Onkyo TX-SR309 5.1 AV Receiver - £159.95 @ Richer Sounds
Good AV setup for a beginner - been looking for setup a system on the cheap and this could do the job.
Price dropped from a few weeks ago - with 5 year G = £175.90
Not sure how it will compare to other models including sony in the budget entry for AV - I guess it will depend what specs you need from your system.
Once again, Onkyo has raised the bar, making the TXSR309 the ultimate starter AV receiver.
Building on the already class-leading TX-SR308, the new TX-SR309 adds an iPhone/iPod compatible USB port, enhanced jitter reduction technology and sleek new styling.
As before, though, what truly marks the TXSR309 out from its competitors is the inclusion of both 3D compatibility and high-definition audio processing; many rivals still only provide one or the other. With 3D compatibility you can run your 3D Blu-ray player, PS3 and Sky 3D box via the receiver and in to your 3D compatible TV; all with the minimum of fuss. The latest and most powerful processing has always been at the heart of Onkyo's receivers, and the TXSR309 is no exception. It will handle high-definition lossless audio codecs from Dolby and DTS. This high resolution surround sound processing makes it the perfect partner for Blu-ray with all the potential for audio excellence this source provides.
It's not just the processing power but quality, too, that makes Onkyo receivers stand out. Burr-Brown 192/24 DACs for all channels, an advanced 32-Bit Processing Chip and a high power transformer help to give the TXSR-309 class-leading sound quality and an equally impressive 85 watts power output (dynamic measurement at 8 ohms).
This may be the baby of the Onkyo range but, when it comes to connecting up, there's a surprisingly comprehensive range of sockets - as good as many mid-range receivers from just a year or two ago. Three HDMI inputs and an output let you route your Blu-ray, digital TV and games console through to the TV. Added to this are a wide range of other sockets including twin component inputs for older DVD players and three digital audio inputs. New to the TX-SR309 is a front-mounted USB socket. It might not look much, but this little socket will transform the sound quality from your iPod or iPhone. By connecting to the USB, you'll benefit from a digital connection. This gives a direct signal and, hence, purer sound quality than using a conventional dock or analogue input. If you don't have an iPod or iPhone, the USB socket will also accept music signals from other MP3 players or multi-media devices.
Finally, one of the features we like most about the Onkyo AV receivers is how easy they are to set up. With an overlaid On-Screen Display, adjusting settings is straight-forward, while the simple menu logically takes you through the fine-tuning of your system.
As budget AV receivers go, the TX-SR309 is a gem and, yet again, if you're looking for a path into proper home cinema then the Onkyo TX-SR309 is still the number one route.
IN-STORE ONLY
- Bully
All Comments (82)
Jump to unread Post a CommentI've got one - doesn't give of much heat - pretty lame bit of trolling really.
some of their av systems are not bad, ratings hold up well on some models and even hit 5 stars on what hifi.
Fot me its down to the amount of cash and top specs I can get for the cash.
I know sony fanboys will just go out a get the badge (like my brother), but onkyo and others are well worth the look.
Not a sony fanboy but rather get a sony or pioneer than some random unknown brand at this price range.
Onkyo are known to be pretty damn good. (My soundcard is made by them and it sounds divine).
Sony and Pioneer are known to be total junk now. (Even in the 80's Sony was only just OK).
Of course the best make is Meridian. (861 reference is pretty much the best one of these money can buy).
I know the amp has an active sub connection on the TX-SR309 and not on the hts3505 package, but my lounge is quite small so it may be overkill.
Any opinions would be greatful (apart from the usual uneducated 'Buy a different brand etc' which don't really help....and a waste of time reading)
Bought the previous model with a 5.1 speaker set for £190 this time last year - absolute class, would definitely recommend this.
Bought the previous model with a 5.1 speaker set for £190 this time last year - absolute class, would definitely recommend this.
Thanks, I'm in no hurry for a proper av amp at the moment as my current all in one still works fine (so I keep telling myself anyway....) and I should probably save the money in case of car repairs.
If a deal with a speaker package is posted for about £200 then I would be tempted...
Bought the previous model with a 5.1 speaker set for £190 this time last year - absolute class, would definitely recommend this.
It's getting a bit lame isn't it.
been reading and researching the speakers and first thought of getting a cheapo job.
either one of the following
YAMAHA NSP285 - PIONEER SHS100 - YAMAHA NSP40
I dont want to spend too much on them as its a budget system
with 2 kids in the house and one of them starting to walking, I know the speakers will most likely die a death of bits of food stuck on it or holes appearing in the speakers.
So i would say 150 tops budget for the system speakers
my other route was to add the speakers as I go
I have 2 - 8 imped 120w rated bookshelf speakers that are new so can set them up as the rears as they fit where I want them to go and get some smallish bookshelf jobs at the front of the tv - just to start the system off.
the beginners 5.1 sets seem to be better value to start off. I think!
any thought on those 3???
Edited By: godzillafan on Feb 03, 2012 14:51
some of their av systems are not bad, ratings hold up well on some models and even hit 5 stars on what hifi.
Fot me its down to the amount of cash and top specs I can get for the cash.
I know sony fanboys will just go out a get the badge (like my brother), but onkyo and others are well worth the look.
Not a sony fanboy but rather get a sony or pioneer than some random unknown brand at this price range.
Onkyo are known to be pretty damn good. (My soundcard is made by them and it sounds divine).
Sony and Pioneer are known to be total junk now. (Even in the 80's Sony was only just OK).
Of course the best make is Meridian. (861 reference is pretty much the best one of these money can buy).
Where did you buy your Onkyo sound card unrandomsam ? I'm interested in buying one for myself.
Do you have one of these cards link. These Onkyo - Pc audio cards look awesome with quality components fitted on them.
Edited By: stealthx on Feb 03, 2012 14:56: edit
ROFL, do your research. Random unknown brand!?
http://www.whathifi.com/awards/2010/home-cinema-amplifiers
In the 2010 What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Awards, the product of the year was the Onkyo TX-SR608, which was also the Best home cinema amplifier £300-£500.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onkyo
http://www.uk.onkyo.com/en/products/tx-sr309-35373.html
It also has a 2 speaker addition so you can have the sound piped into another room.
Just a bit miffed that I got my system 2 week ago when it was a little higher priced. This is an excellent system and with the 5 year cover on top you really cant go too far wroong
Don't buy Missions if you like female singers as they are all 'top' and 'bottom' and nothing in the middle. Someone recommended them to me, they went back the next day.
Theres a fnar in there somewhere. But I cant quite make it fit
Edited By: PiiWii on Feb 03, 2012 15:22
Theres a fnar in there somewhere. But I cant quite make it fit[/quote]
I asked the barmaid for a double entendre so she gave me one.
ROFL, do your research. Random unknown brand!?
http://www.whathifi.com/awards/2010/home-cinema-amplifiers
In the 2010 What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Awards, the product of the year was the Onkyo TX-SR608, which was also the Best home cinema amplifier £300-£500.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onkyo
http://www.uk.onkyo.com/en/products/tx-sr309-35373.html
******
Theres always one who bites.
It also has a 2 speaker addition so you can have the sound piped into another room.
Just a bit miffed that I got my system 2 week ago when it was a little higher priced. This is an excellent system and with the 5 year cover on top you really cant go too far wroong
Don't buy Missions if you like female singers as they are all 'top' and 'bottom' and nothing in the middle. Someone recommended them to me, they went back the next day.
I use Acoustic Energy Neo 3 speakers with my onk606, brilliant speakers. Neo 1s' for the rears. They sound even better when you manage to get them for £275 new:)