Onkyo TX-SR501 Refurb Dolby 6.1 receiver $145 shipped @ Ecost

[ConnCarl]

If you don't mind refurbs and are looking for a low-end digital home theater receiver, you could do a lot worse than the Onkyo TX-SR501.

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/ecce/shop/detail.asp?action=detail&dpno=157373#scroll

Onkyo cheats a bit on the 80 watt per channel RMS power rating (its rated at 6 ohms), but to be fair, everyone cheats like hell nowadays on power ratings. It's like the early 70's all over again with all manner of crummy "peak power" ratings advertised, and few systems whose power is rated in RMS, the old-fashioned manly-man way.

Anyway, this looks like a nice box and has true Dolby 6.1 decoding built in, including Dolby Digital EX, Pro Logic II, DTS, DTS-ES and DTS Neo:6 Processing.

You can get these brand new for about $200 plus shipping, Ecost just dropped their refurbs from $159 to $145. If you know anything about Onkyo then you know that they have a reputation for quality.

Here are some reviews, all excellent;

http://www.audioreview.com/A-V+Receivers/Preamplifiers+TX-SR501/PRD_171940_2718crx.aspx

As far as Ecost, I have picked up several refurbs from them, including a really sweet little Kenwoodie VR-707 surround receiver for $129 for a friend. That was a great price but I think this one is a better value.

YMMV!

 

[JDub02]

I 'm using a borrowed 100w / channel Pioneer receiver right now. How much of a drop would I notice going to 65w / channel? I'm in an apartment, so I can't crank it real loud for the sake of those below me.

 

[kgokal]

i have a 10 year old Onkyo, rated at 65W RMS, and there aint no way i can turn it to full volume, on a set of DCM10's. And im in an aparment, and even half way gets complaints...

 

[JDub02]

cool. ordered it up. seems like a good deal. new ones are selling $220 - 250 from what I could find.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Good deal, this year's model 502 sells new for $300. Several 501 owners have praised it in Off-Topic audio threads.

This has an analog 6.1 input so you can hook a PC soundcard up to it for surround gaming. Many people don't realize that only nV nforce2 mobo audio mixes a 5.1 digital signal for games, while Creative soundcards only send stereo 2-channel game audio through the digital out (for 5.1 you must use analog).

 

[Giscardo]

Does this receiver have 6 channel analog input? So that I can connect it to my Audigy 2 ZS for positional audio in games and DVDs?

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Giscardo
Does this receiver have 6 channel analog input? So that I can connect it to my Audigy 2 ZS for positional audio in games and DVDs?

Sounds like it does .. don't hold me to that, though. I'll know in a few days when mine gets here.

 

[StudioGigger]

I have this receiver and it is excellent. Full of options - and definately enough power. The remote kinda sucks in that it's not lit in any way - but I'm more than impressed by the quality of the binding posts, the digital inputs, S-Video and composite.

 

[yougotdeals]

Only 3 left. Unless ecost mystically changes the quantity like the normally do.

 

[yougotdeals]

Ok, now they have 18 left.....

 

[billywiggins]

Ive been looking for one of these receivers lately, this is just the deal Ive been looking for. Even refurb, its a great deal. I had been looking at the 501, 502 and the 601, but for the money this is the best deal Ive found.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Originally posted by: JDub02
I 'm using a borrowed 100w / channel Pioneer receiver right now. How much of a drop would I notice going to 65w / channel? I'm in an apartment, so I can't crank it real loud for the sake of those below me.

You can't compare a 100w/channel Pioneer to a 65w/channel Onkyo. Onkyo actually tells the truth when they rate their stuff. I guarantee you that Onkyo receiver will decimate the Pioneer.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: JDub02
I 'm using a borrowed 100w / channel Pioneer receiver right now. How much of a drop would I notice going to 65w / channel? I'm in an apartment, so I can't crank it real loud for the sake of those below me.

You can't compare a 100w/channel Pioneer to a 65w/channel Onkyo. Onkyo actually tells the truth when they rate their stuff. I guarantee you that Onkyo receiver will decimate the Pioneer.

Cool.

I have nothing but praise for any of the Pioneer products that I have, though.

Looking forward to seeing this one on my doorstep.

ecost tracking doesn't work though. It doesn't link a valid tracking number to UPS.

Shipped yesterday.

