Is there any reason why I should get an Onkyo 606/805 Over a Sony 720 Receiver??

[Snah]

The 606/805 are around $450/600.

The Sony 720 is $250 - significantly cheaper. Since my PS3 will be my main videogame/blu-ray player and it does all the internal decoding, can someone logically convince me that I should go with a different receiver? I don't need all the other superfluous stuff.

Secondly, the 720 is rated at 105 Watts / channel @ 1% THD

The 606 is 90 Watts / Channel @ .08% THD

and the 805 is 130 Watts / Channel @ .05% THD


Will I notice a significant difference in sound quality by going with the 720 instead of the Onkyo models? I'd really prefer to spend the extra money on better speakers.

[Squozen]

The Sony has a weaker power supply, so it won't drive decent quality speakers well. You'll notice this mostly in the bass, which will sound (comparitively) weak and unfocused. How can I tell? They are rating their output at 1% THD in their specifications, which is very audible. I tend to avoid manufacturers that cheat on their specs in this way.

Do NOT skimp on amplification, especially for home theatre purposes.

edit: BTW, I had a low-end Sony amp (the STR-D665) back in the day, and I was very happy to be rid of it. It couldn't drive my quality speakers well at all, and had specs very similar to that 720 you're looking at (100W, 0.9% THD).

[Colglizity]

Unless you want to think about future proofing with the new HD audio formats... you're not gonna use that PS3 for a blu-ray player forever are you? Maybe you are.... IDK I just picked this up at Best Buy for $450. I was in the same boat u are in deciding on a receiver and decided on this after numerous folks telling me it was better than the 605/606/705, etc. I love it so far!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=995796

[crackinhedz]

onkyo 805.

...has much better DAC's and the price is near unbeatable.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by Snah

Secondly, the 720 is rated at 105 Watts / channel @ 1% THD

1% THD is TERRIBLE! Anything below 0.09% is considered inaudible so the Onkyo's are great in that respect. The 805 has far better internal components than the sony and the 606, especially the DAC's. Get the 805, you can't go wrong with that.

[Beta Man]

There are other non-decoding HDMI AVRs out there much better..... have you looked into other brands/models? Or is it just between the Sony, and those Onkyos ?

[cawgijoe]

Manufacturer's specs are suspect and many times don't match the results gathered from a review. You also more than likely will not be able to hear that THD of 1%.

That being said, the guys here are absolutely right......the Sony receiver that you are looking at in the price range is meant to drive very efficient 8ohm speakers and more than likely will struggle to drive good quality speakers. Two things you will notice.....lean bass response.....and the receiver will get hotter than its' suppossed to.

If you want a Sony......move on up in their lineup and price.

As to the Onkyos.......they certainly give you alot for the money and many folks here are very happy with them, but my main concern.....and maybe it's unfounded.....is that I hear that they tend to run very hot.......and we all know that heat kills........

[twoboyz]

One of these days people will realize that Denon is the best audio/video recievers. The old saying, "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"........... I don't see the love affair with Onkyo products.

Equip:
Denon AVR4308ci
Elite BDP-95FD
Def Tech BP7002, CLR2500, UIW BPZ/A (2), UIW 84/A (2)
Denon DVD3930ci

[cawgijoe]

If I could afford the 4308CI I would buy it.....I have a denon AVR-3300 that has served me well, but except for the 4308CI.....other receivers in their current lineup such as the 3808CI have been reported in reviews to have poor upconversion capabilities.........hence maybe why there are new AVR's from Denon coming this Summer......

Originally Posted by twoboyz

One of these days people will realize that Denon is the best audio/video recievers. The old saying, "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"........... I don't see the love affair with Onkyo products.

Equip:
Denon AVR4308ci
Elite BDP-95FD
Def Tech BP7002, CLR2500, UIW BPZ/A (2), UIW 84/A (2)
Denon DVD3930ci

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by twoboyz

One of these days people will realize that Denon is the best audio/video recievers. The old saying, "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"........... I don't see the love affair with Onkyo products.

