Onkyo TX-NR801 7.1 Channels Receiver

I have owned the TX-NR 801 for about 2 years now and still love it. This unit provides you with a wide array of features and connectability that can normally only be found in units which are double the price of this one. With 7.1 surround, 2 component inputs and one component output, optical audio inputs, s-video inputs for all channels, this is a great unit for entry level to mid level audiophiles.

The sound quality from this unit is superb, great channel distinction for all channels of surround, and no hisses or hums. I have used the optical and composite inputs for this unit and while they will both provide excellent sound quality, the optical really steps it up a notch in providing a true surround experience with very minimal signal loss. All speaker terminals are screw down type with the option to use banana plugs for the best possible connection.

Video quality is excellent through all setups, I have used the composite, s-video and component inputs and outputs and have been pleased with all of them. Using a S-video cable as your "monitor" line will ensure great picture quality from all sources (even when they may be connected with a composite line) while still giving you the ability to use the on screen menu. If you decide to use the component video output, you will upgrade to outstanding colors and picture quality but you will loose the on screen menu while you have any of the sources using component video connections selected. While for the most part this isn't a big deal, it would be nice to have at least the volume displayed on screen as the display on the receiver itself is kind of hard to see from a distance. I keep both the component video and s-video cable connected to my TV so I can make adjustments as needed simply by switching my TV to the S-Video source.

The on screen menus are kept very simple and easy to use, yet allow for fine tuning to achieve optimal video and sound performance from your receiver and all sources attached to it.

The Net-Tune however seems to be more of a gimmick on this unit than a great feature. This was one of the main reasons I purchased this unit, to attach my computer to my home system to listen to my music library on my computer, yet navigating the menus for the Net-tune is more of a pain than what it's worth. Looking back, I should have looked into a sound bridge or some other sort of unit for this feature. I have yet to find a station on the Net-tune radio that "grabs my attention" more than just local radio stations.

The AM/FM tuner is decent, nothing really grabs you about it, no superb reception compared to other units but it does the job it was designed for and does it well compared to your average receiver.

The remote for the TX-NR801 is very nice, has a backlit display which is nice and bright making it easy to see in a dark room and has a button on it that strictly lights the backlight so you can turn it on. Also the remote is all-inclusive, will easily allow you to control any feature of the receiver and is universal so you can control most anything else in your home theater.

Overall this is an excellent receiver for the non-hd system due to lack of HDMI and will serve you well for years to come (until HD takes over at least). You may also want to take into consideration the overall size of this unit, which is larger than my previous receiver and required some "modification" of my audio rack to fit.