Is there something wrong with me?

[Sliced Bread]

I've been looking for a replacement amp for ages and I have just noticed in the hot deals section this opportunity to buy an Onkyo 905 for 800 pounds from Richer Sounds. It is in my budget and an opportunity to buy an amp that would normally be out of my league. The thing is, I don't think I can add something that ugly to my hifi rack (especially with that distracting blue light).

Am I being totally stupid? I used to be a sound quality fist person! Is the 905 head and sholders better than anything else I am likely to buy for that kind of money? And can you turn the blue light off?

Any help is really appreciated.

Hugs & Bottomslaps
John

 

[Anonymous]

I personaly couldnt give a monkeys about the looks of my kit, sound quality first all the way, after all thats what you buy it for!

 

[professorhat]

I also don't see what the big fuss is about the Onkyo's being so ugly. I can't see any difference between my new 905 and my old Denon... they both look like AV receivers to me!

 

[Dave_]

JohnNewman:I've been looking for a replacement amp for ages and I have just noticed in the hot deals section this opportunity to buy an Onkyo 905 for 800 pounds from Richer Sounds. It is in my budget and an opportunity to buy an amp that would normally be out of my league. The thing is, I don't think I can add something that ugly to my hifi rack (especially with that distracting blue light). Am I being totally stupid? I used to be a sound quality fist person! Is the 905 head and sholders better than anything else I am likely to buy for that kind of money? And can you turn the blue light off? Any help is really appreciated. Hugs & Bottomslaps John I know exactly what your saying, i'm after an av receiver too, normally i would go for the quality of sound over looks, i even like the sound of the onkyo kit, but like you just cant bring myself to add something that ugly to my kit, imho think the onkyo looks like it's been designed by a 3yr old, and built by blue peter, so i've decided to go for the denon avr 2808

 

[nads]

cant say that i notice my 805. But i do think NADS look good

 

[timwileman]

dude your supposed to watch the action on the screen not the AV amp....

 

[Anonymous]

It's simple, really. Unless the kit sits fully enclosed, it's part of the furniture and therefore should have some kind of aesthetic quality. It doesn't have to go the full B & O, but the Brikyos are deeply unappealing.....
Yes it has to be functional, but ..... you have to live with it!

 

[matengawhat]

it is ugly but once in your rack you don't notice it - i have the 875 and yes you can turn the horrid blue volume light off to i imagine you can on the 905 as well - they do really sound good - mines in black which i do prefer to the silver

 

[Clare Newsome]

I think we're missing the point here... an Onkyo TX-NR905 (list price £1400; the best sub-£2000 receiver you can buy) for £800. Who gives a fig what it looks like!!!!

Look, i'm a laydeee, and it doesn't bother me; I enjoy its excellence every day - and it looks slimmer in black

 

[hammill]

Clare Newsome:

I think we're missing the point here... an Onkyo TX-NR905 (list price £1400; the best sub-£2000 receiver you can buy) for £800. Who gives a fig what it looks like!!!!

Look, i'm a laydeee, and it doesn't bother me; I enjoy its excellence every day - and it looks slimmer in black

I agree. I paid £599 for a black 875 which looks (and more importantly sounds) fine and I could not imagine spending hundreds more for another receiver for aesthetic reasons

 

[dontlaugh]

Go NADs.

I'm new here - and that's probably older than I am.

Sorry - I look forward to receiving my Forum P45 in due course.

 

[jase fox]

Hi john, 1st of all no there isnt anything wrong with you!! & this is a subject that will divide opinion? I have to agree that i wouldnt want something that looks like its come out of the 80s on my rack!! However, i realise that shouldnt matter espec if the amp is top notch, but?? if there was no alternative then of course id have to have it, but when you can get just as good amps for sound quality etc & there much better looking & from a top brand, well its a no brainer!! Now with people saying on here that you dont look at your amp whilst watching the film etc well thats why they dont, because there so damn ugly!! now my pioneer amp not only blows the roof off but it looks fantastic (& it doesnt get as hot as a grill)even though im watching a film ill still take a glance at my amp as it looks good. Also when you invite your friends round to show your system off you want it to impress from every angle, you want them to look at it & say "what a smart piece of kit that is? it needs to look the part as far as im concerned espec when the sounds just as good IMO. As i final eg take amy winehouse & shakira?? i know which one id like in b** although im sure they can equally impress lol Take care guys

 

[fr0g]

Another in agreement here.
I wouldn't buy a box I hated the look of. Especially when it's only AV (waits for abuse)

The nearest I have come, is the squeezebox duet, as the receiver itself is a poxy little box. Luckily 'little' and pretty anonymous.

Oh and the PS3... I guess when the choice is narrowed to one then there is no choice (unless you know of another blu-ray playing current generation console!) ... I mean whoever designed the PS3 really needs a good kicking.

 

[professorhat]

fr0g:Especially when it's only AV (waits for abuse)

I'll let you off on this occasion though I guess...

