Onkyo TX-SR804? - Page 6

I think almost anything (other then Bose) would be a decent choice for your situation, But I think Athena's would be a fine choice though.

I still haven't ruled this receiver out.

If I'm sticking with 5.1 for the forseeble future, and I want LPCM and all the other goodies off of Blu-Ray discs and the PS3 over HDMI...is this receiver going to cut it for me audio wise? Analogs are no option with the PS3.

All I need is optimized 5.1 situations.

Over HDMI, the PS3 can output up to LPCM 5.1 or 7.1 192 KHz.

Can this receiver handle that?

Yes, it has HDMI 1.1.

does anyone know if the 804 passess the future proof test of being a level 6 receiver?

Does it allow for proccessing over hdmi PCM signals? 5.1 or 7.1

Does it allow for PCM speaker managment?

Also does this onkyo correctly handle the LFE 10 db boost?

Jedi.Night,

I'm not sure if it allows for PCM speaker managment or not, for I'm still reading the manual; However, in the Onkyo 804 manual under Connecting Components with HDMI on page 32, here's what it states regarding Supported Audio Formats.

- 2 channel linear PCM (32-192 kHz, 16/20/24 bit)
- Multichannel linear PCM (5.1 ch, 32-96 kHz 16/20/24 bit)
- Bitstream (Dolby Digital, DTS)

"Your DVD Player Must Be Able To Output These Formats From It's HDMI OUT"

I'm not sure if that answers any of what you're wanting to know, but I thought I'd share what I've read so far. You might want to go to Onkyo's website and download the manual and start reading through it.

I believe the 804 has adjustments for LFE levels. I was flipping through the manual.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=748147
^^
Also, look at the first post of this thread and take note where the 804 is mentioned. Great thread in general, btw.

To be specific, page 68 of the manual:

LFE Level Setting
With this setting, you can set the level of the LFE (Low
Frequency Effects) channel for Dolby Digital, DTS,
MCH PCM (HDMI IN), and MCH Ana (multichannel
DVD input). The level can be set to -∞, -20 dB, -10 dB,
or 0 dB (default).
If you find that the low-frequency effects are too loud
when using one of these sources, set the level to -20 dB

Before anyone asks, as on most receivers per THX guidelines, the "0dB" setting will be the standard 10dB-boosted level. This should be true of all receivers that offer an LFE level choice where the highest one is "0dB".

I guess the 804 doesn't handle 7.1 LPCM then... It might accept it, just like the 674, but whether it outputs 7.1-channels is another matter.

Maybe a 804 owner can try playing Resistance on their PS3 and verify they are indeed getting 7.1 channels.

Great questions.

I'm sure you've looked through the HDMI audio options on the PS3 by now. It's obvious that thing can put out all the way up to 192Khz 7.1 LPCM.

The trick is with this receiver.

Isn't the 804 about a level 4 or so? That might be your answer right there if you look through the first post of my sig link again.

very informative responses, thanks.

No for one more question, does the 804 allow for DSP processing of the PCM 5.1 via HDMI.

Can anyone try this to see if they can apply PLIIX etc to the incoming PCM.

Edit: nevermind, in that link provided above, it states that you can't apply DSP to PCM on the 804

Thanks.

Not sure that's any big deal, really, but maybe someone can chime in on that.

The legit sale prices I'm seeing on this thing is pretty hard to ignore. I'm keeping a close eye on this unit.

I have this 803 (very similar to the 804) and I was wondering if anyone it is experiencing what I am.

When I switch to "Pure Audio" it seems to turn off the powered sub. I like the sound of "Pure Audio" but I don't use it because of the sub not playing.

Is there a way to override this?

Thanks,
Eric

Strange, and maybe I'm misunderstanding something:

The Onkyo 604 and 674 use Audyssey for room EQ and speaker setup.

The 804 ditches that but has THX certification and "no-name" auto speaker setup.

In other words: The 804 has no competent room EQ??? Seems like a glaring omission unless I'm missing something.

SR804 has "Re-EQ", which is a product of THX. Here is a note from SR804 owner's manual:

^^ Thanks!

That's just a high frequency roll-off filter, not a room correction system like Audyssey.

Sanjay

Thanks Sanjay. It really is strange that they don't have room correction feature in their higher end model and have them in lower end model.

