Onkyo TX-SR501 6.1 Channels Receiver

Pros: excellent sound,lots of in/outputs,great price/value
Cons: cheap build,lack of surround sounds.

was torn between the Onkyo 501, Yamaha 5640 or Yamaha 5650. I read a lot of reviews and I owned a Yamaka Rx-V 630 before so I knew how the Yamaha sounded in general. Because I heard so many people and reviews brag about the Onkyo I went and got myself ...

Pros: Auto-switching, Neo-cinema-music,plenty of power for small rooms
Cons: none yet

I have had two JVC Receivers and they did a good job for an entry level receiver. But I wanted more power and more features and up to date wiring. I looked at the Haydon Karden Receivers at Circuit City and checked them out on various Web sites. I read t ...

Pros: Great sound
Cons: Heat,remote

I needed to upgrade to a newer unit to accommodate the hook ups for DVD. My older Harmon Kardon sounded great but lacked component jacks. I was all set to purchase a Sony model for around $250 when the salesperson at Circuit City talked me into the Onkyo because of the true output rating of the amp. I'll grant him that. The output is more than I'd ever need for a 10X12 room. So is the heat generated by this thing!! It's a good thing I have air conditioning! I can't complain about the sound. With 6 speakers and a powered sub, this is really "Home Theater". The remote is small and the unit is more confusing to use than it should be. I shoot and edit video as a hobby, so I'm quite accustomed to operating equipment.
This unit does give plenty of options for hooking up just about any combination of AV components, which is great for editing.

Pros: Fair quality, easy to use. Good features. Onkyo sound.
Cons: Not the full discrete, high current quality Onkyo offers. Remote is weak.

I'm going to keep this brief. I bought an Onkyo 501 and hooked it up to my Bose Acoustimass 10 III. It sounded ok. It was crisp and clean as you'd expect from Onkyo. Some of the dialogue was flat and occassionally was drown down by the action noise.

I returned it, tried a couple of other receivers and bought the Onkyo 601. It's worth the extra money. Read my review of the 601 for more info. Basically, the 601 has true discrete output, that the 501 does not.

The 501 is a good, economical reciever. It perfoms in Onkyo style, with crisp sounds, adequate power and it's easy to use.

In the $250-$300 price range, there's probably not anything to beat it. There's other brands with more features and fluff, but not the true quality of Onkyo.

If you can afford it, step up to the 601.

Pros: Great sound, easy use and set up, good connection options, nice sound options.
Cons: remote buttons small and hard to read . Lacks newer hookup options for future upgrades.

Recently purchased for $299. I have seen it cheaper online however. I upgraded my system to this receiver from a Pioneer which had only dolby pro logic. My Pioneer was 100 watts x 5channels and I have a 100watt powered subwoofer. The Onkyo has 65watts x 6 with a subwoofer dedicated output. I was worried about the drop in watts per channel but this Onkyo really has great output and very clean crisp sound. After viewing several of my dvds with it I am very happy with the ovearall surround sound it provides. I am pleased with my purchase.