In a surprise move Onkyo has cut the prices on it’s market leading TX-SR507 and TX-SR607 receivers not long after they hit UK shops. The price on the 7.2 channel TX-SR607 drops from £500 to £450 and the 5.1 channel TX-SR507 from £350 to £330.
Sony has announced four new receivers. First up is the top of the line STR-DA6400ES. This new can stream audio, video and photos from a media server as well as supporting ShoutCast internet radio. Internet radio can be streamed to up to three rooms. All the usual HD audio codec’s are supported and the unit features six HDMI input and two outputs. Digital Cinema Auto-Calibration ensures final setup by fine-tuning the receiver’s 7.1 channel output to your speakers, the room itself and listening positions. The streaming is certified by Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA).
Three other new receivers are to replace the existing STR-DG line-up: the STR-DH500, the STR-DH700 and the STR-DH800.
The STR-DH500 is a 5.1 channel receiver with 3 HDMI inputs and 1 output (switcher). It features Digital Cinema Auto Calibration and Digital Media Port, which allows you to release your music from your portable music players and PC via an optional adapter.
For those looking for more features, the STR-DH700 offers 7.1 channel with 3 HDMI inputs and 1 output (repeater). In addition to STR-DH500’s specification, the STRDH700 supports x.v.Colour, Deep Colour and bi-amplification. With bi-amplification, separate power stages drive the low frequency and mid/high frequency outputs. It also supports S-AIR – the wireless rear speaker solution from Sony that brings true flexibility and convenience to home cinema configuration.
At the top of the DH range is the STR-DH800, completing the specification with 4 HDMI inputs and 1 output (repeater) and High Definition audio codec’s Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio.
The STR-DH500 and the STR-DH700 will be launched in May, while the STR-DH800 will go on sale in July.
I know I should be used to this after over twenty years in the IT industry but sometimes technology runs too fast, I should explain that I purchased an Onkyo TX-SR806 in November. Don’t get me wrong it’s a great sounding receiver but I held off until the second generation of receivers with the new high resolution audio codec’s where out and now Dolby Pro-Logic IIz is out adding two more speakers for front height information (actually I’m not sure I could get away with two more speakers in my current 7.1 setup).
Onkyo have announced April availability of the TX-SR307 (£250), TX-SR507 (£350), TX-SR577 (£400) and TX SR607 ( £500). All these new receivers feature Dolby Prologic Iiz which as explained above adds two ambient height speakers to the front soundstage. I know other manufacturers (mostly Yamaha) have had this in DSP modes in the past but as it’s a Dolby development we should see it from most receiver and processor manufacturers soon in their next range revisions.
These new receivers also feature new surround modes for playing games. I have to say I’m an advocate of surround gaming as a Warcraft player (yes I admit I have another habit other than AV) I run a Creative Extreme gamer card in 7.1 mode (even though you have to buy the special cable direct from Creative). But there’s nothing like doing a 25 person dungeon run in full 7.1 surround cranked high, most of the time I leave the receiver in THX Game mode. However it would be interesting to see what these new game modes can do with the Dolby Digital from an XBOX 360 or PS3.
All these receivers also feature lots of HDMI inputs as well as compatibility with the new DS-A3 iPOD/iPHONE dock.
More details visit Onlyo here or Dolby here