Will Onkyo 607 provide enough power?

dvran · October 2009

I'm the market to upgrade my receiver, and now that HDMI has set a standard for a while, I'm ready to buy.

My speakers that I've had for a while consist of the following. I'm not going to change the speakers because I love them but maybe the sub in the future.
-Fronts: RT1000P
-Center: Csi400
-Surrounds: Fxi3

I'm looking at getting the Onkyo 607. I think has some good features minus the preamp outputs, which I really don't need because I'm staying with the speakers till they or I go. I've listened to Denons and think the sound is dull. I was also thinking the Pioneer Elite VSX line because they are close in price to Onkyo, but I've heard bad things about non-ICE Elite receivers.

Any suggestions on the setup? I think the 607 will adequately power an RT line of speakers, but I wanted to make sure.

Thanks!

disneyjoe7 · October 2009

I don't think it will sound bad, but I would look for an AVR which has Pre amp outputs. You could always use an AVR with Pre amp outputs in the future, if you do it now you could save some cash later.

kawizx9r · October 2009

disneyjoe7 wrote: »

I don't think it will sound bad, but I would look for an AVR which has Pre amp outputs. You could always use an AVR with Pre amp outputs in the future, if you do it now you could save some cash later.

+1
I have RT1000P's as well and was pretty set on keeping them until they croaked. Things changed and I needed a receiver with preamp outputs, something my older receiver didn't have and you can't imagine how much I was kicking myself cause of that. Well, I've still got those RT1KP's but they're on surround duty now with SDA 1C's up front. You never know when you'll find something you might want or something you can upgrade with. Having preamp outs now really gives me peace of mind.

Question, have you heard your CS400 powered by an external amp? That thing is a beast of a center channel and you owe it to yourself to hear one powered properly.

dvran · October 2009

I do have a subwoofer. Sorry if I stated that wrong in the post. It's a Velodyne and does a great job. I got my Polk speaker about 10 years ago when Circuit City would have blowout sales. RIP CC. I picked up the 1000Ps for $250/pair.

I do not run the built-in subwoofer with the RT1000Ps in movie mode, its just a wash. In 2-channel listening though I turn them on, its almost perfect bass for rock and jazz.

Thanks,

dvran · October 2009

kawizx9r wrote: »

Question, have you heard your CS400 powered by an external amp? That thing is a beast of a center channel and you owe it to yourself to hear one powered properly.

I've never heard the CS400i with an external amp, should be interesting though.

I'll look on the Onkyo outlet and see if they have any last year models of the 806 which I believe has pre-outs.

kawizx9r · October 2009

dvran wrote: »

I've never heard the CS400i with an external amp, should be interesting though.

I'll look on the Onkyo outlet and see if they have any last year models of the 806 which I believe has pre-outs.

806 does, but some prefer the 805 model. Easy search on Polk forum will list a few threads describing the main differences between the 2. But either one of those should be sure to please.

dvran · October 2009

kawizx9r wrote: »

806 does, but some prefer the 805 model. Easy search on Polk forum will list a few threads describing the main differences between the 2. But either one of those should be sure to please.

Refurb has the 806 for 599, not too shabby for a refurbish with warranty:
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?productid=TX-SR806&modelid=77&group_id=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

kawizx9r · October 2009

dvran wrote: »

Refurb has the 806 for 599, not too shabby for a refurbish with warranty:
http://www.shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?productid=TX-SR806&modelid=77&group_id=1&detail=1&ext_war=1

I do have a question, what Denon did you listen to that gave you a 'dull sound'. For home theater, if I couldn't get a Pio elite I'd be going with a Denon. I love the warm sound they produce which is especially a plus when it comes to HT. It's also playing its part as a pre in my 2 channel listening, which will change later of course but it continues to satisfy in that area as well.

dvran · October 2009

kawizx9r wrote: »

I do have a question, what Denon did you listen to that gave you a 'dull sound'. For home theater, if I couldn't get a Pio elite I'd be going with a Denon. I love the warm sound they produce which is especially a plus when it comes to HT. It's also playing its part as a pre in my 2 channel listening, which will change later of course but it continues to satisfy in that area as well.

Not exactly sure. They were brand new lower end models $500-1000. The Harmon Kardon I though sounded the warmest but I've heard bad things about their quality.

buymesome · October 2009

Here is what I think

Buy an onkyo 607 because it has plenty of power and it should be used for movies only because thats its job . People say add an external amp but I say whats the point if a decent amp will cost alot of money especially if your needing more than 3 channels . You can buy an onkyo 607 for $400 brand new that has dolby LLZ for when studios start encoding it

With money left over you can buy a realy nice 2 channel amp and preamp that will destroy any avr when it comes to playing music costing alot less than what most folks pay for thier super priced avr and external amp

concealer404 · October 2009

buymesome wrote: »

Here is what I think

Buy an onkyo 607 because it has plenty of power and it should be used for movies only because thats its job . People say add an external amp but I say whats the point if a decent amp will cost alot of money especially if your needing more than 3 channels . You can buy an onkyo 607 for $400 brand new that has dolby LLZ for when studios start encoding it

With money left over you can buy a realy nice 2 channel amp and preamp that will destroy any avr when it comes to playing music costing alot less than what most folks pay for thier super priced avr and external amp

The point of adding an external amp is to get the most out of the speakers that you paid good money for....

