CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

ecrabb · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 2:33 pm Post subject:

betel · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 4:21 am Post subject:

I ended up getting the Onkyo TX-NR906B. Found one for a little less than $1200. It has made quite a bit of difference in the overall sound quality, especially the bass. I've been listening to the built in internet radio and really like that feature. So far, I'm very pleased.

I have been using Radio-Shack 5 1/4" in-wall speakers along with custom built in-ceiling 4th order bandpass subs. The new receiver has inpired me to upgrade from the 5.1 in-wall to a 7.1 free standing system. Keeping the in-ceilng subs though. Found some good deals on KEF IQ series speakers for the surround channels. My main speakers are going to be Linn Isobariks I got in trade from a friend. The Linn & KEF speakers should match tonally since they are both British and the Isobariks use KEF drivers. I worked all weekend rewiring and fixing sheetrock from the removed speakers. Hopefully the KEFs will arrive this week. This should make for a very fine sound system to go with my G70.

betel · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:11 pm Post subject:

Update: Completed!

I ended up using the KEF IQ1 instead of the Linn Isobariks for the front. The decision was based mostly on cosmetic. I think the Isobariks had the edge in sound quality but the size didn't fit my application as well as the small KEF speakers. The networking capability and internet radio was definitely worth the extra cost from the 876. The menu driven control really makes using a receiver this complicated much easier to use. I set the system up using the supplied mic and am very pleased with the results. I'm using IQ1 for the front & back channels, Q9C center, and IQ8DS sides. The original four built-in ceiling 4th order bandpass subwoofer's response is much lower with the Onkyo than the NAD for some reason. I could only fit 8' drivers between the floor joist and thought that was the limiting factor. Now, it is the kind of bass you feel. BTW, the subs are driven by a pair of old Hafler DH-200 amps for 4 x 100 watts rated. It was a lot of work but the final result was well worth it.

Peteybob35 · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 7

I needed a new reciever as my old pre-amp got fried, was reading through this and started looking at onkyo and found the tx-sr876 on Amazon today for 745.xx shipped, thanks for the help even thought it wasn't really directed at me : ) Good price for that receiver if you're in the market, most places still have it for $1700

Stu

edit: Wow, guess it was a very short window, price already up to ~1200

ecrabb · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 2:48 pm Post subject:

Are you serious? A NEW 876 for <$750? That's a smokin' price! Totally insane! That's $150 cheaper than Accessories4Less has the refurbs!

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR876BLK/Onkyo/TX-SR876-7.1-Channel-Home-Theater-Receiver-black/1.html

I wonder if it was a mistake!!?!?!

SC