Price, seems durable, movie performance

doesn't seem that powerful, lack of S-video, front inputs would be nice

I like it OK - it was good value and the sound is good. I don't have any hiss problem, and it is very detailed and clear. I still wish it was louder though. I'm using full-size, older Infinity models for the front, (with 12" subs), a Cerwin-Vega center channel with 2 6" drivers, and JBL bookshelf speakers for rears, again with 6" drivers, plus a powered 15" sub. While it will all play pretty loud if I put it up around vol 50 for movies, I was underwhelmed when trying to play the Metallica "Cunning Stunts" concert DVD at silly volume. It was loud but not concert level, and certainly not close to my other, CD-based system consisting of 12 yr old 100wpc HK components and JBL floor speakers. Is this a DVD vs CD problem? I've tried about every combination of settings, (large vs small speakers, channel levels, etc).

Anyway, it's doing a better than decent job of powering the sound for my movie watching, it didn't cost an arm and a leg, and it continues to work. The multi-channel Technics hissed like a snake in anything other than straight stereo mode, so it is relegated to providing my 6 yr old with the loudest Sega Dreamcast system in the world, (with a high efficiency Kenwood hatchback car stereo speaker box).

Similar Products Used:

Harmon Kardon discrete component set, Technics 5.1-ready receiver, Pioneer integrated A/V amp

Features, quality components (more weight usually equates to better amp, etc)

Yes folks, there is a HISS, and it's annoying enough to consider alternative products.

Was anxious get one as soon as this product was rated by Stereophile Guide to Home Theater magazine to be among best budget receivers for '99. Diligently researched, listened and read about other products in the segment. Needless to say, I didn't heed the warnings of other posters on this site regarding the notorias hiss. I so much wanted to be completely satisfied, however, due to the annoyance with the noise coming through all my home theater speakers, buyer's remorse is the reality. Hopefully, this has been resolved in newer models.

Other than this major stumbling block, the unit does have quality amp and features at the pricepoint.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer

Average when it works

No sound when it decides not to work

My old Onkyo Reciever was a tank, built to last. It
finally died in 1999. Replaced with this reciever.
This reciever has the same intermittent problem that
several others on this review and on the 6xx model
mention, everything works and then you select a
feature and the sound goes away. If I'm listening
to a CD and then switch to DVD, goodbye sound!!!

I have not even tried to have it serviced. Onkyo
customer service has been not existant since I
first purchased equipment form them in 1989.

There is definitely a flaw in the design worthy of
a class action suit against Onkyo.

Hopefully those of you that like the reciever bought
it after it had been out for a while, ie. after
Onkyo had a chance to get rev. 2 out the door.

Similar Products Used:

Old Onkyo Receiver (13 years old).

Good value for price point

Customer Support, frequent break downs

I bought this receiver as an entry level receiver into home theatre. It worked fine for about a year, and then there was no sound. It has been at an authorized customer service center for 6 MONTHS. I have called Onkyo and the Service Center repeatedly. Only recently was I told I would receive a replacement unit. Even at that, the service center "sent the unit to the wrong location." Another three weeks. Why am I not surprised. I hope the new unit works for a while until I can save money for something better.

I certainly would not recommend this unit to anyone.

Similar Products Used:

None

Bought this to replace my aging TX-38 and ES600-Pro Surround Sound Decoder.
I have to agree with all of the things said in the prior post.
One thing that is driving me crazy is there is no AC3 RF input, only the coaxial, which means My AC-3 Laserdisc will have to live with pro logic for a while.
Also, the lack of S-Video connectors is another negative.

Otherwise, the unit performs exceedingly well

Purchased the Onkyo 575 for $420 shipped. I compared it to the Pioneer Elite 21, Denon 2700, and HK avr-35. I bought this sight unseen based on its price and features. The denon and hk do not have DTS and I did not like the entry level Elite (did not sound good at all in music and not that great in movies), the 575 also weighs about 7lbs more than the Elite and is cheaper. Here are some of the features of the 575:
DD/DTS built In (fast and accurate).
3 Digital Inputs (2 coax, 1 optical).
Decent Universal Remote with Macro Capability.
5 Channel Stereo (used to be a Denon only feature).
Will play 6ohm speakers without a problem.
Accurate 70watts per channel rating with low THD.
2 Years Parts and Labor Warranty.
96/24 DACS.
Built like a tank (weighs 28lbs).
Power Supply and Heat sinks look extremely robust and capable.
Volume Can be switched from Definate (0-80) or Relative (-20-+20).
One ON/OFF switch, another on/standby switch (very nice touch).
5.1 Inputs.
Front panel buttons are laid out very nicely.
Music sounds very good and movies sound fantastic.
Listened to a DTS CD and was extremely impressed by both the receiver and the recording.
Has Cinema Re-Eq.
You can set distance from speakers.
knobs and buttons have very solid and fluid feeling (Pioneer did not).
Digital Inputs are assignable.

