Onkyo PR-SC5508 or Marantz AV7005

[bootman]

Nov 1, 2011 16:44:40 GMT -5 briank said:

...now I just need a pair of XPA-1's

Everyone does, just most here don't know it yet.

Theresa, looking forward to your review.

[Deleted]

Oct 16, 2011 5:35:14 GMT -5 Bruce said:

Please set it up not to use LAST VALID in the audio section and you never hear the clicks many people are talking about as I do not here any clicks except for powering the unit on. Best of luck Bruce

Where do I find "LAST VALID in the audio section?"

[Deleted]

To my ears the 5508 sounds the same as the UMC-1. It is transparent and neutral. So far I have not run into any of the sorts of problems I had with the UMC-1. There is a very soft clicking sound when switching sources but are not loud. Today I will watch a BD and listen to the DVD-A of DSOTM to get an idea of how well it handles lossless audio.

[billmac]

Nov 2, 2011 4:53:59 GMT -5 @theresa said:

Where do I find "LAST VALID in the audio section?"

It is on page 58 in the 5508 manual. I would not set any of the audio formats to last valid. If you are using PLIIx for listening to a CD and then play a Bluray with DTS-MA you will get PLIIx as it was the last audio format used. I would set each format to its specific format. Set Dolby Digital to Dolby Digital, DTS-MA to DTS-MA and so on. That is how I have my 886 setup and I always get the audio format I want without going into the menu.

Bill

[red5ive]

Nov 2, 2011 13:28:18 GMT -5 billmac said:

Nov 2, 2011 4:53:59 GMT -5 @theresa said:

Where do I find "LAST VALID in the audio section?"

It is on page 58 in the 5508 manual. I would not set any of the audio formats to last valid. If you are using PLIIx for listening to a CD and then play a Bluray with DTS-MA you will get PLIIx as it was the last audio format used. I would set each format to its specific format. Set Dolby Digital to Dolby Digital, DTS-MA to DTS-MA and so on. That is how I have my 886 setup and I always get the audio format I want without going into the menu.

Bill

This is what I love about the Onkyo units, and one of the things I miss about the 886. The options and "tweakability" are done right.

[Deleted]

Thank you for the tip. I'll just "set each format to its specific format."

[billmac]

Nov 2, 2011 15:36:51 GMT -5 @theresa said:

Thank you for the tip. I'll just "set each format to its specific format."

Theresa,

My pleasure . It was help from other 886 owners that made setting mine up so much more easier. I believe that you should pass on the advice given that seems so basic to some but many (including myself) missed. From what I have read you seem pleased with the 5508 . Thats great as sometimes it can be a bit stressful spending a big chunk of change not knowing if its going to work out or not.

Bill

[NorthStar]

Nov 2, 2011 15:36:51 GMT -5 @theresa said:

Thank you for the tip. I'll just "set each format to its specific format."

Perfect Theresa, that's the way to do it!

Just don't leave any "Last Valid" selection anywhere.

* It's in the Submenu called Listening Mode Preset.
-> Select a default listening mode for each and all the Audio formats supported by each input selector (for all your sources). ...Takes some time, but you'll be trouble-free afterwards.

[LCSeminole]

Theresa, I personally am quite pleased to hear that it sounds like you've found the right processor for you after all this time. Here's to a positive relationship with your PR-SC5508.

[LCSeminole]

Nov 2, 2011 15:46:28 GMT -5 billmac said:

Nov 2, 2011 15:36:51 GMT -5 @theresa said:

Thank you for the tip. I'll just "set each format to its specific format."

Theresa,

My pleasure . It was help from other 886 owners that made setting mine up so much more easier. I believe that you should pass on the advice given that seems so basic to some but many (including myself) missed. From what I have read you seem pleased with the 5508 . Thats great as sometimes it can be a bit stressful spending a big chunk of change not knowing if its going to work out or not.

Bill

Bill, I've gotta say I'm surprised you haven't yet jumped on one of the 5508's yet. or are you liking the looks of the 5509 better?

[billmac]

Nov 2, 2011 16:01:26 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Bill, I've gotta say I'm surprised you haven't yet jumped on one of the 5508's yet. or are you liking the looks of the 5509 better?

Lawrence,

I'm waiting for the 5508 to hit shoponkyo at under $1k then I'll consider it . I do like the looks of the 5509 but I would like to see one of the new Onkyos up close though. I'm also interested in both the XMC-1 and the Outlaw 978 when they are eventually released. Quite a bit will depend on the features and of course how they sound before I retire the 886. Right now the 886 and the Parasound 2100 combo are working and sounding just fine .

Bill

[NorthStar]

Same here, I ain't in no rush, but reading everything there is about the 5508 (lots of it already), and the upcoming 5509.

And Theresa, is big on the latest 'fashion'.

[Deleted]

I hope the price doesn't go down to $1,000. I do like it a great deal. Didn't see any sense to waiting to get a 5509 as its additional features wouldn't make a difference to me. I also don't find the appearance different enough.
Some seem to see me as having gone over to the dark side by buying an Onkyo. I guess there are always "true believers."

[Bruce]

You have gone over to the Dark Side, BUT you will have No center ch drop outs,NO problem with your cable HDMI hook up,No problem with your Subwoofer setting with Audyssey 32 or even with out Audyssey using your own setting,No problem with using the Audyssey Mic,No problem with total pass through with video if you want this feature,No problem upgrading doing an On line or USB stick upgrade as it is very simple and not a bit confusing.So if you have gone to the DARK SIDE you will LOVE the out come. Best of luck with your new toy!!!

[Deleted]

All true.

[moovtune]

Welcome to the problem-free Dark Side.

[billmac]

I've been in the dark for years, I kind of like it ;D.

Bill

[billmac]

Nov 3, 2011 3:36:09 GMT -5 @theresa said:

I hope the price doesn't go down to $1,000. I do like it a great deal. Didn't see any sense to waiting to get a 5509 as its additional features wouldn't make a difference to me. I also don't find the appearance different enough.
Some seem to see me as having gone over to the dark side by buying an Onkyo. I guess there are always "true believers."

Theresa,

I doubt very much that the prices of the 5508 will reach or drop below $1k. But its good to be optimistic about it . I bought both my 885 and 886 from shoponkyo and the prices were incredible. Especially the 885 which I paid under $550.00 for a brand new "refurbished" unit.

I don't see you going to the darkside at all. If people think that then they don't know what they are missing in quality Onkyo products. I'm sure some might drop in to mention the issues some have had with their Onkyos and bad service. This is true but many have had no issues with their Onkyos (myself included). As far as SQ I feel the Onkyos offer excellent SQ if you take the time to setup everything correctly. This is true with any other AVR or prepro.

Bill

[flamingeye]

My Onkyo 5507 is going on 2 years with out a single problem and even though it’s only Audyssey xt it sounds fantastic music or movies and multichannel music which is the main reason I bought it is outstanding so if this is the dark side I LIKE IT I LIKE IT A LOT

[NorthStar]

Well, when the 5509 starts appearing, the 5508 should certainly (eventually) sell for approximatively $1,200 (perhaps even $1,100 later on...).
{Not unusual at all to see 50 percent discount on refurbs at A4L, on previous models.}
...Patience is a good virtue.

* For me the 'Dark Side' is the one that is invisible to humans.