So I went with the Onkyo TX-SR805S...blind

[BadAssJazz]

Unfortunately no one had the unit in stock locally, so an audition wasn't possible. Barring any complications with FedEx, I should get it Friday in time for the weekend.

While I did some research on the unit, I'm baffled as to why this AVR only costs $699? Ok, it's replacement model -- the SR875 -- has landed, but when I look at the specs of the 805, I'm still trying to figure out how this is possible. Where are the shortcuts, lapses in quality, etc., etc.? It boasts 130 wpc, 1.3 HDMI, TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio..pretty much all of the bells and whistles. The Denon, Pioneer Elite, Marantz and Yamaha equivalents all cost $1200 or more. What gives? Anyone hear of any MAJOR issues with this receiver???


I'd also appreciate cooling fan recommendations. The one thing that did turn up in my search is that the 805 gets very hot. I have an open audio stand, but don't want to take any chances. Thanks in advance for the advice.


More TX-SR805 highlights:

• 130 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.05% THD
• THX® Ultra2 certification
• Dolby® True HD, DTS-HD™ Master Audio, Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS-HD™ High Resolution Audio, THX Surround EX®, Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES™, Pro Logic® IIx, and DTS Neo:6 decoding
• XM Satellite Radio Ready (requires XM subscription and optional XM Mini-Tuner package)
• Neural™-THX Surround decoder for XM's HD Surround channels and gaming
• SIRIUS satellite radio capable (requires SIRIUS subscription and optional SiriusConnect™ home tuner kit)
• iPod® integration (requires optional Onkyo DS-A2x iPod dock)
• Audyssey Laboratories' MultEQ XT eight-point auto setup and room calibration system (microphone included)
• three-room/three-source audio (powered and line-level stereo audio output for 2nd room, fixed line-level stereo audio output for 3rd room; using powered 2nd-room output allows 5.1 home theater in main room)
• RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) control via HDMI with compatible components
• 192kHz/24-bit Burr Brown DACs for all channels
• high-current amplifier design
• 40 AM/FM/XM/SIRIUS presets
• aluminum front panel
• Onkyo HDsync control via HDMI
• learning/multibrand remote
• 1080p-compatible HDMI digital video switching (3 in, 1 out)
• HDMI version 1.3a
• analog-to-HDMI video conversion
• 480i (interlaced) to 480p (progressive) conversion
• component video switching (3 in, 1 out)
• component video conversion
• digital inputs: 3 optical (including 1 front panel), 3 coaxial
• digital outputs: 1 optical
• 6 audio/video inputs, including:
• 3 audio-only inputs (including phono)
• 7.1-channel analog audio preamp input
• 7.1-channel analog audio preamp output
• RS232 port

[f0rge]

well it's missing a couple of features...
- no 1080p upconverting
- "only" 3 HDMI ports
- doesn't have the Reon-HQV video scaler that the 875 has

but those aren't big issues, so yeah the receiver is a steal at that price.

[L.J.]

I auditioned this unit and did a review awhile back. I ran into a few issues.

Onkyo 805

BTW, I think I paid only $720 for my 3rd one. Yes, I auditioned 3. I really liked this unit and was hoping to find a good one

Not trying to scare you though. I'm sure there's some good ones out there.

[zepman1]

there are reports of lip sync issues with the 805. To my knowledge you can adjust some settings to compensate for this partially, but it is still an issue for some owners....

[BadAssJazz]

I auditioned this unit and did a review awhile back. I ran into a few issues.

Onkyo 805

BTW, I think I paid only $720 for my 3rd one. Yes, I auditioned 3. I really liked this unit and was hoping to find a good one

Not trying to scare you though. I'm sure there's some good ones out there.

Thanks and EXCELLENT write up!

The good news is that I do not own or ever intend to use a Play Station. But you're right: hopefully either Onkyo has patched the issue, or I will somehow luck out and get a good one. We'll see.

Either way, the popping sound may not necessarily be a deal breaker for me. I may be willing to work around it, if it's not too bad, since I only watch 2 - 3 movies a month using the full HT. (I must be getting older, because I distinctly remember a time when my AVR was on around the clock. I wouldn't even watch basic TV without it. My, how times have changed.)

