Excellent build quality, fantastic sound, simple to use, handsome appearance

slightly weighty midrange and no balance control

I bought this receiver in December of 2000 and I have been very impressed with it. It's one of the best sounding receivers I've ever heard. This Onkyo puts out a very clean, warm and musical sound with clear extended highs, a warm midrange which is slightly "weighty" (or laid back) and tight, powerful and musical bass. It is equally impressive when watching movies. Gunshots, explosions and glass shattering have a very impressive amount of impact and realism. With this receiver you'll hear Dolby Digital the way it was meant to be heard. The tuner on this receiver pulls in stations loud and clear and it seems to have a slightly better tuner than most receivers. I really like the remote, its well laid out and is simple to use which glows in the dark. This receiver also uses an oversized power transformer, oversized storage capacitors, discrete output transistors rather than the cheap IC chips and top grade aluminum heat sinks. The finish is also handsome with a black aircraft grade aluminum front panel and flourescent green text. This receiver deserves 5 stars and thats exactly what I'm going to give it.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer, JVC and YAMAHA

enemic shallow sound in sterio mode. Sounds ok in surround sound mode.

I wanted to upgrade from my sony strd1015 receiver. I never liked the idea of having less watts/channel going to the surround speakers and I could barely hear them. Most of my listening is music cd's in the sterio mode and unless I have done something very wrong in setup this unit does not compare in sterio mode with my old sony unit. The sony unit had a powerful clean sound and good clean bass. This unit sounds like I am listening to a cheap $200 piece of equipment that just cant get the sound out. I will continue to try and make adjustments to the setup but so far I am not happy with my purchase. I can't return it because time has exceeded the 2 weeks return policy. Keep in mind I am not an expert, only know what I hear. If I find that I have done something wrong with the setup I will edit my review. No other equipment was changed by the way. Same dvd/cd player, wires, speakers, etc.
The retailer I purchased the unit from processed my order in a short period of time and I have no complaints with them. Everything went well.
Overall opinion is that the $748 that I paid for this is not worth it. I paid $399 for my strd1015 7 years ago and should have just stuck with it. I don't see a $349 improvement.
Lesson learned is always audition what you buy before you buy it. What sounds good to you may not sound good to me. Don't assume more money equals better. Stupid me! Lesson learned!

Simple to use.

Bass management is a little complicated. This took some tweeking that I had not been used to doing.

I have not used this enough to write a detailed review. However, how about this: absolutely stunning! The build quality is good. It runs a little warm. I hope this is not a sign to some of the nightmares that a couple of reveiwers have had. So far, all is well. DVD's sound great as do my CD's. I ran my CD player via its optical port. Wow! What a difference. I love the room settings. Of course, I've never used a THX receiver. So, it could be a common feature with THX receivers. Anyway, the pro-logic processing is great with this machine. I replaced a Yamaha, and there is no comparison. I refer to this because when I watch my satellite the majority is not Dolby encoded. So, this helps. Of course, I don't think anybody would disagree with the fact that THX processing is slamming. DTS and DD do not compare without the THX processing. This is what I expected from THX processing. I'm not disappointed. I look forward to many nights with my new toy. I won't say it's better than the Yamaha models or any other model for that matter, but; it is THX certified, and I definitely won't discredit Lucasfilm.

Similar Products Used:

None

THX Cert., Build Quality, much everything

None so far

This review is very cursory in nature because of 2 reasons, 1) To offset Daves 1 star review and 2)I had it for less than 1 hour.
This is a fantastic site as I got help from a lot of reviewers to help me purchase this receiver as I had questions about DTS-ES, etc. Thanks.
So far I have only heard this unit in Stereo and it sounds terriffic. I will be putting this receiver through it's paces and offer a more detailed review soon.
This is to help Dave and other frustrated buyers. Onkyo's website gives a list of their dealers. Go to the guys with less overheads and they will come close to matching the internet prices and also have this unit in stock.

Similar Products Used:

STRDA555ES

Great sound from DVD.THX-EX cert.

NOT 6.1 OR 7.1 DISCREET!!!!

