Onkyo TX-DS989 A/V Receivers

Onkyo TX-DS989 A/V Receivers 

DESCRIPTION

The TXDX989 is the first 7.1 THX Ultra Dolby EX Receiver that needs no external amplification

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 93  
[Jan 02, 2010]
james
AudioPhile

i should say that onkyo 989 is better than the rest some people dosent know they think was denon and yamaha are good i should say onkyo 989 is always the best and the first one who build 7.1 channel . their nothing like onkyo 989 the best. i would not compare to any other stereo.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 04, 2003]
onkyo haha
AudioPhile

Strength:

sound is good

Weakness:

none

I been used this 989 a year now,i must say this AV sound is good for music and movie,but in our country the update to V2 is still waiting? I don`t know why onkyo up to now don`t let our country to update,I think our country is so small???????or???????

Similar Products Used:

Denon

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 27, 2003]
currie538
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sound quality

Weakness:

Build quality

I love the sound my onkyo 989 ver2 produces especially in movies. The SACD and DVD audio is good but not as outstanding as the movies. I have one complaint and one problem. My complaint is that I purchased some high quality interconnects for the multichannel music but the Onkyo supplied digital 25 pin connector is poor quality and there is not direct in(RCA type)connection using the audio interconnects. How can a top end reciever be shipped with such a poor quality connector. The problem I am having with the reciever is the front right speaker isn't working. It is so disappointing when you have a brand new reciever and it doesn't work. I guess I will have to bring it in to the nearest service center and they say there turn around time is 2 weeks if no parts are on back order.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha and Pioneer recievers

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
3
[May 26, 2003]
Fuzzy32
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Everything--see my earlier review

Weakness:

Fan noise--NOT ANY MORE thanks to ROY GRAY LIMITED.

My only complaint with this awesome machine was the fan noise. It would come on after 2 hours of movie watching and stay on for 10-15 seconds. Then back on every 15 minutes for the same 10-15 second period. For a top notch receiver, I was a little dissapointed with the fan noise. After reading all the reviews here on the 'fan fix' problem, I contacted H. ROY GRAY LIMITED who look after Onkyo products here in Canada. I talked to a customer service rep who told me that he had never heard of the fan noise problem with the 989. After telling him of the fix that I read about in here in which Onkyo USA sent out a tech sheet with the fan noise fix, he still didn't believe me. Since the actual product tech was not there in the office to chat with me, the customer rep took my phone number down and told me he would call back in a few days with an answer. 20 minutes later I got a call back from Onkyo. He did some research and found out that there was indeed a fix for the 989 fan noise problem. He told me there was a zenor diode that I needed. He told me where the nearest Onkyo service dealer was and the part number that I needed. He thanked me for being patient and told me if there were any other problems to call him again without hesitation. Installing the zenor diode will make the fan turn slower than before. It still comes on after 2 hours but it runs whisper quiet now. Can't hear it at all. Just wanted to give a thumbs up to H.ROY GRAY LIMITED here in Canada who look after Onkyo products.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo 787; Sony receivers.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[May 15, 2003]
pshing
Audio Enthusiast

This is the follow-up review for what I did on 2/19/03 towards ONKYO 989 AV RCVR. By then, I reported the quality problem on 989 which no sounds come out fm either DSP setting or analog direct (such as AM/FM). I wrote to Onkyo and get patch fm them by turn on the system first then hold Video1 along w/ standby button simutaneously to reset the entire system. I did and 989 worked for several days then back to the no-sound O/P stage again. I was pissed and called Onkyo technical supports who they recommended to go for the upgarde-2 package which will solve this DSP related problems. In the ONKYO shop, they not only upgraded the system but also fixed the DSP issue at no costs since it is still under warrenty. Now, the 989-Ver2 AV receiver is back to live and I couldn't be happier to hear all the richest sounds fm ONKYO. In case, yr 989 original RCVR has similiar issue, then upgrade 2 will indeed help.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
3
[Feb 19, 2003]
pshing
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Superb sound quality and richness of features

Weakness:

Doubtfull build quality and durability, especially the detections of "digital I/Ps".

