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

[billywiggins]

I ordered mine Wednesday, got it on Friday. I was shocked at how fast it got here. I didnt play with it until today and it is working great so far. No problems what-so-ever, although I havent even looked at the remote other than sitting it in a drawer full of other remotes. I hooked up my DVD player, satellite, PS2 and VCR and have tested them all out, no problems. This is my first receiver and it just so happened to have been the reciever I was going to buy regardless of it being on sale, I am very pleased with it.

Also, to see other reviews or ask about other recievers I would suggest going to the AVSForums, they have ALOT of great info about this type of thing. You can do a search on budget recievers and find several good suggestions.

As far as the warranty, I think I remember reading somewhere, either on the ecost site or in the warranty info sent with the unit, that any warranty work has to be through Onkyo, so that basically cuts ecost out of the picture, I could be wrong but I know I would place a phone call to ecost first regardless.

 

[ConnCarl]

I don't think that Ecost offers replacement of refurbished electronics if they are defective.

If the broken unit has to go back to Onyko or to an Onkyo authorized service center, that's unfortunate, since you can't use it right away, and there is a certain amont of inconvenience involved.

But I don't think that a purchase decision should be made on the basis of someone's defective unit having to go in for warranty service. So far we haven't seen a pattern of bad Onkyos from Ecost.

If you're unsure, you ought to pay with a premium credit card. Normally they offer both a free extension to your orignal warranty, and purchase protection. And any credit card gives you the option to ship the unit back and dispute the purchase. As long as you've returned the product, it should be no problem at all to get your money back, no matter what Ecost's policies are.

Carl

 

[Neyd3400]

This isn't a bad deal at all, but the question is not onkyo quaility, but ecost. They have misleading S+H policy, horrible CS. I am staying away from this deal.

 

[huesmann]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech

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

Looks like Onkyo was honest up to 2000.

 

[mdetz]

Originally posted by: Neyd3400
This isn't a bad deal at all, but the question is not onkyo quaility, but ecost. They have misleading S+H policy, horrible CS. I am staying away from this deal.

Aye. I wouldn't be suprised if the DOA receiver he got was somehow Ecost's fault, not Onkyo's. I would still risk it if the price is right, tho. I'm holding out for one with an OSD, Component switching, and composite->svid->component upconversion for under $300, so I have been/will be waiting a while :brokenheart:

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Tiles2Tech

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

I agree. I LOVE my Onkyo, that doesn;t allow me to show it off as the best reciever ever.

I have the sr600 and LOVE it. In stereo, it actually outs out 92watt/ch vs the advertised 80... ..which is what I listen to most anyways

Oh, and Pioneer makes some good sh!t. Realize that EVERYTHING in this price range has it's shortcomings unless you just want a channel HK with no component inputs. Once you start putting up more $$ Pioneer's stuff is quite good even though I love Onkyo/Integra better.

Try to be more realistic for everyone's sake. Remember, a Mark Levinson or even a lowley Rotel( in comparison ) will THUMP any of these in a HEARTBEAT.

 

[sMiLeYz]

i got on this deal a few weeks ago, got mine and it worked perfectly fine. I've never had a reciever before and it's great.

 

[vijseema]

I really do not think that a DOA receiver would be ecost's fault because they are actually refurbished by Onkyo and ecost just ships them to you (as per my understanding !!)
I really think getting a DOA or a perfect piece is more of a chance event and since the price is quite good, I am buying the receiver.. Hope everything goes well with me.. I will let you guys know how it goes..

I also called up their customer service and they told me that they have a 14 day return policy on refurbs

 

[Giscardo]

OK I have an update for you guys. I called eCost customer support and told them the deal. They are shipping me a replacement via Fedex overnight today (which is the shipping method I payed for on the original order), and they will arrange a USPS pickup on the defective unit for later this week, so no extra cost to me at all.

If everything works out according to plan I will be satisfied with their service (except for the fact that I paid about 60 bucks for overnight shipping that ended up being futile, may as well have gotten a brand new unit with UPS ground, but oh well, these things happen).

 

[vijseema]

update for those who are trying to find it online..
It no longer shows up in the bargain countdown page when you click find&buy and the ionly way out I could find is to order it over the phone.
Hope this helps..
I am waiting for this anxiously now......
I already bought JBL SCS150SI speaker set... By the way, can anybody advise me about speaker wires. The speaker set I bought does not have speaker wires.. Thanks a lot for your help

 

[Giscardo]

Also I have question, the 2 fronts on my Fluance speakers alow for bi-wiring. By default the two connections on the speakers are jumpered together, but from what I understand there could be better sound quality to remove that and run a pair of speaker wires to each of the speakers and wire them seperately, but on the speaker hookups for the Onkyo, it doesn't look like bi-wiring is supported, as there is only one hookup for each front left and front right, and long run on sentences beg for answers.

