Receiver as a pre/pro

DACs are cheap these days - and most of them are very good.

The Onkyo 7xx series also has preamp outputs - as does any HK 2xx and up series.

I own an HK 247 for bedroom use - and an Onkyo SC885 - very comparable to the Onkyo 8xx series AVRs. The Audyssey setup seems to be a bit better than the EZset/eq of the HK, but not by that much - IMO. As they are in different rooms with different challenges I can't draw a direct comparison - but both help a lot in room correction. The bedroom is deffinatley a harder proposition for any setup program.

I wouldn't worry about one room correction being so much better than another. They all do a decent job.

One thing you won't get away from whichever receiver you settle on is heat. My Emotiva UPA-7 runs cooler than the Onkyo SC885 preamp.

I've kept up with the 254/354 problems. The latest firmware have corrected those problems. HK isn't the only AVR maker that has problems with the HDMI of the PS3.


The HK 354 has 3 HDMI inputs. The 254/247/347 have only 2. You might consider using a second HDMI into your display if it has that - or get an HDMI switch to give you more options.

I was using a Onkyo 805 for a prepro and it worked quite well functionally and SQ wise.

Bill

Bill,

I know you've since had the SC885 and now the SC886 - any differences between the three operationally or sound quality wise?

I tried to use my 805 as a pre/pro but the audyssey volume issues were insurmountable...even in pure direct. Would never go above -5.

Hey KH,

I would say between the 805 and the 885 not much of a difference but I did not do a A-B comparison as the 805 was swapped out for the 885. With the 886 I really like Dynamic EQ which really makes low to moderate HT SQ so much better. It really works well in that you get the bass slam and surround activity without having to crank it.

With the effort of member jcalabria taking the time to post the hex codes for many of the 886 features (which should work for the 885 excluding 886 added features of course) I am able to have direct access to many features. If you look in the 876 and 886 threads you will see his posts with the codes. I sent them into Harmony and they added them to my 688s data base. Now I can adjust the sub level on the fly, turn Dynamic EQ on and off, select Dynamic Volume levels and Video calibration settings without going into the 886 menu.

So I am very happy with the 886 but the Sherwood Newcastle R-972 with Trinnov looks very interesting. Ahh the endless upgrade obsession

Bill

I think I recall your posts from awhile back. So you could not raise each specific channel any higher than -5 manually or was it that Audyssey would not set them any higher than -5? Or are you talking about the main volume not going above -5? Did you ever contact Onkyo about it?

Bill

This is incorrect. The 254 has three HDMI inputs just like the 354. The 247 does only have 2 HDMI inputs.

I stand corrected. The 254 does have 3 HDMI inputs.

Thanks.

I'm using a Yamaha RX-V1700 as my prepro. Would there be any noticeable improvement in sound quality if I upgraded to the Integra DHC-9.9? thanks

You will have some advantages with the 9.9 in XLR connections, better room correction, video processing, but since sound quality is subjective I can't say. Do you need or want any of the features on the 9.9?

vettett15- I would recomend the Marantz line up personally. I have a 4001 which i\\has been fantastic. They will work great as pre/pros and mine runs cool unless I am really pushing the internal amps. Nice solid built gear. Just my opinion!!