[stereomandan]

I'll be recieving one of these today, and wanted to start an official thread to discuss this receiver. I'll post my impressions once I have it up and running. Looks to be an incredible bang for the buck.


List Price: $549

Street Price: Much less


Dan

Features
Amplifier

• 80 Watts/Channel @ 8 ohms @ 0.08% THD

• 130 Watts/Channel @ 6 ohms

• WRAT-Wide Range Amplifier Technology

• Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry

• H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) Massive High Power Transformer

Processing

• HDMI Video Upscaling (to 1080i Compatible) with Faroudja DCDi Edge Enhancement, also 1080P 60hz and 24 hz pass thru

• HDMI ver.1.3a with Repeater System (Deep Color, x.v.Color, Lip Sync, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DSD and Multi-CH PCM)

• Dolby Pro Logic IIz (with “Front High” Direction Mode)

• Non-Scaling Configuration

• A-Form Listening Mode Memory

• Direct Mode

• Music Optimizer for Compressed Music

• 192 kHz/24-bit D/A Converters

• Powerful and Highly Accurate 32-bit DSP Processing

Connections

• 5 HDMI Inputs and 1 Output

• Onkyo for System Control

• 4 Digital Inputs (2 Optical / 2 Coaxial)

• Component Video Switching (2 Inputs/1 Output)

• Front “Portable” Input for iPod and MP3 Players

• Universal Port for the Dock for the iPod/HD Radio™ Dock

• Dual Subwoofer Pre Out

• Banana Plug-Compatible Speaker Posts

• Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line Out

• Bi-Amp Capability

Miscellaneous

• 40 AM/FM Presets

• Audyssey 2EQ™ to Correct Room Acoustic Problems

• Audyssey Dynamic EQ™ for Loudness Correction

• Audyssey Dynamic Volume™ to Maintain Optimal Listening Level and Dynamic Range

• Crossover Adjustment (40/50/60/70/80/90/100/120/150/200 Hz)

• A/V Sync Control Function (up to 100 ms in 10 ms steps)

• On-Screen Display via HDMI

• Aluminum Front Panel

• Preprogrammed (with On-Screen Display Set-up) -Compatible Remote

 

[afrogt]

What's the difference between this and the Onkyo 607?

 

[stereomandan]

According to the Onkyo website, when you perform a comparison, the 607 adds:


10 watts more power per channel, DTS Surround Sensation Speaker processing, a front HDMI input, SIRIUS Radio Ready, and $50 to the MSRP.


Thats all I could find.


Dan

 

[stereomandan]

Thrilled with this receiver after I got it all setup!


I especially love the ability to adjust the EQ for the Fronts, Center, Rears, and sub seperately. There are around six frequency bands that you are able to adjust for each speaker. (the subs are all in the low frequency range)


I was able to timbre match all of my speakers very well, and achieve a VERY flat response from 65hz-15khz, +/- 2 dB on the front and center speakers. (B&W CDM-1's and B&W CDM-CSE center), and get my sub to be flat from 25-65 hz. This helped very well with blending my sub with the main speaker.


HDMI is working well, with no handshake issues. Nice and fast, and passes the 1080P, 24hz signal just fine. It appears that it does pass blacker than black, and whiter than white.


Sound is very, very clear and the power is ample for my 500 square foot room with a 9' ceiling.


My PS3 decodes the Dolby HD and DTS HD audio codecs and only sends them out thru HDMI PCM, not bitstream. The only bummer about this is that I don't get to see the DTS HD or Dolby HD symbols light up on the Onkyo display. No big deal, the reciever is still playing the soundtracks it should, but I wish the PS3 would bitstream the audio of the lossless codecs so that I could see the cool dispay light up on the Onkyo.


Conclusion:
Highly Recommended!


Dan

 

[joerod]

I have had this Receiver now for a couple of days. It is truly a bargain piece that will benefit many. I plan to post a review shortly...

 

[stereomandan]

Look forward to your review!


Dan

 

[naplesvacation]



Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt /forum/post/16919562


What's the difference between this and the Onkyo 607?

Not much look at this pic from amazon - notice the labeling, has both HT-RC160 abd TX-607.

 

[stereomandan]

That's interesting. HT-RC160 on the bottom middle, and TX-SR607 on the bottom right.


Dan

 

[joerod]

The new RC160 Onkyo receiver is best described as a 607 Lite. Not by much though. The RC160 does not have a front HDMI input and instead of 90 watts per channel it has 80 watts. It also has a different Volume knob (pic 2). I was very impressed with the price versus performance in the 607 and am even more so with the RC160. So what does it do for under $400?


