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[3 of 3 customers found this review helpful]
from Oklahoma on 3/9/2011
Comments about Onkyo Onkyo 9.2 Channel Black AV Home Theater Network Pre-Amplifier:
First, this is my separate pre-amplifier. My next caveat is that I'm a decades-long Onkyo / Integra user; which isn't an installment in a Ford/Chevy debate. Those caveats out of the way, this unit performs flawlessly with many layers of tweaks to entertain me for months or years to come. The 5508 is an upgrade from an Onkyo 806, which had served well for several years. A larger than expected year-end bonus allowed me to consider a long desired upgrade to separates. I spent my time in the Forums, reading the reviews, considered other units; but, came back to this unit. Here are the other components in my current system:• Samsung PN63 plasma display• Oppo BD-83 Blu-Ray / SACD / DVD-A• Toshiba HD-DVD• TiVo HD (over-the-air 1080i and 720p)• ROKU XD|S for Netflix• Outlaw 7200 power amplifier• ALL DefTech speakers: 7002 mains / CLR2500 center / four BP2Xs for surrounds and surround back;• Klipsch 10" sub in a corner (with the 806, I ran two of them - might still; but, with the 7002s, more than one subwoofer isn't necessary in my room)Video: All sources are connected to the PR-SC5508 via HDMI cables, nothing analog. I had the 806 set to send the HDMI video signal straight through to the display without processing. I started with the same setting on the 5508. Even straight through, the picture switched via the 5508 still seems cleaner and more saturated. CLEAN is the word that comes to mind. As the Samsung accepts either 1080p60 or 1080p24, I have experimented with the 5508 up-processing, and perceive an improvement on all video sources except from the OPPO, which is already very, very good. For the moment, all other video sources are up-processed to 1080p60 or 1080p24.Audio: Here's the greatest strength, to my senses. The clarity, spaciousness, and localization, especially in stereo, were a revelation compared to the 806. The stereo image is solid, never waivers.In multi-channel recordings, the perception of localization is less dependent on the processor than the quality of the artist mixing the sound track; yet, even with 5.1 and 7.1 tracks, the 5508 improved the resolution and localization. I haven't spent time with other setups using separates. I will say the drums which underline the penultimate rugby match on INVCITUS sounded gloriously rich but defined.Audessey MultiEQ XT32. I used the Audessey set up feature on the 806, and I was impressed. MultiEQ XT32 is a remarkable and valuable improvement. It took about 30 minutes, and in my complex listening room, was time very well spent. All ranges sound cleaner, richer, and NO boom in the bass, ever.Surround Processing modes: I appreciate Neural Surround, and all DTS surround modes. The THX Ultra2 Modes are good, as well.
I called Abt to get the scoop on discounts; customer service was friendly, my order shipped that day, and arrived as scheduled without mishap. Thank you Abt.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Oklahoma on 3/4/2011
Comments about Onkyo Onkyo 9.2 Channel Black AV Home Theater Network Pre-Amplifier:
Onkyo PR-SC5508
First, this is my separate pre-amplifier. My next caveat is that I'm a decades-long Onkyo / Integra user; which isn't an installment in a Ford/Chevy debate. Still, those caveats out of the way, this unit performs flawlessly with many layers of tweaks to entertain me for months or years to come. I am revisiting many friends among my DVD, Blu-Ray and CD collections. The 5508 is an upgrade from an Onkyo 806, which had served well for several years. A larger than expected year-end bonus allowed me to consider a long desired upgrade to separates. I spent my time in the Forums, reading the reviews, considered other units; but, came back to this unit. Here are the other units in my current system:
• Samsung PN63 plasma display
• Oppo BD-83 Blu-Ray / SACD / DVD-A
• Toshiba HD-DVD
• TiVo HD (over-the-air 1080i and 720p)
• ROKU XD|S for Netflix
• Outlaw 7200 power amplifier
• ALL DefTech speakers: 7002 mains / CLR2500 center / four BP2Xs for surrounds and surround back;
• Klipsch 10" sub in a corner (with the 806, I ran two of them - might still; but, with the 7002s, more than one subwoofer isn't necessary in my room)
Video: All sources are connected to the PR-SC5508 via HDMI cables, nothing analog. I had the 806 set to send the HDMI video signal straight through to the display without processing. I started with the same setting on the 5508. Even straight through, the picture switched via the 5508 still seems cleaner and more saturated. CLEAN is the word that comes to mind. Very, very clean. As the Samsung accepts either 1080p60 or 1080p24, I have experimented with the 5508 up-processing, and perceive an improvement on all video sources except from the OPPO, which is already very, very good (and even seems degraded if processed by the 5508). For the moment, all other video sources are up-processed to 1080p60 or 1080p24.
Audio: Here's the greatest strength, to my senses. The clarity, spaciousness, and localization, especially in stereo, were a revelation compared to the 806. The stereo image is solid, never waivers; I liken the experience to removing several layers of fly screen to reveal a bloom filled spring day. Yes, it's poetic; but, music is art, yes?
In multi-channel recordings, the perception of localization is less dependent on the processor than the quality of the artist mixing the sound track; yet, even with 5.1 and 7.1 tracks, the 5508 improved the resolution and localization. I haven't spent time with other setups using separates. I will say the drums which underline the penultimate rugby match on INVCITUS sounded gloriously rich but defined.
Audessey MultiEQ XT32. I used the Audessey set up feature on the 806, and I was impressed. MultiEQ XT32 is a remarkable and valuable improvement. It took about 30 minutes, and in my complex listening room, was time very well spent. All ranges sound cleaner, richer, and NO boom in the bass, ever.