 

[sridev]

I'm a newbie to receivers, can anyone tell me where to look for speakers for this? What should be the ratings etc., any recommendations?

Thanks

 

[JDub02]

Hooked mine up last night ..

After some tweaking, it's really starting to sound good. Definately does a better job at surround that the Pioneer I had hooked up. The center and rear channels are more even with the front. Alot easier to hear dialog and not have effects blow me out of the room.

Looks and works like a brand new receiver. Couldn't tell it was a refurb.

 

[Neyd3400]

I don't think I will be jumping on this deal, but here some relevant info.

The lower power found in lab tests in the 501 is a cause-and-effect from the amp clipping. When the unit is pushed to the max ~77 watts, a protection scheme drops output to around 45 watts. I found this from a review from sound and visual. This receiver seems more that adequate for HT.

Lab results from 3 entrly level recievers <$300

Complete article

 

[knightc2]

For what its worth I have an older Onkyo reciever DX-575 and it is rated at 70 watts and I have no complaints on that not being enough. For home theater it should be adequate for most setups unless you are in a huge room or are driving very inefficient speakers. In my experiences with them Onkyo makes very good equipment that sounds great and is built to last.

Edit: After actually viewing this at eCost it might be time for me to upgrade. This looks like a pretty decent deal.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: Neyd3400
I don't think I will be jumping on this deal, but here some relevant info.

The lower power found in lab tests in the 501 is a cause-and-effect from the amp clipping. When the unit is pushed to the max ~77 watts, a protection scheme drops output to around 45 watts. I found this from a review from sound and visual. This receiver seems more that adequate for HT.

Lab results from 3 entrly level recievers <$300

Complete article

Sounds pretty impressive from the review. It purposefully cuts out at MAX power. Who runs their receiver at max volume? I probably haven't gone above half.

 

[heat23]

ordered mine last night at 2am...shipped today at in the afternoon...im excited!

 

[Giscardo]

Replacement arrived, and powered it up, it actually turned on this time. Hooked up two of the analog cables to the dvd inputs on the back, from the Audigy 2 ZS, started playing a dvd and then I hear a loud click and the Onkyo had shut itself off.

Turned it back on, sound on the speakers again, but then it shuts itself off after a few seconds of being on each time now. If i unplug and plug in the Onkyo, I can get sound working for a couple minutes, but then it will shut off again, and then each subsequent attempt to turn it on results in shutdown after a few seconds, until i unplug it and plug it back in.

Volume doesn't seem to affect this as I'm in the low 10's, 20's, and 30's. This is also happening without any speakers hooked up (just inputs from computer), and even with nothing at all hooked up to the Onkyo.

I tried plugging it into another outlet and that didn't work either.

For anyone familiar with this system, when i first plug it in the standby light is on. I turn on the unit and that light goes off, and the display lights up just like it's supposed to. After it shuts itself off with that loud click sound, the standby light is always flashing. I don't know what that means. This is extremelly frustrating. eCost has been great about replacing the first defective unit, so I don't mistrust them yet. I think it may be the power system in this old building, but I'm not sure.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Giscardo
Replacement arrived, and powered it up, it actually turned on this time. Hooked up two of the analog cables to the dvd inputs on the back, from the Audigy 2 ZS, started playing a dvd and then I hear a loud click and the Onkyo had shut itself off.

Turned it back on, sound on the speakers again, but then it shuts itself off after a few seconds of being on each time now. If i unplug and plug in the Onkyo, I can get sound working for a couple minutes, but then it will shut off again, and then each subsequent attempt to turn it on results in shutdown after a few seconds, until i unplug it and plug it back in.

Volume doesn't seem to affect this as I'm in the low 10's, 20's, and 30's. This is also happening without any speakers hooked up (just inputs from computer), and even with nothing at all hooked up to the Onkyo.

I tried plugging it into another outlet and that didn't work either.

For anyone familiar with this system, when i first plug it in the standby light is on. I turn on the unit and that light goes off, and the display lights up just like it's supposed to. After it shuts itself off with that loud click sound, the standby light is always flashing. I don't know what that means. This is extremelly frustrating. eCost has been great about replacing the first defective unit, so I don't mistrust them yet. I think it may be the power system in this old building, but I'm not sure.