It has the new PLIIz Height which I consider a prerequisite for any new receivers/pre-pros coming this Fall. If they do not have it I do not even consider them. For more details on the new Height sound check out my review. The RC160 also does DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD decoding from Blu ray movies. As for Audyssey it has Dynamic Volume, Dynamic EQ with 2EQ calibration. Onkyo has also included WRAT technology with discrete AMP construction for cleaner sound. You also get analog to HDMI upconversion by Faroujda. You also get 5 1080p/60/24 capable HDMI inputs (name edit feature included) on the back of the unit. And not to mention an iPOD Dock input... Again, all for under $400! How does it perform?


Exceptional. Bitstreaming, I first put in Almost Famous (Blu ray) and was very impressed with the sound stage. The music came to life and the voices sounded like they were in the room with me. The PLIIz Height channels really added to the sensation of being there with Stillwater. I then put in the new Fast & Furious and was floored (no pun intended) with how the engines roared thru my theater. My Wife of course loved the sound of Vin Diesel's deep voice (which the RC160 handled perfectly). I then tested some DirecTV. Starting with the past Superbowl the RC160 handled the crowd really well. It also did Forrest Gump perfectly. While keeping the voices in the Center channel it put the rain and helicopters where they belong (the Height speakers)... True Blood (one of our favorite shows) sounded clean and all the special effect sounds were timed accurately with strong authority. I have 6 subs connected to the RC160 and it has not had a single issue. I also had the RC160 connected to my VW200 pj from a 25 foot HDMI cable and had no signs of signal loss...


TIP: As with the 607 (using the same remote) make sure when selecting inputs you do not accidentally hit the TV button in the remote mode section. If you do just hit the receiver button to get control back.


Final thoughts... The HT-RC160 is the economy buster receiver of 2009. It is perfect for casual home theater fans as well as borderline "semi serious" movie watchers. Especially the ones not wanting to spend more than $400 for a good receiver. Sure you don't get some of the higher model's features like 1080p upconversion and or OSD volume over HDMI but at this price range I am sure many could live without them. If you are on a tight budget or simply want good sound for less, then the RC160 is exactly what you are looking for...

 

[stereomandan]

Great review joerod! Thanks!


I don't see the need for any kind of receiver upgrade many years. I've listened to some 2 channel CD audio over the last couple of days, and am very happy with the broad soundstage, and precise placement of instruments and vocals. Like I said, all of the allowable tweaks also let me blend the crossover and level of my sub perfectly with my main speakers.


The receiver is fairly future proof at the moment, and like you say, is the 2009 economy buster.


We're in the middle of watching Fast and Furious as well, and man does the incredible sound get the heart pumping.


Dan

 

[joerod]



Quote:
Originally Posted by stereomandan /forum/post/16937373


Great review joerod! Thanks!


I don't see the need for any kind of receiver upgrade many years. I've listened to some 2 channel CD audio over the last couple of days, and am very happy with the broad soundstage, and precise placement of instruments and vocals. Like I said, all of the allowable tweaks also let me blend the crossover and level of my sub perfectly with my main speakers.


The receiver is fairly future proof at the moment, and like you say, is the 2009 economy buster.


We're in the middle of watching Fast and Furious as well, and man does the incredible sound get the heart pumping.


Dan

Awesome! I am glad you like it.

 

[illuvial]

I have my 160 up and working and I like it. But I seem to have a problem. The 2EQ fails to detect the last rear surround. Even though that speaker outputs audio under normal use.


What gives?

 

[joerod]

Check your speaker connection at both the receiver and the speaker. Make sure it is 100% secure. Then re run the set up. Should get it.

 

[illuvial]



Quote:
Originally Posted by joerod /forum/post/16943696


Check your speaker connection at both the receiver and the speaker. Make sure it is 100% secure. Then re run the set up. Should get it.

Yeah, I did that. I'm thinking its a problem with the receiver.


Anyone familiar with Onkyo customer service?

 

[phunhippy]

Hey guys,


Looks like the perfect Receiver for my new living room. One question that I"m not sure about, AM I able to hook up just an HDMI connection from my devices with this or do I need an optical cable as well as some other lower end receivers need(don't pass audio on HDMI). Also it will upconvert my component from my wii right if i'm reading it all correctly?


Thanks!

 

[joerod]

Only HDMI is needed. No worries...

 

[stereomandan]

...and yes it will upconvert your wii to 1080i


Dan

 

[aoessand]

one question about this, say i hook up my 360 up with component will it just pass the signal unmolested to the HDMI or will it try to upscale it even though it needs no upscaling? reason i need to put it threw component is cause i have hd dvd add on and it has the black screen hdmi issue with some paramount hd dvds.

 

[PaulLemonhead]

Owners of previously released Onkyo receivers always warned of excessive heat and the need for lots of space to provide adequate cooling. Any thoughts on this as of yet?

 

[joerod]

I wondered how long it would be before someone brought up heat here. The RC160 does get warm but not as hot as previous gens. I tested it out but I still use an Antec Component Cooler (since I have one) with any receiver/pre-pro I use. I have to since I tend to have marathons on those crazy NFL Sundays....