Onkyo 708 or am I overlooking others?

[emaja]

I need a receiver that has pre-outs. This will be doing double-duty in my HT as well as my primary use of 2 channel audio streamed from my Mac to an Airport Express.

I have the 608 and love it. Easy to set up. Plenty of inputs and nice sound, but I am wondering if I am just taking the easy way out and looking past - or overlooking - others.

My budget is flexible, but I'd like to keep it around $1000 - no more than $1500 is suppose.

Must haves are at least 4 HDMI ports, and Sirius Radio and networking for internet radio. HD Radio would be nice, but by no means is needed.

I am looking at the Marantz SR6005, Denon 3311CI, Integra 40.2 or 30.2. Maybe even the Anthem MRX 700, but that does not do Sirius. The Onkyo 3008 or 5008 are possibilities as well. I know the best way to know is to listen, but before I go out - there are few local dealers where I can preview them - I'd like some input.

Thoughts?

Eric

[NorthStar]

Eric, with a budget of around one grand, you simply don't look at the Onk 708.

But you look at the Onk 3008! ...Was selling for $1,149 at Amazon, and NewEgg (on Saturdays only).

That is the limo of receivers! ...And a high-end receiver for a just over a grand! That is real sweet!

Everyone that I know who has it is very happy and mighty impressed.

Beats all the other ones you just mentioned except for the 5008 ($1,599 or so).
But the 3008 is a better value in my opinion. You pay too much difference for a slight gain.
But if that price difference is not a hard load for you, just get the very best receiver.
If it was me and my budget was between one and two grand; I'll wait till the new Onkyo high-end receivers show up (this Fall), and would jump on the 5008 which I figure will be about twelve hundred dollars. Then I would be real happy, without a doubt.

Bob

[tjf120]

I'm selling a 'very brand new' Onkyo 3007. The only difference from the 3007 to the 3008 is 1.3a vs 1.4 HDMI - ie, the 3007 doesn't do 3D through 1.3a. I'm going all pre/pro, buying the Onkyo 5508 pre based on how much I like the 3007.

PM me if interested ($899, paypal, shipping, have receipt/warranty)

[NorthStar]

And you forgot one big improved feature (from the 3008); Audyssey MultEQ XT32.

...Which is also included in the 5508 that you're going to get!

[emaja]

Bob, I read your other recommendations on the Onkyos and was strongly leaning that way anyway. They pack a lot into their receivers and I just don't know how they do it.

One thing that I am not sure of is this - I do plan on getting separate power amps later. What makes a good pre-amp? I suppose it is inputs and power supply, but what else? I have the XDA-1 and will get UPA-1s later, so the DAC and power are covered.

Eric

[Pauly]

It's really hard to pass up the Onkyo 3007 for the price they're selling at now. I had one for a short time, just to test against the UMC-1, and the 3007 was mighty impressive. The only thing I thought it was lacking in, was it's music performance. It wasn't bad, just not as good as the UMC, so I kept the UMC. But it really is a kick ass receiver with good power. If you can swing it, I would go for the 3007 in a heart beat. The 708 would be just fine for your needs, but I think the 3007 would be a noticeable jump in SQ. Especially the amp section over the 708, which be nice to have until you get amps.

[emaja]

I am suffering from some serious "analysis paralysis." I do not want to under-buy like I did with the SR608, but I also do not want to pay for something that I simply will not use. I see that newegg has the 3008 open box for $909! That is pretty hard to pass up.

SHEESH! Why does this have to be so hard - LOL!

Eric

[gekados]

Feb 22, 2011 14:19:18 GMT -5 Pauly said:

It's really hard to pass up the Onkyo 3007 for the price they're selling at now. I had one for a short time, just to test against the UMC-1, and the 3007 was mighty impressive. The only thing I thought it was lacking in, was it's music performance. It wasn't bad, just not as good as the UMC, so I kept the UMC. But it really is a kick ass receiver with good power. If you can swing it, I would go for the 3007 in a heart beat. The 708 would be just fine for your needs, but I think the 3007 would be a noticeable jump in SQ. Especially the amp section over the 708, which be nice to have until you get amps.

