1.Lots of power 2.extremely flexible on-screen display controls.3.future upgradability(my unit is upgraded with DTS-ES/Neo,Prologic2)4.Bass management for multichannel input

Not a good prologic2 surround in comparision to yamaha RXV1200 or RX-V2200

This unit sounds amazing when you play any DD,DTS,DTS ES DVD's and the surround field is much better than the Yamaha models I mentioned above.But when you watch regular non-digital stereo like TV,CD,VCR --Yamaha's prologic 2 or TV sports gives such a wonderful 5.1 effect which makes you believe that it is a Dolby digital sound.I always start with Onkyo and go in depth into Yamaha receivers as I can't believe how good they sound and they are worth every Dollar you spend!I just upgraded my Yamaha RX-V1200 to RX-V2200($725)and I would say it is worth spending $200 more than RxV1200.The main improvement is not only in the obvious power 100w X6 which gives lot more depth than RX-V1200,but also in the remote which is much more user friendly than the lousy remote of RX-V1200.It has separate control buttons for 10key/DSP and Macro.In the earlier remote,when I programmmed it to operate TV/Satellite,the on-screen menu of yamaha was not working.The only weakness of these 2 yamaha models is weak bass with 6channel analogue input.I tried both DVD-audio and SACD with them and both sound awesome with TXDS 989.If you are not into multichannel audio,save money and stick with yamaha.
My favourite DVD-audio title is still Blue Man group!For just $14 nothing can beat it.Many of friends heard the sound through digital output from DVD player and they didnot think it sounds that good.Just to remind everyone,both formats DVD-audio and SACD is heard only through 6 analogue RCA jacks from player to receiver and unless you press 6-channel input buton in yamaha or a separate Audio button on newly upgraded 2001 txds989 remote(there is no option even on the receiver-only on the remote).Other titles are Immersion-may be the music is bad,but it is a great DVD to test each speaker in multichannel audio.Don't waste money on Corrs in blue or Buenavista social club.Whatever reviewers say,they are useless to enjoy surround sound.I am waiting for Brain salad surgery and Studio Voodoo to come in mail eagerly!
Txds989 has separate speaker output modes for Multichannel input and it produces so much Bass that I have to lower the Subwoofer output to -ve 6 to appreciate the surround music, not dominated by the low frequency sounds.Interestingly I felt that after increasing the 7channel output to max for multichannel audio,i noticed that my regular DVD surround effect also increased noticeably.May it is just my bias,but I recommend any one who owns it to try it even if you are not using multi channel inputs.
As I mentioned in my last review,the best non-digital surround mode in Onkyo is Theater Dimentional which sounds far better than Dolby prologic2.
When it comes to the user definable settings,probably no other receiver comes close to txds989.It can remember settings -Bass,treble and a interesting function called intellivolume for each input mode like DVD,satellite,VCR,PVR and all the modes.So make sure you adjust them for each mode to get the optimal effect.With intellivolume you can avoid loud sounds when changing between two sources eg:DVD to TV,because either TV volume is very loud compared to DVD or Viceversa.
There are a bunch of relative delay functions which don't change any thing in a given sound field.I wish Onkyo can get rid of them make receiver more cheaper.
I wish such a high end receiver has 2 multichannel inputs,so I can connect both my SACD and DVD audio players and enjoy both formats.I will wait for cheaper combination players with progressive scan to fit all my needs.
I am still to be convinced by someone who owns it and think that THX mode is of any use and sounds better than DD or DTS-ES.My receivers volume is not getting lowered anymore when a choose THX mode since I adjusted multichannel modes,but it dosen't sound a bit better than Dolby digital even when I played Starwars episode1.Unless you think I am crazy,please don't waste money on THX-1 select or ultra.I don't know if Onkyo will be offering the new THX ultra2 format upgrade but I am not very intersted in it.
Somehow I can't get over my cheaper yamaha receivers.I am eagerly waiting for RX-V3200 and RX-Z1 due in FEB and April 2002 respectively and I will try to upgrade accordingly.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha RX-V1200 &RX-V2200 with Polk RM7500 with polk PSW350
my main system-txds989,polk RT800 front pair,polk RT500 diploe speakers X4 for surrounds and polk center CS400 and 2 subwoofers PSW450+PSW250.I have HDTV dish network decoder model 6000 with Sony KP%&XBR10W,Panasonic Dvd audio/video player Rp91N

Outstanding clairty.

