Good Isn't Good Enough
Written: Mar 02 '01 (Updated Mar 03 '01)
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Pros: Clean layout/design, quality build, good sound
Cons: Not the best in class
The Bottom Line: I loved it, but wouldn't buy it.
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| simplemoney's Full Review: Onkyo TX-DS989 7.1 Channels Receiver |
In my search for quality high-end speakers, I've been listening to lots of quality equipment. Last week, when choosing a new center channel (for the curious I picked up a Tannoy Saturn SC8) I went to a great shop in Long Island.
During my listening tests I noticed a piece of equipment not often seen in high-end shops: an Onkyo TX-DS989 receiver. The Tannoy speaker system was being powered by a B&K AVR 307 Surround receiver ($3,500), so I asked the salesman to hook up the DS989 ($3,300). I knew I had a pre-built bias against mass market electronics since they so often load their expensive units with gadgets rather than higher quality components, so I asked the salesman to keep me blind when switching between the B&K and Onkyo. After about ten minutes of setup time, I was ready to listen.
Equipment and Room
Both the Onkyo and B&K were hooked up to Tannoy D500 front speakers, a Tannoy D750 center, Tannoy MR rear speakers and a Velodyne HGS-18 subwoofer (placed behind the couch due to lack of space in listening room).
All DVD's were played through a Toshiba SD-9200.
The room was about 15' wide by 20' long and had standard 7' ceilings. It was packed with other equipment.
Music Test First
Not knowing which unit was currently powering the speakers the salesman started the test with music - the 5 channel Steely Dan live DVD. After the live version of PEG ended, he restarted PEG and switched the receiver (he was quite good at quickly getting the volume levels to match). Like nearly all Steely Dan music, their are lots of different instruments (guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, male vocals, female vocals, different horns) and both receivers sounded great. At this price range you're really looking for subtle differences, anything glaring differences would be a catastrophe.
We moved on to the Eagles live DVD, and here I noticed the first subtle difference. One of the receivers seemed less capable of delivering low end frequencies with the punch of the other. I ask for the volume to be turned up higher, and as the volume went higher the bass continued to lag further and further behind the rest of the music. After switching to the other receiver, the problem did not occur at any volume level (though I'm certain he never turned it ALL the way up).
Home Theater Test
Amadeus on DVD started the Home Theatre test. This is a great DVD to test a center channel because it must reproduce loud classical music and dialogue simultaneously. While I ended up with the $600 SC8 center, it made me want the $1,400 D750 center, but I digress.
We listened to chapters 1, 5 & 6 of the DVD and both receivers did an excellent job with the Amadeus soundtrack.
The next test was The Matrix. I forget the chapter of the DVD, but we began when Neo attempts to free Morpheus. Again, both receivers were great with the music and effects. Once again I noticed a difference during a large explosion (when the helicopter slammed against the side of the building and blew up). The bass just wasn't as tight and loud from one receiver. The powered subwoofer was fine, it was the lack of bass from the Tannoy fronts.
The salesman told me this was the same receiver I complained about last time.
Inputs/Outputs/Gadgets
The Onkyo comes loaded with all the goodies, Dolby Digital/DTS/THX decoding, 7 channel amplifier (for THX) and throughput for a subwoofer (the .1 in 7.1).
When it comes to inputs, the TX-DS989 is future-proof with six A/V inputs, all with S-video and three with component video. Of course, there are video outputs in composite, S-Video and component to integrate with older and newer-generation televisions. There is one additional A/V output with S-Video to facilitate multi-room/multi-zone operation.
There are three analog audio-only inputs, plus a dedicated phono input. There are even two analog stereo outputs for sending signals to analog recording devices.
When it comes to digital I/O’s, the TX-DS989 is better equipped than many super expensive digital processors. There are five coaxial and three optical inputs to incorporate up to eight digital devices into your A/V system. All positions are assignable, meaning that "coaxial 1" could be assigned to the DVD player that is plugged into the DVD video inputs and "optical 1" could be assigned to the satellite receiver that is plugged into Video 1. There are even two digital outputs, one coax and one digital, for sending digital data streams directly to digital recording devices such as CD-RW, MD or D-VHS recorders.
So Which Receiver Was It?
I'm certain you're all wondering, which amp lacked some low-end power. And when I say lacked some, I really want to say "Which amp lacked a smidgen of low end power".
It was the Onkyo.
You Can't Go Wrong
In this price class you'd be hard pressed to find a bad product. This Onkyo is a very good product. Its amplifier is very good, its pre-amp excellent. If you own this receiver and you noticed that I didn't recommend it, don't get mad. This is a good product and no one will make a mistake buying it. Your home theatre will be amazing and your music detailed.
Its a Great Reciever, why not recommend it
Yes, it is a great receiver and at this price range you must be rated against your peers, not some sub-$1000 receiver.
In my opinion, if you are going to shell out more than $3,000 for a receiver, get the B&K AVR 307. It also does 7.1 THX surround and won't leave you longing for a low end punch that never arrives.
PS: Low Rating
I originally gave this product a "5" star rating. Unfortuantely, even though I didn't recommend the product it was put into the recommended review list. EPINIONS support informed me that to get it to the "Not Recommended" I had to change my ratings below three stars. Therefore I stick with the above rating, but reduced them to get this review in its appropriate category.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 3300
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