“The testers were very impressed by the music playback of the Onkyo. However, the powerful bass, good dimensions and fascinating voice playback of the CD sound also blew them away – not to mention its multi-channel performance.” Test verdict: Sound SACD/DVD-A/DVD/CD: Absolute top class
Overall: Brilliant. Price/performance ratio: Outstanding.

“The manufacturing of the DV-SP402E is outstandingly good and makes the player superior to other players in the beginner’s class. Its front panel and well-manufactured remote control make sure its performance is solid and emanate its high value. The quietly moving loader suits this device as much as its beautiful amber-coloured display. These high standards are supported by the quiet and quick drive, which is able to correct mistakes very easily and quickly.”

"Onkyo has scored a high-end hit with the DV-SP1000E. The picture and sound quality from DVD-Video are so good your chums will think Blu-Ray has arrived. DVD-Audio and SACD replay are the icing on the cake. I can't wait for the brand to roll out its matching über-receiver." Picture: 5 Stars; Sound: 5 Stars; Features: 5 Stars; Overall: 5 Stars

"Every now and then a product comes along with the potential to alter the course the industry is taking, it doesn't happen often but when it does it is sure to make everyone sit up and take some serious notice! Enter the new Onkyo TX-NR5000E AV receiver, a new generation machine with your perspective on what is really possible you'll have to audition this machine, it won't only change your day, it might change your life!"

“The TX-SR702E is very well manufactured up to its last fine detail. The thick front panel made of brushed aluminium exhumes longevity, elegance and solidness and this impression is enhanced by its high-quality display and the precise volume control, which is encircled by a blue illuminated circle. All in all this Onkyo device manages to spread a real feeling of luxury and it offers more than other, maybe even more expensive, models.”

“This concept developed by Onkyo fills a big niche in the market and it enables movie fans to listen to good music and makes it possible for music listeners to enjoy a good DVD…”

“There are many technological tricks that make a real high-end device out of a high-performance DVD player and Onkyo has used them all in the new DV-SP1000.” “Onkyo’s tradition of using the latest technology and the best equipment in AV receivers has finally reached the era of DVD.”

"We have experience with Onkyo’s flagship DVD players, but nothing prepared us for the DV-SP1000E. Don’t be fooled by its comparatively low price, or the prosaic nature of its styling: the Onkyo is a very special player."
"Excellent picture and multichannel sound; great specification; quite astonishing build quality"
Verdict: An excellent player, and an extraordinary testament to the quality of Onkyo’s engineering

“This player makes a good impression immediately after taking it out of its box. Its design is definitely a winner. The massive aluminium front is concave and there are no designer frills, however, it has more than an every-day façade. The eject key operates the drive by the slightest touch, which then pushes the loader out smoothly but quickly.”

"…the chassis, is built with high quality aluminium, which is also used for aircraft construction." "The picture offers such a high degree of realistic views that we have to start rethinking. Nobody has ever thought that it would be possible to increase the quality of a DVD…"

“High end at its best: Onkyo’s new universal player, the DV-SP1000E, impresses with the latest connection points, a new concept and real reference quality.” “Listening to any CD is a real joy with this player and even the high end systems bloom when used with this player. We only give unlimited praise once a component has mastered our test run without problems and has managed to get through the listening and viewing test – and that is exactly what this Onkyo player has achieved…”

"Quality doesn't come cheap. The name Integra already is a sign that it is a good machine... This also means that no consesions are made...." "However as expensive as it is, every penny is justified. The build, both inside and outside is very good. Seperate boards for Analogue and Digital signals, the heavily shielded cables. It also comes with the very smart O-Plus chip which gives supurb picture quality on HDTV. Brilliant picture! Superb sound quality also in Stereo! Brilliant O-Plus Flexscale! Sublime 216MHz/14Bit NSV DAC! Excellent on DVD-Audio and SACD! This is the new TOP in the land of DVD! "

"In the laboratory test the machine is very linear on the whole wideband and the frequency response in very linear. The video section has very good levels. The player is a high-end product able to give very high video and audio performances to the a/v enthusiasts. The video quality is very good; in particular all the analog video outputs are very good thanks to the sophisticated video DAC Analog Devices...."

“Onkyo wants to get his rep as the sound specialists back, that slightly got lost in the Home Cinema Market. For this to work out, their new Amp had to be something real special. That is why it took the Japanese engineers 5 whole years to achieve their goal. This worked out as we heard in the Stereoplay demo room. Because the A-1VL built the biggest sound platform in this test field…”

„The appearance of the DV-SP402E emanates such sophistication that has not even been achieved by the top models of its competitors. Another proof for its excellent qualities is its outstanding acoustic performance, which impressed the technicians in the test lab. It is a proper substitute for a CD player, which does not make music sound dull and boring. It even brings some excitement to the auditorium. No matter whether it is connected to the amplifier digitally or analogue, the SP402E impresses with its homogenous, broad and lively sound. Its picture is outstanding, with contrast, colour and balance being extremely good."

“Onkyo has different standards and excellent sound quality is the company’s top priority. For this reason the goal was to create a level of sound that would meet the highest requirements. Onkyo’s efforts paid off and a dream became true when the A-1VL stereo digital amplifier was launched.“ “…With the C-1VL Onkyo has developed a CD player, which suits the A-1VL digital amplifier perfectly.”

