price, champaigne finish, imaging, bi-amp

no coax input, universal remote can't control LD player

I was astonished at the performance of this unit for the price. It even allows you to biamp your speakers. The DTS decoding was also stellar. Imaging precise and such clarity in the dialogue. The champaigne finish is beautiful and really makes it look like an expensive piece of equipment. I guess it used to cost a lot more ($800). The remote is also nice since it is universa but I was not able to get it to control my Sony portable dvd player or my LD player. Component video switching would be great but not at this level, I guess.

Good power, high current, Easy to use, Large soundstage. Decent 2 ch performance. A/B speakers. DVD audio Ready.

Not enough Svideo inputs, No pre-outs, Remote,

Ok.. first off, I am NOT a technics fan, in fact prior to trying this receiver, you could have called me a Technics basher.

However, I was talked into trying this receiver for a month, and it really surprised me.

It is a powerful receiver with some guts. The Ta-ke II capacitors, must do something good, because the SA-DA10, has no problem driving my older full size L/R speakers, and my Older bookshelf rears.

This is definitely a receiver with some current. The soundstage is large, and you get that big-theatre sound that fills my irregular room. Good imaging. Like I said I was surprised , especially that it was decent as far as 2 channel sound, although at times the bass was very forward a little too boomy, but I'm guessing modern speakers will tighten up the bass somewhat, either that or find the right cabling.

Despite a horrible manual, once setup, my wife had no problems running it.

Cons:..only has 2 svideo inputs, although I don't need more now, (dvd and nintendo) I might in the future. Remote sucks.. but works, and is programmable. No Dsp's, but I don't use them, although after hearing onkyo's 5 channel stereo, I miss that.

It does run hot, but this isn't a flaw necessarily. Class A amps run very hot. However, reliability is a grey area, although I did talk to a warranty depot, and as of yet, they hadn't seen a single one of these in the shop, so jury is out. Resale might be another factor, the technics name might hurt you over a denon and an Onkyo.

Bottom line, I have to make a decision, and I'm torn between the onkyo and the Technics. I can probably get them for the same price, but the only reason I may pick the technics is frankly it sounds better for 2channel, and when my wife plays music on it, (she doesn't go near my other 2channel system) the technics is pleasant enough that I can stand to be near it. The onkyo just sounds a little harsher, has to struggle a little more to drive my older speakers.

Onkyo has better and MORE features, 5 ch sound, learning remote.. etc.. Technics is more wife friendly. If they were the same price, I'd pick the technics for my older speakers..

However if you had newer,perhaps smaller, more efficient speakers, I'd be hard pressed not to pick the onkyo. Listen to them and choose, but DO NOT pass over the Technics SA-DA10, just because it has the technics label on it..

It's worth a listen!

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo 575X, Kenwood Vr407

Great sound and build quality (except for heat)

Hot hot hot

Like most of the reviews here, I am impressed with the build quality and the sound of this unit. However, I am concerned about the amount of heat it generates. You'd burn your hand if you kept it there for more than a couple of seconds after the unit has been on for a while. The fan does work but only at fairly high volumes. I'm curious why they didn't just make the fan run all the time. I know most of the reviews have mentioned how it runs hot, but I'd like to know if this amount of heat is normal.

Anyway, I used to run an equalizer with my old Denon, but I got rid of it after hooking up this unit. It sounds great with the tone settings flat. I have a pair of Magneplanar speakers, and they sound really nice with this receiver driving them.

Similar Products Used:

Denon