Price Paid:  $850.00 from Onkyo Retailer

Summary:
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.

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

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

Similar Products Used:
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

Price Paid:  $500.00 from at online

Summary:
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)

Strengths:
Very natural sound, the bass is deep.

Weaknesses:
No dts and 5.1 channel input.

Similar Products Used:
Denon, pioneer, sherwood, kenwood, jvc, and sony(the worst).

Price Paid:  $650.00 from online

Summary:
I was very happy until it became a little outdated.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.

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

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

Similar Products Used:
Other Onkyo's TX-SV 545

Price Paid:  $800.00 from Curcit City

Summary:
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

Strengths:
Very clean sound

Weaknesses:
Volume control but I finally got it fixed

Similar Products Used:
OLD JVC , POLK, SONY

Price Paid:  $700.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
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.

Strengths:
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.

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

Similar Products Used:
Too many to list (been a audio nut for 30 years).