Well designed, powerful, easy to use

Not many!

This THX certified unit has got enough adaptability and flexibility to keep me satisfied for years to come. It's got one optical/digital out, two digital optical ins and coax ins, two sets of A/V ins/outs with s-video, two sets of A/V ins with s-video (no outs on these), two sets of component video ins and one set out, pre outs and multi-channel ins for 7.1 channels, audio in/out for tapes, and audio ins for CD and a turntable. Yes, a TURNTABLE. All that plus 6 x 100W for the 6.1 and 2 x 100W for the multi room/source outs (not the cheesy 100W over 1kHz claimed by other manufactures but 100W over the full 20Hz to 20KHz) and you've got a very respectable unit!

The electronic features of this unit are well thought out. It's easy to navigate all the layered menu options via the On Screen Display or on the faceplate of the unit. The faceplate design is organized, neat, and logical. Putting in all the settings and getting the system running was a snap.

Some things that could be done better on this unit: Heavier guage sheet metal for the rear panel and beefier binding posts would be nice. Just a bit more room around the connection points on the back panel would be nice, too. Pretty trivial, huh?

At $850 shipped ($40 shipping, $810 for the receiver), other receivers just can't compete with this unit's performance to price ratio. If you're in the market for a good A/V receiver that has the features of a big time receiver, do yourself a favor and buy this unit. Use the $400+ you save over the other manufacturer's comprable models and buy better speakers than you were planning to.

Without question, this unit deserves a full FIVE stars!

Remote doesn't work on Onkyo DVM301 301 disc cd player unless you program the tx-ds787 to learn it. Speaker posts are too close together. The center toggle is a little annoying to use untill you get used to it. (minor crap)

Ive been using the 787 for over a month now and its performed flawlessly. I must say however that you miss a
lot if you dont hook up a subwoofer and the subwoofer takes
all the "brightness" away. Also the Onkyo customer service is Honest and very helpful! They even helped with questions on Onkyo products I'ved had for ten years! Keep up the good work Onkyo!

Similar Products Used:

None

None

Everything positive has already been said about this receiver by various reviewers below. In my opinion, this Onkyo is one of the best receivers out there with features like THX-EX, DTS-ES,etc. Also, do not be fooled by Denon reviewers that you do not need THX and that THX is just a stamp. Wrong! The only receivers to get the stamp have to meet certain power requirements that are needed to drive your speakers in DD/DTS modes(6.1). You do not want a receiver that promises 105W/channel and delivers only 74-78/channel, ala Denon and Yamaha. This Onkyo generates a full 100W * 6 channels at the full bandwidth which guarantees crisp and clear sound in both HT and Music and it is still rated conservatively.
The only thing lacking on this is enough optical ins and if you care a true DTS Discrete 6th channel. But, the DTS-ES matrix is equally good and combined with THX makes it an unbeatable product in this price range.
You won't regret purchasing this product.

Similar Products Used:

Denon,Sony-ES

can't think of any

great unit. I use it primarily for music with a fair number of movies. Just bought a DTS encoded CD (steely dan's gaucho)-- check one out if you haven't heard a 5.1 mixed CD.

I like some of the more behind the scenes features-- has a volume cap you can set so some yahoo doesn't crank it up too loud at a party or whatever.

Love the flat black face, phono input is a plus and not common on AV receivers. DPS modes do nothing for me (my old yamaha pro logic did have some ones I liked), but I usually stick to direct/stereo or the DD/DTS modes anyhow.

haven't tried the 6-ch surround, but will soon. Great unit. Not disappointed in the least. Get one.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha 60w pro logic receiver

Needs More Optical Inputs

After much research I have recently purchased the Onkyo TX-DS787. This is the best receiver for the money in this price range. I disagree with people that say it has poor music reproduction. I found it to have excellent sound (with the right speaker combination) in its price range. Being able to adjust tone controls for each component is a definite plus.

My System
Onkyo TX-DS787
Onkyo M282
JVC XV-D723GD
Sony DVP-S360
Sony CDP-CE545
Sony CDP-CX400
Polk Audio RT1000i - Mains
Polk Audio RT800i - Surrounds x4
Polk Audio PSW350 - Sub
Eosone RSC 300
Sony KV-32XBR400

Similar Products Used:

ONKYO 575x, HK AVR 55

Almost everything

Problems with the learning remote

I've been trying to program the learning remote to replace my tv, cable, vcr remotes. It's already programmed for my DVD because it's an Onkyo DV-C601. The learning remote says full, I know it's not and even when I clear all of the programmed entries and start over it says full. Is anyone having similar problems and do you have a fix?

