New Onkyo 604 Receiver!

Hi Egcarter - this sounds like a lot of receiver for the money - do you have alink for the info ?

Yes, this was announced a couple days ago. Here's the link (in Japanese).
http://www2.jp.onkyo.com/what/news.n...4?OpenDocument

The MSRP is 84,000 yen, which is a little higher than the 81,900 yen MSRP for the 603.
The 60x series in Japan has always been a gold color so I'm happy to see that they are FINALLY coming out with silver as well.
http://www.jp.onkyo.com/press/tx_sa604s.jpg
Gold looks very gaudy and tacky IMO. I really don't see why the major manufacturers don't release black as an option here like they do in other countries, especially when so many other stereo components like speakers are sold in black.

It also looks like there was a slight power increase and THD decrease, but probably so small as not to be noticeable.

Nice.. will be interesting when more info on a US model surfaces..

I don't think there is any reason for me to be upset about my 603x model though, the only major upgrade appears to be HDMI switching and i already have a monoprice HDMI switch which works flawlessly... Not to mention i picked up the 603x for almost half of MSRP during onkyos fathers day sale.

In the case of the 603, there were a couple of things added to the version released in Japan before being released in the States IIRC. So US users might get another goody or two on top of these new features.



I'm actually in the market for a receiver right now. Although I'm tempted to grab a 604, I think I'll go ahead and just get a 603 since prices *are* dropping. With the money I save, I'll happily upgrade my center speaker.

Just checked out the Japanese site for the 604 -Wow looks like this will be the Receiever to have at sensible price. I have been following the Pioneer VSX1016 thread and it looks like a real disappointment compared to the 604

Ugh!!! I just bought the 603 two weeks ago (and loving it, btw). The feature I wish it had is the HDMI switching and upconverting from other inputs. I debated long and hard over which receiver to get for that very option. That figures! Oh well, at least it is not available in the states yet so I do not have to kick myself too much.

My thoughts exactly. Finding out the 1016 won't do audio over HDMI or analog-to-HDMI conversion was a big let down. The 604 looks like the saving grace in $500 receivers now.

I absolutely agree that is a great feature - IF you need it

Right now I only have two video sources (dvd & cable), both HDMI, both upconvert to 1080i. My monoprice hdmi switch was a good fix and does its job well.

I would love to have the 604, but honestly if it was out today, it would likely only be available at nearly full retail (~$500).. I picked up my 603 for $289.. So no need to upgrade for me.. i'm barely even starting to tap into what my 603 can do and learning how to tweak it. It is A LOT of machine for the money.

The 604 and 674 are both on Shop Onkyo currently. However, the specs don't seem right, and they seem identical. Man this is getting harder and harder to pick a new AVR.

Does it have preouts?

Don't know about preouts.

But you can bet that it will be more expensive at Shop Onkyo than at your local B&M or online store. It comes out tomorrow and I really hope my local electronics store will have a floor model...

1.2 would be cool, especially for SACD. Any chance of this happening in this receiver?

Where are you getting the information that it transcodes analog to hdmi? The shoponkyo site as well as some info on UK sites for tx-sr604 seem to indicate that the 674 does but not the 604. That would explain pricing a little better. If the 604 actually does transcode this will be a great value.

Seems only the 674 does analog to HDMI. It still seems like a bargain however. Heres a European press release on both.

http://www.eu.onkyo.com/indices/index_com_en_74747.html

is the 674 an EU only model?

I am kinda locked into a retailer in my area, so I am hoping they will carry it when it comes out, but they seem slow to get new stuff in, at least they are an Onkyo Authorized Dealer, so they generally get it all, eventually.

I figure since it is on the Shop Onkyo USA site that it will be coming to the US. In fact, you can purchase it from Shop Onkyo at retail.


As for the upconversion, it appears from the limited information from Shop Onkyo that the 674 upconverts to HDMI while the 604 upconverts to Component.

This is the only difference I can see between the 2 models and the $200 retail difference.