I personally is a big fan of Onkyo products and owns long lists of Onkyo products fm 838, 939 to 989. Bought the 1st generations of 989 fm eBay at dirt cheap prict by 8/00. The monster 989 worked exactly as what I expected fm Onkyo product which is "everything perfectly build" except the noise fm the venting fan after set it up. After 18 months usage, the detections of digital I/P apparently hving major difficulty to "detect" digital I/Ps regardless fm OPT or COAX and I hv to flip thru "digtal format" fm auto, digital, DTS... several times and finally it works most of the time. But, there were times, 989 just won't work at all regardless what I did. I assumes the analog I/P format such as AM or FM should work fine but "no sound" at all after switch to either FM or AM. With this horrible experience of Onkyo product which I used to enjoy a lot. I am definitely thinking about purchasing Denon in the future which I already am looking for 5803. My system setup: AV RCVR: Onkyo TX-DS989 SPK: KEF Reference 3, C200, RDM 2 Sub-woofer: Velodyne F1800 DVD: Toshiba SD-9200, Onkyo DV-C600 LD: Pioneer DVL-919 CD: Onkyo DX-C730 Tape: Onkyo Tape TARW-544, Sony MD JE-630 Surge protector: MonsterCable HTS5000

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo 838, 939 and Pioneer VSX36TX

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
3
[Feb 01, 2003]
Andreas
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great sound, build quality, power, price

Weakness:

Gets fairly hot, leave enough room for ventlation. Somewhat noisy fan.

I decided on the TX-DS989 after a 3 months quest to find the best receiver for the money and for my listening preferences. After using stereophile equipment for years to listen to music, I was somewhat opprehensive of getting a receiver, but I also wanted excellent movie reproduction. I listen to a wide spectrum of music, ranging from classic to jazz to rock. An I have to say, that I am still blown away by the natural sound stage and clarity for music reproduction. After listening to many receivers such as Marantz, Denon, HK, Yamaha and Sony ES-Series, the TX-DS989 is the most natural sounding receiver while still beeing incredibelly clear and crisp. It was more than enough power and delivers amazing sound all across the frequenzy spectrum. I listen to a lot of SACD's and the TX-DS989 asures and unbelieveable listening experience. In my eyes the TX-DS989 is hands down the best receiver in its class and even outperforms receivers such as Denon's AVC-A1SE and Marantz's SR-14EX which cost more than twice as much. My System: Sony DVP-NC650 (DVD/SACD Player) Infinity Interlude IL50 (Front) Infinity Interlude IL36C (Center) Infinity Interlude IL10 (Rear) Monster Z3 Reference Ultimate Audiophile Speaker Cables Audioquest Interconnects Monster AVS2000 Home Theatre Automatic Voltage Stabilizer

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Marantz, HK

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 01, 2003]
Andreas
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great sound, build quality, power, price

Weakness:

Gets fairly hot, leave enough room for ventilation. Fan is a little noisy.

I purchased this receiver after a 3 months quest of finding the best receiver for the money and for my listening preferences. I listened to HK, Marantz, Denon and Sony ES-Series. I listen to a lot of music, ranging from classic to jazz to rock and found that the TX-DS989 was the most natural sounding receiver while still beeing clear and crisp through the whole frequenzy band. Having used stereophile equipment for many years, I was somewhat opprehensive to switch to an av-receiver, but I also wanted an excellent audio reproduction for watching movies. I have had the receiver now at my house for about 6 months an I am still blown away by the pure and warm music reproduction that the TX-DS989 delivers. No matter what you throw at it. I listen also to a lot of SACD's and the listening experience is just incredible. It has more than enough power and delivers a solid performance, even over extended times of high volume listening. In my eyes this is without a doubt the best receiver in its class and outperforms receivers costing a lot more such as Denon's AVC-A1SE and Marantz's SR-14EX, which cost more than twice as much. My System: Sony DVP-NC650V (DVD/SACD Player) Infinity Interlude IL50 (front) Infinity Interlude ILC36 (center) Infinity Interlude IL10 (rear) Monster Z3 Reference Ultimate Audiophile Speaker cables Audioquest Interconnnects

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Marantz, HK

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 29, 2003]
stefan mueller
AudioPhile

Strength:

detailed and harmonic sound

Weakness:

until now - non

Very detailed sound and a fantastic bass(not a pseudo bass). Also the Stereo mode sounds incredible. You need high quality speaker to use the full potential of the 989.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jan 24, 2003]
icejsmith
AudioPhile

Strength:

I could not possibly go into all the details; awesome power, features, clarity, etc.

Weakness:

I have heard from others the fan is a bit noisy. I have heard it on occasion myself but very, very minimally. I don't see it as even a minute problem.

I purchased this unit to upgrade from a TX-DS797. The 797 was awesome but words can not describe the 989. I have 6 Polk RTi-150 speakers for mains and all surrounds. My center is a Polk CS400. I also have 2 Velodyne CHT-12 subs. Let me just say in the small room I have my friends say they have never heard anything like it. The 989 is more than I could have ever imagined.

Similar Products Used:

Other Onkyo products.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 93  

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