Onkyo TX-SR608 Pro Reviews

This is a extremely well-equipped receiver, and it shares the same superior sound quality as the SR308. If you need a receiver that will do everything and pump all inputs over an HDMI output, this is the one to buy.

Onkyo has long been known as a feature leader in the receiver department. They certainly are looking to maintain that reputation with the TX-SR608. While the feature-set is a bit different from other new offerings at the same price point, it definitely seems to us that the TX-SR608 will be very competitive. The question is what features are most important to you? If you are looking for iPhone/iPod integration, you'll need an add-on for the Onkyo. But if you are looking for all the latest audio features including Burr-Brown DACs, Dolby ProLogic IIz, many of the latest Audyssey features including DSX, and dual subwoofer outputs plus 1080p video upconversion and THX Select2 Plus certification, the Onkyo has what you need.

Onkyo’s TX-SR607 was the UK’s best-selling home cinema amp last year. Yet some reviewers, us included, felt it was something of an untamed beast: all power and muscle without much decorum. It’s to Onkyo’s credit that rather than use its sales success to denounce the critics, it’s taken the comments on board to produce a successor with a completely retuned sound. The result: five big, shiny stars.

The TX-SR608 is a wonderful AV receiver, packing in as many features as possible for a very alluring price. Any receiver that gives you six HDMI 1.4 inputs, myriad listening modes, video upscaling and THX Select2 Plus certification for under £450 is great value in our book – and that’s even before we’ve mentioned the fantastic sound quality, which may be smoother than previous Onkyo receivers but still deserves the utmost praise.

I came away with the impression that Onkyo had a big tool-box to draw on when developing AV receivers. They decide what the want for each point in the market, then work within a budget to get the best mix of performance and functionality. With too many features to even list in a review, this must be a difficult juggling act. Receivers are the ultimate jack-of-all-trades these days, but it seems the SR608 isn’t actually trying to be all things to all men. It focuses on being an HD AV receiver, rather than being a stereo amp or a media player or video processor or whatever. It doesn’t try to be good at everything, but gets its act together with what it needs to do – playing movie soundtracks well. It’s also relatively easy to set-up and convenient to use day to day.

So, a £450 AV bargain. A few things have to go to get a technology packed unit down to this price – the speaker terminals wobble alarmingly and bend downwards if your cables are a bit weighty, the case-work is somewhat lightweight and each button press creates a tingy-rattle of a click – but you can't have everything. Neither can you fault the features, audio aplomb or the video performance of the TX-SR608. Add in the v1.4a HDMIs and the option of height or width channels and you have a solid Best Buy receiver that leaves its peers trailing in its wake.