Onkyo TX-SR707 v. TX-SR608

ProbeGT · July 2010

Hi all . . . I am currently in the process of upgrading my system from tired Bose 301 Series IIIs and and old but trusty JVC AVR. I have RTi A5's on order, and a CS20 Center. Currently have old Polks as rears but may upgrade to Monitor 40s.

I can currently get a TX-SR707 for about $100 more than a TX-SR608. Given that, what are your opinions? Currently, I would not plan to go with an external amp (707 advantage) or 3-D (608 advantage). So then it comes down to is the "bulk" of the 707 receiver worth $100 more? Also, is the advantage of the fan in the 608 worthwhile?

Any thoughts appreciated . . .

NewHTguy · July 2010

Most people who post here end up caching the bug and going with an external amp at some point. I started out with the 605. It was a great value but i sold it in less than a year after I got hooked. If you start with a 7XX series you won't need to sell it just to give your speakers more power, which you'll probably want to do eventually. That would be my pick.

nedh84 · July 2010

I agree with HT. Its nice to have an external amp at some point. Better sound, better for your speakers.

cincycat13 · July 2010

I got my father the 707 back on Black Friday for $499 at the big blue box store so I could not pass up an upgrade for him. Its sounds great. He has some infinity cabinets from the 80's, but the drivers have been swapped so I don't know what they are.

One note...you may want to search at avsforum or directv forums if you use DTV. There is a problem with some HDTV systems that cause the sound to cut out. Its like the auto surround type detect loses its "handshake" and has to reset. Kind of annoying. I really like the unit, and considered getting rid of my 876 for one, but I thought I'd give you a heads up if you have DTV.

I have been too busy with my ex renter to see if the issue has been resolved.

over50 · July 2010

I Agree with above comments. If i upgrade most definitely would buy 707 for the pre outs. My 606 does just fine so far, i`m having a hard time justifying replacing the 606 when nothing is wrong with it. If i had to do it over or when i do replace , i would buy 700`s or 800`s .Now that the 708 are released, there might be good deals on the 707. Updating a system never ends.

dvran · July 2010

I have a 607 and it powers my RT series line just fine.

If I were you though, for the $100 I would go with the 707 for a bit extra power.

Or, get the 608 and with the extra money, get a better center channel speaker

The CS20 is weak, your center carries like 60% of your movie sound so don't cheapen out on it.

comfortablycurt · July 2010

I'd go with the 707. When I first started off in this hobby, I got an 606, thinking that it was all the power I'd ever need and I'd never need to add an external amp.

I was wrong.

External amps can have HUGE benefits, especially if you're into music, and not just HT.

bopicasso · July 2010

Definately go with the 707. I owned the 605 and 805. And liked the 805 alot more especially for the pre outs. I would not buy a receiver without pre outs. I would not buy a receiver for its amp section but for its pre section, features and sound characteristics.

ECGnovice · July 2010

Oh well. Did I make a mistake? I have a good system in my den including an Onkyo 706. However, the rear projection tv in the basement that I inherited from the previous owners of my house is shot and I am replacing it with a Samsung 55" mid level LCD.
I am not looking to break the bank in my basement at least for now since I have young kids who play down there.
I was originally looking at an inexpensive Yamaha but got a good deal on a TXSR608 at $400. Do you think the 608 is still a good basic receiver for one room?

Also, since I was going with Polk RC85is as my front speakers, Polk technical support recommended that I order the CS20 as my central channel rather than an A4 or A6 since it is voice matched to the RC85s.

Again, I was trying to keep the price down since I don't want to worry so much about my kids damaging the equipment. Did I make a mistake?

NewHTguy · July 2010

ECGnovice wrote: »

Oh well. Did I make a mistake? I have a good system in my den including an Onkyo 706. However, the rear projection tv in the basement that I inherited from the previous owners of my house is shot and I am replacing it with a Samsung 55" mid level LCD.
I am not looking to break the bank in my basement at least for now since I have young kids who play down there.
I was originally looking at an inexpensive Yamaha but got a good deal on a TXSR608 at $400. Do you think the 608 is still a good basic receiver for one room?

Also, since I was going with Polk RC85is as my front speakers, Polk technical support recommended that I order the CS20 as my central channel rather than an A4 or A6 since it is voice matched to the RC85s.

Again, I was trying to keep the price down since I don't want to worry so much about my kids damaging the equipment. Did I make a mistake?