Looking at the back of the 604 on the website "spyfy" posted, the only outputs are for the subwoofer. No pre-outs on this new model. This remains consistant on their line of receivers. All of the predecessors to this receiver have never had pre-outs, you have to go the next step up to get those all too important pre-outs.

My local store didn't have it. It looks like the 604 has been delayed until 8/12 due to a shortage of parts during manufacturing. I hate being teased...

any word on the 674? I like the idea of the everthing that comes in goes out over HDMI.

I compared this against the 803, the only other Onkyo out right now with HDMI, and the 803 doesn't appear to upconvert, though it is THX certified. Not sure if that makes a big enough difference to go without the convience of upconversion.

You got your 603 for $289.00??? Where!! I have beenw wanting this model.

What is this monoprice hdmi switch that you talked about that is a good fix? Thanks!

I can't say. I don't think the 674 is sold in Japan. If it is, I've never heard of it.


Just as a side note, the Japanese site for the 604 does say that component, S-Video, and composite are converted to HDMI.

This could, however, be a difference between the regional models. This seems to apply to preouts as well. The Japanese model indeed has preouts whereas the European one doesn't.

So I guess it's up to Onkyo USA to decide which features stay and which ones go for the US release.

The 674 is now on J&R as a pre-order.

I got the same deal. Refurb unit from www.shoponkyo.com on Fathers day special. Price drops from time to time so keep a look out.

If anyone purchases this unit how 'bout a review, looks like an excellent receiver, apparently the unit will be available on 8/18. Here are some details from the Crutchfield website:


The TX-SR604 delivers an enveloping surround sound experience for all your entertainment sources. This receiver boasts advanced surround processing and 90 watts of clean Onkyo power for up to seven of your home theater speakers. Beefy construction ensures that your home theater sound stays pure, powerful, and dynamic at all times. And features like HDMI switching and XM Radio capability keep you on the cutting edge of digital entertainment.

Advanced auto setup tailors sound to your room
For the most accurate home theater sound possible, the 'SR604 includes Audyssey 2EQ, a sophisticated speaker calibration system from Audyssey Laboratories. Read more

Details:
» 90 watts x 7 into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.08% THD
» Dolby® Digital EX, DTS-ES®, Pro Logic® IIx, and DTS Neo:6 decoding
» HDMI digital video switching (2 in, 1 out)
» XM Satellite Radio Ready (requires XM subscription and special antenna)
» Neural Surround decoder for XM's HD Surround channels
» iPod compatible with optional Onkyo DS-A1 iPod dock
» Audyssey 2EQ auto speaker setup (microphone included)
» dual-room/dual-source audio (powered and fixed line-level stereo audio output for 2nd room; using powered 2nd-room output allows 5.1 home theater in main room)
» component video conversion
» 192kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels
» multibrand remote
» component video switching: 3 in, 1 out (50MHz bandwidth)
» digital inputs: 4 optical (including 1 front-panel), 2 coaxial
» optical digital output
» 7.1-channel analog audio preamp input
» 5 audio/video (including 5 S-video and 1 front-panel) inputs
» 2 audio inputs
» no phono input
» on-screen display (requires TV with direct video input)
» 40 AM/FM/XM presets
» Wide Range Amplifier Technology
» aluminum front panel
» oversized power transformer, filter capacitors and heat sinks
» 1 pair of main speaker outputs
» sleep timer
» 17-3/16"W x 6-7/8"H x 15-5/8"D
» warranty: 2 years

I've read the specs on the Onkyo site, but sometimes I get confused. So can someone clarify one issue for me: does it look like neither the 604 nor the 674 have pre/pro outs?

If you follow this link and download the manual (same manual for the 604 and 674), it appears they do not.

http://www.us.onkyo.com/download/own...m?cat=Receiver

Also, HDMI is V1.1

I went to the Audyssey Labs web site, and it mentioned that Denon uses MultEQ XT on their AVR's (2807, 3806, 4306 and 5805 and all more expensive than the 604), but no mention of "2EQ". I wonder if 2EQ and XT use the same algorithm for equalization.