Onkyo TX-SR606 AV Receiver

The great thing about technology is that everything eventually becomes affordable. The latest generation of A/V receivers certainly demonstrates this, and the Onkyo TX-SR606 exemplifies the extraordinary features and performance capabilities of AVRs under $600. The Onkyo pretty much has it all, with four HDMI (version 1.3a) inputs, 1080i video upconversion, and Faroudja deinterlacing. It also includes Audyssey�s 2EQ automatic room correction system with Dynamic EQ loudness compensation and Onkyo�s proprietary Music Optimizer, which is intended to increase the overall dynamics of compressed audio files.

Tremendous Feature Set
The TX-SR606 integrates the latest version of the HDMI standard (1.3a), which offers increased bandwidth for higher image resolution, higher frame rates, and 36 bits Deep Color (none of which is yet available from consumer media sources).

The Onkyo upconverts all analog video signals (composite, S-video, and component) to 1080i. Onkyo�s video upconversion technology works with Faroudja�s DCDi (Directional Correlational Deinterlacing) Edge circuit to eliminate many of the common video artifacts that degrade picture quality with interlaced sources. You can then send signals over a single HDMI cable for simplicity in hookup. Some might scoff at an amplifier section that is rated at 90 watts per channel (times seven channels), but the TX-SR606 is powerful enough to fill a small to medium sized room with sound. It includes 32 bits DSP processing and 192 kilohertz/ 24 bits digital to analog converters on all channels.

The TX-SR606 is among the few low priced AVRs to support the advanced surround formats like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. These deliver lossless soundtracks that are bit for bit identical to the master. It is also compatible with the usual surround formats, such as Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES, DTS 96/24, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS Neo 6. Onkyo provides eight of its own DSP modes, including Unplugged for acoustic instruments, vocals, and jazz and Studio-Mix for rock and pop. The TX-SR606 also features Theater Dimensional (T-D), a virtual 5.1 surround algorithm for use with a two channel speaker system.