Features, Style, Quality, Durability

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Overview: Onkyo products have always been regarded as high quality electronics, and therefore carry a premium pricetag. At $600-$700, the TX-DS676 is no exception. There are many sub $300 receivers nowadays that tout Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, and a host of other features. Most (if not all) of those receivers, however, lack the durability and quality that is synonymous with Onkyo.

What I Like About this receiver:
Well, to be honest, there is not much that I don't like. There is more than ample power (85 Watts RMS) to all 5 channels. Both Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS surround sound decoding are built into the receiver. In case new technology comes out, there are 5.1 multi channel inputs to hook up an Onkyo (or any other 3rd party) decoder. The 24 bit Motorola Digital to Analog (D/A) converter is top of the line. There are 4 digital inputs (2 toslink and 2 coaxial), which is more than enough for any audio enthusiast. An on-screen display is available to visually fine tune and fiddle with the receiver's settings. All the speaker inputs are of the binding post variety, which produce a cleaner sound from your speakers. Also, if it applies to you, this unit does have multi-room speaker capabilities with an optional controller from onkyo.

The remote is also in a class of it's own. It's backlit, easy to program to all of your home audio equipment, and even has a little joystick on it :)

The unit's styling was also a big plus for me. I love it's sleek black look and shiny finish. Nothing fancy, just great-looking!

Also, I noticed that the fan on this unit does not make much noise at all when it turns on, unlike the old TX-DS656. That one had a fan that made a very loud sound when it turned itself on, and can be heard even at loud volumes!

Dislikes: I would have liked a few more than the 8 included DSP modes, but that's not a big minus. A second center channel input would have also been nice.

Summary: Basically, if this piece is in your budget, get it. I honestly believe you will not be disappointed. There are many other "cheaper" receivers out there, but not many even come close to the quality and durability that Onkyo provides. Also, I believe that anything beyond a $700 receiver is just "fluff", unless you truly need more inputs or power. Get yours here! $595

Commenting on all the reviewers saying those of us who had problems are idiots... ie the Assie... The problems are onkyo's, check their website they finally admit it in the FAQ section. My replacement is set the EXACT same way, same speaker levels, same wires, same place in my theater arrangement. The new one does not hum, the old ones did. My fault or Onkyo's fault? Onkyo's. Quit assuming problems are the result of the consumer and stick to reviewing the equipment/offering positive advice or say nothing at all.

Its still a 4.

ATTENTION:
I just got off the phone with Onkyo. They are aware of the problem and have been for about 2 days. I am told they are working with Japan to find a solution to the humming in the center channel.

They told me that I was free to take back the unit or could hold onto it and they would be calling me by Oct. 27th to let me know what they are going to do.

The 777 had a different problem and was recalled . BUT all of the people who had it fixed are thoroughly happy. I will wait and have them fix mine - I love it and think it is a fantastic receiver.

I will keep this review site updated when I hear back from them.

By the way, I called them to tell them about the problem, they checked on it and called me back within the hour to tell me they are working on it. Then they offered to call me next week with an update - I didn't have to ask. So far I am extremely impressed with their Customer Service!

remote, power, all the inputs you ever need

none that i can hear or see

i was very impressed as soon as i saw it on the show room floor and even more when i sat down and had a listen to it movies, music it sounded great i have found no complants about it had only one hessitation upon buying it when i read all the complaints about the hissing and humming but when i hooked it up i used monster cables for everything and pro audio 14ga speaker wire and have heard no hissing or humming have all cambride soundworks speakers and sub and i love it i would recommend it to anyone ,i got it for $700 a good deal, love the remote does everything 5*.

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sony

Awesome power, lots of bells and whistles

I couldn't believe the poor score this receiver got on this
site but after reading all the reviews all I can say is a few bad apples.... .I love mine and have had none of the hum and hiss problems. I run a pair of Cerwin Vega cabs with 18" woofers up front and a pair of EV sx200 12" woofers
in the rear, Both pairs are extremely efficient and produce absolutely no unwanted noise whatsoever. I recently had the opportunity (people upstairs went on vacation) to open the throttle on this unit with Saving Private Ryan on 5.1 dvd, and all I can say is WOW!!. I saw this in the theater and I think it was more impressive in my living room. At reference volume (62 on the dial) the sound quality and clarity were outstanding, the only buzzing came from my windows. Maybe the reason there are so many poor reviews as compared to good reviews is that people that got the receiver I bought can't peel themselves away from it long enough to rave about it.

