About the technology: eight (8) HDMI inputs leave nothing to be desired, the one addressed to a normal and advanced home theater. The playback of all popular image / audio formats and is mandatory and they are also recognized automatically and played back. The device is easy: Supplied standard microphone put on the listening position (at ear level), plug the front, start calibration in the socket, be quiet and wait. In a few minutes, the procedure is complete and you have a, as I find very open, spacious acoustics which primarily offers a startling depth into the space behind the listening position. 7.2 is the least present an issue, because hardly anyone is completing another 2 front speaker above or behind the top. In addition, there is little real 7.2 material and the actual sound advantage currently is not in proportion to the cost of materials and deterioration of the living room. THX II should usually make 2 Subwoofer necessary, but I have an old Jamo THX-One also had only one subwoofer an almost unsurpassable bass in the room (Independence Day, spaceship flyover on the moon!) Had and my neighbors also a lot of fun :-). In any case, the subwoofer should be active, so have its own power amplifier, because the receiver does not offer. Most subwoofers are already active, therefore this was not necessary. Is nice on the device that you can connect all devices via HDMI and with a cable connecting to the TV. This eliminates unnecessary Kabelverhaue behind the telly. One must also not always the receiver harm to watch a movie, because in the off-mode images and sound will still be passed, but just not output through the speakers. Works perfectly with 3D films, although my Blu-ray player is not Onkyo and I really wanted to have Avatar in 3D. The remote control I feel a bit too large, but it is very comfortable to hold. Oh yes, in the operation, there is something really good, because with 8 HDMI connections you do not always know, above all in the dark in the film look which input belongs to which device. There the Insta-Prevue button in the current screen displays a preview of all active devices. By clicking with the directional pad on the desired image and you have switched. Also, the device has an app can be controlled, then there is also an illuminated screen and can control the device without errors in the dark. Simple thing and as good.
The housing looks tidy amazing considering how many features stuck in there. Since I have Spotify set (via LAN), I hear a normal radio or CD more, because the sound quality and selection of songs is much better than select the tracks on a USB flash drive or CD. For wireless operation, there is an adapter, but I have anyway put a LAN cable for my TV and use the with the radio mode.
Bottom line: I paid 479 and am completely satisfied with this device that combines elegant design with an enormous equipment and great sound.