Just started looking at new home theater rec. a few days ago.A family member suggested this site to me to see what everyone thought abouit this product. Much to my amazement,many others people were torn between the onkyo 787 and the denon 3801. After going through the opinions on this site, I found myself confused to whether or not the 787 was a "discreet" 6.1 surround. Many on this site also seemed confused. I decided to find out from Onkyo. I e-mailed them yesterday at 10 pm and asked if their 787 was a 6.1 discreet. Today at 10:30 am they answered me via e-mail. The TX-DS787 IS NOT a discreet 6.1!!! They also said that they were in the process of upgrading the TX-DS989 (which has the 7th amp included) to 6.1 and 7.1 discreet.The only trouble with that is, it costs 3000.00.I have listen to both the 787 and the 3801 but not in discreet 6.1 and they both sound amazing to me. But I plan to purchase the Denon model this week. Thanks to Onkyo though, their cust. serv. seems to be on the ball and at the very least, VERY HONEST!!

It rocks Dvd-Audio

none

I hear things in my surrounds that the Kenwood vr3800 never picked up. Try the U571 Dvd I thought my house was going to blow up. I started a yahoo groups Onkyo TX-DS787 so we can discuss with each other tweaks and settings? Come and join

Similar Products Used:

Kenwood(never again)

DTS ES and DD EX, THX Certified, fully configurable inputs (Audio, Video) great power, excellent build

If I had to nitpick... No Preamp in (ONLY OUTS) no GOLD interconnects

FIRST impressions:

Purchased this receiver "BLIND" just by reading ALL of the great POSITIVE review here on Audio Review. I purchased this receiver to replace my venerable Pioneer VSX-D908S (DD 5.1 & NO DTS)... I was a little disappointed when I first opened up the unti and realized the unit did not have GOLD connectors (my PIONEER did, VERY MINOR)... My second surprise was finding out that the there were NO Pre-AMP inputs, (I need this for my BOSE 901 equalizer)... I had to rely on the "OLD" method for my PIONEER, PRE-AMP out to EXTERNAL amp... I was REALLY REALLY looking forward to having pre-amp ins so that I can re-cycle my TWO channel external amp for the Right and Left rear/surround speakers for FULL 7.1... Told by SALESPERSON at the time that it did...:( Build quality aside from the non-gold connectors, the Onkyo was BEEFY, very heavy, solid piece of equipment. I didn't care for the "simple" front panel display in blue LED's, I was used to the COMPLEX Orange/RED LED's of the Pioneer...

Actual Review:
Analog, Two channel stereo, via CD player and MD player, WOW!!! I couldn't believe my ears the sound was incredible the music sounded clearer less muted than the Pioneer ever did, I listen to a LOT of classical music and piano solos so when I heard David Osbourne playing on the ONKYO I was blown away. The piano sounded live, it was like having David Osbourne play live in my house!!! :))) The ONKYO is one of the best I've heard.

Digital Audio, Two channel stereo CD Player and DVD player. After listening to the receiver in ANALOG mode, I switch the CD to DIGITAL input and the sound fidelity increased about 3 fold. I was able to hear nuances in music passages that weren't there before. The clarity sound and sound imaging of the music (classical, jazz, instrumental) just came into a sharp crystal clear focus. I diffences between Digital & Analog inputs wasn't quite as pronounced when listening to (Rock, Pop, R&B music). Does anyone know if the 787 is using the Burr-Brown Digital Decoders??

Home Theater viewing
To be totally honest there was very very little difference between the ONKYO and PIONEER in Dolby Digital mode. So I wasn't expecting much more when I switched the source to DTS mode, OH my G*D was I wrong!!!! I'm now a TOTAL DTS convert. I love my home theater and I love SURROUND sound formats to enable me to create the illusion of watching a great epic of a large motion picture in the privacy of my own home. Dolby digital on BOTH the Pioneer and the ONKYO was able to provide that illusion, faithfully, BUT in the back of my mind (very subtly mind you...) I still couldn't quite achieve the full home theater nirvana... UNTIL DTS that is!!!!

