Onkyo HT-RC460?

[quickdraw]

I see Best Buy has these on sale for $275. I know the price had been lower a few weeks ago, but is this still a good buy? Do the newer Onkyos have the quality control issues with the HDMI board that plagued some models a couple of years ago or is the brand permanently tainted in your mind?

[quickdraw]

Found out something interesting about this model. It's essentially identical to the TX-NR515. I looked at a side by side comparison on the Onkyo site and the only difference is that the TX-NR515 has 5/2 audio I/O while the HT-RC460 has 5/1 audio I/O. However, the HT-RC460 has 8/2 HDMI I/O while the TX-NR515 has only 8/1 HDMI I/O. This was also confirmed on the Onkyo forums when someone asked if there was any difference between the two models and the forum moderator for Onkyo stated:

"The two units are basically the same. The HT-RC460 is typically sold as a home theater in a box but it was decided to sell it as a stand alone unit. Both units are great and will give you the same functionality."

There has been speculation that the HT-RC460 was a dumbed down version of the NR515 that was marketed to low-end retailers, but based on Onkyo's own specs and response on their forum, this really isn't the case (BBY and Fry's both carry this model also). I wonder if they couldn't move the HTIBs and decided to spin this model off to clear inventory? So, if the model is labeled as HT-XXXXX, it means that it was originally packaged for their HTIBs.

[v_squared123]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

Found out something interesting about this model. It's essentially identical to the TX-NR515. I looked at a side by side comparison on the Onkyo site and the only difference is that the TX-NR515 has 5/2 audio I/O while the HT-RC460 has 5/1 audio I/O. However, the HT-RC460 has 8/2 HDMI I/O while the TX-NR515 has only 8/1 HDMI I/O. This was also confirmed on the Onkyo forums when someone asked if there was any difference between the two models and the forum moderator for Onkyo stated:

"The two units are basically the same. The HT-RC460 is typically sold as a home theater in a box but it was decided to sell it as a stand alone unit. Both units are great and will give you the same functionality."

There has been speculation that the HT-RC460 was a dumbed down version of the NR515 that was marketed to low-end retailers, but based on Onkyo's own specs and response on their forum, this really isn't the case (BBY and Fry's both carry this model also). I wonder if they couldn't move the HTIBs and decided to spin this model off to clear inventory? So, if the model is labeled as HT-XXXXX, it means that it was originally packaged for their HTIBs.

Definately cheaper in the US than canada. Im staring at this exact model online right now for $388 as I may purchase this. Im just concerned about quality control with low end Onkyo products...this one in particular. Im not driving big speakers or hard loads either, just some small tiny satellite. Quickdraw did you end up getting this unit?