Everything: power, decoders, remote

none

!!!!!!***********MUST READ ALL !!!!***************
First let me say that this is awsome product.I'm very satisfied.The sound is unparalleled at this and higher (800$)price level.
I've put this review here because of all the "underpower" reviews (they said that there is a lack of power or that you must turn the volume very high to get to the loud level).
The volume of this receiver increases not in linearity,but in a logaritmic (log) or exponential way if you like.In these reviews the volume was compared usualy to the old receivers from various brands which handeled the volume in a linear way.
But what does that mean? When tuning the volume on
lineary receiver the output volume increases (the speakers go loud) till about 50-60%. At this point the speakers are at their maximum or submax and with tuning the volume knob to 80% or more there is very little difference in the output volume.
On logaritmic (exponential) receivers this situation is quite different.
Namely, when the volume is increased till a certain level (in this case with this receiver around 40 in absolute volume with all speakers set to 0) the
output volume is increased with minimum steps.And if you turn the volume from 40 to 50(60) the output volume is increased with huge steps (that is the logaritmic effect). There is no problem if you want to crank
the volume to 70. So this is no malfunction. This is the way the receiver works and is made to work. Thats why there is no distortion on high volume levels. The logaritmic way of increasing the power is more convinient because you can adjust the volume to a listening level as
you like (there is a huge range with so to call quiet values which we all use for the most of the time we are listening) and of course if you like it loud no problem increase more.
So there is nothing wrong in increasing the volume on this receiver to 55 or 65.

P.S.This is a scenario with speakers with 6-8 ohms impedance.E-mail me for anything with this receiver

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Pioneer, Yamaha older models

Ok, the first time it needed repairs I was quite fine with it, I mean there's a bad apple in every batch right? However, when it happens a second time AFTER warranty work to correct the problem is done I'm quite annoyed. The last time I had sent it in for repairs, the local shop said they (Onkyo) would not honor the remaining warranty because of the extensive repair they had to do (apparantly they did a complete replacement of the amplifier section). I dunno what's up with that but it seems the same problem that occured last time is happening AGAIN! I delibretly set the receiver up this time around with all speakers as "small" to free the internal amps from reproducing bass, using the powered subwoofer from the sub preamp output (instead of my previous speaker level connection so the main speakers share the bass load). I may have had the volume up high, but it was far from max and didn't seem like it was distorting to my ears (not like the Sony it replaced, see previous review dated 1/12/01), I only increased the gain to the surround channels because the sensitivity is slightly lower (+2dB) and the speakers are a nominal 8 ohm load all around. Odd thing is, I only realized a problem when I went from a DD movie to a stereo CD (was testing the powered subwoofer so I was paying more attention to that), the center channel and surround amps were working but the left and right didn't. During that time it remained on so I powered down and back up and it automatically shuts itself down.

My new ratings are slightly lower to compensate for my previous review. As good as it sounded when working, it's only an expensive and heavy paperweight now (again). Hope everyone else has better luck, maybe I did get the most rotten apple of the bunch =(

- good sound for the price (there are better sounding receivers but cost more)
- good looking/looks durable
- input/output galore, binding post
- backlit learning remote
- decent decoder(wish they had included an MP3 decoder as well-HK have this)

- remote could be better, missing some controls that I usually use (e.g. late night, re-eq). You have to cycle to all the speakers when setting the sound level of all the channels-there is no back button.
- there is a little bit of hiss(not too bad though) when the sound level is high
- sounds too flat/bland on low volume (could be the speakers - Athena)-will sound better if you increase the volume
- imaging could be better (could be speaker as well, tried both Athena and Energy)

Not bad at all for this price range. Have decent power and good sound quality(just don't crank it too loud where you start to hear some distortion). 595 looks better from the paper(newest version of ONKYO for this price range) but I have not heard one yet(power rating is higher but with less weight???-have pro logic II also).

P.S.
You can actually make the unit remember the level settings of the 5 channels by using the TEST button on your remote. This will let you balance the sound level of your 5channels by making a pink noise. Set the level for all channels and press TEST again.

Similar Products Used:

HK, Sony

Excellent S/N ratio, plenty of power

remote layout

Excellent unit, very low noise floor and rock-solid output!
I have had ZERO problems with this unit and am glad I saw the CR reviews before I purchased. Believe me, when it comes to audio, I've learned "you get what you pay for!" My first Onkyo(now 9 yrs old!) still works great but of course does not decode digital anything. No real complaints other than I couldn't seem to get used to the remote layout and have since upgraded to a Director. Overall, Onkyo makes a great, lasting, solid product!

Similar Products Used:

Integra, NAD, Sony

very good sounding, powerfull, the logarithmic command volume, the programmable remote

no OSD.

This product (TX DS 575X) gives a very clear and powerfull sound. Onkyo has made a very serious job with this amp, in comparison with its price!

The fact that the command volume is logarithmic is also a good thing, so that you can adjust the volume with precision, particularly in low volumes.

In many reviews, i read that people where anxious with the fact that you need to turn the master button volume up to 55 in order to get a powerfull sensation : in fact, there's no matter with that, because it's just a consequence of the logarithmic command volume.

Another good point is the remote : it's very usefull. With it, I no longer need my TV, DVD player and MD remotes! The fact is it's quite long, but in regards with the many possibilities it gives, it's nothing.
I'm very enthousiastic with this amp : Onkyo shows another time they are ones of the leaders in Dolby Digital and DTS reproduction.

I could compare this product with the Denon AVR 2800 (year 1999) : these two products are very closer. I can notice a better DD reproduction on the Onkyo, but the Denon takes the advantage on CD reproduction.