I can only second this, the 3007 is a great buy. Very happy with mine, the amps are good but not great, so I'm looking forward to getting some emo ones. The pre/pro section and features will suit almost anyones need, unless you got 512 listening positions and require XT32 ;-) And ofcourse 3D passthrough, but that's really 10 years ahead (no glasses) and by then we'll all have the XMC-9 anyway

Marantz recievers doesn't come close in SQ, the only competitor in my opinion would be Yamaha, as Denon amps are horrible (nice as pre though).

[DYohn]

Feb 22, 2011 15:17:41 GMT -5 emaja said:

I am suffering from some serious "analysis paralysis." SHEESH! Why does this have to be so hard - LOL!

Eric

it's not hard, just click "Add to cart." emotiva.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_list&c=4

;D

[NorthStar]

Feb 22, 2011 12:59:45 GMT -5 emaja said:

Bob, I read your other recommendations on the Onkyos and was strongly leaning that way anyway. They pack a lot into their receivers and I just don't know how they do it.

One thing that I am not sure of is this - I do plan on getting separate power amps later. What makes a good pre-amp? I suppose it is inputs and power supply, but what else? I have the XDA-1 and will get UPA-1s later, so the DAC and power are covered.

Eric

Eric, there are many ways to use a pre/pro nowadays; you have to find first what will be your main use:

1. Movies through HDMI connections?

2. Music through digital or/and analog connections? (Depending of your main Music source playback.)

3. Music streaming from the Internet?

4. USB port?

5. Auto Room Calibaration & EQ?

6. Good Bass Management for your sub(s)?

7. Proper Menu setup, easy to read and comprehensible?

8. Enough DSP power processing and quality sounding DACs and good implementation?

9. Assurance of hundreds of tests performed for the amp and preamp and video section => THX certification with ISF Video capability?

10. Top notch Video processor?

11. Great ergonomics and trouble-free?

12. Some or all of the above?
_______________________

Plus: Good looks? (This one varies from people to people).

Plus: Easy Firmware Updates from the Ethernet port and good support by the manufacturer (Good one).

Plus: Warranty (Two to five years; but it is no use to have more as in two years from now there will be more advanced pre/pros with more and better features) => That is the entire point of getting separates so you can change only the pre/pro instead of the entire receiver. BUT, with a receiver you can also use it as a pre/pro, but without XLR connections, and no separate power supplies, unless already inside the receiver (Onkyo/Integra top guns).

Plus: Value (Price you paid: New or Used, or heavy Discount).

Plus: Build Quality (Good parts and reliability).

Plus: Overall Satisfaction in your own matching system.

Plus: What YOU and not others appreciate about it (Auditory, Simplicity, Musicality, Performance trouble-free...).

_______________________

That's about it! For one person this one is perfect, for another that one is the one!

It is YOU that is going to live with it for hopefully two years or more, and with your own speakers and your own setup and your own level of endurance regarding your knowledge on computers plus the few glitches of one brand or another that you can live with and the ones you can't!

________________________

*** If I recommmend several pre/pros and receivers from Onkyo; there are some good reasons for that!
And those are already all over from various sites where you can read several of my posts.

I would luv to recommend the UMC-1 to everyone, but it is simply not for everyone!
Take me for example; I am a computer illiterate, so I try to stay clear of things that required computer knowlewdge and stick with basic good ergonomics and try to make the best compromises that fit my listening habits.

*** If you take all my points one by one you can find out which one will suit you best; and I can only give you my opinion based or on my personal experience, or on extensive reading from the people that count most; the OWNERS!

Have a great day Eric, and if you have a very specific question, just ask and if I know the answer I will share it with you.

Bob

[NorthStar]

Feb 22, 2011 14:19:18 GMT -5 Pauly said:

It's really hard to pass up the Onkyo 3007 for the price they're selling at now. I had one for a short time, just to test against the UMC-1, and the 3007 was mighty impressive. The only thing I thought it was lacking in, was it's music performance. It wasn't bad, just not as good as the UMC, so I kept the UMC. But it really is a kick ass receiver with good power. If you can swing it, I would go for the 3007 in a heart beat. The 708 would be just fine for your needs, but I think the 3007 would be a noticeable jump in SQ. Especially the amp section over the 708, which be nice to have until you get amps.