And then there is also the little cost-benefit debate of whether or not it's worth it to me to shell out an additional $600 - $700 for a comparable unit, albeit one without the popping issue. It's certainly within my budget, but oh, the urge to find a once in a lifetime deal is strong with me. Must...not...give....in...!!!???!!!

[L.J.]

Thanks and EXCELLENT write up!

Thank you.

The good news is that I do not own or ever intend to use a Play Station. But you're right: hopefully either Onkyo has patched the issue, or I will somehow luck out and get a good one. We'll see.

Either way, the popping sound may not necessarily be a deal breaker for me. I may be willing to work around it, if it's not too bad, since I only watch 2 - 3 movies a month using the full HT.

I got into the habit of muting when the popping would happen. I few times I had my volume left high and just didn't want to deal with it anymore. Mr. Bobsticks says it's a amp related issue and can be bypassed by those using an external amp....I think he said that...

(I must be getting older, because I distinctly remember a time when my AVR was on around the clock. I wouldn't even watch basic TV without it. My, how times have changed.)

Yeah, your getting old dude

And then there is also the little cost-benefit debate of whether or not it's worth it to me to shell out an additional $600 - $700 for a comparable unit, albeit one without the popping issue. It's certainly within my budget, but oh, the urge to find a once in a lifetime deal is strong with me. Must...not...give....in...!!!???!!!

Yeah I went through the same debate.
Thoughts on my 805 situation

[BadAssJazz]

Hey LJ,

At what point did you start experiencing the popping sound? Was it right off the bat or much later?

My 805 arrived two days early, so I spent yesterday setting everything up. Keeping my fingers crossed, but so far I have not encountered any of the popping noises or lip sync issues that others have reported. Cautiously optimistic, but so far I'm impressed in every respect with this AVR's performance. It sounds amazing.

Cosmetically, it exceeded my expectations. I am not a fan of the silver faceplate on most components, because they often look more plastic than metal silver. The 805 faceplate is some kind of brushed steel composition. It vaguely reminds me of Arcam, especially with the green led's. The dimmer also turns off that annoyingly unnecessary blue light around the volume nob.

[L.J.]

Hey LJ,

At what point did you start experiencing the popping sound? Was it right off the bat or much later?

My 805 arrived two days early, so I spent yesterday setting everything up. Keeping my fingers crossed, but so far I have not encountered any of the popping noises or lip sync issues that others have reported. Cautiously optimistic, but so far I'm impressed in every respect with this AVR's performance. It sounds amazing.

Cosmetically, it exceeded my expectations. I am not a fan of the silver faceplate on most components, because they often look more plastic than metal silver. The 805 faceplate is some kind of brushed steel composition. It vaguely reminds me of Arcam, especially with the green led's. The dimmer also turns off that annoyingly unnecessary blue light around the volume nob.

Now you know why I went through 3 before giving up.

Did yours come with a note from Onkyo saying that these sounds are "normal"? It specifically mentions when viewing BR or HDDVD.

It has to be HDMI related somehow, because it would only happen with my PS3. Others have reported it happening on their Toshiba players connected via HDMI so I doubt it's only a PS3 issue.

Some think that it's a heat issue and said an additional fan solved the problem but I got popping immediately with every unit. Do you have any HDMI sources? Maybe you can test something out.

I also ran into this interesting problem with the 805. It didn't happen with any other AVR.

Problem with my 2910

Funny thing is that some never had a problem at all. Onkyo stepped it up with one heck of a unit for very decent price. I have never seen so much adjustablility in a AVR. You can tweak everything. Too bad it didn't work out for me this time around. Maybe I'll give it another try soon(that's right GM another upgrade...gotta problem with that). I hope your luck turns out better. All mine came from CC so maybe they had a bad batch.

[GMichael]

Me thinks that somebody is happy with their new toy.

[BadAssJazz]

L.J.,

This unit came from CC as well. And yes, it did have the disclaimer. Yet another reason why I'm so cautiously optimistic. (So I guess if I'm not experiencing the popping sound, should I consider THAT a malfunction?)

I have my Samsung BD hooked up via HDMI to the 805. I watched "3:10 to Yuma (BR)" and the first half hour of "300." I also sampled various standard DVD's, just to put the Samsung through it's paces. No problems at all. I heard the movie "Sunshine" can be problematic for some, so I'm renting that movie next.

