought is with my HDMI DVD player, HDMI cable box, and HDMI coming on the PS3 I'd like to get, that's a lot of cables running directly to the source. (and the TV only has two inputs)
I'm a fan of clutter-free, especially when it comes to cables. (I have things verlcroed together everywhere to clean things up) And I also like my components to be aesthetically pleasing (attractive, and matching units)

So with that being said, get a used preout equipped receiver. And then I'd like a matching DVD player. Recommendations? Pioneer? Denon--but their DVD players are so spendy? (*sigh* I've spent so much money lately)

Not sure if you realize this or not.. but you ONLY need pre outs on a receiver if you are using external amp(s) for audio only.. the amps inside your receiver will do ok with your speakers.. to take it to the next level you need pre outs and an external amp.

Sounds like as you put your system together.. you are currently working on figuring out the video portion of your system.. that's cool. Video is just as important as good audio in a home theater.

Just wanted to clear up why you would want or need pre outs on your Onkyo. it has nothing to do with DVD/cable boxes/TV's.

dane_peterson

Yes danger, I understand that. It's merely a matter of having the preouts for the future if I decide to upgrade speakers beyond my receiver's capabilities. (I can only afford to upgrade so many things at once)
Taking that and HDMI-upconversion as my two desired features, I seem to be running into some walls as far as options are concerned. I could just get a TXSR803... HDMI switching (no upconversion) and preouts. $650 most places, and would keep the matching look w/ the DVD player.

So many options out there. Would the Onkyo 803 be a suitable choice if I chose to run amps alongside it? In other words, wattage aside, are Onkyo's decent?

Once again, thanks everyone for all your help. Clearing up a lot of things.

peteran

dane_peterson wrote:

Yeah, the 804 is also THX certified, which is another feature that some people like (though some people argue doesn't mean much). It's $1000. Do you, or anyone else, have a better recommendation for that pricepoint? (including the features that I'm wanting)

I was a proud Onkyo owner for several years (TX-DS797). I just made the switch recently to Denon, I'm very pleased with my new Avr in sound quality.
It has liven my HT. I also believe in direct connections (video) from DVD to TV and from HDcable box to TV. I use my AVR for secondary connections.

tommyboy

PhantomOG wrote:

You do know that Onkyo sells models with pre-outs right? I'd be willing to be that MOST manufacturers that sell AVR's in that price range don't include pre-outs. I know Denon's don't.

Yes, I know from txsr7xx and up, they have pre-outs. And if you read my thread, you would understand why i dislike onkyo(anymore). For $500, the 603x had a few features that my $600 h/k doesn't (2nd zone, extra opitical). But in terms of sound quality... at least with my ears, there was no comparison.

I've listened to some of onkyo's older recievers and they sound very good, but it just seems like every new model that comes out, their recievers lose quality IMHO.

I'll say this one more time phantom, IMO.