Power-amplifier outputs, AC3 RF decoder for LD enthusiast, fantastic remote, on-screen display.

Lacking 6-channel input for SACD, DTS or DVD-Audio compliance. Missing banana plugs in European edition.

This receiver was my giant leap to migrate to Dolby Digital. I traded my Onkyo stereo receiver for a discount and hooked up a stereo VCR to enjoy concerts and Dolby Pro-Logic movies. Then, I added a LaserDisc to watch movies in DD. This product is European edition and has an RF AC3 decoder in one of two coaxial digital inputs. Sooner, I also bought a DVD-Player and completed my home theater set-up. It's a versatile receiver that supports all formats up to DTS including vinyl, compact cassette, CD, LD and DVD. If you're complacent with Dolby Digital, this product is your pal for a decade. I never regret buying this product. I noticed the volume control knob problem, but learnt to live with it. I also experienced a drop in Dolby Digital sound stream in every 10 minutes playing AC3 LaserDiscs. Since I don't rent LDs any more and occasionally watch discs from my collection that does not bother me at all. I have now established a collection of movies (both PAL and NTSC in three formats: VHS, LD and DVD) about 300, with the faith of this product. Thanks to Onkyo for making superior products such as TX-DS747.

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LD: Pioneer CLD-D925 DVD: Pioneer DV-717 VCR: JVC HR-S5500AM Front: Tannoy 633/D30 Surrounds: Tannoy Mercury M3, Mc Subwoofer: Definitive Technology Powerfield 12

Very natural sound, the bass is deep.

No dts and 5.1 channel input.

Grate receiver for movies and music. My home theater: Onkyo txds-747 pioneer 343 (dvd AR 328ps(front) AR 205ps(rear) AR c225ps(center) REL ACOUSTICS Q100E(subwoofer) SONY ES ca80es (cd player)

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Denon, pioneer, sherwood, kenwood, jvc, and sony(the worst).

I have had this receiver for just over a year and have been quite happy with it. The amplifier section is quite clean, which I have come to expect from Onkyo products of the past. The surround modes are quite impressive and the addition of Timbre Matching and ReEqualization (2 of 3 requirement of THX) make this receiver a good buy. The built in Dolby Digital processor is powered by Motorola Chips (56009 and 56004). The on-screen programming is quite impressive and the video switching with S-Video with its 4 video inputs is quite nice and it has no separtion problems. The tuner is quite average but I have little use for FM. The remote that is supplied is useful but doesnt allow for control of any DVD players. I have since purchased the Universal-Remote model (SL 9000) that has allowed me to put away the 5 other remotes that have cluttered my stereo rack, I highly recommend it!!!! However there are 2 downsides if one could call them that. 1) the surround channels are rated at 40 watts, half of the fronts and center channels at 80 watts, this isnt really a downside given the fact that this receiver has pre-amp outs for all of these channels. I have since hooked up those 2 surround pre-outs to an older Onyko Integrated Amp. 2) This receiver doesnt have a 6 channel input for other 5.1 formats ie: DTS. This also may not be a downside since most of you probably havent actually auditioned DTS and for the fact that Dolby Digital seems to be the future home surround processing format taking control from its much older brother Dolby Pro-Logic. Neither of these 2 so-called problems have bothered me but if they are for you, then look elsewhere. I'm sure Onkyo's next generation 5.1 Receiver will add these features. I am however a HAPPY CAMPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

POWER, dsp motorolla chips20 bit ,on screen programing, VALUE.THX DECORELATION, RE-EQ

NONE REALLY UNLESS YOURE LOOKING FOR WORLD CLASS DSP, AND YOULL PAY.

