I purchased the Onkyo TX-SV646 and it sounds great. But I am pissed off I paid $1000CDN for it. I bought it from Base Electronics. They told me that it was on sale and the regular price is about $1400. I felt like i got a good deal. but you guys have it listed at $399US. Those bastards!!! But the amp still kicks ass. 5 stars.

I love it. Never a single problem. Barely ever gets hot and I like to crank. Attractive and ease of opperations. Can hook into analog TV input and control all settings with ease.

No digital inputs. Just recently purchased a Sony DVP C650D player which has digital output which I can't use. Wanted this reciever to last me next 10+ years and wasn't aware of this technology. Oh well.

Run
*Bose 901 (surround)
*Infinity RS-4 (main front)
*Klipsch sub
*Techniques center channel (sucks)
*Sony DVP C650D
*Onkyo DX-C3670 CD player
*Teac EQ EQA-190

Similar Products Used:

Techniques
Pioneeer

After several years of using my "old faithful" Sony STR-D790 A/V receiver I was happy when a sudden power spike finaly put it out of its (and my) misery. Although I did not have the oportunity to audition very many "Respectable or Audiophile" grade units within my budget (+/- $500) here on the island, I did get to audition an Onkyo model TX-SV545, similar to mine but with less power and features. I was extremely impressed with the SV545 in Pro Logic, DD, but mostly in plain stereo listening mode. I was sold, so I got the TX-SV646 for $399 + shipping from J&R Music World, NY. It has very clean power, great dynamics with my Boston Acoustics home theater speaker setup, solid bass output, very well designed controls, although the on-screen-display took some getting used to, and an overall quality look that makes you feel like you invested your money wisely. I don't find the bouncing volume control too anoying, I guess it just takes getting used to.
I'll be purchasing a 2nd generation DVD player next month and hope to put the TX-SV646 to good use since the unit I have in mind, Panasonic DVD-A310, has both DD and DTS built in. My first Onkyo purchase and, so far, give this unit an excellent 5 Star rating.

After much reading it was time time to post . . .
I too have this receiver, and am quite happy with it. Mine also has a "bouncing volume contro" - volume will change lower slightly at sometimes after changing it, and will often go up slightly when you actually need it to do down (using the remote). Other than the volume glitch - which is annoying - I am quite pleased with the sound quality, functionality, and design. The remote is average, but it does the job - especially because I have Onkyo Cd player and tape deck.

S-Video, and (obviously) Dolby Digital would be welcome additions, but I decided to worry more about wattage. This player does not have equal power to all five channels - but that was not my main concern - my rear speakers are much closer to the listening area and do not need as much power.

I purchased my Onkyo from H.H.Greg for $339 four months ago brand new in box. It replaced a Kenwood, which I thought was a very good unit. The onkyo blow it away. I am very pleased
with it. I purchased it because of the price. I was looking at the 656, but the $339 price was
hard to pass up. I am very happy with it. The rep that Onkyo has for being a leading brand is
very well evident when you listen to one of their receivers. I have had a long time to get used to
it and I am still very satisfied.

I bought this unit six months ago from circuit city (I was actually looking to buy a TX-SV656 or a TX-SV747) but at the price I paid $379.99 and got a service contract w/ it too. This unit is well made it weighs about 30lbs, Mybiggest reason for buying this unit was for its ability to expand. I plan on keeping this unit for a few years if I can help it. the 747 & 656 are almost Identical units except the 747 cost more which kind of threw me I love My 646 and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking. It provides excellent soung it is heads and tails above the sony that it replaces. Don't think I am a one trick pony I have always been a fan of Harman and some of the other big brands but budget wise I just can't get into it that's why I am a audio enthusiast and not a true audiophile I don't have the money to by seperate everything ie two piece cd players and the like if you are a true mid-fi fan on a budget this is the piece for you

high, clean power- versatile- well designed- quiet

no digital decoders

I have used this reciever about two years now and have not yet had any problem at all. I submitted this review because of some of the complaints of the later models of the same manufacturer and series. I am amazed at the absence of hum and hiss generated by the unit. The distortion is way below my hearing level. The only problem is the lack of onboard decoders. The unit has never needed service despite the usual abuse ie. shorting the outputs, moved around, ect. I have been more than satisfied with the unit. It was an exceptional value for less than $300.
Used with:
Boston Acoustics VR 970, VR 10; JBL surround
Panasonic A310 DVD, Pioneer CD Magachanger
Sony Lasermax

Similar Products Used:

pioneer, sony, technics, hk citation

Good system Flexibility

Runs HOT!!

I saw this on a demo shelf at Circuit City for $139 (!), and figured, how could I go wrong? I've had Adcom separates for years, and the multiple boxes were driving the wife crazy...if it didn't work out, I could return it. First off, separates do sound better, no doubt about it. I'm driving inefficent speakers (B&W Matrix 802/S2s), and the 646 wasn't bad, just not effortless. Easily remedied with an outboard Adcom 200 watt/channel amp...much better sound. Add a second outboard Adcom 3 channel amp for center/surrounds, and an Onkyo ED-301 for Dolby Digital, and now we're talking a pretty decent system...except the wife notes all the components again. So what did I gain? Decent tuner w/ presets, very nice system flexibility, 4 video ins I didn't have before, system control of Dolby Digital/CDs thru remote, nice feature of extra set of powered outputs for speakers in kitchen, good on-screen menu interface for the system. Two drawbacks about the 646: It runs exceptionally hot...so much so I rigged up a small muffin fan that sits in top to pull hot air. Secondly, while listening to a source, and you route that source with the REC OUT button, the level drops noticeably; still sounds good, just needs to be turned up. In closing. the 646 can function very well as a centerpiece for a complex system, with multiple ins/outs, but I recommend external amplifiers, and you'll need an external Dolby Digital Decoder for DVDs...the relatively unknown ED-301 does this well.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom gear