I'm looking around for a new receiver. I currently have a Yamaha HTR-6060 that I bought about a year ago. It's OK, but it doesn't have the latest sourround modes (True HD, etc), the HDMI inputs are 1.2a, and it has shutdown the odd time (it's well ventilated with the help of cooling fans) when I'm really having fun ("We Were Soldiers" cranked up, etc).
I was looking at something like the Onkyo TXSR706B. It seems to be reasonably priced but I'm looking for some opinions . . .
- It's power rating is the same as my Yamaha but I've heard it has better high current capabilities and can it also drive 4ohm loads (should I go with M80's in the future)?
- Is there really any significance to having a receiver with a THX rating?
- Any other receivers for ~ $900 that compare or might be a better deal?

No significance to the THX rating other than that it has passed THX's rigorous testing (although strangely unpublished) criteria and paid the licensing fee for it.

You might also consider the 806 factory refurb, still within your budget, from Accessories4less .

How about a refurb Onkyo TXSR876 for $849 on eCost?

That's a $1,799 receiver, second only to the 'flagship' NR906 in the Onkyo line. HQV Reon-VX, THX Ultra2, HD radio, etc .

As someone else needing a replacement for his 7-year old AVR, who's ticked off that the Emotiva UMC is taking so long, I'm seriously tempted myself...

C'mon, Peter.... the economy needs a jumpstart!

I've done MY part with power tools of late, now it's YOUR turn!

I *have* been doing my part!!

Update: That TXRS876 I mentioned shows as 'out of stock'. They had it in stock as recently as this weekend - I know, I had it in my cart.

If you're interested in that receiver (as I am), keep an eye on it, it may come back in stock. eCost does that sometimes.

how much can you get a denon 2808 for where you live? If you can find one under your price I'd highly suggest it.

I looked at this same company(Accessories4Less), but only one problem. For Onkyo products specifically, it states it won't ship outside of the US. You might want to check Electronics For Less in Markham, Ontario. Onkyo 709 is on for $799.00.

Visions down here has had some of their Onkyo's on sale for some pretty good pricing. Same with Soundsaround and Denon, the 2809 has been on sale for $700-$800.

Oh yeah, i forgot that the denon had a 2809 model now.. if you go that route def. look for that instead of the 08 model

Newegg has the TXSR876 on sale for $999 new and delivered:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...nkyo-_-82120118

It looks like a steal to me. I'd trade in my Denon AVR-3806 for this.

that's a good price for the 876.

Peter C., when I checked a minute ago the 876 was shown as in stock at $839.99. I didn't suggest it here because the "$900 or less" budget presumably was $CDN and the 876 would be well above that. If you're interested, though, that appears to be a terrific buy.

Casey, apparently the A4L policy has changed recently. If you check the Onkyo listings now, Canada, Province and postal zone can be selected on a purchase.

Thank's for all the feedback. There's quite a few good deals to be had online. Even though my budget would be stretched, that 876 is mighty tempting.

I didn't notice that we were talking about $900 Canadian. Oops.

I noticed that it was back in stock and $839 last night too. Then I spent about 2 hours reading through all 57 pages of discussion about the 876 over on AVS. And I skimmed through a lot of the 'N906' discussion too, as it's more-or-less the same AVR.

It seems to be a very good receiver, and probably a steal for anything less than $1,000 (US) - provided that you don't have problems with it. Many rave about the Reon processor, excellent SQ, clean amp, great Audyssey setup, tons of great features, etc. On paper, absolutely fabulous. Looking at the spec sheet and reading its many positively glowing reviews really makes me wonder why I'm holding out on the UMC-1.

But I'm a little concerned with the number of quirky problems that people seem to report. Channel drop-outs, sub problems, video blank-outs, thermal shutdowns, etc. And no user firmware updates (unless you do it anyway and risk bricking) mean that you've got to send it back to Onkyo for updates. Sorry, but in this era, that's stupid. Even my TV has a USB port for user-performed firmware updates, fully supported and encouraged by the manufacturer.

And there are a couple of very vocal folks over there who have been through the ringer with Onkyo customer support. They do not have nice things to say. Of course, complainers make themselves known and happy users don't, so the statistics are skewed. But browsing through other Onkyo forums seems to confirm that C/S isn't that great - at least enough to cast a few doubts for me.

So I'm not sure if I'd bite on that deal or not. Several posts over on AVS suggest that spending the extra hundred bucks or so (US) to get a brand new one, rather than a refurb, is a smart idea. After all, the refurb units are the ones that people had problems with. I'm usually totally ok with buying refurb gear, but I think in this case, based on what crazy AVS is saying, I'm not so sure.

Still, the bargain hunter in me is having a hard time passing up a $1,700 receiver for $839.