“It’s a different world: Even though the 801 is an AV-receiver it can still be connected to a PC via its network interface...
„The great thing about the Onkyo is that it just takes all the MP3 and other sound files from your computer and transfers them into your living room. The magic formula is called “network”, which brings everything together that belongs together: PC and entertainment electronics…
„This concept is a step in the right direction and a clear indicator for what is awaiting us in the future.“
Homevision Test winner 07/04
Evaluation: Very good; 89 Points

“Onkyo’s second Net-Tune compatible receiver opens up a whole new era of convenience for internet music fans. This is exciting and innovative, but it is only part of the story with the Onkyo TX-NR801E, which is also a full-blown THX Select certified 7.1 AV receiver.
This beast is seriously specified, with 7x 135W of muscle, all the formats you could wish for (including THX Surround EX) and an AM/FM RDS tuner for radio broadcasts. The fact is that this Onkyo is a very impressive receiver indeed. Judged solely as a home cinema provider it delivers an authoritative performance. Add to this the unusual (for an AV receiver) musicality and you have a winner.
The Net-Tune capability is the cherry on top. It is fun, easy to use (once set up) and opens up a huge new source of material.” Ease of use: 3 from 5 Stars
Looks: 4 from 5 Stars
Features: 5 from 5 Stars
Sound: 4 from 5 Stars
Value: 5 from 5 Stars
Overall: 5 from 5 Stars
Verdict: A terrific receiver with a cutting edge feature – the Net-Tune function is innovative and timely; a real magnet for techno enthusiasts.

„The NR801 is the last link in sophisticated distributed audio system, with either a dedicated music server or a PC sacting as server stroring hundreds or even thousands of recordings. Thanks to Onkyo’s colour coded loudspeaker terminals, it’s easier to set up than most AV amps and receivers, where the terminals are all the same red and black colour. There’s a strong, typically Onkyo sound to the performance. It’s big, powerful and surprisingly musical. It is clean and striking, but not in the bright and forward manner to many Japanese receivers. This makes it well suited to tame the brightness of metal dome tweeters found in many mid- to high-end speakers, exactly the sort of speakers Onkyo will often be partnered with. Sounds are large and impressive, but not so much to make them unwieldy or overblown. It’s one of the best music makers of the Japanese manufactures.
Onkyo is first to recognise there are other sources unrelated to home cinema. Highly recommended, for net-aware future-proofers everywhere.” What good:
Net-Tune facility; excellent sound control; well suited to home cinema Sound: 4 from 5 Stars
Features: 5 from 5 Stars
Ease of use: 4 from 5 Stars
Value: 5 from 5 Stars Overall verdict:
An interessting combination of THX receiver and internet audio client that works very well
5 from 5 Stars

"The best feature of this Onkyo is ..… its net tune, via which the 801 can access MP3 files stored on linked-up computers. Those who have high-speed internet access will find that their music extravaganza does not stop at the limits of their local network – via its DSL router the 801 can even play back net radio stations from the world wide web.”
“Even though the Onkyo’s performance in sending Dolby sounds to the listening room was not particularly warm, it was still very dimensionally accurate, transparent and extremely clean. It even managed to handle the most demanding passages well. After having watched several films it became clear that what the testers first thought to be very sober and distant was actually the 801’s strength: an almost perfect mix of calmness and discipline, which does not deprive a film of its uniqueness but enhances it with a certain effect.”
Summary: The Onkyo may be 400 Euro more expensive than the Harman, however, it is not only its features that justify the high price but also its superior stereo sound and surround sound.

„Onkyo presents its new THX Select certified top model from its successful A/V-receiver range, which is known for its fantastic quality. The TX-NR801E has everything that makes the heart of a home cinema fan beat faster. The selection of coding formats is very extensive and features Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro-Logic II, Dolby Digital EX, DTS 96/24, DTS ES-Discrete/Matrix 6.1 and DTS Neo: 6 …
Many details such as the anti-vibrant construction of the case as well as Onkyo’s famous Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry-Technology (VLSC) show that the manufacturer follows its original philosophy of constructing naturally sounding stereo systems, which is good as the Japanese name of the company actually means “harmony”.
“When it comes to radio reception the Onkyo also shows its contemporary and comfortable side: Apart from the conventional way of receiving radio stations via cable and aerial, the TX-NR801E also contacts a fixed internet radio portal via a router. Via the display in the receiver the user can choose a station from hundreds of radio stations from all over the world. Once a station has been chosen it will be saved in a big station database, which makes it easier to tune in again at a later date. Of course the surround receiver needs an internet connection for this interesting option, however, this is not a problem thanks to the Ethernet connection at the back of the system.”
Evaluation:
+ very good sound quality
+ very well manufactured
+ extensive and innovative equipment

“The MP3 cineaste. Other companies talk about it - Onkyo gets on with it: it has managed to link a computer to a home cinema. Verdict: Sound quality: very good; AV verdict: very good.
The Onkyo TX-NR801E can play music from your PC and from the Internet, and the sound is good.”
“Onkyo brings important elements together - endless MP3 and a home cinema in one unit. When it comes to home cinema the new Onkyo offers a fantastic package, which does not lack anything important and has all the modern conveniences.
Its connection facilities seem almost luxurious as it offers numerous link-up points to other digital or analogue units.”
“The test results have made it official: the TX-NR801 is a first-class performer.
The Onkyo’s sound in the listening room was very clean, airy and musical. Considering its price its performance is simply amazing.”
“With the new 801 Onkyo has once again built a bridge between home cinema and computer technology. The whole concept also convinced with its ability to connect the network routes in the house without cables. With this technology the MP3 PC does not have to be in the living room or near the home cinema system in order to access a huge MP3 archive. Considering all its features the price of the receiver is amazingly reasonable.”