Very well constructed, ample features, enough inputs, crystal clear sound, excellent digital dolby surround II

The remote works well but it feels up-side-down. Can't really say that it is a big bother though.

I have really listened to a lot of AV Receivers while deciding what to buy. (Sony, JVC, Pioneer, Teac, Denon, NAD, Harman Kardon, Kenwood). The Onkyo blew everything in it's price range away and even some much more expensive units.

The model I bought is the TX-DS 494(B).Previously I had a Sony F220 stereo amp. The sound quality of the Onkyo is exceptional. It has ample power to make the windows rattle if you want to. It really makes no sense to go above about 60% of the power level. Anyhow, not if you don't want permanent damage to your hearing. Bass is also good. I have a set of Eltax Universe speakers which performs well with the unit. (The unit was demonstrated in my home in order to make my final choice of speakers).

I use the unit in a 50:50 home theatre:music mix and find the sound quality for both application excellent.

As far as entry level av-receivers are concerned, this one certainly is the pick of the bunch. No wonder it was voted best AV Receiver in Europe!

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Sony, Denon etc

Really nice sound!! Simple speaker setup. Quality build.

None for me in it's intended role, but if I was to nit pick, I would say it is underpowered if you intend to use it as a main Home Theater receiver.

This Onkyo has suprisingly good sound for a entry level receiver. It sounds like a $900 Yamaha. If you don't intend to use it as a main receiver in a home theater that you expect to run at 80dB+ most of the time, it is an extemely good value for it's sound and features. Where else are you going to get Dolby Pro Logic II for this price. This Onkyo makes an awesome bedroom receiver. Make sure you budget a subwoofer so you won't have to crank it to get the bass level you crave. With just an entry level JBL sub and some old beat up Infinity speakers I had spare, I set it up in my bedroom with a Toshiba DVD player spinning the Eagles "Hotel California" CD. It's on the third repeat of the CD as I type this, and I am still surprised by how sweet the sound is.

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Yamaha HTR-5490, Denon 3802

Hi Quality Reciever @ an affordable price
Crystal Clear Sound Quality

Not enough output to power my speakers well, bass very weak w/o a sub, surround levels need lots of tweaking, if you are a turntable enthusiast like me this amp is severly underpowered

I have been studying music for 10 years and have listenned to music of all genres, I am also a film maker and respect a high quality dynamic sound system when I view films; in a nutshell ---> This reciever sounds very well but lacks power. The bass is particulary weak compared to my previous system which was powered with a 100watt sansui (very old stereo amp, but still sounds great). I was a little bit dissapointed that my records were so quiet through the phono input. The surround sound during movies was also dissapointing I found that the rear speakers just didn't project as well as I would have liked, I simply raised the level of the rear surrounds, and this helped much. Conversely, it sounds great, the mids are beautiful, and highs are well balanced. If you can get a powered sub you're in the money.

Don't get me wrong, this is a great reciever, just not for me.

I am a little spoiled from listening to much of my music and film audio on my friends denon - mirage sound system, it is a little gross how sickeningy good it sounds, oh well... we can't all have mirage speakers and top end denon recievers.

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yamaha htr-596, various sansui and denon amps

Great Price, Good Quality Expected from Onkyo,DPL II, Binding Posts - All Terminals, Powerful 55 Watts, Aesthetics, Smooth Sound, Easy Setup, Selection of 2/3/4/5 Channel Audio, Low Distortion at High Volumes.

No Low Frequency Effect, Awful Remote, No Dynamic Range Compression, No Individual Speaker Delay Settings / Speaker Parameter Settings.

I have used this receiver since August when it first came available in Canada. I am a sixteen year old highschool student and as a result this component in a piece of a rather modest system of:
ONKYO TX-DS494
ONKYO DV-S555
PARADIGM Mini-Monitors V1 (Front and Rear)
PARADIGM LCR-350 (Center)
PARADIGM PW-2200
I use this receiver for 60:40, Home Theatre:Music. The 494 performs at an amazing level for a budget receiver. It is easy enough for virtually anybody to setup and learn to use. I would highly recommend this unit but I do wish that it had a few more features.

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Yamaha RX-V905.

Affordable, Easy set-up, Dynamic headroom.

Very Weak Bass, buttons on remote too small,I always grap
the wrong end when I pick it up!