Hats off to Onkyo for producing a product that can do it all. I respect previous posts who have had trouble with volume control, none to report here. Also if I did I'm sure Circuit City would comply w/their no lemon clause as they did with my sub-par kenwood.In a word this thing really approaches modest priced seperates in terms of value. Upon first listen my wife noticed its base response(not one to notice me!}being much deeper and tighter than my previous Kenwood receiver. Anyhow upon further listening I noticed tremendous dsp processing in 5 channel audio subtle nuances such as birds and insects all around
you in a forest setting can only be heard to be described. One last note the power of Onkyo is beyond reproach, my JBL LX 600s demanded good amplification and this reciever delivered comparable sound to my Adcom 7000 thx AMPLIFIER AT A LOSS ONLY AT HIGH SPLS AND DETAIL even at low spls,{but thats your premium for paying a premium price[ADCOM] but other than this minor drawback I personally believe this to be one of the best values today with its MR X multiroom source capabilities, truly one of the better values in multi-channel audio today. Just remember its your ears and dollars you need to satisfy, youre the judge HAPPY LISTENING, just sharing my real world exp...

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KENWOOD, DENON, PIONEER

Great sound, nice features

remote and volume problems

I was able to pick this thing up as an open box buy at Circuit City around end of 1998 for about $800. I hosed off alot of people that worked at the store that were hoping to buy it. The sound is incredible and it looks really cool as the centerpeice of my home theater, but the volume control is a problem. I would put it on a "level 2" setting from 0 and it would slowly drop until the sound turned off. It's good to see that I am not the only one with this problem. This tiny hiccup is by no means a reason not to buy it. The sound quality and power that it puts out more than make up for this minor glitch. If you have the opportunity, pick one up. I know they have stopped selling them at Circuit City and they are not listed on Onkyo's site, but I'm sure you could find a bunch of these on the web. Grab one if you can.

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Onkyo, Sony, Pioneer

ASSIGNABLE DIGITAL INPUTS (how often is this over-looked?!?!?)!!!! GREAT REMOTE (see previous parentheses), sans DVD controls; More than enough power for normal human use

only one optical input, three total; volume control

Positives: Great HT reciever, I have no complaints, no hissing or humming, and I have had more than enough power - I like being able to crank it up to 0 dB!! I have a 5.1 surround system (JBL SCS 120's) and it ROCKS!!! I also run two separate pairs of Infinity Outriggers - two to my outside pool deck, two to my indoor hot-tub area, and in stereo mode, the receiver delivers in fine fashion - my next door neighbors moved and the other ones have threatened to call the cops on many occasions. I am sold on Onkyo forever!!! I need to upgrade my JBL's speakers for music at some point, but that's another story, in the works....

Negatives: not enough digital inputs, specifically opticals, but being assignable is something you can hardly find anywhere else. The volume control in my unit is not that bad, it moves 1-3 dB's for no reason at any time and is annoying when it show's up on-screen, but that can be avoided by hooking up the S-Video's and selecting the correct input on the TV - a 60' Hitachi projection. DSS football package, DVD, it doesn't get much better than this!!

But alas, I am moving to a new house and have upgradd to Dolby Digital DSS, and if not for that reason alone I would have no reason to move from this unit; I got it for $700 out of box at Circuit City (is it deja vu in here or what), along with the JBL's and couldn't be happier. I picked up a Sony DB930 on e-bay for $410 as a cheap "interim" solution for connecting my DVD and DSS opticals and DTS CD coax to my current set-up. I thought about getting a Sony ES model or a Yamaha, but decided I can wait for the Onkyo DTS version of the 939 (the 969??) and then upgrade my entire living room system to HDTV, THX speakers, new model DVD, and move this puppy to the downstairs when it gets finished, and sell the DB930.

I give it a four overall only because of it's few negative things that make it not "perfect" but it's pretty darn close, not even factoring in the extraordinary value.

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Older Sony Pro-Logic

Lots of inputs, flexible surround modes

Modest sound, poor volume control

I bought this unit several years ago when Dolby Digital was still called AC-3 thinking I would get ahead of the curve by buying the biggest baddest A/V receiver out there at the time.

