Onkyo 605

[Vento_Dub9]

I've come across an Onkyo 605 for what seems like a killer deal, $125. I've been looking for a receiver with hdmi switching, but the fact that it only has two inputs is kind of a let down. Can I use my monoprice hdmi switch with this reciever to give me more inputs?
Anything about this reciever I should be aware of? Is this a worthy purchase? It seems to have everything I'm looking for as far as decoding is concerned.
Thanks for the input
John

[brett_day]

excellent receiver, at a very good price! It does a great job! I am very happy with mine! I do not see any reason why a splitter would not work! For the price that you have found, honestly you cannot go wrong!

[VinnAY]

be aware that the 605 can't matrix HD audio (take a 5.1 DTS HD MA track and turn it into 6 or 7 channels). But otherwise I love mine. Not sure on the splitter how that'd work for you.

[Vento_Dub9]

Originally Posted by VinnAY

be aware that the 605 can't matrix HD audio (take a 5.1 DTS HD MA track and turn it into 6 or 7 channels). But otherwise I love mine. Not sure on the splitter how that'd work for you.

I plan on running 5.1 for awhile so I guess it's not that big of an issue. I'm just worried I'll run out of hdmi inputs but if my switch will work that would solve that issue. How's the auto calibration on this thing? I'm used to the Pioneer setup which this seems to be similar.

[brett_day]

auto calibration does a good job! It gives you a great starting point! I ran the calibration and then tweaked to my liking, but overall it works very well!

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Vento_Dub9

I plan on running 5.1 for awhile so I guess it's not that big of an issue. I'm just worried I'll run out of hdmi inputs but if my switch will work that would solve that issue. How's the auto calibration on this thing? I'm used to the Pioneer setup which this seems to be similar.

As the previous posted stated, the automatic calibration, Audyssey 3EQ, does a decent job, but it's very basic. It only measures from 3 positions. If you're using an SPL meter that probably won't matter to you. I'm not trying to talk you out of the 605 or anything, but just thought you should be aware of this. And yes, I ran out of HDMI inputs as well. I've never tried a switcher though. I use the HDMI inputs for my satellite box and PS3 and run my Wii and Xbox 360 with component video cables.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by brett_day

auto calibration does a good job! It gives you a great starting point! I ran the calibration and then tweaked to my liking, but overall it works very well!

Very nice looking setup! There's only one small suggestion I'll make, and that's to pull your center speaker to the front edge of the ET stand. You might be getting some ill effects from surface reflection with the speaker that far back. Then again, you might try it and hear no difference. Anyway, it's just something you might want to try.

[Rob J in WNY]

Originally Posted by Vento_Dub9

I've come across an Onkyo 605 for what seems like a killer deal, $125. I've been looking for a receiver with hdmi switching, but the fact that it only has two inputs is kind of a let down. Can I use my monoprice hdmi switch with this reciever to give me more inputs?
Anything about this reciever I should be aware of? Is this a worthy purchase? It seems to have everything I'm looking for as far as decoding is concerned.
Thanks for the input
John

For $125, I would also agree that the Onkyo 605 would be a worthy upgrade for you. Your receiver right now, as you are aware, does not handle lossless audio processing, let alone does not have HDMI capability, and it does not do a full 7.1 channels. The Onkyo 605 covers all those bases. I don't know what player you have, but you don't have to worry about losing out on the beauty of lossless audio if you go for this receiver because whether your BD player decodes it or not, the receiver will.

[brett_day]

Originally Posted by fireman325

Very nice looking setup! There's only one small suggestion I'll make, and that's to pull your center speaker to the front edge of the ET stand. You might be getting some ill effects from surface reflection with the speaker that far back. Then again, you might try it and hear no difference. Anyway, it's just something you might want to try.

thanks for the compliments! I actually turned the cs10 upside down. another member told the cs10 and 20 were designed so that you can turn them upside down and the speaker will tilt upwards towards the listening position better. I tried it, and head a difference! I will take a new pic to update!

[Jwilly019]

One other downside besides not being able to matrix 5.1 to 6 or 7 channels is the 605 doesn't have pre-outs. Other than that, it's a great entry level receiver and I love mine.

[Vento_Dub9]

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

For $125, I would also agree that the Onkyo 605 would be a worthy upgrade for you. Your receiver right now, as you are aware, does not handle lossless audio processing, let alone does not have HDMI capability, and it does not do a full 7.1 channels. The Onkyo 605 covers all those bases. I don't know what player you have, but you don't have to worry about losing out on the beauty of lossless audio if you go for this receiver because whether your BD player decodes it or not, the receiver will.