This is definately a great a/v receiver if your just starting out in the home theatre world. I only have one
concern about this receiver- the bass response, without
a sub, is very weak!! I went out and bought a mirage 10inch
sub and this definately filled the void-- now I have plenty of bass. Efficient speakers are also a must to
achieve clear and crisp highs. More digital inputs (receiver has two coaxial and one optical) may be a future
concern if you want to build up your system.

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none

Clean front with few buttons - doesn't look like an airplane cockpit.

Generates a lot of heat. Fiber optic digital input failed after 5 months. Seems underpowered.

I have been generally happy with the purchase of this. The optical digital input failed after 5 months - I wasn't getting any sound from my DVD player. It spent three weeks in a repair shop getting fixed. The technician there said that this problem is fairly common with this unit. The warranty is 2 years parts and labor so it was fixed at no cost to me. It does seem to get hot quite easily as well. Also, the volume needs to be cranked quite high to get decent output, however, the sound is top notch. Otherwise, it has been a fine AV receiver.

sound clarity, price, DPL2

remote, lack of power, lack of bass

This unit sounded very nice, with great sound clarity and sound separation. There was no static, buzz or hiss in the speakers. Very clean realistic sound. DPL2 is incredible and Onkyo has perfected the processor to bring just the right amount of sound to the rear speakers. You will never want to use the 5 channel stereo after listening to PL2. Even commercial, which are recorded in PL, sound great.

To the negative. The remote was plain bad, so plan on investing in a universal. This unit also lacked power and bass. It does not bring a powerful visceral impact that I think a home theater should provide. A sub-woofer should help in this area quit a bit. Because of the lack of power the tuner sounded weak too. Onkyo rates this unit a 55watts/channel, but its more likely that it puts out only 20 watts/channel when all 5 speakers are used. If you want true a true home theator experience it would be advisable to move up to the onkyo 595 or 696 or the Denon 2802 or 3802.

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yamaha

Onkyo quality, audiophile-grade amplifier, Dolby Pro Logic II, Simple set up and operation.

Remote difficult to read in less than good light.

I had purchased a 500-watt AIWA receiver only 8 months ago. I originally was mildly dissatisfied with it and should have returned it because my dissatisfaction grew. The unit was sonically unimpressive despite the power rating and each time the power went out, I had to reset the everything on it because it had no memory! I finally decided to check out higher-end products.

I looked at Harmon/kardon, Yamaha, Denon, and Onkyo. The salesman at H.H. Gregg told be he had one of these units himself and said it was without a doubt the best receiver dollar-for-dollar on the market. I bought it and took it home and am glad I did. I now realize how previous units I've used in the past colored the sound I was hearing. What I hear now is stunningly crystal clear!

I have read and heard criticism of this receiver lacking some features...I can only say to this: buy a unit which has what you want! This has all I want! I have also seen criticism about "lack" of power, volume, and/or bass. The owner's manual tells you how to turn up each individual channel's level up to 12 db from factory setting. I have mine turned up and I assure you it is nearlyas "loud" as the 500-watt AIWA. People who want more bass can do what I did: add a 12" 120-watt subwoofer to the unit.

What I now have is a system which I enjoy to the max and didn't put me in the poorhouse. Onkyo, great job!!!!

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JVC, Sony, AIWA

Onkyo quality, low price, decent features, banana plugs

underpowered, the remote is small

When Pro Logic Surround first came out I bought a Sony AV Reciever - with 135 watts. Therein lies the problem for me. In comparison, the Sony created more bass than the Onkyo. Don't underestimate the importance of wattage and low distortion rate when you are deciding to purchase a reciever. Even at lower volumes the sound is better with more watts. I have a sub coming soon to fill the bass void so perhaps I'll write an update after it arrives.

Having said that, the Onkyo does perform well for being an entry level reciever. The highs are clean (thanks to the optical input) and the unit seems to be built well. I can't complain for the price I paid. However, I'm hoping the sub will improve things. By the way - ubid sold this as "refurbished", when it arrived it looked and performed like new. If it had more watts I would definitely give it a higher rating.

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Sony

good amount of features for entry level component

remote is not illuminated

This is a power packed receiver for the price. I've had about 6 months to play with it, and have built my system around this component. I am more than satisfied with the capabilities of this unit. I recommend this receiver to anyone that needs a good start for home theater. This thing has 3 s-video inputs, and an optical input. I must say I was dissappointed I could only afford a 55 watt receiver, but the quality of sound makes up for it. I am convinced that this is THE best deal on the market for an entry level a/v receiver. And if you are lucky you can find one on an internet auction for less than suggested retail price.

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