Onkyo TX-SR606 - any good for for music?

[nig_101]

Hi

I'm thinking of upgrading my old AV set-up to the '606. However, is it any good for 2-channel music listening? My current set up is a Sony STR-DB940 with the front speakers running via the pre-out to the power amp side of a NAD C340 (chord silver siren interconnects) and an Arcam CD72 CD player (again silver siren interconnects) with B&W 601 S2 speakers bi-wired with QED original cable. This set up actually gives a slightly better sound than using the NAD & Arcam alone! I want to replace the Sony/NAD arrangement with one box and the 606 is bang on budget/features for me. My only concern is the music side of it, as I was a hifi nut before I got into AV! I've read your review of the 606 and you describe it as not the most musical amplifier you can buy, slightly brash and bright presentation across a range of musical style. I'll be keeping the Arcam CD player, so considering my kit is fairly old do you think the 606 will sound as good as my exisiting kit, better, or worse? I know its a subjective area at the end of the day, but any thoughts you can throw at me would be much appreciated!!

Great mag - keep up the good work

 

[Andrew Everard]

Covered that one in the online review - see here

 

[Anonymous]

I would maintain using the NAD power amp as separates always give a superior sound to an integrated AV reciever. Problem is the 606 doesn't have the pre out requirements, so you wont be able to connect your amp. So, either bite the bullet and lose the stereo quality or go for a different AV reciever which support pre outs. The nearest equivilent is the Yamaha 763 (£500) which has the same features as the 606 inc pre outs and a few more extras...

 

[nig_101]

Thanks for the replies guys. However, Andrew, I read the review before posting and even quoted from the review - my question is specific to the old kit I've currently got versus the 606 - are you able to give me a considered opinion on the specific question? Considering the age of my current kit, are AV receivers (and the 606 in particular) still less musical than my gear or have they improved to either equal or surpass my set up? If its a case that the NAD would still be superior, any thoughts on the Yamaha suggested by Ranglo or any alternative? I would ideally like to move to a one-box solution for a number of reasons, including earning me brownie points with she-who-must-be-obeyed in my quest to upgrade our TV later in the year

Many thanks

 

[Andrew Everard]

Given the lack of preouts on the 606, I think I'd stick with what you have and see what happens this year in terms of rival products which may have preouts to feed your NAD. Yes, the 606 is still less musical than the NAD you have now.

Or I'd be thinking in terms of the TX-SR875, which is what I use at home, and which I find sounds very good indeed with music as well as movies. Or you might want to consider one of the more expensive Sony models, such as te STR-DA5300ES, which is another excellent all-rounder.

The Yamaha? Not a clue - it's not a product we've ever been supplied for review.

 

[nig_101]

Thanks Andrew - I'll keep saving for now and move my sights up the ladder towards the 875. I've read a few bits about the 875 having reliability issues - is this an actual problem with the model or just the reality that there is bound to be a small percent of any product that goes wrong? At least TVs are coming down in price - at this rate I could end up spending more on the AV box that the telly!

 

[Andrew Everard]

I think it may be a matter of lots having been sold, so a relatively tiny proportion of problems looks like a lot. All I know is we've run two for ages now, and they've not faltered for a second.

 

[Anonymous]

So Andrew, the TX-sr606 is no good for sacd system? What do you think would be nice dor this format?Are there any alternatives to the av solutions? Thank you.

 

[Andrew Everard]

For the money, it's fine for an SACD system using a player able to output DSD via HDMI, or with a good multichannel analogue output. But for CDs in stereo it will be bettered by your NAD amp.

If you're after high-quality multichannel SACD you need to spend rather more, which is where the TX-SR875 comes in. If you're happy to have stereo SACD, a good SACD/CD player fed to a conventional stereo amplifier via analogue connections is the best bet.

 

[nig_101]

Hi Andrew, have you had a play with the TX-SR705 or do you know much about it? This has pre-out so could work with my NAD and seems to be a slightly beefed-up 605/606.....

Cheers

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, it's a beefed-up 605, with preouts, and so might well suit you very well.

 

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if the 705 is more musical than the 606, by any chance?