Fan noise

After reading so many owners who are concerned with fan noise, I thought I would make a suggestion.

After visiting a friend who works in the audio field, amongst other things setting up sound systems for concerts, I discovered he used fans to cool his home system. He explained this was imnportant to keep the heat down on his units, and that it was expecially important to do so when the init is stacked or in an enclosed rack. He felt this would extend the life of his receiver and amplifiers.

So I use small portable clip on fans on the back of my audio and video racks. There is a noticeable difference in the amount heat emitting from the rack when the fan is turned on. My receivers and amplifiers stay much cooler.

As a result, I have yet to have the Onkyo's fan kick in. I called Onkyo to find out if my fan was defective, and they explained that the fan only comes on when the unit reaches a certain temperature.

If possible, check out the noise level of the fan before purchasing it. The fans I purchased are very quiet and not audible even during quiet passages.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo 919, 909, 717

User definable everything.

Fan Noise - until now, poor customer service.

O.K. here is the skinny on the fan fix from an actual Onkyo service bulletin:

Date: 8/01/2000
Ref#: DS989Fan
Title: TX-DS989

Symptom: Fan Noise. Most noticeable on quiet passages. It also appears to oscillate with music ..

Solution: Fandrive circuit modfied

Fan Related Issue Explaination: For customers with fan oscillation complain the diagram below will provide the temperature only fandrive circuit. Since the amplifier is a high current and frequency response design it is essential to keep the amplifier cooled. To do so, the original amplifier fandrive circuit design monitored voltage and temperature to start the fan. The voltage part became an issue. This modification provides the change needed to aggressively cool the receiver amplifier based on temperature while addressing the consumer concern.

Circuit diagram shows removal of some 10 transistors, removal of 7 resistors, adding a jumper, changing 2 resistors and changing a transistor.

The above circuit provides a drive voltage based on temperature, which will first engage the inner fan (larger) to around a low speed (2.7 vdc). If the temperature continues to build the secondary fan (small rear) will engage at low speed (3.5 vdc). The drive voltage has a linear characteristic putput. Output voltage is always proportional of temperature rise and fall.

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Sony TA-E9000ES, Sony STR-DA777ES, Pioneer VSX-39TX, Denon AVR-5800

Power, audio clarity, 1001 things to tweek, a remote that could run a space launch.

Chunky remote. Gets very hot so u need a little space for the air to get at the amp.

This is a very heavy amp. It is very tweeky so if you can be bothered you can set it up exactly right for most audio situations. It covers just about every audio standard there is so what more could u want. The only problem is that you will find your self wanting to buy a better TV, remote control lights and curtains etc just to use up the features provided for you.

I am using:

Speakers

1. 2 x B&W 604 front
2. 2 x B&W 601 Side
3. 2 x Vox 150s Rear
4. 1 x B&W 2500ASW subwoofer

1 1

4

2 me 2


4 4

I have found that setting my speakers up as above is the best for me but that would change according to the room you have setup in.

There is room to hookup about 26 different devices using the multi zone feature, and 10 speakers which is far more than most people would ever want. Each speaker channel is tweekable from the others which is more useful than you might think. Especially if you have some speakers at different distance from your seated position than others.

There is a lot of power in the system and if you rig it up to some quality speakers I dont see what you would have to complain about, it has everything a home audio system could want plus a couple of extras.

If you where going to buy this amp unless u where very stupid or had more money than sence you would read the online spec documents. So I guess the only purpose of reading a document like this is to get reasurance from other users that it is as good as it sounds in real life as it does on paper. It does...