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha

Sound, power, video inputs, learning remote

The look of the receiver could be improved.

No real comparison between the 787 and my old reciever. It feels like I'm at the movies, great THX EX/DTS-ES decoding. GLADITOR sounds awesome. I can't wait for more titles to come out in DTS-ES or THX-EX.

If you are looking for a quality Home Theatre setup this box will give you all you want for the price. It made my older Infinity Speakers light up like new. It has quality video connections for Component video for DVD as well.

I give it 5 stars for Value but 4 stars ONLY because I'd like an option for a different face on the reciever.

Similar Products Used:

8 year old Pioneer Pro Logic Reciever

Ease of setup, THX-EX processing, 6 channel NEUTRAL amp rated at full bandwidth, runs cools at high volume levels.

Weakness for some people - Very neutral amp; some what "cold".

I too have been reading about those who have bashed this receiver for "not being musical" and am wondering what they are not hearing. Before the 787 I had a Denon 3300 and thought that it sounded OK but alittle too warm with my Atlantic Tech 350THX's. Hooking up the 787 to my Atlantic Tech 350THX's took my music (and HT) listening to the next level. The 787 is very neutral, and if you have a poor source, it will pass on that poor source, CD, DVD, etc. Likewise with the speakers...the AT's are very neutral. If you're into accuracy, Onkyo is the ticket. Listening to Jeff Golub's "Dangerous Curves" CD (great source) demonstrates the Onkyo's musical abilities.

HT with the 787 setup (AT 350's with an additional 350C for the rear channel) just absolutely blows the Denon 3300 away in every aspect - imaging, spatial effects, seamless sound (no single sweet spot), and in sheer impact (volume). I run the THX EX processing for both DD and DTS movies and the sound is just unbelievable. What you give up in treble/bass adjustment does not equal the impact, clarity, and spatial gains with THX processing.

I have not experienced any quality issues with the 787, and look forward to many years of musical and HT bliss.

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR3300

Beautiful sound quality on both music and home theatre. Excellent build quality, power, and design.

None yet........but why can't you get a Onkyo multi disc compact disc player in that beautiful gold/silver finish???

I have recently purchased the Onkyo TX-DS787 have a long, and well researched, period of looking. This is with out doubt the best receiver for the money in this price range. I strongly disagree that it has poor music reproduction. I found it to have the best sound in its price range, and price ranges well above it too. When looking for an A/V receiver to complete my system music quality was high on the agenda, and the Onkyo delivers.
The quality of its home theatre is also equally impressive, and I have no hesitation in giving this receiver a five stars.................

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Marantz, Sony, Yamaha, Kenwood, Technics.........tryed them all before purchase...

Lots of good, clean power. Very flexible. Remote is very complete and easy to program.

None so far

This receiver has gobs of high current power. As soon as I got it all hooked up I listened to some of my cd's... Wow!!! Where was all that music hiding before? It was a revelation! I mean there were nuances in songs that I've been listenting to for years that suddenly came alive for me.

I know some here have said that this unit isn't all that strong musically, and honestly my ear isn't all that educated, but when I compared this unit to the Denon 3801, Yamaha RXV-1000 and other similar units. The 787 definitely held its own, and I think it outperformed the others, musically.

When it comes to Home Theater, it blows the others clean out of the water. DTS, DD and THX all rock!!!

T2 sounded phenomenal as did The Matrix and Pitch Black. Setup was super easy. Speaker connections would be tough because of the spacing of the terminals, but using banana clips solves that very handily.

Overall I don't think you can buy a better unit for the money. What are you waiting for? Go get one now!!!

Similar Products Used:

None. Listened to Sony, Yamaha, & Denon equivalents. Liked Onkyo the best.

This unit is used with:
Sony 27" WEGA (soon to be 36")
Onkyo DV-C601 DVD/CD changer
Definitive Technology BP 2006tl (front)
Def Tech C/L/R 2000 (Center)
Def Tech BP-2X (Surround)