Price Paid:  $488.00 from Elite Audio. Eau Claire, WI

Summary:
Run
*Bose 901 (surround)
*Infinity RS-4 (main front)
*Klipsch sub
*Techniques center channel (sucks)
*Sony DVP C650D
*Onkyo DX-C3670 CD player
*Teac EQ EQA-190

Strengths:
I love it. Never a single problem. Barely ever gets hot and I like to crank. Attractive and ease of opperations. Can hook into analog TV input and control all settings with ease.

Weaknesses:
No digital inputs. Just recently purchased a Sony DVP C650D player which has digital output which I can't use. Wanted this reciever to last me next 10+ years and wasn't aware of this technology. Oh well.

Similar Products Used:
Techniques
Pioneeer

Price Paid:  $139.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
I saw this on a demo shelf at Circuit City for $139 (!), and figured, how could I go wrong? I've had Adcom separates for years, and the multiple boxes were driving the wife crazy...if it didn't work out, I could return it. First off, separates do sound better, no doubt about it. I'm driving inefficent speakers (B&W Matrix 802/S2s), and the 646 wasn't bad, just not effortless. Easily remedied with an outboard Adcom 200 watt/channel amp...much better sound. Add a second outboard Adcom 3 channel amp for center/surrounds, and an Onkyo ED-301 for Dolby Digital, and now we're talking a pretty decent system...except the wife notes all the components again. So what did I gain? Decent tuner w/ presets, very nice system flexibility, 4 video ins I didn't have before, system control of Dolby Digital/CDs thru remote, nice feature of extra set of powered outputs for speakers in kitchen, good on-screen menu interface for the system. Two drawbacks about the 646: It runs exceptionally hot...so much so I rigged up a small muffin fan that sits in top to pull hot air. Secondly, while listening to a source, and you route that source with the REC OUT button, the level drops noticeably; still sounds good, just needs to be turned up. In closing. the 646 can function very well as a centerpiece for a complex system, with multiple ins/outs, but I recommend external amplifiers, and you'll need an external Dolby Digital Decoder for DVDs...the relatively unknown ED-301 does this well.

Strengths:
Good system Flexibility

Weaknesses:
Runs HOT!!

Similar Products Used:
Adcom gear

Summary:
I have used this reciever about two years now and have not yet had any problem at all. I submitted this review because of some of the complaints of the later models of the same manufacturer and series. I am amazed at the absence of hum and hiss generated by the unit. The distortion is way below my hearing level. The only problem is the lack of onboard decoders. The unit has never needed service despite the usual abuse ie. shorting the outputs, moved around, ect. I have been more than satisfied with the unit. It was an exceptional value for less than $300.
Used with:
Boston Acoustics VR 970, VR 10; JBL surround
Panasonic A310 DVD, Pioneer CD Magachanger
Sony Lasermax

Strengths:
high, clean power- versatile- well designed- quiet

Weaknesses:
no digital decoders

Similar Products Used:
pioneer, sony, technics, hk citation

Summary:
I purchased my Onkyo from H.H.Greg for $339 four months ago brand new in box. It replaced a Kenwood, which I thought was a very good unit. The onkyo blow it away. I am very pleased
with it. I purchased it because of the price. I was looking at the 656, but the $339 price was
hard to pass up. I am very happy with it. The rep that Onkyo has for being a leading brand is
very well evident when you listen to one of their receivers. I have had a long time to get used to
it and I am still very satisfied.

Summary:
I bought this unit six months ago from circuit city (I was actually looking to buy a TX-SV656 or a TX-SV747) but at the price I paid $379.99 and got a service contract w/ it too. This unit is well made it weighs about 30lbs, Mybiggest reason for buying this unit was for its ability to expand. I plan on keeping this unit for a few years if I can help it. the 747 & 656 are almost Identical units except the 747 cost more which kind of threw me I love My 646 and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking. It provides excellent soung it is heads and tails above the sony that it replaces. Don't think I am a one trick pony I have always been a fan of Harman and some of the other big brands but budget wise I just can't get into it that's why I am a audio enthusiast and not a true audiophile I don't have the money to by seperate everything ie two piece cd players and the like if you are a true mid-fi fan on a budget this is the piece for you