I also read somewhere (AVS forums maybe?) that some folks encountered issues simply playing standard CD's. I still have an old crappy Sony mega changer that only plays redbook CD's in my closet, so I hooked that up to see if anything was amiss. No problems at all. In fact, the music sounded much more defined and life-like. Neither my Marantz nor the Denon before it could resurrect Miles Davis quite like the 805.

It's possible that the handshake issues may surface later on, so I'll keep ya posted. Right now, it looks like the 805 was the bargain of the year!

[pixelthis]

L.J.,

This unit came from CC as well. And yes, it did have the disclaimer. Yet another reason why I'm so cautiously optimistic. (So I guess if I'm not experiencing the popping sound, should I consider THAT a malfunction?)

I have my Samsung BD hooked up via HDMI to the 805. I watched "3:10 to Yuma (BR)" and the first half hour of "300." I also sampled various standard DVD's, just to put the Samsung through it's paces. No problems at all. I heard the movie "Sunshine" can be problematic for some, so I'm renting that movie next.

I also read somewhere (AVS forums maybe?) that some folks encountered issues simply playing standard CD's. I still have an old crappy Sony mega changer that only plays redbook CD's in my closet, so I hooked that up to see if anything was amiss. No problems at all. In fact, the music sounded much more defined and life-like. Neither my Marantz nor the Denon before it could resurrect Miles Davis quite like the 805.

It's possible that the handshake issues may surface later on, so I'll keep ya posted. Right now, it looks like the 805 was the bargain of the year!

Hope you like it.
The popping was probably PS3 related, but a ps3 fanboy would be blind to that possibility.
Onkyo/Integra makes some decent amps , high current, they say, dont worry about the heat, they run a tad hot.
Had my Integra for almost four years and no problems whatsoever

[L.J.]

Hope you like it.
The popping was probably PS3 related, but a ps3 fanboy would be blind to that possibility.
Onkyo/Integra makes some decent amps , high current, they say, dont worry about the heat, they run a tad hot.
Had my Integra for almost four years and no problems whatsoever

HELLO...are you reading the thread. You think Onkyo/Intergra is sooo tight because you happened to get a good unit..get over it. Every freakin' thread you run the "Yammie sucks because my unit went bad, Onkyo/Integra is where it's at cause my Integra still works after 4 years". Please, and you calling me a "fanboy". Maybe I should start praising JVC since my 8 year old garage unit is still running.

Sorry but your the one that's "blind". These are replies from non-PS3 owners commenting on their experiences with Onkyo 605 - 805. The popping plagues their 875/905 units as well as the Integra line.

Mine has a lot of popping from the second I turn on the system from the time I turn it off. this includes all types of connections (HDMI, Optical as well as the 5.1 analog inputs from my HD-DVD player. It has now been over 24 hours since I bought it. It is going right back to the store. I will try another one though.

I am getting persistent popping on my 605 (black). Hooked it up yesterday and it has popped during the 2 HD-DVD's I have watched. Everything is hooked up via HDMI.

Bought from Value Electronics and have already emailed Robert about returning or if there is a known fix. Very annoying.

i dont use it for hd dvd yet and only toslink and coax for audio no hdmi. it pops in all sources. i do have it enclosed and it gets hot but this shouldnt cause it to pop.

Mine is not HDMI specific. I hooked up my Nintendo Wii via the composite inputs and it still pops out of the speakers. I am now in day 3 of having mine hooked up.

Had mine a week, still popping (not from switching) pops when ipod is connected, HD DVD and Directv.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hlight=popping

Read the thread...Onkyo sends a disclaimer with every unit that says you may here a sound while playing certain sources. They state it's normal. And I take it the sync issues and switching delay is caused by the PS3 as well.

Yeah Onkyo dropped a great product, if you can get a good one.

[Rich-n-Texas]

...Maybe I should start praising JVC since my 8 year old garage unit is still running...

Ya know, I just got done repairing my garage unit. Mine's made by Craftsman though. How does the JVC work? Pretty well it looks like.

[pixelthis]

HELLO...are you reading the thread. You think Onkyo/Intergra is sooo tight because you happened to get a good unit..get over it. Every freakin' thread you run the "Yammie sucks because my unit went bad, Onkyo/Integra is where it's at cause my Integra still works after 4 years". Please, and you calling me a "fanboy". Maybe I should start praising JVC since my 8 year old garage unit is still running.