For the first time I was able to pick out little AUDIO details that were hidden/muddied/stifled in DD 5.1, with DTS enabled I was able to hear the little splashes of water and leaves rustling as Kevin Costen runs through the forest / mountain... In Gladiator I was able to hear the swords as they were being unsheated, chariots coming around the corner... For me the DTS kicked my home theater in the next notch full IMMERSIVE 3D sound... DTS has made me a full convert from DD to DTS and I will now strive to PICK DTS movies over DD

Usage:
One of the BEST things about this receiver is it's ability to full customization. You can re-program any input (CD/DVD/VCR/TAPE/PHONO/ETC...) to display a VIDEO signal in needed, or which of the FOUR DIGITAL inputs as needed on the fly. The ONKYO has so many adjustments and configurations available it could make your head spin! Luckily I had the set up the PIONEER previously so without having to read the manual I was able to configure the unit with NO problems at all!!!

Bonus featers:
12 VOLT trigger control for mechanical lift (DLP/Front Projector), curtains/blinds, etc...
Zone 2 with Remote control capability (separate accessory but available)
Option for 7.1 (via separate power amp)
Multichannel inputs for external decoder
Learning remote
Great bang for the buck!!!
Component Switching (Differences between S-Video and Component very subtle not earth shattering...)

Minuses:
No Pre-amp in (necessary ONLY for my BOSE 901s)
No gold connects
No AC3-RF (Laserdisc Dolby Digital) needs RF Demodulator $$$$


Overall for the PRICE I paid for this unit, I would have to give this a 10 star rating VALUE if I could... :) the Overall rating I would give it 9 :)))

Run! Don't walk to your nearest retailer (internet) to purchase this receiver...!!!


-Alex


BTW, One final note, the price I paid is for a FACTORY refurbished model. I was a bit skeptical at first but Onecall promised me a no hassle return policy for 10 ~ 15 days risk free no restocking fee... With the savings I opted for 3 year extended warranty so this was a no brainer... Shipping (~$35 fed-ex 2 day), warranty ($35), for a total of $675 delivered..

Buy one now!!!

Similar Products Used:

None

Great power high current THX 6.1

None.................

The Onkyo TX-DS787 is good enough for home system no need to buy the exspensive one has great power and many function with 7-10 listening mode very easy to use the remote is also great.............

LOTS OF POWER, GREAT BUILD QUALITY, LOTS OF FEATURES

AT THIS PRICE NOT ONE THING

I have been into homr theatre for years now and let me start by saying this reciever is in the wrong price range it's the best nuy well into the 1400.00 price range.

100 watts per channel , 6 channels SURROUND EX and pre out for using external beefy seperates. What more can you ask for?

Word seems to be getting out about this receiver because I could not find it anywhere for awhile. I am glad that I waited the sound quality is really impressive and the tranformer inside the amp is HUGE!! I keep cranking it up to see if there is any weakness but I can't find one.

I'm used to separates so I bought this unit with low expectations but I have to say that all in one units have come a long way ( or at least this one has).

If you are looking for great sound quality and a good deal this one is hard to beat and like any piece of equipment listen to it before you review.
I bought my piece at J&R MUSIC WORLD from TODD AT EXT 1039. (800 221 8180 ) This guy is great and J&R OFFERS A 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!!
NO RISK BUYING!! I've been stuck with equipment before due to short return policies and so forth so that was a real plus to me.
But I would not want to give this baby back , movie after movie just gets better and better! Oh and always opt for the DTS title when purchasing a movie it's a whole different ball park.
GOOD LUCK!!

Similar Products Used:

HARMON KARDON AVP1a , ONKYO TXDS575X, TECHNICS ADD ON

Ease of setup, remote control, plenty of clean power.

None noted yet.

System: Onkyo 787, DefTech Procinema 80s, Procenter 100, Prosub 80.

Outstanding receiver! I was hesitant to purchase due to the price, but once setup, I have not had even a tinge of buyer's remorse. I've cranked the power to wall shaking levels and have yet to hear even the slightest hiss from any of the speakers.

I highly recommend this unit to anyone looking to expand from 5.1 into 6.1 or 7.1 with a separate amplifier. You won't be disappointed.