You'll have read about the new Onkyo TX-SR606 multichannel receiver below, so here are details of the two new budget models in the range, the £300 TX-SR576 and £250 TX-SR506 (pictured), which replaces the Award-winning TX-SR505.
Both models include 7.1-channel surround processing for Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro-Logic IIx, DTS-ES, DTS 96/24 and DTS Neo:6.
As for video connectivity, the TX-SR576 has three 1080p-compatible HDMI 1.2 inputs, as well as additional onboard decoding for Dolby Digital Plus audio.
You'll also find three 1080p-compatible HDMI inputs on the TX-SR506, but it uses pass-through connections, so you'll need to connect an additional optical or coaxial cable to hear multichannel audio from your Sky box or DVD/Blu-ray player.
Each model has Onkyo's dual-source powered zone 2 capability, which allows the receiver's surround amplifier channels to power stereo speakers in a second room while still listening to 5.1-channel sound in the main zone.
Setting up the receivers should be simple too. The Audyssey 2EQ automatic calibration system uses a supplied microphone to analyse the system's acoustic output and correctly calibrate the output for the speakers and environment.
The TX-SR576 and TX-SR506 will be available in silver and black. Full technical specifications are as follows:
SPECIFICATIONS - Onkyo TX-SR576
Advanced features
* HDTV-Capable HDMI Video Switching (1080p; 3 Inputs and 1 Output)
* Dolby Digital Plus Decoding
* RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) for System Control
* Audyssey 2EQ to Correct Room Acoustic Problems and to Calibrate Speakers
* Audyssey Dynamic EQ for Loudness Correction
* Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line-Out for Playback in Another Room (Separate Source)
* Biamping Capability for Music and Movie Sound Effects
Audio and video features
* 130 W/Ch Minimum into 6 ohms, 1 kHz, IEC (1 Channel Driven, IEC)
* DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix, DTS Neo:6, DTS 96/24, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx
* H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) Massive High Power Transformer
* 192 kHz/24-Bit DACs for All Channels
* HDTV-Capable (720p/1080i) Component Video Switching (2 Inputs and 1 Output)
* WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
* Advanced 32-Bit Processing DSP Chip
* 4 Digital Inputs (2 Optical, 2 Coaxial)
* 3 S-Video Inputs and 2 Outputs
* Subwoofer Pre Out
* CinemaFILTER(tm)
* Pure Audio Mode
* Form Listening Mode Memory
* Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry
* Music Optimizer for Compressed Music Files
* Double Bass Function
* Color-Coded 7.1-Multichannel Inputs (Receive 7.1 Surround Sound from Compatible Blu-ray Disc Players)
* Dual Banana Plug-Compatible Speaker Posts (Except Zone 2)
* Crossover Adjustment at 40/50/60
/80/100/120/150/200 Hz for Bass Management
* A/V Synchronization Function (Up to 100 ms in 20 ms Steps)
* Compatible with RI (Remote Interactive) Dock for the iPod
* Front Panel Auxiliary Input (for Camcorders, Game Consoles, etc.)
* Newly Designed Preprogrammed RI (Remote Interactive) Remote Control with Mode-Key LEDs
Other features
* 40 FM/AM Radio Presets
* RDS (PS/RT/PTY/TP)
* Non-Scaling Configuration
* Tone Control (Bass/Treble) for Front L/R Channels
* 4 Composite Video Inputs and 2 Outputs
* 4 A/V Inputs and 1 Output
* 2 Audio Inputs and 1 Output
* Digital Upsampling
* Display Dimmer (Normal/Dim/Dimmer)
* Headphone Jack
* Sleep Timer (via Remote)
* Battery-Free Memory Backup
SPECIFICATIONS - Onkyo TX-SR506
Advanced features
* HDMI Pass-Thru (1080p Compatible; 3 Inputs and 1 Output)*
* HDTV-Capable HDMI Video Switching
* Audyssey 2EQ to Correct Room Acoustic Problems and to Calibrate Speakers
* Audyssey Dynamic EQ for Loudness Correction
* Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line-Out for Playback in Another Room (Separate Source)
* Bi-Amping Capability for Music and Movie Sound Effects
* A separate audio connection is necessary to process multichannel audio.
Audio and video features
* 130 W/Ch Minimum into 6 ohms, 1 Channel Driven, IEC
* DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix, DTS Neo:6, DTS 96/24, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby Pro Logic IIx
* H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) Massive High Power Transformer
* 192 kHz/24-Bit DACs for All Channels
* HDTV-Capable (720p/1080i) Component Video Switching (2 Inputs and 1 Output)
* WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
* Advanced 32-Bit Processing DSP Chip
* 4 Digital Inputs (2 Optical, 2 Coaxial)
* 3 S-Video Inputs and 2 Outputs
* Subwoofer Pre Out
* CinemaFILTER(tm)
* Pure Audio Mode
* A-Form Listening Mode Memory
* Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry
* Music Optimizer for Compressed Music Files
* Theater Dimensional Virtual Surround Function
* Double Bass Function
* Color-Coded 7.1-Multichannel Inputs (Receive 7.1 Surround Sound from Compatible Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD Players)
* Dual Banana Plug-Compatible Speaker Posts (Except Zone 2)
* Crossover Adjustment at 40/50/60/80/100/120/150/200 Hz for Bass Management
* A/V Synchronization Function (Up to 100 ms in 20 ms Steps)
* 40 FM/AM Radio Presets
* Compatible with RI (Remote Interactive) Dock for the iPod
* Front Panel Auxiliary Input (for Camcorders, Game Consoles, etc.)
* Newly Designed Preprogrammed RI (Remote Interactive) Remote Control with Mode-Key LEDs
Other features
* Non-Scaling Configuration
* Tone Control (Bass/Treble) for Front L/R Channels
* 4 Composite Video Inputs and 2 Outputs
* 4 A/V Inputs and 1 Output
* 2 Audio Inputs and 1 Output
* Digital Upsampling
* Display Dimmer (Normal/Dim/Dimmer)
* RDS (PS/RT/PTY/PT)
* Headphone Jack
* Sleep Timer (via Remote)
* Battery-Free Memory Backup
Technorati Tags: 1080p, Audyssey 2EQ, Dolby Digital EX, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Neo:6, DTS-ES, HDMI 1.3a, multichannel receivers, Onkyo TX-506SR, Onkyo TX-SR576