Amps aren't just for 2 channel listening.

buymesome · October 2009

For HT is not as important to have great musical speakers that cost alot as the sub makes up for the big bass . For musical reproduction and higher fidelity you should have 2 separate speakers preamp and amp

HT doesnt differ that much with good or great speakers as 2 channel music listening does

If you realy do have amazing speakers then why buy an avr in the first place ? Wouldnt you then just go buy a separate processor and amp Otherwise your just being limited by the processor inside the budget avr

kawizx9r · October 2009

buymesome wrote: »

For HT is not as important to have great musical speakers that cost alot as the sub makes up for the big bass . For musical reproduction and higher fidelity you should have 2 separate speakers preamp and amp

HT doesnt differ that much with good or great speakers as 2 channel music listening does

If you realy do have amazing speakers then why buy an avr in the first place ? Wouldnt you then just go buy a separate processor and amp Otherwise your just being limited by the processor inside the budget avr

In all my experiences (and I bet many others can vouch as well) HT listening benefits greatly from external amplification just as much as music. Music's alterations though provided from IC's/speaker wire/etc. can probably be heard easier especially when you've listened to the damn song +1000 times and know every beat to it.

As for buying an AVR, there are many decent receivers out there that'll work as a good pre/pro. Buying a separate processor though can come at a higher cost, then you'll definitely need to add an external amplifier. I can go on and on, but an AVR is convenience.

Why do people buy Xbox 360's/consoles when a PC can blow every console out of the water?

Back to the subject though, unless you're really into HT then by all means invest your money there. But the first thing that comes to mind when I hear the word audio is music, not HT. And those that do have HT come to mind first, are probably using that setup for 2 channel listening. Are you going to tell them to buy a tubed preamp/amplifier? Or purchase another set of 'musical' speakers?

One last thing too, external amplification doesn't just give you "more bass" it lets your speakers give you better sound quality. Even at lower volumes the difference is there. It's one thing to not believe in cables/speaker wire/etc but it's another to not believe in external amplification.....even if it is just for HT.

comfortablycurt · October 2009

buymesome wrote: »

For HT is not as important to have great musical speakers that cost alot as the sub makes up for the big bass . For musical reproduction and higher fidelity you should have 2 separate speakers preamp and amp

HT doesnt differ that much with good or great speakers as 2 channel music listening does

If you realy do have amazing speakers then why buy an avr in the first place ? Wouldnt you then just go buy a separate processor and amp Otherwise your just being limited by the processor inside the budget avr

There are huge benefits to be had with external amps in HT setups...even if you're using an AVR as a pre-pro. Some of the AVR's on the market have everything plus more that some of the pre-pro's have. To really get a nice pre-pro, you've gotta spend a lot.

Amps can make a huge difference though in highly dynamic scenes...explosions etc...A more powerful amp is going to be able to reproduce these huge sound effects a lot more accurately, smoothly, and without as much strain on the speakers.

It's a whole lot more than just "having more bass".

kawizx9r · October 2009

^^^^+1
Great minds think alike Curt

wutadumsn23 · October 2009

I am with Curt and Freddy on this one. Amps will make a diff. in HT as well, and you don't know what you are missing until you try it. The 607 is a quality unit, but for about the same price, maybe a little more you can get an 805/806 and be done with it. Both the 805/806 have pre-outs and do everything that the 607 does. The "new" Dolby Digital PLIIz IMHO is not that big of a deal. The "height" speakers are just something to clutter up your walls even more and although I have never heard this type of setup, I can't imagine it being a deal breaker for an AVR purchase. I love my 806, and have been nothing short of amazed by it's performance. They have worked out all of the HDMI "blue dot" issues with a component replacement (HDMI board I think) and it is a top notch AVR, for what it costs. The 805 does have a better amp section and Burr Brown DAC's, but the 806 is no slouch. They can still be found for good prices on the web, and IMHO you can't beat the 806 for it's price. Good luck.

-Jeff

dvran · October 2009

Thanks guys. I'll see what I can get the 806 for. Onkyo has them refurb for $599. I like the new 707 that's out right now but it busts the budget. The Denon 1910 gives me pre-outs so I'll check that out too. It's not a bad buy for around $550.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Zeros · October 2009

You can pick up the Denon 1910 for around $400, but it does not have pre-outs. Take a look at the refurbished Onkyo 706 on shoponkyo for $480. That has preouts.

wutadumsn23 · October 2009

Just a heads up, Newegg has the 806 for $599 brand new with free shipping......

-Jeff

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882120109&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Receivers-_-Onkyo-_-82120109

apphd · October 2009

comfortablycurt wrote: »

...............
Amps can make a huge difference though in highly dynamic scenes...explosions etc...A more powerful amp is going to be able to reproduce these huge sound effects a lot more accurately, smoothly, and without as much strain on the speakers.

................

I am in agreement with the majority here. While not all music is = to all other music, and not all movie soundtracks are = to other soundtracks, IMHO movie soundtracks (many of which contain music) on average tend to have more, and bigger dynamic swings than the dynamic swings in music.
This makes me feel that better amplification is needed more so for HT than music only. But the old unwritten law of "buy as much power as you can afford" still holds true with 2 ch as well. (power being current and watts)

Will Onkyo 607 provide enough power?

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