Power, solid plugs for all speakers, design with the power meters, 5.1 Input, Buils in cooling fan is silent

not up to date any longer in formats,

I'm using this product now as an AMP through the 5.1 inputs only. It delievrs goodpower for my speakers and its clean and dry in sound. Even at higher listening levels its always controlled. I've never used the build in Soundfields as they are not up top date. The look-and-feel is great and for the price its a bargain. Hard to get...

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Sony

looks nice,dvd ready (5.1)

no RDS and no tape monitor what is a real shame when you want to use a equalizer on all inputs

Excellent!

Similar Products Used:

Technics Dolby pro logic set

Wattage ratings, Dolby Cinema 5.1, large front needles.

No THX,

This unit Is beautiful! It has not let me down. I use it mainly for my home theater setup and puts out plenty of clean power. I love this thing. With just a little adjusting, this unit can work for everyone in any home. Its not a plug and play unit, but once tailored to your system, its an awsome unit that you won,t be disappointed with.

Excellent!

Fry's Electronics (Sunnyvale, CA) had on sale for $299.99 (between June 19-23, 1998), the Technics SA-TX30 "Master Home Reference THX Control Receiver".
A quick check on the WWW indicated that the Technics SA-TX30 was announced April 1997 (MSRP = $899.95), Fry's sale price was outstanding and that the spec's were (from Technics Manual);
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* 5 Ch Cinema/Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound / Dolby 3 Stereo for spectacular home theater sound
* Home THX Cinema or Dolby ProLogic Mode: 100W/Ch x 5 (1 kHz, 8 Ohms, 0.9% THD)
* Stereo Mode: 120W/Ch (20 hz-20kHz, 8 Ohms, 0.05% THD);
* Enhanced Class H+ Amp
* DSP-Equipped Sound Field Control (7 modes)
* Subwoofer Output
* DD 5.1 (AC-3) Ready w/6 discrete inputs for multi-channel reproduction
* On-Screen Help Function
* Large Needle-Type Power Meters Indicate amplifier power output
* Preprogrammed AV Remote Control
* Quartz Synthesized Digital Tuner w/30 presets & direct 10-key tuning
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NOTE: The SA-TX30 is not THX Certified but is based on the THX specification for Cinema & Dolby Pro Logic surround equalization. The test signal used for equaling the 6 channels balance are based on the THX 75db SPL (Sound Pressure Level) spec. The Onkyo TX-SV545 follows the same philosophy, not THX Certified but the based on it. The Technics SA-TX50 & Onkyo DS-TX939 is THX Certified.
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The Technics SA-TX30 is an very elegant unit that delivers clean, dynamic power. After balancing all my speakers to within 1/2db of each other (LFE @ 85 dB) via the 75 db Ref Signal, I did some extensive evaluation using DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1, Dolby Pro Logic V2.0 DVD and stereo (music CD's) material. Technics provided memory settings for each mode, i.e. DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 6-ch & Dolby Pro Logic Cinema/Surround.

I used Delos DVD Spectacular DD-5.1 test signals to finalized my DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 6-ch balance and the Receivers internal signal generator for Dolby Pro Logic, and used the REF Volume marks for each.
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DVD Unit: RCA RC5500P w/Built-in DD-5.1 Encoder
Max. SPL peaks did not exceed 105db (Class C; Fast; Dial set = 0 db = 100 db)
1) "Tomorrow Never Dies" - opening scenes, song & credits; remote Beamer garage getaway; helicopter landing; motorcycle chase scene)
2) "Dave Grusins presents West Side Story"
3) "Tremors" - Dolby V2.0
4) "Goldeneye"
5) "Dante's Peak"
6) "Dragonheart" - Draco circling Dennis Quaid while discussing the Old Knights Code (provides a unique 360 degree sound demonstration starting from the left front channel going clockwise, . . .thats most glorious!)
7) "Star Trek - First Contact"
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The DD-5.1 (formerly AC-3) Surround Sound blew away the Dolby Pro Logic material by being more realistic with uncanny sound seperation around the room. At no time did I hear any strains or problems, even when I first sampled "Tommorow Never Dies" opening song and the bass note indicated 105db - - wow!!

The DD-5.1 Surround Sound Field was clean with low distortion & full frequency output (about 28 Hz - 20 kHz +/- 4db* overall in my 20' x 20' family room that includes a free-standing fireplace located to the left corner and a 6' Yamaha Grand piano to the right corner of my Home Theater setup [*using my brother's Spectrum Analyser w/calibrated microhone to obtain Freq. Response]), and not surprizingly, . . . the Technics SA-TX30 exihibited the traits of a high-end system by improving the detail, speed, and sonically deeper presentation of the reviewed DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 / Dolby Pro Logic Surround & stereo sound material.

The DSP modes (7) are well done and proved it's not a novelty. My favorite with stereo (non-Dolby encoded) is 'Theater' which can be used on non-Dolby encoded VHS Stereo Tapes / DVDs; and with some Joe Sample, Dave Grusin, David Benoit, Rippington's or Bob James Music Jazz CD's I like the 'Club' or ‘Live’ setting. A very nice you-are-there simulation with no loss of stereo location and presence.

A nice feature is the 'Light' off key on the remote to turn-off the main panel light that illuminates the large Needle-Type Power Meters. The whole unit looks impressive overall, and for $299.99, it's a great bargain.