Sorry but your the one that's "blind". These are replies from non-PS3 owners commenting on their experiences with Onkyo 605 - 805. The popping plagues their 875/905 units as well as the Integra line.











http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hlight=popping

Read the thread...Onkyo sends a disclaimer with every unit that says you may here a sound while playing certain sources. They state it's normal. And I take it the sync issues and switching delay is caused by the PS3 as well.

Yeah Onkyo dropped a great product, if you can get a good one.

Talk about JVC, a friend bought a jvc receiver in the mid 80's, finally got rid of it a few years ago, never broke.
just like that guy who was shooting things up, drove a 74 gremlin, thing still runs.
DOESNT CHANGE THE FACT THAT BOTH ARE MEDIOCRE.
I agree with frenchie that a lot of "name" companies are trading on their name
and putting out a lot of junk.
EVEN SO, I have listened to a lot of onkyos and have NEVER heard any strange "noises"
(except when algores on tv)
And does this "noise" come from the receiver or the speakers?

AND you're STILL a ps3 "fanboy" BTW

[L.J.]

Talk about JVC, a friend bought a jvc receiver in the mid 80's, finally got rid of it a few years ago, never broke.
just like that guy who was shooting things up, drove a 74 gremlin, thing still runs.
DOESNT CHANGE THE FACT THAT BOTH ARE MEDIOCRE.

Umm....that was my point

BTW, nothing wrong with my JVC. Not the best, but it does the job I need it to.

I agree with frenchie that a lot of "name" companies are trading on their name
and putting out a lot of junk.
EVEN SO, I have listened to a lot of onkyos and have NEVER heard any strange "noises"
(except when algores on tv)

Yeah, so you assumed it couldn't be a precious Onkyo and had to be the PS3. I was showing you that it is an Onkyo related problem. So who's the blind fanboy here?

And does this "noise" come from the receiver or the speakers?

Go back and read the thread man....you gotta keep up.

AND you're STILL a ps3 "fanboy" BTW

Not really, but if it makes you happy.....

[f0rge]

congrats on the new unit, glad everything is working out for you

[f0rge]

pix, if the ps3 isnt doing it on his yamaha then it's not a ps3 problem, it's an onkyo problem.

i'm an xbox fanboy and even i can see that

and my ps3 works just fine on my denon

[BadAssJazz]

I have to agree...all of the research that I've done (post purchase, unfortunately) indicates that it must be something amiss with Onkyo.

Right now I'm just wondering if and when I'll encounter the same issues. I've been playing the unit almost non-stop since I received it... so far, no problems. I'm trying to think of what else to throw at the thing, but maybe I should just count my blessings and leave well enough alone.

I've decided to hold off on getting the Panasonic BD30, as apparently the BD50 will be out in May. I can wait a month. Except for the incredibly long loading time, I can get by with the Samsung BD. Or just watch standard DVD's.

[GMichael]

I have to agree...all of the research that I've done (post purchase, unfortunately) indicates that it must be something amiss with Onkyo.

Right now I'm just wondering if and when I'll encounter the same issues. I've been playing the unit almost non-stop since I received it... so far, no problems. I'm trying to think of what else to throw at the thing, but maybe I should just count my blessings and leave well enough alone.

I've decided to hold off on getting the Panasonic BD30, as apparently the BD50 will be out in May. I can wait a month. Except for the incredibly long loading time, I can get by with the Samsung BD. Or just watch standard DVD's.

I've heard that most people who have the switching pop, have it out of the box. Sounds like you got a good one. Congrats. It should work fine for many years.

[L.J.]

I've heard that most people who have the switching pop, have it out of the box. Sounds like you got a good one. Congrats. It should work fine for many years.

People where confused about the popping at first and thought the "click" you hear from the unit when it switches sources was the popping sound. All my units do this and we know that it's normal.

The sound that I and many others are refering to is a thud type sound that comes out of your speakers.

BJazz, if you haven't had any issues yet, odds are you came across a "good" unit. You lucky SOB, I hate you

BTW, the 805 is now on sale at CC for $699 plus 10% off. Maybe you can get a price match.

[BadAssJazz]

BTW, the 805 is now on sale at CC for $699 plus 10% off. Maybe you can get a price match.

Luck of the Irish, good looking out! I'll see if CC will offer some sort of price adjustment.

[L.J.]