As soon as you turn on the unit, turn off both speakers A and B...see if it stays on.

Mine did that once, when I inputed a REALLY high volume connection.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Neyd3400
I don't think I will be jumping on this deal, but here some relevant info.

The lower power found in lab tests in the 501 is a cause-and-effect from the amp clipping. When the unit is pushed to the max ~77 watts, a protection scheme drops output to around 45 watts. I found this from a review from sound and visual. This receiver seems more that adequate for HT.

Lab results from 3 entrly level recievers <$300

Complete article

WOW...I am proud of my Onkyo tx-sr600 now Guess it prolly does more than 77 watt/ch in 5.1
Also, the minute amount of distortion is just SICK compared to the others

 

[mdetz]

Wow, that's really bad luck, Giscardo. Two bad ones in a row? I know nothing of these things, but you've tried plugging it in to some other power source, right? Have you tried calling Onkyo?
Sounds like we found out why these things are being refurbished...

 

[FuzzyBee]

Originally posted by: Giscardo
Replacement arrived, and powered it up, it actually turned on this time. Hooked up two of the analog cables to the dvd inputs on the back, from the Audigy 2 ZS, started playing a dvd and then I hear a loud click and the Onkyo had shut itself off.

Turned it back on, sound on the speakers again, but then it shuts itself off after a few seconds of being on each time now. If i unplug and plug in the Onkyo, I can get sound working for a couple minutes, but then it will shut off again, and then each subsequent attempt to turn it on results in shutdown after a few seconds, until i unplug it and plug it back in.

Volume doesn't seem to affect this as I'm in the low 10's, 20's, and 30's. This is also happening without any speakers hooked up (just inputs from computer), and even with nothing at all hooked up to the Onkyo.

I tried plugging it into another outlet and that didn't work either.

For anyone familiar with this system, when i first plug it in the standby light is on. I turn on the unit and that light goes off, and the display lights up just like it's supposed to. After it shuts itself off with that loud click sound, the standby light is always flashing. I don't know what that means. This is extremelly frustrating. eCost has been great about replacing the first defective unit, so I don't mistrust them yet. I think it may be the power system in this old building, but I'm not sure.

It sounds to me like it thinks that a speaker connection is shorted. It's turning itself off to save itself from burning up.

 

[urname7698]

Originally posted by: FuzzyBee

Originally posted by: Giscardo
Replacement arrived, and powered it up, it actually turned on this time. Hooked up two of the analog cables to the dvd inputs on the back, from the Audigy 2 ZS, started playing a dvd and then I hear a loud click and the Onkyo had shut itself off.

Turned it back on, sound on the speakers again, but then it shuts itself off after a few seconds of being on each time now. If i unplug and plug in the Onkyo, I can get sound working for a couple minutes, but then it will shut off again, and then each subsequent attempt to turn it on results in shutdown after a few seconds, until i unplug it and plug it back in.

Volume doesn't seem to affect this as I'm in the low 10's, 20's, and 30's. This is also happening without any speakers hooked up (just inputs from computer), and even with nothing at all hooked up to the Onkyo.

I tried plugging it into another outlet and that didn't work either.

For anyone familiar with this system, when i first plug it in the standby light is on. I turn on the unit and that light goes off, and the display lights up just like it's supposed to. After it shuts itself off with that loud click sound, the standby light is always flashing. I don't know what that means. This is extremelly frustrating. eCost has been great about replacing the first defective unit, so I don't mistrust them yet. I think it may be the power system in this old building, but I'm not sure.

It sounds to me like it thinks that a speaker connection is shorted. It's turning itself off to save itself from burning up.

*edited*

 

[Giscardo]

Originally posted by: urname7698
*edited*

Why did you edit out your question? The speakers are Fluance, rated at 8ohms. This system shuts off if i have all five speakers hooked up, only the fronts hooked up, only one front hooked up, and no speakers hooked up.

 

[jburnham]

Got mine today - plugged it in and....


rocking my Casbah!

I'm going from a really old (but nice at the time) Yamaha. Relative to that, the Onkyo puts the sounds where they really belong and there is plenty o' power. I'm enjoying the video switching, but I'm running mostly on composite video now. I wonder how well the video conversion works.

BTW - I was pretty sure I was in for a bad night when I saw the box. It had a big water stain that was still wet on one side and all of the corners were crunched. When I opened it the styrofoam was crunched but no signs of damage (or even wear) to the unit, and so far it's running smoothly.