Negatives:
No svideo inputs (I think the European or Asian model has them)
No digital output
Could use maybe one more toslink input
No 5 way binding posts for rear channels (my 12gauge cable fit just fine in the pin connectors)
Display only has 2 step dimming, would like to be able to dim it all the way.
Remote is not backlit (if it was it would be go from a C+ to a B+ as far as supplied remotes go)
Video Inputs and corresponding front panel buttons are labeled Video 1, 2 & 3. Would have liked a Video 1 to be TV and so on.
When listening to cd's via a digital input you cannot choose direct input (only stereo or one of the other DSP's). I owned a Denon and really liked this feature(eliminates all soundfields and processing).
Nowhere in the manual does it state the cutover frequency, I think/hope it is 80hz. This was one of the only things I did not like about the Sony 30ES (100hz cutover).

I was unable to find any other receiver that did as much as I wanted it do at this price range but the Onkyo comes very close. If it had svideo switching, backlit remote, and fully dimable display it would be the ultimate midlevel receiver for me.

For ~$400 delivered with warranty I think this is one of the best deals currently available. The Elite 21 is close in price and has more features (a lot more) but it does not sound as good. If you can find a discontinued 30ES for around this price I would get it unless you absolutely need 5.1 inputs. The 30ES replacement, the 333ES, is very nice indeed but costs almost $200 more mailorder. The pioneer elite 24 is a huge step up from the 21 and I probably would have bought it if I could have afforded another $200. HK's sound wonderful but have quality control issues and thus do not want to order mailorder. Denon's are awesome for music but the DD chips in the 2700 are not as powerful as the Onyko and do not include DTS. I could have bought a 2700 for $400 but I still would need an outboard processor for DTS (which after hearing seems like it has possibilities).

The 575 just hit the market and I have only had mine for a couple of days. I will try to post a 30 day followup review. Definetly give it a test listen and compare it with others in its price range, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

I just purchased my Onkyo TX-DS575 after returning my Sony STR-DE925 to Circuit City. I am impressed greatly with the build quality and high standard of performance that this unit displays. What a receiver! Extremley incredible sound quality, crystal clear highs and rumbling lows. I would of liked to see an extra toslink input as well and a few S-videos inputs and outputs would not hurt, but other than that its not bad. The DTS sounds spactaculaer, improved ten fold over my Sony and the movie Speed 2 was magnificent in Dolby Digital. I also like the DSP modes and the Five Channel Stereo is nice to have. Overall if you are looking for a receiver look closley at this one and compare with other brands. From what I have heard from this one you will not have to look much farther.

I just bought this model from Sound City for about $410 with shipping. Its replacing a 2 1/2 year old Harmon Kardon AVR20 Mark II. It was a choice between this one and a Yamaha R-V905.
At first I was a bit skeptical about moving from an H/K to another brand, but those worries were quickly dismissed when I heard this Onkyo. I truely beleive it to be, at this point at least, the best receiver in its class/price range. Nowhere have I seen another receiver that offers you these features, especially both Dolby Digital AND DTS for around $400. There is the Pioneer VSX-608 but I would never touch that with a 10 foot pole.

I currently have this receiver hooked up to a Toshiba 3109 DVD Player and an old 20 inch TV and all I can say is Star Trek: Insurrection in Dolby Digital is just plain amazing, and there is no other way to say it.

The sound is crisp and clear out of my Boston Acoustics speakers, with no noticable distortion or hissing. The unit is built very solid, weighs quite a bit, and the design is clean and well laid out. Even the remote, once programmed properly works quite well with everything. It is nowhere near as bad as other remotes, and is a tremendous improvement, I think, over previous Onkyo remotes, namely the DS-555, last years model of the 575.

The only major negative I can really come up with, as stated previously is the lack of s-video inputs, as well as another toslink input would be nice.

Aside from that, if your looking for a excellent value, incredible performance, and a feature rich product (Dolby Digital AND DTS), then look no further then this one folks. At a price of around $400, this receiver stands out in a class of its own.

I looked for a long time before deciding on this receiver for my hometheater/audio driver. It is crisp and clear and very powerful for the buck. I am using this unit with a Toshiba 2108 DVD and Klipsch 8.5s in front and an old set of Fisher 8s in the rear. I have played all dolby digital 5.1 movies Predater, Twister, Top Gun and Air Force One. I have also played DTS demo DVD #3 and the DTS CD. The sound and definition with these is amazing, sometimes much better than the theater experience.
It offers some features only offered on receivers that are double the price. There are a few negatives which have been touched on with other reviews posted here, but none will have an effect on my system in the near future.

We have played several CDs using our DVD player using 5 channel surround as well as many of the other optional settings all with great satisfaction.

Here is my 30 day followup review, supplementing the first review at the bottom. I have watched about 15 DVD movies and listened to about 20 hours of music on the 575 since I purchased it. A great place to start your search when purchasing your Onkyo 575 is at http://www.yawaaudio.com - David is highly recommended.
First let me list the good:

- The remote. This thing has really impressed me. As I said earlier it is not backlit but it is very well designed. Since it is not backlit I would guess the batteries will last at least 2-3 months minimum. The buttons are laid out in a well thought out manner and it is not bulky. It even has macro functions. It currently controls a sony tv, samsung vcr, rca dvd and a pioneer 300 cd changer without a hitch. Programming was easy and quick. The buttons are a cool white/blue color which helps offset the backlighting issue. This is the first included remote that can trully be called a univeral remote (on a budget receiver, the Marantz RC2000 being the exception but the remote is priced almost as much as this whole receiver).