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Onkyo tx-ds 575, Onkyo tx-ds 656

Every thing, looks, remote, macro features, sound quality, video inputs

switchable OSD between the composite and svideo, would've been nice to have it on both....

I love this reciever! The sound is awesome, it's flexible, it has room to grow with future technology, (multichannnel inputs.) I bought it from the refurbished list off of the sound city site, and it said on the box, "dent and scratch" but when I opened it up, it was blemish free!!! And it works beatifully!! real good deal too, $469. I'm using the tx-906 for through house, and the whole system just rocks!!! Very high quality stuff for the money. It matches many recievers that cost three times as much! I highly recommend it. No Hiss, buzz, nothing!!!! just great HiFi sound!!!

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backlit remote, on screen display for setup

no tape monitor - can't use my equalizer anymore. no multiroom setup - my onkyo 535pro had a separate source selection and volume control on the remote for the B speakers. For controling volume of speakers in the kitchen or outside this was a great feature. I assume that because tape monitor and multiroom are more of an audio enthusiast feature with limited appeal they probably got dropped from the 676 which appears to be geared more for the audiovisual users. I also miss the red LED on the volume control knob. I have the tendency to crank it up and that red dot always let me know if the volume was getting a bit to high!!!

My unit had the center channel hiss. A call to Onkyo indicated that it was caused by interference from my TV which was also in my entertainment center. TV on - hiss, TV off - no hiss. Onkyo's first solution was to seperate the two. When I told them it wasn't possible they suggested that I take it to a repair center. The repair center sent me a postcard stating unit was ok, no repairs were needed. I called and talked to their service manager who stated that nothing out of the ordinary was found. When I told him that Onkyo stated that they had a service bulletin on the problem he agreed to call for information. The service manager was decent enough to call me back and state that a fix was required and that they had never come across this problem before. It was covered under warranty even though I bought it online. It does pay off to send in those warranty cards on a timely basis. System is now very quiet. I'm very pleased with the functionality of the unit. Even the kids can run it once you take the time to set it up logically. I use the preouts to feed three Marantz MA700 monoblocks (200 watts each) for my Paradigm Reference Studio40 fronts and Studio Center channel. Preout also used for B&W AS6 powered sub. For rear surrounds I use the Radio Shack LX5II dipole speakers. I know these aren't highend but I find the dipole effects to be much more realistic for surround purposes than a direct radiating speaker. Who cares about timbre matching if they sound decent and you get good surround effects. Multifunction remote is very practical once you get the programming down. But don't lose your other remotes. If you try to program everything you won't remember what keys you assigned so "keep it simple" do the obvious functions, its still better than needing to have 4 or 5 remotes. Overall I'm very happy with the system, especially now that the center hiss problem has been resolved. Good value for the money if purchased online.
BTW I ended up using my onkyo 535pro just to power my kitchen speakers. Older JBL MusicII's and 100 watt powered sub. (My SO rocks while she is making the meals) For CD's I split the signal from the DVD so digital went to the 676 and analog went to the 535. FM is stand alone.

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onkyo 535pro

power per channel, OSD , DTS, and Cinema Re-EQ

None

I have heard many people talk about the Hiss and hum comming out of the 676. I have know idea what you people are talking about this is a great reciever! Running good speakers and quality cables you should have no problems. Now this is my first Onkyo and I am very happy with its preformance. I would recommend it to anybody!

Full-featured receiver

Channel Bleed

This receiver sounds great if you are not in close proximity to the speakers. Unfortunately in my small living room you can here the center channel hum that many have previously mentioned. I hate to say it, but it really is annoying! So, I have decided to look into the Denon line. I hear there products are in the same price line and don't have this problem.

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Various receivers / components mostly Marantz,HK and Yamaha

Great sound! Great power! Great receiver!

Size, but I can work around it!

This is an excellent receiver! I bouhgt it from soundcityoutlet.com for $469.00 with free shipping! Can't beat that! I orginally was looking at the 575 but when I saw this deal I stepped up! I use this receiver to push my paradigm performance series H/T setup. It rocks!! Look for my review on the paradigm speakers! In closing it's a great all round receiver!

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