I would speak about the comparison between the Onkyo ts-dx575x and the Denon AVR 1801. It appears that many reviewers compare them each other. I think the Denon AVR 1801 can't be compared with the Onkyo tx ds575x : in terms of power and price (in france where's a big gap between the price of the Denon and of the Onkyo). The Onkyo costs 1500FF more than the Denon! In my opinion, It's two different class products (but I don't know the price gap between them in the US!).

As a conclusion, I can say that the Onkyo TX-DS575X is a very good product, in terms of quality sounding and power. In this price class, I would recommand it to people who research a good quality, both in Cd and DVD sound reproduction.

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my previous am was a Pionner vsx 804 rds.

DPS,DTS,clean sound,remote control and power.

no low end bass, no loudness button

This product is the best reciever i have bought to date. My only problem is the low bass it does not produce. It would be great if it had a loudness button. I have had no problems as some people have stated with the re-EQ. This is a great reciever at a great price. Power, well my reciever is the Japanese rated version and it really gets up. I do have one question though. When i am watching a DTS encoded movie the sound is much stronger and bass much deeper than normal Dolby 5.1 mode and i wonder why is this? If anyone have the answer please let me know. My system consists of the Bose AM5,Bose VC10 center channel and Bose 100's with a JBL PB10 subwoofer.

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JVC 7010,Kenwood,Sony

Onkyo hardware! DTS

No fan built in, it gets really hot!

This is, to date, the best damn Home Theater reciever I have ever owned. Which, I guess goes without saying. Why would anyone buy something not as good as what you already have? Anyway, this thing has so many inputs on it that you may get dizzy hooking stuff to it. I read all kind of complaints about the remote. But, to be honest, I love this remote. It is programmable! I have now replaced all of my other remotes with this one. It took a while to set it up, but now, instead of a TV, VCR, CD, DVD and a reciever remote, I only use one.
The wattage is low but very pure. This means, however, that I have to keep the volume level set to about 50, which I assume is halfway to max, to listen comfortably. Not a big deal, it sounds great, but, there is no fan in the unit, and it gets hot!
Setting up the speakers takes a while, but it is worth it. This is the first system I've had that actually cared about the size of the speakers in each channel. What a difference it makes! Highly recommend this receiver to anyone looking for a solid home theater receiver for a moderate amount of cash !!

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JVC, Kenwood and H/K

Crisp/Clear sound. Plenty of power. Remote.

A bit low on bass.

I like:
- Most of all the sound. Great for both movies and music.
- Macro programmable remote + backlight.
- Display dimming.
- Connectability.
- A + B speaker choice.
- Five channel "stereo" is a positiv surprise.

I dislike:
- A bit low on bass. Not a problem if you have a sub.

Closing comment:
I dig it.

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None

Clean sound, detail, build quality.

Cannot access ReQ and Late Night from remote.

I think the 575x does all well(DOLBY DIGITAL, DTS, 2 CHANNEL STEREO, AND PRO LOGIC AND 5 CH STEREO FOR T.V.)with good power. I don't use the dsp's enough to comment but on previous Sony receivers I always used dsp's for music because they did not have the sound quality of the Onkyo.

As for build quality, My unit runs a average of 6 hrs a day Mon-Fri and 12 hrs a day on the weekend and never gets more than warm to the touch.

I like the remote because it commands everything in my system listed below(except 51 disc player), even functions that are specific to each component(as long as I remember the buttons I programmed).

In conclusion the 575x is a great receiver and if you would like to make it better; if you are someone that is unsure about the difference speaker cable can make, try some high grade speaker cables. In my experience, to be specific the Monster Z1 speaker cable(what a difference). Check out the reviews under cable.

System
Onkyo tx-ds575x receiver
Onkyo dv-s555 dvd
Sony 300 disc cd player
Sony 51 disc cd player
Sony vcr
Panasonic vcr
JVC 32inch t.v.
JBL HLS-810 front
JBL S-CENTER channel
JBL HLS-610 surround
JBL PSW-1000 sub
Monster Z1 speaker cable(front, center channel soon)
Monster Power Center AV700

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Sony receivers

4 s-video inputs,
excellent remote,
good power,
5-channel stereo

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I started looking for a receiver that would handle all of my s-video devices. That narrowed the list quick. I got down to this Onkyo, a Denon, and a Pioneer. All were in the same range and I chose the Onkyo based on reviews here and a friend's recommendation. I must say that I have not been disappointed over the last year.

The remote is great. Lighted, learning, macro functions, easy to learn by feel... I use it exclusively and my others are collecting dust.

One could always use more power, but I have a 250 sq. ft. room and it is more than adequate. Some people complain that the sound is a bit bright but they do not mention how the music is getting to their speakers. I started out with the usual 14-ga. monster cable. I then switched to my own hand crafted speaker wire made from cat-5 network cable. My speakers are bi-wired and the wire on the low end is equal to 8 ga. and the top is 10 ga. BIG DIFFERENCE! I don't own a sub because I put it off until last and have never needed it (mains have 2 6 1/2"s). The sound is balanced and clear and the internal amp has more than enough low end to rattle the windows.

I especially like the 5-channel stereo mode for listening to some music. The sound wraps around you and it's just that much louder. I do listen to music in stereo mode as well and it is exquisite. Onkyo really does know how to build amps.

I've had this one for a year and I can't complain about anything. I probably won't ever get rid of it and won't upgrade it untill something really spectacular comes along. From Onkyo, of course. They've made a lifelong customer out of me.

System:
A/V: Onkyo TX-DS575X
DVD: Pioneer DV-C503
VHS: JVC HR-S7900
Mains: Energy e:XL-26s
Center: Energy e:XL-c
Rear: Energy e:XL-16s
Hand made speaker cables

Similar Products Used:

pioneer, denon, jvc