I bought the 747 based mostly on the fact that it was an Onkyo and had good experiences with the brand. I gave away my old trusty Onkyo (an Integra forgot which model) I had for 10 years and got the 747. Although I am impressed with the Dolby Digital surround sound, I am extremely disappointed with the audio. The output is very shallow. There doesn't seem to be a depth to music. I noticed it nearly immediately and there is no amount of adjusting (outside of getting an separate equalizer) that seems to compensate for this. I comparison my old Onkyo would blow the doors off of this unit. The bass was deeper and the high tones were smoother. The older one was a pre-surround sound era model which is what caused me to get rid of it. In hindsight, I think I should have just added a surround sound processor to my old receiver. I have decided to relegate the 747 as just a surround sound amp as it does that function quite well.

My system includes:

Onkyo TX-DS747
Onkyo Integra DX-3500
Onkyo Integra TA-2800
Sony DVP-S550D
B&W DM 601
B&W CC6 S2
Definitive Powerfield 12
Cambridge Soundworks surround sound speakers

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Other Onkyo products

Assignable digital inputs (you can even assign one to the CD inputs, very helpful if you have a CD burner!), sufficient power, very good sound.

I'll join the club...I've got the vloume control problem. Also having only one optical input is a bummer.

I also bought this open-box at Circuit City several years ago, it was a purchase I don't regret! Yes, the volume control has the infamous "I'll decide what level I want to be at" problem, but honestly, it's not that big of a problem. It will adjust itself maybe once or twice when the unit is warming up, then not bother me for the rest of the time I'm using it. I suspect because the volume KNOB itself is motor driven (watch it move when you use the remote) the motor or motor servo circuits are temp sensitive. So I let the unit sit idle with the power on for about 15 minutes before I plan to start using it, and it takes care of the self adjusting volume. Anyway, besides that, I find the sound just a tad short of the Carver seperates I used to own (they were two channel, so I sold them). There's not quite as much "punch" on the low end and the highs are a tad "bright". The bass I can compensate for by using the "3d bass" feature on the unit, and turning the bass control knob down a tad so it doesn't get boomy. The bright highs may just be some sort of nuance caused by my using horn-loaded speakers (Klipsch Cornwalls) that I was able to adjust out of my Carver preamp. Using the Onkyo in 5.1 mode (with a Klipsch KSW-15 sub, SC-1 center, JBL rears), I used the Video Essentials DVD set to adjust the phasing and time-delay settings for my theater, and the Onkyo, simply put, is STUNNING! I'm very happy with this unit, and would recommend it without reservation, so long as I could tell whoever was interested to warm it up first. Using the rating system given here, I can't call it a "giant killer", and it's not "far better than (I) imagined, so it's gonna get a pair of 4s from me.

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Too many to list (been a audio nut for 30 years).

Very clean sound

Volume control but I finally got it fixed

I love this receiver. Ive had it since early '98 and I treat it better than my siblings :-). I have had the same issue with the volume control and it would get annoying at times but... I couldnt be with out my center piece to my system for more than a week so I never took it in.

I aggree with the other reviewers when they say is a little shallow. The highs are a bit bright but its nothing a small adjustment with the trible EQ cant fix. This unit really shows its try colors when listening Dolby Digital sources.

And the ONKYO CUSTOMER SERVICE IS AWESOME. Almost 1 year AFTER my warrenty expired, I was re-arranging my listen room when the center channel went completly out (It was my fault ... I still had the system plugged in at the time.. but Ill never admit to it). I called up ONKYO and told them about the issue and mentioned the Volume problem and they were glad to take care of it under warrenty. I was soo happy. ONKYO did a great job. I got back my reciever (1 month later no thanks to the really BAD service place I took it to APM ELECTROINCS SUCKS MY @#$%@$#) and its in better condition then when I got it brand new.

OVERALL : BEST RECIEVER YOU COULD BY FOR THE PRICE

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OLD JVC , POLK, SONY

Wonderful for home theatre, and if you have the right speakers to go with it music is also very enjoyable.

My volume control is not nearly as bad as others, but it is a little touchy.

I was very happy until it became a little outdated. I was going to buy another Onkyo, but for price and features I decided to go Pioneer Elite VSX-36TX this time. I'll let you know how it pans out.

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Other Onkyo's TX-SV 545