Equip:
Denon AVR4308ci
Elite BDP-95FD
Def Tech BP7002, CLR2500, UIW BPZ/A (2), UIW 84/A (2)
Denon DVD3930ci

I like Denon (had them in the past, use Marantz now) but I wouldn't say they are "the best audio/video receivers" but they do make pretty nice stuff.....

[sterryo]

Originally Posted by cawgijoe

As to the Onkyos.......they certainly give you alot for the money and many folks here are very happy with them, but my main concern.....and maybe it's unfounded.....is that I hear that they tend to run very hot.......and we all know that heat kills........

Heat is the by-product of an amplifiers power... more power more heat, check out the reviews of AVR's that show actual bench testing of it's power rating and not the manufacturers spec sheet. The Onkyo 805 tests out 20-25% higher in total watts produced. Which means that compared to an equally speced AVR it will be considerable warmer (hot) to the touch. Heat sinks needed to cool the 805 down to the other AVR's temp would drastically increase weight and size....

[cawgijoe]

Originally Posted by sterryo

Heat is the by-product of an amplifiers power... more power more heat, check out the reviews of AVR's that show actual bench testing of it's power rating and not the manufacturers spec sheet. The Onkyo 805 tests out 20-25% higher in total watts produced. Which means that compared to an equally speced AVR it will be considerable warmer (hot) to the touch. Heat sinks needed to cool the 805 down to the other AVR's temp would drastically increase weight and size....

The other option is fan(s)..........

[richteer]

Originally Posted by cawgijoe

As to the Onkyos.......they certainly give you alot for the money and many folks here are very happy with them, but my main concern.....and maybe it's unfounded.....is that I hear that they tend to run very hot.......and we all know that heat kills........

THere's nothing wrong with an amp running hot per se, provided it's within specs. The big Class A amps of yesteryear (think Krells and Musical Fidelity) all run hot, because that's the nature of the beats.

[Snah]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

There are other non-decoding HDMI AVRs out there much better..... have you looked into other brands/models? Or is it just between the Sony, and those Onkyos ?

I don't care about brand, the Sony's and the Onkyo's were the only ones that I was looking at that seemed affordable.

Are there other better alternatives? I want a minimum of 3 HDMI ports. Anyone got any other good choices?

Also, thanks everyone. Looks like I'll go with another receiver besides the Sony.

[Snah]

Also, yes, the PS3 will be my main Blu-Ray player. I'm an avid videogamer/movie watcher, and honestly, I don't think my setup will be without a PS3 for a LONG, LONG time (like 10+ more years).

PS3 handles the bulk of my HD activities. I do not foresee needing internal decoding. I suppose it's a nice feature to have, but not a deal breaker (HDMI ports is more important to me).

[Dogslyf]

I had a Sony rcvr and recently bought an Onkyo 605 and even though it's a mid-range model, it still has all the bells and whistles and is far more flexible than any Sony rcvr I have owned. Plus, the Onkyo is 90w continuous. Makes a big difference. Splurge for the Onkyo. You won't regret it.

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by MacDaddyOJack

1% THD is TERRIBLE! Anything below 0.09% is considered inaudible so the Onkyo's are great in that respect. The 805 has far better internal components than the sony and the 606, especially the DAC's. Get the 805, you can't go wrong with that.

I think for movie watching, speaker selection is more important than THD. I purchased a 920, I plan on using it for movie watching and very light music listening. I think a purchase such as a receiver should be based upon what you are going to be using it for. I have owned both Pioneer and Sony receivers in the past, and for what I was using it for saw no discernable difference....

[Collectors Set]

Originally Posted by Snah

The 606/805 are around $450/600.

The Sony 720 is $250 - significantly cheaper. t

Is this price quote for a brand new one via the Circuit City website?? They just bumped the price back up nearly $50 yesterday

One thing I would like to add that I just discovered in my search is getting the exact dimension of the receiver. I was looking at the Onkyo 805, but there is no way it is going to fit in my custom glass shelving cabinet. And logistically there is no other place for me to put it. So the Sony 720 is also on my list.

Where are you at for speakers?? Have you checked out any of the high end Polk satellite bundle sets that are being discontinued and 60%+ off retail right now??