It certainly is puzzling.

Re: No Audyssey.............


I've owned the Denon 987 with the Audyssey and now the 804 without. IMO the 804 presents the audio in our very odd shaped room in a more pleasing manner than when Audyssey was implamented.

Again, IMO only.

Louisp

Sony KDF-46E2000
Onkyo TX-SR804
Denon DVD 2200
Directv HR20 DVR
Infinity Alpha Series-
A50's Front R/L
A37c Center
A20 Surround R/L
A10 Surround Back Left
Velodyne VFR-1000 Subwoofer

I'm considering both these receivers; the 987 (or 2807) and the 804. May I ask why you switched and what your overall impressions are of both receivers in camparison with one another? Thank you.

It's not necessarily hard to believe.

I am just wondering HOW the 804 actually does it?

I have been shopping for a good receiver (yet to know what "GOOD" means). Was comparing Onkyo 804 with Yamaha RX-V2700/HTR6090 and Denon AVR-2807. Can someone guide me which would be best for the given time and i understand with technology advancement its difficult to be up to date. I found this thread very informative and was curious if i could get some advice on which receiver to buy if my budget is around $800 for a receiver and if u could recommend some good speakers with the receiver.

Love the rcvr as an amp.

But..., I'm disappointed w/ s-video->hdmi upconversion.

Components in question:

directtv tivo(s-video)->
onkyo(hdmi)->
panasonic ptae700u projector

I was expecting some image degradation..., but I wasn't expecting a problem
with aspect ratio.

Essentially..., the 4:3 svideo signal is simply being scaled to 16:9 in both x and y..., so aspect ratio is lost.

The panasonic can't rescale the hdmi input..., so I can't fix it there. It's simply displaying what's being sent (I think).

Given the unknowns related to the hdmi handshake (unknown to me anyway),
I can't say for certain it's the onkyo..., but I'm pretty suspicious.

Anybody willing to share their experience with a similar setup?

Cheers!

Huh.

Was just playing w/ the panny projector.

Now this is interesting.

When playing source from the hd-a1 (hdmi->hdmi)..., the panny won't permit manual changes to scaling when the input is hdmi (when the input on the panny is svideo, you can alter scaling).

But..., when playing source from the directtv tivo (svideo->hdmi), the panny, even though its input is hdmi..., permits scaling of THAT signal. So..., that makes the onkyo upconversion actually useful.

Huh.

While avoiding mirrors..., I gotta go find something else to blame now...

I felt that the ability to pass 1080p was more important then the 7.1 sound. Personally, I feel that the difference between 7.1 and 5.1 isn't really all that hot. I thought the visible difference would be better then more "surroundy" surround sound. But YMMV as always. I really like the sound, when I get my sub I'll see if the sub cuts out in pure audio mode. I have been using the pure audio mode alot, running a second video feed from my disc changer so I could still view the disc list. All of my DVDA's, SACD's and DTS disc's all sound great.

One thing I noticed. I don't have my HDTV yet so I'm using an CRT. I was hopeing that I could use the Component outputs from various things but the 804 won't "downgrade" the signal to the Svideo or Composite. Oh BTW my Technics SL-1210MK2 has never sounded better! The phono stage must be good! That was one of the main reasons for getting this model

Athos

The Denon 987 was my receiver of choice until I -
1. Discovered the remote was the absolutely worst remote I have ever encountered.
2. Attempted to use read the so called instruction manual. Ill organized, poorly written and hard to reference.
3. Found the 987 very difficult to use.
4. Wide audio level variation during DTV HD programing.
5. Difficultity with video upconversion.
6. Small text size on unit display.
7. Poor OSD (cheap looking).
8. Terrible tech support.
9. Difficult speaker setup.
10. Seemilngly limited output from subwoofer.

Admittedly, some or all of these problems may stem from my own weaknesses but IMO the 987 is a very user unfriendly AVR.

Louisp

Other than the 804's normal channel level adjustment does anyone know of a way to put more emphasis on vocals coming from the center channel?

Thanks,
Louisp

You could try using the center channel's EQ and boost the voice band (voice frequency range); 300 Hz to 3400 Hz. Play around with it.

Is this due to hearing problems or equipment?

Good luck!

It just seems that the vocals are weak.