Light and shadow - says a layman ....

I switched from my 5 year old Onkyo TX-NR616 since Onkyo has messed up the entire series with cheapest components (minutes of waiting at the picture and sound, a known issue).

Yesterday I then Sony device received (delivery by Amazon as always prompt and reliable), unpacked and assembled. In my first swage give a little more shadow than light:

This beginning was hard ....

- The metal case has a slight dent on the top and does not close perfectly flush with the plastic front from. Because the thing is anyway in the box, I can live with that, even if I am not pleased. Sending back is too cumbersome as long as the thing works.
- After connecting the boxes with banana plugs (! Super Nakamichi) I turn on that thing. It appears on the TV, the Easy Setup menu. The graphic design of the menu is similar to a home computer from the 1980s. The remote control does not respond ...... only with intuitive Herumgedrücke me to the auto setup of the boxes.
- Which brings us to the User Guide are that not worthy of the name. Even easier and lose detail it is not actually on the 4-sided flyer. If you've never used a receiver, will despair of this thing. Of course there is the internet the full user manual for download. Still ....
- I lack instruction manual for the first time no idea what the various buttons on the remote control and also cause the menu is not always self-explanatory. Since I already had an AV receiver, I guess a lot. For real amateur joking! Again, for those who have more patience as I, invites the detailed manual from the Internet and then gets going ....
- Setting up the Wi-Fi is an obstacle course with the remote control. Many reviews curse this part and only now, when I have myself durchgemüht (text entry is a horror to fussiness: pink button plus alphanumeric key at the same time ....), I can testify that there was nothing untrue or invented .... ,

The Sound:

Neither - nor +, special for the time being more of a question mark ....
? The Equalizer is modest (setting only for Bass and Treble per box), but one has also bought a low-priced device.
? The automatic adjustment of the boxes and the sound are at the beginning underpowered when I think of my Onkyo. Since you have already nachadjustieren manually in order to unlock the power of this home appliance. Only then comes an appreciative nod as the klangegwaltigen film "Man of Steel" first trembles the room. Oh, ELAC Cinema boxes ....
? Sound is something so subjective that I can not tell whether the Sony now not brilliant or. Playing classical pieces like Vivaldi raised questions. The individual instruments were very good effect, but lacked the substance of Onkyo. Ed Sheerans song "One" was again crystal clear and gorgeous. Here must be experimented in order to reach a final opinion. One should in any case take into account the principle low price of the device.

What else:
+ Design is noble
+ Compact and clear design
+ For an entry-level device do you get good quality
+ Connectivity to the Internet via WLAN (first firmware update been carried out)
- Remote Control (see above)
- Missing Instructions
- Graphical representation of the menu
? Substance of the sound and the adjustment has to do with the lack of instructions (subjective sensation; ELAC boxes)

Conclusion:
It is difficult from a device of a brand (Onkyo) to upgrade to a different device from another brand. The Familiar is different and therefore statements about the sound of the instrument should be treated with caution. For this price, but you get a lot on offer, so that I can fully recommend the unit as a starter instrument. At least after downloading the instructions ;-)