PICK ONE... ONKYO 805 or MARANTZ 8001

A dozen days later and greater insights abound. I do like it's sonic signature overall, and the tuner. Once I'm better versed with it perhaps I'll feel less awkward and begin to actually enjoy it. For now, it's like going back to school, re-learning a new receiver speak and terminologies.

My disappointment lays solely in the fact the second zone's useage relies upon those sources connected via RCA only. My present understanding is none of the digital decoding is output to either of the two remote zones. only the tuner output is allowed without the supplement of extra cabling. that's a real drag.

Further, there is scant little direct alteration of things without the implementation and use of the various menus... and it does possess many. Even minor tone adjustements are prerequisite of menus.

True, some menus are immediately accessible, and thus truncate the lengthy navigation sometimes necessary for making changes, but some greater auto functionality would seem in order. the defaults also can be managed and changed to suit preffs. I should think the main title information on the disc would be naturally selected initially by the receiver, and options, if available would then be listed or presented to the user so further choices might then be made if required. Rather than checking the menus to see other currently available formats for audio replay manually.

Overall, it's a work I'd not intended upon, though now faced with the task of organizing and choosing preffs, once done I believe all will be well.

After all, it's just for watching movies primarily, and a scant bit of TV now and then... For me, 2 ch remains the focus completley.

I sincerely, and do mean sincerely appreciate any and all efforts of those posters who shared their thoughts here.

thank you.

Once in a while one needs to stop... and take a look at what enterprize they are getting into... and just how deeply they want to follow the rabbit into the hole.

I said I'd not add amps to a receiver... I did. I said it's just for watching movies as this event wasn't going to be exploded into some other worldly high dollar event... it has or is becoming just that.. albeit, on a medium sort of high end level.

Sheesssh.

Anyhow, the Onkyo is run in on at least it's stereo preamp/proc outputs... and HDMI inputs. The HDMI inputs are a real eyeopening experience too... trying a few types revealed no major differences, so get in cheap there is my notion.

I do like the TX SR805's sound... I do not like it's menu oriented structure, but once aprised of it, the operation is pretty easy. The Set up is the biggest deal, and past that, it preforms very well indeed. Suprisingly so in fact.

It does have more finesse than my old stand by Sony 444es, but not the bass impact. Adding outborad amps is also a reallly big plus.. I'm presently sold on Odyseey for that solution. Together they are very pleasing, and most entertaining on a very high level.

I also found the ONkyo support team to be, by and large, most helpful... once you find someone there with a bit of experience of course.

Overall, for the under a grand price tag, not only can I not kick, I'm pretty happy.

i'll go against the grain a bit. I used to own a Denon 2801 powering a HT 5.1 system that ran a $4500 retail speaker set (Revels). I bought a dedicated 2 channel amp (NAD 218THX) and powered my mains....well, it didn't work. Sounded terrible to my ears. I replaced it with a Rotel amp that was less than half the price and...well, it was awesome!

What i'm saying...as much as you'd like to read reviews and guess, the real test is to 'hear' your options...period.

i know a separate amp should make a AVR sound better, but this you do not know. Be careful and go listen for yourself.

Well, you're a mite late to this party, but thanks for the thoughtful input. IT'S ALWAYS SAGE ADVICE TO 'TRY FIRST'... when one can.

I can see why the Rotel and Revel match was not a bad one. The rotel amps are more forgiving than are the Revels.

True that! Matching a 'whatever' amp to the receiver and speakers is a bit of a task, but not terribly difficult... or I got real lucky. both the choice on receiver and outboard amp (s0, has been made now.

With the Sonata IIIs inplace as mains, perhaps it's an easier task than with some other types of speakers. Personally, I've never been to enthralled with Revel speakers in any event.

The one main caveat to your spot on note is this... it's the "Going to hear" the ??? thing. One can at times, be very limited in that respect. More so when wanting to hear it in your own rig & home, for that matter.

hence we ask questions, get to know others here, ascertain their tastes and ideas as best we can, and make our best guess or choices.... or install a revolving turnstile and do the Audiogone "buy & Try" shuffle.

The Odyssey Stratos SE is quite an acceptable amp to me, for HT & music. to the point where I'd as soon forgoe installing a revolving door. Cabling played a big part in that integration too. In fact I'm leaning towards getting another Odyssey amp of sorts down the road. Which one or which type or if at all is the question now. I could as easily just trade up with this one as I bought it newly built.

The jury's still out on that last bit.

hahaa...good post... the "buy & try" shuffle is exactly what i plan to do... at least for some time.

Heck, i'm 3 Cape Cods into this post and will roll with it. The Revels were spot on in the demo room 2000) with Theta amps pushing them. When i had them home and let loose with...ohhh, a $1000 AVR they still sounded 3x better than the Polk RT3000p speakers.

At this point, as my income increases...i'm upgrading my audio gear. Not much for video my man!