- Music. I connect the pioneer cd player through an optical connection, then through an audio alchemy DST cable which converts it to coax(and removes so called jitter). I am using Kef Q15's for front and rear, a Kef 95C center, and an infinity 12inch sub. Everything I throw at the Onkyo sounds great. I am yet to be disappointed with the sound and music is the true test of any a/v receiver. I have heard better but not at this price range. This $400 receiver sounds similar to an $800-$1200 receiver (much better than overpriced sherwoods). Check out the Sony 835/935, kenwood 2090, JVC 1028 and even the low end Yamahas & Denons for comparison and this will beat them all IMHO. Anyone who has owned a denon knows how great 5 channel stereo is for party/background and this receiver does a great job delivering equal stereo sound to all five channels. I don't use any other DSP modes.

- Movies. As I mentioned before the DTS sounded great for both movies and music but I am yet to watch a full length DTS movie(only trailers and music videos). BTW, you can get a free DTS demo disc and an awesome music cd free if you send a e-mail to this person DEBBIE BESSEY DBESSEY@dtsonline.com - include your address and request a DTS Demo #3 and CD sampler and she will send it free of charge, great way to get your feet wet with DTS. I have watched quite a few DD/DPL DVD movies and all I can say is wow. Dialogue is clear, channel separation is great, thunderous bass, and extra features such as cinema re-eq and night mode are great. This is an awesome 50% movies/50% music receiver (so many others are movie only receivers). At very high volumes there is a slight hiss(you have to be within 2 feet of the speakers) in the rear speakers but that seems to be only during older prologic movies otherwise it is not present.

- Tuner. Reception is great, sounds really good. Has a connection for regular antenae.

- Fit and finish. This unit is very solidly built. It is nice and heavy and you can see inside and look at the power supply, heat sinks and amps. It never gets overly hot even after extened use in 5 channel mode.

- Set Up. Set up was a breeze (not on screen). The surround sound is automatically detected and it remembers your setting the last time you used each input. Digital inputs are assignable.

- Ergonomics. Buttons are well laid out. The volume control has a nice silky smooth yet solid feel to it.

Bad
- Really wish the display would dim all the way. It is only switchable between bright and dim.

- I will be able to get by for at least a year or two without svideo switching and an extra optical input but it still would be nice to have (also would have added to the cost).

- For like an extra $1 they could have put 5 way binding posts for the rear channels but alas it is the push pin connectors. My 12ga speaker wire fits but if I wanted to go any lower, use bananas, or spades I would be unable to use it.

- They really should have labeled the Video 1,2,3 buttons TV, VCR, SAT/AUX (but for some reason DVD has its own button). This would help with the spouse acceptance factor.

- These are all minor issues and the only one that really bugs me is the dimmable display (I like a completely dark room when I watch a movie). For $420 delivered this is half the price of the Denon 3300. Is the 575 only half as good as the 3300, far from it. On both music and movies it holds it own and then some and you can spend that extra money on a better/bigger TV which really helps in the overall home theater experience.

I would also like to recommend some speaker sets to accompany this wonderful receiver.

One of the best deals on the net is the $200 12inch Infinity BU120 sub from www.netmarket.com. IMHO you will not get a lot more for 2, 3, or even 4 times as much espicially if you have a small to medium size room.

Recommended Matching speaker sets:
4 kef Q15 w/95C center ~$700-800 (I'm using these and am very happy)
4 NHT Superzeros & new Supercenter ~$600-700(looked for used)
4 NHT Superones & new Supercenter ~$750-900 " " "
Energy EX16's with matching center ~$500-600 (much better value than take 5)
Energy Take 5/Mirage AVS-500 ~$300-400 (only if you have a small room and music is not as important as movies)
5 NEAR 10M II's ~$500-800 (awesome little speakers)
Atlanta Technologies Speaker Combos (250.1 was a great deal)
Definitive Technology Pro Cinema Speaker Combo
Radio Shack Optimus LX5 II Speakers (always on sale for ~$150 pair)
If you go with full range speakers try and find some with high spl (90db or higher will work best with this receiver.
www.mcmelectronics.com sells spindles of high quality low guage speaker cable for very low prices. Best Buy has Recoton Optical cables for $15 and Radio Shack Gold End patch cables are cheap and good enough quality for all but audiophiles.

Here is a great $1500 home theater (without tv):
Onkyo 575 ~$400
Pioneer 414 DVD Player ~$300
Infinity BU120 Sub ~$200
4 Energy eXL16 Bookshelf Speakers with eXL center ~$500
Stands/Cables/Misc(taxs, shipping) ~$100
Total $1500

If you live by a Sony Outlet they have Sony 41" RPTVs for $999. Great deal on a great TV. This brings the total to $2500 for a great home theater IMHO.

Thanks and Enjoy