Audio Video News

If you've been considering a move to 7.1 surround sound, Onkyo has a receiver that might be just what you're looking for.

Introduced in late October, the TX-SR800 THX Select A/V receiver offers 7 X 100 watts/8 ohms of amplifier power, and digital processing for every major multichannel format currently in use, including THX Surround EX, Dolby Digital EX, ProLogic II, DTS-ES Matrix and Discrete, and DTS 96/24. THX Surround EX specifications call for two speakers to reproduce the rear surround effects, for a fuller effect than is usually possible with 5.1 systems.

The TX-SR800 is high-rez throughout, with192 kHz/24-bit audio DAC's, and HDTV capable component video switching. A Powered Zone 2 capacity makes it exceptionally versatile as the center of a home entertainment system. The receiver has connections for six audio/video and three audio source components, including Phono, CD, and Tape Loop. There are four optical and three coaxial digital inputs (six are assignable), and a 7.1 multi-channel input. There are line-level preamp outputs for all eight channels, including two back surrounds and a subwoofer, with Linear PCM 192kHz/24 Bit Digital-to-Analog converters (DACs) on the Subwoofer, SL, SR, and all front channels for high quality reproduction of Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks and music.

For the purest musical experience without video, the TX-SR800 disables all video circuitry to keep noise at the lowest possible levels. All seven channels of amplification use Onkyo's "Wide Range Amplifier Technology" to achieve flat power response from 10 to 100,000 Hz, with low-impedance ground paths and low negative feedback.. The heart of the receiver is a large heavy-duty transformer with low-ESR, high-density filter capacitors. For multi-room, multi-source operation, there are dual-zone infrared remote inputs; an assignable 12V trigger; and stereo speaker outputs for a second zone. In "Powered Zone 2" mode, the rear surround channel amplifiers can be configured to power a set of stereo speakers in another room.

Video features include S-Video and composite inputs for all six video sources, plus two assignable component video inputs; a component video output, three S-Video outputs, and three composite video outputs round out the TX-SR800's video connectivity. The video circuitry includes composite to S-Video conversion, and 50 MHz professional grade component video switching for excellent performance with HDTV systems.

The backlit learning remote control has macro functions, and is preprogrammed with codes for hundreds of home theater components from nearly every manufacturer. It can learn complex functions from existing remotes, making it a powerful universal remote that can reduce the. The Onkyo TX-SR800 is available now at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $1,000.