Pauly, in my honest opinion the 3008 is a better buy! With XT32, which provides a better improvement in auditory performance.
The price difference is justifiable.

Also, if you are using the digital (HDMI, coaxial or optical) connections it is not so important on the Music aspect that you just mentioned.
The analog connections are for people that have as great playback machine to start with, and it ain't everyone.
See my above post for more...

Question is: Are you going to use the DACs and Bass Management of the Pre/pro or Receiver, or the Source (CD, Universal BD player, Turntable, Internet Music Streaming, etc.)?

Cheers my good buddy Pauly!

[NorthStar]

Feb 22, 2011 16:06:21 GMT -5 DYohn said:

Feb 22, 2011 15:17:41 GMT -5 emaja said:

I am suffering from some serious "analysis paralysis." SHEESH! Why does this have to be so hard - LOL!

Eric

it's not hard, just click "Add to cart." emotiva.com/shop/cart.php?m=product_list&c=4

;D

Good one David! ;D

____________________
____________________

* Gekados, Audyssey MultEQ XT32 is not 512 mic positions, but 512 x resolution and in the Subwoofer channel and in all the Satellite channels!

*** As for the entire subject of 3D, for me it don't matter as you can have 3D if you desire so with HDMI version 1.3!
-> Just get a BD player that has two separate HDMI outputs; one specifically for the Picture, and the other for the Audio. Voila!

[emaja]

Bob, you have answered my questions in more detail than I expected. Thanks for taking the time.

This all started when I decided to get separate power amps and realized that I blew it and bought a receiver without pre-outs. The budget got higher and higher and I started to get intimidated by the thought of blowing it again, but it sounds like I can't go wrong with those mentioned here.

I have to say that this is the friendliest audio forum that I have read and posted on. I sincerely appreciate it!

Eric

[emaja]

I have pretty much narrowed it down to the Yamaha A2000 (new) or the Onkyo NR3008 (refurb from Accessories4Less). They are both about $1150 shipped. I have seen the NR5007 in that same price range and the NR3007- both refurbs - for less than $900.

I do not care about 3D, or have any devices with any connections other than HDMI, so the legacy analog connections are unneeded and 5.1 is more than enough. I haven't used the auto-correction that is in my 608, but I hear that it works well so I will set it up after I get everything together with the new receiver and amps.

Any thoughts on the Yamaha vs. the 2 Onkyos? I am leaning towards the NR5007, but the A2000 intrigues me.

Eric

[NorthStar]

Between the 5007 and 2000, the 5007 is theee ONE! Not one drop of doubt about it!

And between the 5007 and 3008, the 3008 is theee ONE!

The 3008 is $1,149 BRAND NEW at NewEgg on Saturdays only (was last time).

[NorthStar]

I just checked 10 minutes ago at newegg.com, and the Onkyo TX-NR3008 is $1,149.00 (brand new)!
Onkyo TX-NR3008 => Click on [See Price In Cart]

@ => PRICE

...Just like I said before (today is Saturday)!

* And for only $100 more you get a 2-year extended warranty (that's 4 years all together).
{There is simply no other receiver in the market, at that price, that can compete with it!}

*** In my book this receiver can be compared with others from Arcam, NAD, Anthem, Integra, Denon, Marantz, Yamaha, Harman Kardon, Pioneer Elite,... that retail up to $7,000! ...It's that good!

[Bruce]

It is that GOOD!!!!! I own one and am so happy with the supurb Audio and Video.It is a steal at this price of $1149.00!!!!!

[NorthStar]

Bruce my good buddy, you are the true living proof!

[Bruce]

Thanks BOB :You and BillMac set me on the best course for the 3008.A big thanks also for BillMac for the heads up on the SALK Song Tower and Song Center which I am waiting to be made.

[Bruce]

I forgot to add that the 3008 even sounds better because of my Emotiva Xpa-2 and Xpa-5 amps which give plenty of head room for Music and Movies at high levels!!!!