Onkyo TX-NR515 7.2 Channel Network A/V Receiver - Black

I read a lot of reviews on many sites before purchasing this amp. I was slightly apprehensive as there seemed to be a lot of negative posts, but I decided to take a chance anyway as the amp I was replacing was an Onkyo TX SR-608 and I have been very happy with it. Why am I replacing it? To able to add 3D to my home cinema. The 608 is supposed to handle 3D, but unfortunately mine was one of the first models so the firmware wasn't quite right.This amp is just amazing at this price! It would be amazing at its original price! The audio is truly superb, from stereo to DTS HD 7.1. I have a 7.1 setup and it has never sounded so good. Crisp, clean highs; natural mids; and an expressive and competent low end. Surround placement seems nigh on perfect with effect positioning moving around the room effortlessly.I enjoy listening to SACD and DVD Audio discs and this amp is revealing detail in the music that I have been unaware of before.I haven't experienced any of the issues some of the posts I'd read have mentioned. I think it's fair to say that generally people will be quick to complain and slow to praise. Considering the popularity of Onkyo products I would have to suspect that we are only seeing a tiny percentage of owners with problems.I didn't give a full five stars for one reason only and even then I think I'm nit picking. The amp comes with a firmware update on a USB stick and the instructions are quite specific about doing the update before anything else is setup. I tried to do the update and nothing worked as described in the instructions. I initially thought that something was wrong. It wasn't until I visited the Onkyo site that I discovered that the amp already had the same update as was on the USB stick only there is nothing I could see to indicate this on the amp display when trying to do the update, not without knowing what version is on the stick.Anyway, I downloaded the latest firmware onto the USB stick and the update performed without a hitch. After setting up and adjusting the speakers; and setting all the source inputs it has worked as it should.I really couldn't be happier. Superb!!

My old Sony receiver was getting old and was becoming harder to manage inputs and wasn't helped as the front panel display had become almost impossible to read! Looking for a replacement saw this device get rave reviews and though I know you should listen to equipment before buying I purchased this item. I have not been disappointed.Swapping out the Sony for this unit took about 7 hours but most of that was to do with the cabling rather than any issue with the device. The set up is pretty easy once everything is connected. Plug in the supplied microphone and let it do it's stuff. The result sound was different from the Sony in that you felt you were just hearing the source with the amp adding little to the sound. Music was enjoyable and movies were involving. Just what I wanted. Plug in an iPod/iPad to the front or rear USB socket and you can control the device on screen but it isn't as fast as using the iPod device itself. Copes with older devices reasonably well. Video passing through the device doesn't appear to be degraded and older non-HD sources upscale and look pretty good. Watching something on Freeview sends the sound through the HDMI cable to the receiver without any complex switching required.Pros: Loads of connections and pretty easy set-up, great sound, HDMI control works with my Sony TV. Remote controls most functions of other devices (CD, TV, Sky+ etc) but could do with a record button for DVD recorders or Sky+ so it cannot be a complete replacement remote.Cons: Some HDMI inputs can be difficult to select (it would be useful to cycle through them) and the network features can be a little slow.Overall, so far I am really pleased.Update:The more I use it the more I like it. Using the iPhone/iPad apps to control the device adds functions not available on the remote and the recent app update is a further improvement. My only gripe about the receiver is the speaker terminals do not accept banana plugs. The terminals are quite close together and even using moderately sized speaker cable does make it difficult to connect your speakers. Connecting the right side speakers first and then the left made it a bit easier.Couple of things to remember or try; once you have set the receiver up lock the settings so they cannot be accidenly changed and if your main speakers allow it bi-amp them (unless you are running a 7.1 setup). Doing this gave music an effortless quality to it.

Excellent value for money at the price I paid of £249. The amp is feature packed and the sound quality is a massive improvement on my trusty old Yahama amp. The only minor grip is the upper 4 HDMI inputs are not shown on the insta preview feature. I had minor issue with an Icecrypt T2400 HD recorder when plugged into ports 5 to 8 but this is more likely to be an issue with the source rather than the amp, it behaved fine in port 3. The only other improvement would be if the source could be switched whilst in standby. The amp has to be switched to a source then switched back off to allow the pass through.