Upgrade from sony STR-DH810

[Ralli6]

Im currently looking to upgrade from my Sony AV Amp and really like the Onkyo TX-NR609 but am wondering if the Onkyo TX-NR515 is worth stepping up to over the 609?

I am looking to spend up to £500 so have also looked at the TX-NR616 which looks good and can be picked up for less than £500.

I auditioned the 609 a while back and was impressed with it but are the 515 and 616 comparable to the 609 or even better than?

 

[nopiano]

This isn't my expertise, but in the April mag, this http://www.whathifi.com/review/vsx-922 beat your amp's successor and would save you a lot of money!

 

[Jon Spencer]

The 515 was supposed to replace the 609 and What HiFi gave it 5 stars initially but commented it didn't really improve on the 609 but then the 609 was supposed to be a corker for the money. The 616 should then be a step up from the 515 but there are few 'proper' reviews out to have a look at. Onkyo has just released new versions of the 515 and 616 (the 525 and 626) but the 525 has only 5.1 whereas the 515 has 7.2 so it might be a step down in reality. If you can find the 515 or 616 for a good price I would get one as they will soon be gone from the shops.

 

[rjb70stoke]

Beware of the potential problems with this generation of Onkyo's. Numerous problems with HDMI, and even reports of fires, led me to the Yamaha's, Sony's or Denon's.

The in-built Spotify swung it for me when I bought the AVR-2113, and excellent it is too.

 

[Ralli6]

Beware of the potential problems with this generation of Onkyo's. Numerous problems with HDMI, and even reports of fires, led me to the Yamaha's, Sony's or Denon's.

The in-built Spotify swung it for me when I bought the AVR-2113, and excellent it is too.

I was just looking to go for the Onkyo TX-NR 616 till I read about the issues with HDMI, but that looks like it may have been sorted! it's the case of fire that really concerns me!!!

I have just read of 1 case but is that a one off or are there many more cases?

Maybe I should go back to my original option of the Onkyo TX-NR609!