Onkyo 606 vs 875

[Lost Angeles]

Hi I’ve had a demo of Onkyo 606 (only model in store) with MA RS6 fronts, RSLCR centre, BFRX rears and BRW10 sub and am happy with surround sound and cost of speakers. I went for RS6s as I want these for music and I liked them better than BR5s.

My problem is do I need a better receiver than a 606, if I went for a 875 could I do away with my old Audiolab 8000A for music or should I stick with the 606 for surround sound and spend the £600 difference on a new amp.

If I stick with the 606 how do I connect up to play music from amp and surround from 606. RS6s in shop were bi-wired

 

[Andrew Everard]

The 875 is undeniably a better receiver than the 606, and I use one at home for almost all my listening, both movies and music, without feeling I'm missing anything significant.

However, I think your 8000A will still sound better in stereo - depending of course on the quality of your source components.

You can't use the 8000A with the 606, as the latter lacks the front channel preouts needed to link the two together. A compromise might be the 'Cinderella' receiver of the Onkyo range, the TX-SR705, which is very similar to the 605 but offers a full set of preouts.

For the 'how to do it', see the answers to similar queries I've given here and here.

Oh, and if you're thinking of buying the 705, bear in mind that the Onkyo range revamp doesn't stop at the 606, as we explained here. Now might be a good time to negotiate a good discount on a 705...

 

[Lost Angeles]

Andrew Thanks for the reply. I wont go for a 606.

I'm gonna Demo a 875 against the Audiolab

If I understand you correctly and use a 705/805/875 for surround and the Audiolab for music, then the Audiolab will always drive the front speakers (even for surround ) but the 705/805/875 will not need to be on for music, will it need to be in standby or can it be turned off.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Presactly, my dear Watson.

And when listening to music in stereo, the AV receiver can be turned off.