Well I picked it up for $120, I really couldn't pass it up. I wont have time to hook everything up until this weekend but I'll post up my thoughts. Yeah my current receiver is pretty out dated and was basic at best when I got it. I guess I'm curious what kind of difference I'll hear with the new receiver. I actually don't have a bluray player yet, but will in the next month or so.
Thanks for all the input

[SlaughterX]

You'd be retarded not to buy it at that price. I bought one years ago for $325 and enjoyed every moment of it. I jsut recently replaced it on my main set up and moved it down stairs where I only have an HD-DVR and Blu-Ray player. Yeah it sucks that it only has 2 HDMI inputs, but really, other than a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player, what else really requires you to have it hooked up to the reciever via HDMI for the best quality? I do admit, getting the new reciever did have a lot to do with my wanting more HDMI inputs, but there are easy ways around it that I used until I had enough extra cash to make another upgrade. BUY IT!

[brianh78]

where may I ask did you find this deal. I need to upgrade a 5 year old technics reciever and dont have a ton of money and seems like a damn good deal. thanks

[Vento_Dub9]

Originally Posted by SlaughterX

You'd be retarded not to buy it at that price. I bought one years ago for $325 and enjoyed every moment of it. I jsut recently replaced it on my main set up and moved it down stairs where I only have an HD-DVR and Blu-Ray player. Yeah it sucks that it only has 2 HDMI inputs, but really, other than a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player, what else really requires you to have it hooked up to the reciever via HDMI for the best quality? I do admit, getting the new reciever did have a lot to do with my wanting more HDMI inputs, but there are easy ways around it that I used until I had enough extra cash to make another upgrade. BUY IT!

Agreed, $120 for a receiver that does everything I need. Plus the fact that my remote on my current receiver has crapped out. So a replacement remote would have cost me $60.
Well the hdmi input issue is solved with adding my switch so now I have up to 5 in's which I don't think I'll fill. I'm pretty happy about getting it because the only sound I know is coming from my old Pioneer. I found it on craigslist and jumped on it because I knew it wouldn't last long. There's all kind of deals to be had, just have to keep looking.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Vento_Dub9

I've come across an Onkyo 605 for what seems like a killer deal, $125. I've been looking for a receiver with hdmi switching, but the fact that it only has two inputs is kind of a let down. Can I use my monoprice hdmi switch with this reciever to give me more inputs?
Anything about this reciever I should be aware of? Is this a worthy purchase? It seems to have everything I'm looking for as far as decoding is concerned.
Thanks for the input
John

I'm sure it will work. I just got my monoprice HDMI splitter yesterday and it worked perfectly. Mine also has a small amplifier in it to provide add'l power to the signal for longer runs (mine is 35') and the picture looks great from both the TV and projector.

[Vento_Dub9]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

I'm sure it will work. I just got my monoprice HDMI splitter yesterday and it worked perfectly. Mine also has a small amplifier in it to provide add'l power to the signal for longer runs (mine is 35') and the picture looks great from both the TV and projector.

Good to hear, Thanks. I tell you that monoprice switch is a quality piece for an unbeatable price. I'm currently using it to allow additional inputs for my tv because it only has 1. But now I can switch everything through the receiver which will make like much easier.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Vento_Dub9

Good to hear, Thanks. I tell you that monoprice switch is a quality piece for an unbeatable price. I'm currently using it to allow additional inputs for my tv because it only has 1. But now I can switch everything through the receiver which will make like much easier.

I only have 1 HDMI Out, and wanted HDMI to both the TV and projector (it had more to do with the limitations I would have using component with my receiver, than anything else). It cost me $60 from them, but with the built in amplifier and ability to now have HDMI running to both displays, it was worth it IMO!

[Vento_Dub9]

Well I had a chance to set everything up last night and must say it's nice to get rid of those optical cables. I haven't had a chance to run the Audessey setup but will try and do that this weekend.

Right now I have hdmi coming from my tv to the out on the receiver. Then from the hdmi in I having it going to my hd cable box and the other going to my hd dvd player. If I were to try and use my switch would I just plug an hdmi from one of the in's on the receiver to the out on the switch? Then run hdmi from the in on the switch to whatever component I want to use?

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by Vento_Dub9

If I were to try and use my switch would I just plug an hdmi from one of the in's on the receiver to the out on the switch? Then run hdmi from the in on the switch to whatever component I want to use?

Yes sir.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Vento_Dub9

Well I had a chance to set everything up last night and must say it's nice to get rid of those optical cables. I haven't had a chance to run the Audessey setup but will try and do that this weekend.

Right now I have hdmi coming from my tv to the out on the receiver. Then from the hdmi in I having it going to my hd cable box and the other going to my hd dvd player. If I were to try and use my switch would I just plug an hdmi from one of the in's on the receiver to the out on the switch? Then run hdmi from the in on the switch to whatever component I want to use?

I don't know about your HDMI splitter or how you are using it, as most people need one for multiple displays when the receiver only has a single HDMI Out. Mine required an add'l HDMI cable to be run from the HDMI Out of the receiver to the HDMI In on the splitter. From there I would run an HDMI cable from the HDMI Out on the splitter to the HDMI In for one display and use the other HDMI Out from the splitter to the HDMI In on the other display.