The name says it all
Written: Dec 26 '01 (Updated Dec 27 '01)
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Pros: quality receiver, lots of features, good price
Cons: none yet
The Bottom Line: Not quite as simple as the "theater in a box" thing, but much better sounding, and upgradeable.
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| skhong's Full Review: Onkyo TX-DS595 5.1 Channels Receiver |
Onkyo is a brand that not everybody is familiar with. But don't let that dissuade you. There is a lot to be had from an Onkyo and this receiver doesn't disappoint.
I've had previous Onkyo units for many, many years and have not had any problems at all with any of them. My previous experience with Onkyo include a receiver that I bought when I was in college, which I sold to buy another Onkyo receiver (in 1987). I still have that receiver today, and still use it. I also purchased an Onkyo tape deck in 1987, and still use it as well. No problems with any of the three units. Onkyo's slogan used to be something like: artistry of sound. Now it's: imaginative sight and sound. Either way, it's sure to please.
As far as this unit goes, the TX-DS595, here's what you get:
75 watts/ channel , 5 channels (0.08% thd)
Subwoofer out (line level)
Dolby Digital 5.1
DTS
Dolby Pro Logic II
Cinema Re-Eq
WRAT (wide range amplifier technology)
Inputs
DVD
Video 1
Video 2
Video 3
Tape
FM / AM
Phono
CD
Outputs
A/B speaker outs
Composite out
S-video out
Sub out
PROS
The front panel is aluminum, not cheap plastic. The frame is quite sturdy as well, made from steel. This thing is buit to last.
The wide range amplifier technology is an Onkyo thing. They spec the amplifier to "eliminates the adverse effects of counter-electromotive force by applying the optimum minimal amount of negative feedback". All I know is that it sounds great. The 75w/channel seems smaller than other amplifiers, but Onkyo's ratings are at a lower total harmonic distortion (0.08%) than others. Also, the receiver will keep up at the full rated wattage! Others may be rated at 100 or 150w/ch but they may distort more or give up sooner at the rated wattage.
Besids, a 150 w/ch will only get you about 3 db more sound level than a 75w/ch amplifier.
The amplifier will automatically switch between DTS and DD 5.1 when the source material changes. There are other amplifiers that don't do this, forcing the user to change the settings manually. Onkyo makes it easy.
There are 2 optical inputs, 2 coax inputs, 4 composite inputs, 4 s-video inputs, 3 other audio inputs.
It does have this neat feature called intellivolume. You can set each input to a preset level, so that when you switch from cassette, to vcr, to fm, to dvd, they all come out at about the same volume. You don't need to change the volume knob whenever you switch sources. Nice touch.
DTS and DD5.1 work as expected, and you can manually change the level of each speaker.
Dolby Pro Logic II is new and nice. It has 2 modes, music and movie. They are optimized to perform better than the older Dolby Pro Logic. Movie mode allows it to use the center channel quite a bit, while music mode puts more sound at the l and r speakers. It also can be set to one of several preset surround programs: orchestra, unplugged, studio, tv, all channels stereo, etc.
It has a volume memory in which you can set the amplifier to start at a certain level, the last level (before turning it off), or at zero.
The programming for the speaker levels are in feet; the amplifier can generate test tones to set the levels; there are just too many things to list.
The remote is a universal remote with an ok layout. What's cool is the macro programmability. I have programmed one button to turn on everything, receiver, vcr, tv, dvd. One to turn off everything. Another cool thing with this remote is that the back side is contoured for your fingers; It has 2 upside down "u" shaped grooves on the bottom side for your fingers. Unfortunately they are just a bit too high making the remote bottom heavy. But it works just fine anyway. One more thing about the remote, no matter which remote it is emulating, the volume controls the receiver.
CONS
The amplifier doesn't convert composite to s-video to allow just a single connection to your tv. If you have some composite gear (such as a vcr) and s-video gear (such as a dvd player) you'll need to hook up both comp and s-vid to your tv from the amplifier.
For my tastes, the Onkyo has too simple of a display. There are menus that you can navigate to get into the setup portions of the amplifier, but I just like a bunch of flashy lights. To each their own.
CONCLUSION
I really like this unit and plan on keeping it for many years to come. I have had my older Onkyo (TX-830) for 14 years now and hope I get as many or more years of service from this new unit.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 359
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Epinions.com ID:
skhong
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Location: Minnesota, US
Reviews written: 47
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
My short bio: woodworking, photography, trucks...
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