The difference in power between the two is not likely going to be noticeable. So unless you decide on an ext power amp, I do not believe you made a mistake. The 608 should be fine for most speakers, especially if you're using a sub which takes some of the strain off the recieiver.

grimmace19 · July 2010

Just grabbed up a 706 from ebay myself. For 100 dollars now it is worth it to have the amp option... i had a 505 a while back thinking it would be enough... then went with a yamaha 565 for the TrueHD and now need the 706 so I can get an amp on some LSI's I picked up yesterday. $100 dollars a few months ago when I got the yamaha would have saved me like $300 today.

DaveHCYJ · July 2010

One major difference I didn't notice mentioned already (I just skimmed most of the posts) is the difference in Audyssey calibration.

The 707 has MultEQ while the 608 only has 2EQ. The main difference between them is that MultEQ will EQ your sub while 2EQ does not. I own a 608, because like you I never thought I might want more power. I don't necessarily regret having no preouts, but I do regret not having MultEQ.

ProbeGT · July 2010

Well, I have taken most everyone's advice and sprung for the 707 on Newegg. I feel good about it. I also was starting to doubt my CS20 purchase, even though buying that was what sent me down this road (upgrading my audio) to begin with.

I gather that something like a CSiA4 is the thing to have with A5s? How much of a diff do you think I'd see between that and the CS20?

Thanks again for all the input! I love having another internet-based forum that allows me to explore and consider needlessly spending $ for fun!

bopicasso · July 2010

Join the club, it wont stop here either, I first made a impulse buy at the local best buy and bought a 505 onkyo and some monitor polk speakers. When I got home did some research and found everything way cheaper online. So I bought the 605 onkyo and RTI polk speakers and saved money by returning the bestbuy purchase. Now after going through 505,605,805 onkyos, a harmon kardon receiver, a rotel rsp-1068, emotiva xpa-3, b&k 4420, polk rti6, polk rti8 and now dynaudio audience 70s, pioneer elite vsx21txh and krell kav 300i, I finally feel content with how my system sounds for now. lol Gotta love it.
All in just 2 years. I wonder why my fiance says I have a problem?

NewHTguy · July 2010

ProbeGT wrote: »

Well, I have taken most everyone's advice and sprung for the 707 on Newegg. I feel good about it. I also was starting to doubt my CS20 purchase, even though buying that was what sent me down this road (upgrading my audio) to begin with.

I gather that something like a CSiA4 is the thing to have with A5s? How much of a diff do you think I'd see between that and the CS20?

Thanks again for all the input! I love having another internet-based forum that allows me to explore and consider needlessly spending $ for fun!

When I had Rti10s, I went from a CS2 (same as the CS20) to the CSi5 (same as the CSiA6) and did notice a difference. Now I'm back to a CS20 with LSi's. Someday I may get the LSi center, but I'm in not rush. The key is that the CS20 is not bright and neither is the Lsi's so they work fairly well together. However, that is not the case for the Rti's which do tend to be on the bright side. Don't sweat it though. I believe timbre matching is the kind of thing you don't miss much until you have it. JMHO, not everyone would agree.

ProbeGT · July 2010

Just wanted to let everyone know that I've got the 707 and A5's up and running now. WOW, what a difference from my previous system. It really is like listening to brand new music . . . don't know yet whether I have the "bug" or whether this setup will be enough for me . . . but thanks to all for the input, and it does make me feel better to know I can upgrade to a separate amp down the line.

The refurb A5's through Polk's E-Bay site are just beautiful, too.

devani · July 2010

congrats....glad you are enjoying your new gears...must be a great system...

comfortablycurt · July 2010

Awesome!! Good to hear you're enjoying your new system!

When upgradeitis strikes you, we'll be here to assist.;)

ECGnovice · July 2010

The two advantages of the 608 over my older 706 ( bought 1 1/2 years ago)are:
the 608 is 3d ready so in a year or so I may upgrade to a 3D tv and move the current tv to my bedroom.

More importantly, the 608 has a front HDMI port whereas the the 706 HDMIs are all in the back. I am hooking up my laptop with HDMI to this front port to listen to Sirius online. (I can not get many FM signals in my basement wherethe receiver is located)

bopicasso · July 2010

But when you decide the amp on the 608 sucks, you will wish you had the pre-outs to add a seperate amp, thats more important than the 3d. You can run the 3d straight from the dvd to the tv and use the receiver for audio.

Onkyo TX-SR707 v. TX-SR608

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