POWER< TONS OF IT, FEATURES - ENDLESS UPGRADABLE. PLENTY OF INPUTS,

COULD USE MORE OPTICAL INPUTS. REMOTE A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO PROGRAM, BUT WORKS GREAT> I am actually using one remote again. THIS ONE.

I have primarily owned Sony ES Brand receivers over the past 7 years. I satisfication with those reviewers was average at best. The ONKYO 989 is by far one of the best receivers for the money. My Klipsch Speakers have come to life. I love the 7.1 channel effects. Keeps me looking over my shoulder all the time. It may be a little bit distracting if you are not used to it. I would recommend this receiver to anyone who loves movies, and great signal seperation.

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SONY ES MANY THREE DIFFERENT TYPES SONY 7000 DVD - Awesome but lacks DTS PANASONIC DVD-RP91 - Awesome GREAT UNIT

Features, Features, Features, DTS, THX, 7.1, Did I mention Features?, inputs galore, sound, and of course, features

The build quality of the side sheet metal wasn't as good as I expected, but still real good - minor gripe. Also, I've heard the fan quite a few times, even when the volume wasn't real loud.

First the bad...

I noticed the sheet metal too. I don't know that it's bad in any way. Maybe I'm just looking for something wrong with it. I'd still rate the build quality as high.

The fan: I've heard it more times than I'd like. Sometimes it was when it wasn't really even that loud. I've heard it less recently, so I'm wondering if it got hotter when it was brand new and now that it's starting to 'break in' a bit, maybe it'll run cooler and use the fan less. It's not too distracting but if it ever gets to be, then I'll get it fixed (see previous reviewer).

Now the good:

I don't want to make this a review of the Eagles: Hell Freezes Over DVD - DTS, but based on a review on the DTR-7, I had to get the Eagles DVD as soon as I had a DTS Reciever.
This DVD is absolutely awesome. The previous reviewer said orgasmic - unfortunately I have to limit mine to only awesome. The picture quality is among the best I've ever seen but the sound is what blows you away. Any receiver review that doesn't use this DVD as a test is lacking in my opinion. Ok, enough about the Eagles...

This thing is heavy. But it's relatively easy to set up. I disconnected my 656 and connected the 989 and had almost everything setup in under 2 hours - without even consulting the manual.

On-screen display for everything at once. Not just S-Video or composite or component - but all three at once. Nice.
The on-screen display is pretty easy to understand too.
It's also cool to be able to have a low preset volume when the reciever turns on. And I love being able to change labels for the inputs, instead of simply Video1, Video2.

The remote is above average. Most receiver remotes suck. Actually, most remotes suck. If you spend this much money on a receiver, you really should buy a good universal remote. I personally like the Marantz RC2000 MarkII.
I'll probably program the Onkyo remote only so when my nieces and nephews visit, they won't use my Marantz.

Inputs Galore: I can't imagine running out of inputs. Just look at Onkyo's website and look at a picture of the back of this unit. It's pretty impressive. But even better, they ran out of room for six-channel input, so they added a port that looks like a printer port for the six-channel input (cable with six inputs included). All digital inputs are very easily assignable via the on-screen display.

My biggest gripe with this receiver is the lack of one button on the remote control. The remote has buttons for a few DSP settings (pro logic, THX, direct (stereo - no sub), stereo, and mono (I think I got them all)). I would so much prefer to get rid of the mono and replace that with the all channel stereo mode. I personally think all channel stereo is kick-ass with music. Feel free to disagree.

This thing has plenty of power. I've gone up to +5 on the volume (+18 is max). I'm moving to a house soon from a townhome, so I may be able to move it a bit louder, but maybe not. +5 is pretty damn loud.

I've got this connected to the Atlantic Tech 350THX's. This is a great combination. I've got to upgrade my cheap speaker wire when I move, although I really don't expect a great improvement in sound (it's alreay fantastic). I'm not sure what I'll use for my rear surrounds. I plan to temporarily connect some cheap JBL speakers in the back and may end up purchasing a second pair of the 350 surrounds - but no time soon.

Time to wrap this up...

