With the new models out, what is my best deal in getting last years close-outs?

Get yourself a splitter for that 2nd sub. Same thing accomplished. Then go to accessories4less and order a brand new 876. Best AVR that Onkyo has made in the last 2 years IMO. Loads of options,Audyssey Multi-Eq XT, HQV Reon video processor and all the power you will need. Its one of the few that did test out to get close to its specs with ALL channels driven.

It's not just the refurbs. Onkyo in general has lots of problems.

Their receivers run too hot and as a result they only last a year or so before things start failing.

That's crap. If given stated breathing room or if needed a cheap 120mm computer fan they will run as cool as any other brand. I've got 2 of them, one being an older 696 and now an 876 and both have been problem free. As a matter of fact my Yamaha 2600 runs hotter than either of the Onkyos with the same cooling fan on it. There's a reason so many Onkyo's are sold and its not as use as a space heater. For the money at this time no one else offers as much for what you get. All CE's build lemons, check out this forum and others like them and you will see failures from every brand and model. If you hate Onkyo that's your problem, but don't come here and spout their failure rate without numbers to back it up.

That's great. But why are you starting another thread for the same topic? Another thread will not get you any more responses. Go for either of the two you have in your other thread and be happy. If they don't give you the power you want you can always add an amp, as long as you choose the Onkyo.

I ran an 805 for three years without issue. No external cooling devices were ever used.

I replaced it with 1007, initially I thought I had some issues but at this point I think I was nitpicking it. Count me as a happy Onkyo owner.

I think sometimes all this negative Onkyo stuff comes from reps/dealers of competitors.

When the xx5 line came out three years ago, Onkyo stole about 20% marketshare. I still think the competitors are bitter that Onkyo gave customers new features at really low price points. Remember, features like Dolby Digital/AC3, dts were typically trickled down (Ultra $$$ flagship first and then it would take several line iterations before lower priced options had the same feature set).

The problem with the newer AVRs (and this is not just an Onkyo problem) is that they are getting to be extremely complex devices. Remember they used to be just dumb switchbox with a tuner and amp section. Now even low priced units have powerful DSP chips (for features like room correction, dynamic loudness curves and auto volume matching), internet connections (FW updates, internet radio and other service providers, DNLA), digital switching, digital video scalars/deinterlacers, etc. Things have changed so fast in the last 5 years due to the transition to pure digital entertainment path.

I can't believe how much more the 1007 has compared to the 805 and I got the 1007 for less than what I paid for 805 in 2007.

My 605 burned up...wont buy another onkyo product if I can help it.

Every company has produced something that burned up or otherwise failed. You should just never buy anything, I guess. You'll be safe that way.

Superb logic RoboRay!!

Or I could just not buy another sh.tty onkyo and "be safe that way".

There are many members here that have used or are now using Onkyo equipment without any problems. There are also many members here that are using other brands that have had just as many problems as any Onkyo. If you feel that way about Onkyo that is your choice. But to call them as you say "sh.tty" is pretty strong. You could call all brands the same thing if you get a bad one, then Robo's logic is superb isn't it. All of them have made lemons, bar none, does that make them "sh.tty too? This forum and others like them are full of users of every brand and model that has had problems. But if I were you I wouldn't buy an Onkyo. Save some money and buy an Insignia or maybe even a Sony. Good luck with whichever brand you choose. Hope you don't get a lemon.

Jeez, my ox just got gored. Two HT setups - main has Sony STR-DG1000, secondary uses Insignia NS-R5101HD - both have been working great since purchase. I'm not an Onkyo fan but phantom has it right - every OEM produces a lemon from time to time so it makes no sense to discount one of them based on that.

Sorry dude, wasn't out to puncture anyone those two were the first to come to mind. The owners of the Insignia seem satisfied from reading that thread. Sorry I can't say the same thing about the Sony's. I really think that Sony makes some really good source equipment, but not a fan of their AVR's. If you are happy thats all that counts. Continued good luck with all of your equipment. Hopefully it will last for years, or at least until the upgrade bug bites again.

It's all good. BTW, the Sony is a 2006 vintage receiver that shares a service manual with the STR-DA3200ES. It's been bullet proof so far. I'd classify it as "old school" nowadays since it comes in at nearly 35 pounds with HDMI 1.2 and a full complement of legacy connections including 8 digital audio inputs. As for the upgrade bug, it's been nibbling recently.

I've used several of Sony's displays and DVD and BD players. The DVD player was the 555ES IIRC and it was an excellent player. Sold it and bought a Pioneer Elite 79AVi. Never had any problems with any of the Sony source products, just couldn't buy into their AVR's for some reason or another. Their older ES models were very good but alas at that time I could not afford them.

If all receivers are as bad as onkyo receivers then we are in big trouble.

Newer models may be better but we won't know for sure until a year or 2 from now to see if they start breaking like the 606s.

Oh. I didn't realize you failed at logic. Sorry. I guess I should have spelled it out for you like Phantom did. I'll be sure to explain everything for you next time.