 

[JDub02]

Nevermind .. apparantly today the tracking works. It will be here monday.

 

[MrPabulum]

Another nod for the Onkyo. I bought mine with a set of Onkyo speakers. While the speakers are very nice for the money, the receiver is tremendous. Plenty of power, excellent sound quality, good number of inputs/outputs, even the component-video switching is high quality!...I look forward to using even better speakers (Polk, Axiom, Klipsch) with this receiver. The remote is kind of schmaltzy, but that's just nitpicking. Highly recommended.

 

[JDub02]

It seems that every review says the remote sucks. Oh well. I'll only be using the remote for volume and source switching, so that's not a very big deal. Gonna have a set of AudioSource speakers hooked up to it. They sound pretty good now with the Pioneer receiver. Looking forward to hooking up the Onkyo.

 

[Giscardo]

I ordered this deal and got it yesterday, the unit didn't work. When I press the power button the standby light goes off but nothing else happens. The display doesn't come up or anything. Tried several different power outlets. Damnit very much I was looking forward to playing with this stuff over the weekend.

 

[bbkat]

Originally posted by: kgokal
i have a 10 year old Onkyo, rated at 65W RMS, and there aint no way i can turn it to full volume, on a set of DCM10's. And im in an aparment, and even half way gets complaints...

same here! I just upgraded to the 601 so I'll be lending the oldie to a beginner HT

 

[erickotz]

I've got a TX-SR500 which is this model's predecessor. Main differences are no component video switching and 5.1 instead of 6.1.
I'm very happy with it - especially considering I paid like $90 for it (used)
If I didn't have the SR500 I would prob grab this.
Btw the 500 at least has a single set of analog inputs for every channel (ie you can hook the 6 analog outputs of your sound card to it. That said, the DAC in this receiver is most likely superior to the one in your sound card, and you would get better sound using TOSLINK or SPDIF in)

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269

Originally posted by: JDub02
I 'm using a borrowed 100w / channel Pioneer receiver right now. How much of a drop would I notice going to 65w / channel? I'm in an apartment, so I can't crank it real loud for the sake of those below me.

You can't compare a 100w/channel Pioneer to a 65w/channel Onkyo. Onkyo actually tells the truth when they rate their stuff. I guarantee you that Onkyo receiver will decimate the Pioneer.

Do you really think Onkyo is more honest on their power ratings? Nonsense. About the only mainstream receiver manufacturer that has been honest is Harman Kardon.

This is a link to some of the power outputs produced during testing:

Power Results

 

[mdetz]

Originally posted by: Giscardo
I ordered this deal and got it yesterday, the unit didn't work. When I press the power button the standby light goes off but nothing else happens. The display doesn't come up or anything. Tried several different power outlets. Damnit very much I was looking forward to playing with this stuff over the weekend.

That sucks Giscardo. Sorry. Let us know how your RMA goes! I've heard that Ecost offers no support for refurb onkyos, and that you must deal directly with Onkyo.

 

[vijseema]

I was thinking of buying this a moment ago but after reading Giscardo's story, I am not sure anymore.
Did anybody also receive the product from ecost? I would really like to know about the experiences of other buyers..
By the way, what is the return policy of ecost for refurbished products?

 

[Giscardo]

Originally posted by: mdetz

Originally posted by: Giscardo
I ordered this deal and got it yesterday, the unit didn't work. When I press the power button the standby light goes off but nothing else happens. The display doesn't come up or anything. Tried several different power outlets. Damnit very much I was looking forward to playing with this stuff over the weekend.

That sucks Giscardo. Sorry. Let us know how your RMA goes! I've heard that Ecost offers no support for refurb onkyos, and that you must deal directly with Onkyo.

I'll let you guys know. They better take this back because they shipped me a defective product. And I paid extra for the shipping for it to get here for the weekend but that turned out to be pointless so I'm also gonna try to see about being reimbursed for that cost.

 

[vijseema]

Thanks Giscardo
I will be anxiously waiting

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: Giscardo
I ordered this deal and got it yesterday, the unit didn't work. When I press the power button the standby light goes off but nothing else happens. The display doesn't come up or anything. Tried several different power outlets. Damnit very much I was looking forward to playing with this stuff over the weekend.

If you press the power button and the standby light goes on, what happens when you then press the power button on the remote itself? Does it switch from standby to on?