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Beard Audio systems Preamp and power amp export modle 617.

Everything!

Remote!

The sound quality is amazing, ive never heard anything better for the price! it even beats my Tag McLaren system! Its a shame about the remote :(, but you cant get it all... This reciever has it all, rs232 for future uppgrade, 7 built in amps, and all the connectors you ever need! Dont wait just f*****g buy it!

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VSX808RDS, VSX908RDS, VSX909RDS, AVR7000, DSP-AX1, Tag McLaren

Looks real good, Inputs, Flexability, conplexity and simplisity, upgradable.

Onkyo support, If your in Canada like I am, try to send them an e-mail. It's like we don't exist.

Love the unit, too many good things to mention. I had an 838 which I hated, because of the volume control. Went through two units and if it wasn't for my local dealer, dealing me up to this 989 for a very reasonable price, I would have went back to Denon in a heart beat. Onkyo and I just haven't been able to click. I have bought alot of electronics over the years and have had alot of comunication with other manufactures and I have to say Onkyo has been the worst. If you want real service by a Bryston, those guys are unbelievable.
To sum things up, Onkyo has great piece with 989, performance, inputs etc. etc. excellent. It's the customer support that is the only problem.

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Onkyo 838, Denon 1010

Looks real good, Inputs, Flexability, conplexity and simplisity, upgradable.

Onkyo support, If your in Canada like I am, try to send them an e-mail. It's like we don't exist.

Love the unit, too many good things to mention. I had an 838 which I hated, because of the volume control. Went through two units and if it wasn't for my local dealer, dealing me up to this 989 for a very reasonable price, I would have went back to Denon in a heart beat. Onkyo and I just haven't been able to click. I have bought alot of electronics over the years and have had alot of comunication with other manufactures and I have to say Onkyo has been the worst. If you want real service by a Bryston, those guys are unbelievable.
To sum things up, Onkyo has great piece with 989, performance, inputs etc. etc. excellent. It's the customer support that is the only problem.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo 838, Denon 1010

Get it at YourInsider.com for big savings. The Onkyo TX-DS989 A/V receiver is not a flagship, it's more like a starship, expanding the limits of "future-readiness" and "high-performance" in the home theater universe! This product is the first ever to offer all of the following in one unit: decoding for all 7.1 channel THX® Surround EX-encoded DVDs (it's like Dolby Digital 5.1 plus 2 additional "back surround" channels for even greater three dimensionality and sound localization), built-in 7-channel amplification (130 high-current Onkyo watts x 7 for mind blowing power and clarity), and a multichannel 192kHz/24-bit D/A converters.

Everything so far, everything.

Remote has no preset code sets

I just hooked my new DS989 yesterday, and I cannot believe the difference from my Sony. I knew that it was a much better receiver, but not this much better. One thing that I don't think that I've seen mentioned is the fact that this receiver has a built-in RF Demodulator for AC3 out of my Laserdisc player. That rules! Less wear-and-tear on my seperate Yamaha demod. The sound is CRYSTAL clear, and the separation between channels is astonishing. Plus, it came pre-updated with the DTS-ES and Dolby PL2 features, and the new, quieter fan. I am SOOOO happy with this receiver.

Plus:
Component Switching for 3 devices
Tons of ports
Upgradeability
7 channel powered amps
2 Sub pre-outs
Customizable beyond belief
Sound Quality
Pre-outs for every channel

Minus:
Only 3 optical in ports (what were they thinking???)
The remote needs work, but I have a touchscreen that will replace it
Weight, this mother's heavy (not really a minus though)

In other words, BUY THIS RECEIVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Sony STR-DE945

Very conviniet device

there is some noise from the fan when the sond is stop for the moment .

I think that this is very good mashine.But if something happen even God can't help you in Bulgaria.Very bad repair service . I'm so disapointed.To all bulgarians think well before buy any Onkyo product!