Luck of the Irish, good looking out! I'll see if CC will offer some sort of price adjustment.

Looks like the sale is over. Check the site daily. CC has 1 day & 4 hour sales all the time....especially on the weekend.

[frenchmon]

Well I too wondered about the Onkyos and the cheap prices of their Hometheater recievers for a while. I've seen many of their reviews and could not believe all the problems people where having. My sister has to of the old pro-logic recievers and an amp from the 90's and those things are rock solid. But the new ones are something different. While many are quick to pounce on the new Onkyo hometheaters, I would stay clear of them. I have concluded that Onkyo as well as Denon and a few others are going for the numbers in sales over quality of product. In my humble opinion its a sell out for the all mighty dollar. BTW thats not to say all of the Onkyo's are like this. From what I can tell the A-9555 amp is not mass marketed and is a fine machine. But those hometheater products are trouble amd a big let down because they push them out for the all mighty dollar. Pioneer has the Elite Brand...Not Mas Marketed. Sony has the ES, Not Mas Marketed...all Marantz parts are hand selected, and is not Mas Marketed... Nad is not Mas marketed, Rotel is not Mas Marketed, Yammies as far as I can tell is quality. Dennon has issues with Mas Market on some lower end stuff, but Onkyo, unlike the integra which has hand selected parts, is mas marketed...why? Because they want number in sales. Mas Market stuff such as Home theater electronics can only mean less quality. If I was given a Onkyo A/V reciever I would sell the thing as fast as I could...after all thats how they can build them and sell them so cheaply...so they can sell them as fast as they can,

frenchmon

[kexodusc]

Well I too wondered about the Onkyos and the cheap prices of their Hometheater recievers for a while. I've seen many of their reviews and could not believe all the problems people where having. My sister has to of the old pro-logic recievers and an amp from the 90's and those things are rock solid. But the new ones are something different. While many are quick to pounce on the new Onkyo hometheaters, I would stay clear of them. I have concluded that Onkyo as well as Denon and a few others are going for the numbers in sales over quality of product. In my humble opinion its a sell out for the all mighty dollar. BTW thats not to say all of the Onkyo's are like this. From what I can tell the A-9555 amp is not mass marketed and is a fine machine. But those hometheater products are trouble amd a big let down because they push them out for the all mighty dollar. Pioneer has the Elite Brand...Not Mas Marketed. Sony has the ES, Not Mas Marketed...all Marantz parts are hand selected, and is not Mas Marketed... Nad is not Mas marketed, Rotel is not Mas Marketed, Yammies as far as I can tell is quality. Dennon has issues with Mas Market on some lower end stuff, but Onkyo, unlike the integra which has hand selected parts, is mas marketed...why? Because they want number in sales. Mas Market stuff such as Home theater electronics can only mean less quality. If I was given a Onkyo A/V reciever I would sell the thing as fast as I could...after all thats how they can build them and sell them so cheaply...so they can sell them as fast as they can,

frenchmon

The problem here is our desire to oversimplify and instantly assume mass market = bad quality. That is not the case. Bad mass market = bad quality.
Toyota, Timex, Yamaha, are all mass market. They're also synonymous with quality.

Looking at most of the brands you named here, NAD, Rotel, you are clearly in another price bracket vs the Onkyo. It is a shame that this odd popping noise some experience is tarnishing the otherwise stellar a/v receiver, but I wouldn't write off Onkyo's quality.
In this case, HDMI and the likes are still a new technology and a few bugs isn't unheard of.

Speaking of the NAD/Marantz - Marantz was bought out a few years back and shifted production to China. I had 2 receivers crap out on me within 14 months back in 2000. I switched to Yamaha. I don't even remember if my receiver was made in China or wherever, but it goes to show nobody's perfect. Harman Kardon is another who's had their share of difficulties recently.

I also have 2 NAD's from the early 1980's. They are still going strong. Wish I could say the same for some of the stuff they made in the mid 1990's.

Every manufacture, mass market or otherwise, has their problems from time to time.
I'm hoping Onkyo has fixed this minor issue, or at least made the necessary modifications. I could be in the market for a new a/v receiver real soon

[L.J.]

I'm hoping Onkyo has fixed this minor issue, or at least made the necessary modifications. I could be in the market for a new a/v receiver real soon

Yeah it's called the Onkyo 806....maybe 807