Price Paid:  $200.00 from Ebay Auction

Summary:
I've tried other entry level AV receiver's from Sony and JVC. I find that the Onkyo 494 is a wonderful receiver for "first timers". I'm currently using it for surround sound on my home computer. I couldn't be happier with it. I found the set up surprisingly easy and sound is better than good for only pushing 50 Watts per channel in 5.1. Plenty of inputs, plenty of versatility and I LOVE the fact that the damn thing has KNOBS. More bass, turn the knob, more treble... turn the knob. I love it so.

Strengths:
Versatility, ease of use and set up, functionality, value and quality of build. Surprising amount of features for the price..

Weaknesses:
Runs a little hot.

Similar Products Used:
Sony 675, JVC entry level thing...

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Cardinal Audio

Summary:
Bought this unit as a starter receiver for my home and it sounds great. Crystal clear sound for music and excellent reproduction of movie soundtracks. Best receiver in its price range.

Strengths:
Crystal clear sound Simple Set-up Build Quality

Weaknesses:
Remote

Similar Products Used:
Sony, Yamaha, Harmon Kardon, Pioneer

Price Paid:  $300.00 from radio shack

Summary:
Great machine. I use the DFX 6 plugin for sonique through my computer. 2 x 800 W, 2 x 100W. Superior sound, I recommend it to any type of music listener.

Strengths:
flawless sound when used with the DFX 6.x audio plugin

Weaknesses:
no wake up timer no clock how can a regular wall plug possibly power 1800+ W sound system?

Price Paid:  $500.00 from audiotronic

Summary:
The Onkoy TX-DS494 is a marvel of modern engineering. The sound it produces is clean, crisp, and clear. I have infinity speakers set up for surrond sound (prolgic 2, Dolby digital). the analog pl 2 makes TV sound like your at a theater. The dolby digital matched with a fibre optic cable is intense. I have had no prblems with this amp. Its looks are stylish and sleek. When matched with high end speakers you will be in audio heaven. For the money, this amp blows away its rivals in all aspects. If you are looking for a great amp and don`t want to spend 1500 bucks try the onkyo trust me you''ll love it.

Strengths:
110 watts per channel Prologic 2 Dolby Digital 5.1 DTS fibre optic solid construction

Weaknesses:
none

Price Paid:  $150.00 from circuit city

Summary:
i made the mistake of buying a htib system. it was a jvc vbk-6018 receiver 500 watts, with small sats and a 12" subwoofer with 120watts. i upgraded from a pioneer stereo with loudspeakers cause i wanted a 5.1 system as i watch alot of movies. it did what i though was good on movies and terrible for music. dont buy a jvc htib or any for that matter. they dont have the power even though they say 100watts a channel it is way under rated and the quality sucks! the speakers sounded hollow and not very real. the sub however was quite the brut and did a decent job but i believe that the jvc receiver over does the sib a bit. anyway..... i though the sats did what sats do and decided the center speaker needs the most help so i went through a few but all sounded distorted at low to high volumes and voices were not audiable. this is due to the receiver cant put out the power to a 2 speaker center channel as the center that came with the system always worked fine. so i finally figure (plus reading online reviews) that the likes of jvc, pioneer, sony, awia..etc are just crap and to buy something higher end. now im like most people and dont like to spend alot. i dont want money sunk into a audio system for the price of a used car or high monthly mortgage. i went out looking for a nicer receiver with true power ratings/output, behold onkyo!!!!!!!!!!! i got this puppy (a demo) for $150.00 at circuit city. brought it home and hooked it up to my new jbl nsp-1 home theater speakers and wow what a combo!!!!!! this receive and speaker system you would swear were meant to go together but this is coming form a guy who was using low end stuff so judge as you will, this is only by choice not cause i wanted to. anyway i used all monster cables and 14 gauge speaker wire. a beauty of a theater system!!!!!!! i played a demo dd/dts disc and my wife was next to me playing nintendo on another tv and she jumped out of her seat and looked behind her to see who or what was there (she never did that with the jvc system) and i just laughed, scared the crap out of her. now i sold the jvc receiver and speakers but did keep the sub and im so happy with my system, its complete in my eyes and does the job i want it to. now to touch on what ken said im the second person to complain about the center channel. breck: 20 watts ????? come on this is onkyo, your talking true full/true wattage!!!!

Strengths:
to everyone else who is complain about this receiver not having enough power turn up the db settings for the speakers!!!!!!!!!!! this reciever has plenty of power!!!! in my eyes for the price and great reviews its powerful in every aspect!!!!!

Weaknesses:
none ........at first i thought the sub was less than what the jvc sounded like but realized its perfect! the jvc just had way to much going to the sub. i always had to adjust it from the reciever of sub itself. onkyo gives a perfect balance of bass for the speakers and sub.

Similar Products Used:
past: pioneer, jvc, technics. my current setup: onkyo ts-dx494, jbl nsp-1 home theater speakers, pioneer dvd-343 dvd player, technics dual cassette/motorized,digital readout deck. 27" rca tv