I was gratified that my SA-TX30 was just sailing through my usual torture tests in splendid fashion. Not only does the Technics get very loud (remember my initial 105 db reading), it does so very quickly, cleanly while conveying blockbuster special effects with frightening impact.

Having Home Theater Sound is not a necessity but a luxury 'want', so getting 'high end' sound without spending 'high end' monies has always been my hobby / priority! If you find this monster Dolby Digital Ready Receiver for $299.99 or less - - - get it! You won't be sorry!

The Technics SA-TX30 is a great foundation for the 'high end' Home Theater Sound for a the price and when DTS finally takes off (??), . . . . all I have to do is get the Panasonic A110 & SH-AC500D units to stay abreast with the Digital World of entertainment!

Rated = 5 Stars

Good Clean sound, Attractive face, 5.1 compatible

Hissing when turned up past 1/4 volume, Fine tuning needs OSD to work

I'd have to say I need to hear the THX model in order to see if the audio is any better because the only reason I am selling it, is because of the slight hiss. Unlike the AX-6 which runs high-current all the time, it has pretty much the same amount of noise no matter how high you turn it up except for FULL volume. The rear's and Center hiss too much though on the AX-6 which is why I am looking to off load that as well. I've seen RAVE reviews on the newer Technics and the only thing I do not like about the sound is the hissing, otherwise not much can touch it in it's price range. I was thinking Sherwood because it has tons of options but I do not know if it can match the sonic quality of the TAKE capacitors. I know that the DA8N had no hiss coming out of the center and rears so I might look towards the DA10N or the DA15N.
This amp does sound good though and is very good at voices. I was using a pair of Wharfedale monitor 128 speakers in stereo mode and played a few CD's thru it and noticed that they made brand new unbroken-in speakers sound brilliant.
I think they are a beautiful amp but since they lack the TAKE capacitors, they lack the new technology that most of us demand.

Similar Products Used:

AX-6, DA8N

pure power, sound clarity

slight hiss at very high volume, gets hot quickly

I bought this Receiver because I got it for half the usual price here in Germany and it provided me with 5.1-input (was stuck on standard DolbySurround before). I hooked it up to my 5.1 soundcard from my PC and my CD-player and put it through my usual torture tests. Whether it was classical music or DTS-DVDs, the Amp rocked the house and it prooved to me that my center speaker wasn´t as bad as I thought, with my previous amp it just wasn´t getting the power it needed! The downside is that it doesn´t have any digital inputs, but I was well aware of that when I bought the monster so that is not much of an issue to me, especially when I catch myself again just sitting in front if this beauty and watching the v-meters swing to the music.
Now if just someone could provide me with a decent price for a SH-AC500D to complete my HT-setup...

I have had my Toshibia SD-2107 DVD player for almost a year now and I have been wanting to take full advatage of the DVD audio technology, as well as have a good music system. I will start by saying if I had the money, I would most likely buy a $1000-$2000 Yamaha receiver, as I belive they are the best value. I, unfortunetally, need the entire system to cost that much. The SA-TX30 has 100Wx5 power, which was one of my requirements. while it didn't have a Dolby Digital decoder, it had a six chanel input. Normally I wouldn't have looked at this as I wanted a "all in one" decoder/reciver, but:
The SA-TX30 has a MSRP of $899. The SH-AC300 Dolby Digital decoder has a MSRP of $350. These are out of my price range, but Fry's Electronics was here to help. They had a package deal where you could get both the TX30 and the AC300 for $477. To add to that, Technics was giving a $100 rebate if you bought both. This made it $377. I couldn't refuse.

I matched this pair with two NHT SuperOnes. These speakers will show any flaw of the receiver as they like power, but I don't play them too loud as I am in an appartment. The sound was very full and was leaps and bounds beyond the cheap mini system I was using. I havn't heard any distortion yet and it seems to diliver good power in demanding scenes. I can't wait to get three more SuperOnes to try out the Dolby Digital. For $377 I should be arrested for stealing.

A couple of months ago I experienced a home theater movie for the first time and I was instantly addicted. Searching for a reciver wasn't easy cause my hometown isn't very big and I'm often busy. With limited recivers to choose from I noticed the Sa-Ax6 at first, but it was out of stock for a couple of months.but when I got a good offer for the Sa-tx30 I couldn't resist. I decided to try it out on my friends equipment(he's got an knewood THX certified pre amplifier and power amplifier). It could handle lots of power( more than I'll ever use in my own apartment) with out getting much distortion, though slightly more than my friends Kenwood. Also i listend through a great deal of CD's and if was good.
I decided to buy the reciver. Now a month later when I've listedn through it properly with my Acoustic Energy E209 speakers and an Audio pro subwoofer.
The bass punch is just alittle weak and it sometimes in (pro logic mode) feels a little sharp but I've got a feeling that's it's beacuse I have got my surround speakers close to my ears. I havent had the pleasure to try it in Dolby Digital yet( I will in a week when I get my center speaker).
I feel that I should have tried other recivers in the same price range, like the Denon 2400 to have more to compare with other than the expensive Knewood.But
I feel satisfied with the tx-30.

Very good. Use it for about 3 monthes and very happy. Just don't understand why some previous "hapopy" guys gave 3 stars - I use it in about all modes (no mono though) and for me it sounds just right. It's hard to add any details after Phil Iturralde 's detailed description - thanx :)Other components - Energy Take 5 speakers, Toshiba 3108 DVD/CD, MIT 4 inteconnects