Bottom line - great reciever. Plenty of power, no hiss, no volume issues that the 656 or 747 had. I never listened to the Yamaha RX-V1 or the Denon 5700 or 5800, so I can't compare with those recievers, but this reciever is top notch Onkyo quality with more features than I'll ever need.

If this is within your budget, you won't be disappointed.

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Had an Onkyo 656. This is a nice upgrade.

Because of my recent review of TX-DS989,I have recieved numerous emails about the price paid.Let me explain,to be eligeble for that price one must work in the electronic retail business and sell ONKYO products.I hope this will stop the flood of emails Iam getting.

Actually purchased the Integra DTR 9.1
The receiver's setup is intuative, and the sound in amazing.

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I intended to purchase the TX-DS989, but found the Integra DTR 9.1 was competitively priced. I'm not sure if their are any real differences between the two units, except for esthetics and waranty (3) years.

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Onkyo DS-747

Unbelievable sonic quality. So much reserve power and no distortion at high volume levels. Best remote I have ever used...very easy to program your other remotes into this one. Also...came already upgraded with PLII and DTS-ES

None

I wanted to buy this receiver back in February of 2001, but the wife about killed me when she heard the price tag of over $2000. So I went out and bought what I could afford at the time and it was the Denon AVR-3801...I must say, that the Denon for the money (around $1000), is a very good receiver and I was happy with it. But now that I have the Onkyo, I am even happier. The 989 was easy to set up and I love the remote. I don't even need to keep my other remotes out now, the Onkyo does it all. As far as the sound on the receiver goes, it is unbelievable. Gladiator Track 11 sounds awesome. Listening to the Mace swing around from speaker to speaker puts you right in the middle of the action. And Toy Story 2 is incredible in the opening sequence. I highly reccomend this unit. Also, Cambridge Soundworks matched and internet retailers price (but including shipping costs), so I got the unit from an authorized retailer at an unauthorized retailers price!!

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Denon AVR-3801 (owned it and selling on ebay)

Plenty on inputs
Upgradeable

Haven't found one yet

I've had the Onkyo TX-DS989 for a month now and cannot believe how pleasant it is to work with. Others have complained about the fan noise but I must have one built after June 1 because I can't hear a thing.

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Kenwood, Sony

Crystal Clear sound, Upgradable and easy to setup

Wished it had a touchpad remote

I did a lot of research on the Denon 4800, and 5800 and found the Onkyo to be the best value for the $$. The 4800 is not upgradeable and the 5800 is a 1000.00 more. I ahve had no problems setting up the 989 and am very happy. The problems that the previous email experienced are sad to hear about. Perhaps that unit sustained shipping damage.
I have had no problems, the unit came double boxed and I purchased from an authorized dealer. I hve had good luck with ONKYO but nowadays when there are so many purchaseoptions then we must expect some bad units. However that is no excuse for bad service and Onkyo should work on this since I have read of several service related issues. All in all I believe this is a great unit and would recommend it highly.

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Denon 4800, 5800

Hey Jim did you notice this review is for the TX-DS989 and NOT the TX-DS575? What are you stupid or something?

Own the dx-tx575 and cant begin to tell of the customer servive nightmares. They will not refund your money if you have a defective unit...but at the managers discretion, they may have you swap it out. My rcvr has been in the shop for the last 2 months waiting for an out of stock IC. This is the second time i have bought a BUM recvr from onkyo and i am thru with their junk. Phone calls, e-mails and faxes have all gone unanswered. There customer support is appalling!!!

THX 7.1
LOUD !!!
Solis Built !!!

Noisy Fan...

I had bought this receiver 7 weeks ago and i'll tell you...THIS IA AN AWSOME PIECE OF EQUIPMENT !!! Except for the fan noise, i'll rate this baby A+. You'll definetely hear the fan noise when you try to listen to a soft music at night and its really anoying.
Equipment used...
Front Speakers... B&W 604 S2
Center........... B&W Matrix HTM
Subwoofer........ B&W ASW 2000
Side Speakers.... M&K THX 150SS
Rear Speakers.... Mission 77ds
Power Amp........ Aragon 4004
CD Changer....... Sony 801ES
DVD Player....... Toshiba 5109
LD Player........ Panasonic
Cables........... Monster Cable M2.4S
Remote........... Pronto

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Yamaha RX-V870