 

[Anonymous]

fr0g:Another in agreement here.
I wouldn't buy a box I hated the look of. Especially when it's only AV (waits for abuse)

The nearest I have come, is the squeezebox duet, as the receiver itself is a poxy little box. Luckily 'little' and pretty anonymous.

Oh and the PS3... I guess when the choice is narrowed to one then there is no choice (unless you know of another blu-ray playing current generation console!) ... I mean whoever designed the PS3 really needs a good kicking.

Do you have a pc full of flashing neon lights and flames down the side? ;-)

I must confess to really not understanding the cosmetic thing! i mean its not like the other amps looks a million doller either

, but when you can get just as good amps for sound quality etc & there much better looking & from a top brand, well its a no brainer!!

Thing is you cant the onkyo's with the current price drops represent fantastic value that cant be matched elsewhere, The 875 is only £100 more than the 1909 and blows it out the water in every department

 

[fr0g]

garethwd:fr0g:Another in agreement here.
I wouldn't buy a box I hated the look of. Especially when it's only AV (waits for abuse)

The nearest I have come, is the squeezebox duet, as the receiver itself is a poxy little box. Luckily 'little' and pretty anonymous.

Oh and the PS3... I guess when the choice is narrowed to one then there is no choice (unless you know of another blu-ray playing current generation console!) ... I mean whoever designed the PS3 really needs a good kicking.

Do you have a pc full of flashing neon lights and flames down the side? ;-)

Certainly not. In fact my desktop PC (that I am on now) is hidden in its own part of my desk.

I really don't get 'pimping' PCs (or cars for that matter, I leave that for the MaxPower Youth)
The closest I have come to pimping is upgrading my case, and CPU fan (to very very quiet ones)

 

[Anonymous]

an 875 for 550 quid?! where??

i would rather have nice looking gear AND great performing gear. Why they have to be so damn ugly i dont know!

 

[Sliced Bread]

Thank you all for your advice, although now I'm even more confused :O/ I started reading the thread agreeing with the first post suggesting that I should buy an amp I like the look off, but after reading down a little further I then swung the other way. I am pleased that you can turn the blue light off!

Clare Newsome:Look, i'm a laydeee, and it doesn't bother me; I enjoy its excellence every day - and it looks slimmer in black

Yeah but your a laydeee who loves her hifi (very rare in my experience), but you are tempting me. However Richer Sounds are only selling it for that price in a fattening Silver, but maybe I need to stop being a tart :O/

Does anyone know if my speakers (200 watts front and 150 watts on the rear) could cope with the power?

 

[jase fox]

JohnNewman:Thank you all for your advice, although now I'm even more confused :O/ I started reading the thread agreeing with the first post suggesting that I should buy an amp I like the look off, but after reading down a little further I then swung the other way. I am pleased that you can turn the blue light off!

Clare Newsome:Look, i'm a laydeee, and it doesn't bother me; I enjoy its excellence every day - and it looks slimmer in black

Yeah but your a laydeee who loves her hifi (very rare in my experience), but you are tempting me. However Richer Sounds are only selling it for that price in a fattening Silver, but maybe I need to stop being a tart :O/

Does anyone know if my speakers (200 watts front and 150 watts on the rear) could cope with the power?Yeah but your a laydeee who loves her hifi (very rare in my experience), Ye i agree with you there John, if it wasnt for Clare i would never believe a ladyee loves hifi/home cinema as much as me if not more, there is hope, ha Clares tops !!

 

[professorhat]

JohnNewman:Does anyone know if my speakers (200 watts front and 150 watts on the rear) could cope with the power?
Should be fine - you're unlikely to be turning it up that loud where it would be a problem, but just go by your ears - if you start to hear distortion out of the speakers, turn it down!

 

[Big Chris]

I don't think the 875 or 905 look bad at all. I prefer them over the models lower down the range, as at least they have that flap to hide most of the buttons and connections.

Ok. So in isolation they're pretty big, but get it under your TV in a rack and it'll sink into the background.

It's been said before, but it's not like A/V amps as a whole are worthy of inclusion in an art gallery (Pathos aside).

 

[matengawhat]

anybody that sees your onkyo will say its a beast they will then hear it and say its a beast - its a beast!!!! But the best sounding amp you can pick up for £600 and its an absolute steel!! I don't regret buying mine

 

[Sliced Bread]

matengawhat:anybody that sees your onkyo will say its a beast they will then hear it and say its a beast - its a beast!!!! But the best sounding amp you can pick up for £600 and its an absolute steel!! I don't regret buying mine
600! Is that the 875 or the 905 and where from?

I've seen the 875 at 699 and the 906 at 799?

Thanks

 

[Sliced Bread]

Thank you everyone for your help. I've decided to take the plunge and go for it :O)

One last question though to those in the know. With my speakers, will I notice the improvements of the 905 over the 875? I have a medium sized living room. My main focues is sound quality because most of the music on my PC is apple lessless and so will not stream on the 905.

Thanks again