onkyo 575b vs onkyo 576... difference?

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psk20

155 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 29740 17-Jan-2009 11:52

Just checking...

I'm planning on buying an Onkyo TX -SR575-b receiver from Harvey Norman on special for $498 this afternoon. I noticed that the 576 is highly recommended... is there a substantial difference between the 2? The people at the store said it was just an extra HDMI output and was able to power slightly better speakers.

On that note, these are my speakers... http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_4/monitor-audio-bronze-3-speakers-12-2000.html

They are a little on the old side, but haven't really been given an opportunity to shine yet. It says on this review that they are 150W peak. Is the 575 powerful enough to run them? Apparently it only has 80 Watts per channel...? A guide I read said that you should try and double the Watts rating of your speakers... so that would suggest I need a 300W amp. That can't be right can it?

psk20

155 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 190157 17-Jan-2009 12:28

hmm, now some reviews I'm looking at suggest that this receiver won't even process audio from an hdmi signal - all it will do is pass it through. It's basically a glorified 2-way hdmi switch plus a 7.1 channel amp which will only take optical or coaxial inputs. That strikes me as bizzarre..?

GReX

88 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 190630 19-Jan-2009 21:18

unfortunately you need at least 576 to be able to decode sound through your hdmi connection properly for the hd decoding.

Jaxson

6683 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 573

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Reply # 190706 20-Jan-2009 09:05

Man I was fuming when I read your price there, but then looked into difference between 575 and 576. Yeah you need the 576 to accept the lpcm input output from a bluray player that can internally decode the new hd audio formats, (such as PS3 for instance). I'd highly recommend going the 576 or similar receiver that can work with these audio formats if you're buying a new receiver.

psk20

155 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 190710 20-Jan-2009 09:22

I decided to get the 575 anyway and just run a coaxial spdif from my computer, using hdmi only for the video. HD audio seems to be a total pain to get working with pcs at the moment, and I only have a 5 speaker set up anyway! $498 is so cheap - couldn't say no, haha!

Oh yeah, that's the other piece in the puzzle, I just realized I haven't mentioned this in this thread yet - the receiver is for an HTPC, and I doubt I'll be plugging any additional devices into it - I'm not planning on getting a seperate blu ray player, sky box, or console any time soon!

snaffta

38 posts

Geek

Reply # 194562 7-Feb-2009 01:09

I bought that 576 (about 3 and weeks ago also). Was more like $700 than the $450 for the 575b. (The b just means its black) Thought I'd just rate it a bit to add to the thread. Simple set up, very easy to use. only using 5.1 and no sub so far, will justify spending more later. The speakers I got have enough bass for the while, and got no where to put +2 for the 7.1. No complicated pcm/DD audio config stuff just plug and play. 1 cable HDMI for audio and Video. Woks perfectly, for all my HDMI eqipment. Even solved some issues I had previosly, as now the TV connects only to the receiver.

Cons. Doesn't have THX cert. Doesn't decode top end audio codecs. But as I don't know what I'm missing anyway, its all good.

8 / 10 as it just does what it's ment to, no hassles.

Jaxson

6683 posts

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+1 received by user: 573

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Reply # 194614 7-Feb-2009 12:15

We covered a fair bit on the 576 in this thread:
http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=34&TopicId=29191

Big difference over the 575 is the ability to handle decoded LPCM from PS3 etc, which gives you all the new bluray surround formats. Very cheap if you have a player that decodes, (as PS3 does), which means the lack of HD audio decoding is not an issue.