Onkyo TX-DS484 Receiver

I know that this model has been superceded by the TX-DS494 but those of you who might run across this on closeout or at a place like UBID might be interested. I have no experience with the newer model so I really can't compare the two. But I feel the TX-DS484 is an excellent receiver and since you should be able to now find it at a much reduced price, it would be a bargain!

Having good experience with an earlier Dolby pro-logic Onkyo, I stuck with the brand. The 484's control panel is logically arranged and self-explanatory. By the way, the receiver is finished in an attractive semi-gloss black, not white/gray like in the picture. The rear panel has connections that are somewhat closely spaced, but this is understandable based on the size. All the standard connections to set up a 5.1 home theatre system are there. The weight is heavy and it is obvious that Onkyo has used quality parts.

Sound: I would describe the sound quality as pure and clean. There's no harshness or distortion, and the character doesn't change as you increase or decrease the volume. One notable absence is the lack of a loudness contour button that artificially boosts the bass. If you are used to listening to music with the loudness switch on, the Onkyo will initially sound thin. I get really irritated at reading other consumer reviews that criticize this receiver for lack of bass. That's because there is no loudness switch! The receiver is reproducing what is on the source, not adding to it!

I use this receiver with an Infinity BU-80 subwoofer and believe me, there is plenty of bass. I have the tone controls set flat and the subwoofer level at around 10:00 (12:00 being middle), and the bass is certainly there. Not overpowering, but balanced. So it must not be the receiver having a bass weakness, eh?

One thing I notice is that I have to set the volume control higher on this receiver than on other receivers. Psychologically, it makes me think this receiver isn't as powerful. That isn't necessarily the case, however, since the setting on the volume control has nothing to do with how powerful the amplifier might be. Maybe because the music is so free of distortion, it just doesn't sound as loud? Anyway, I know it is capable of playing much louder than I would care to listen to it, and without distorting - I tried it already.

What I get is well-balanced sound from this receiver. I listen mainly to softer rock/pop and jazz, as well as play movies. I have no complaints - nothing seems to "stick out" in an unpleasant sense as I listen.

The remote has everything on it but it is difficult to read the labels because it isn't backlit and the print color doesn't contrast enough with the background. That's a minor complaint, however.

I rarely listen to the tuner section but I notice that the cheap wire antenna supplied with the receiver doesn't work very well. Forget about finding any AM stations. I hooked up a tv/fm antennae to the receiver and it does a better job, but you have to turn the antenna various ways in order to capture certain stations. Since I don't use the radio, this is no big deal to me.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this receiver to anyone looking to spend up to $300, unless they only wanted it for the tuner section. Above that price range, I'd go with a more expensive Onkyo. The build and sound quality are excellent. I had my old Onkyo for 7 years prior to replacing it, and it never gave me any problems. This one seems just as well-built.