Onkyo is now expanding its product line to include separate components. With its recent announcement of three new THX Certified components, Onkyo is now offering the levels of performance, quality, and capabilities typical of separates. These new products include Onkyo's first A/V preamplifier/processor that is both 3D-Ready and THX-Certified, a 150-watt nine-channel amplifier, and a Blu-ray Disc Player.
Onkyo's flagship PR-SC5508 is a THX-Ultra 2 Plus certified, network-capable, 9.2-channel audio-video controller will function as the brains of the in-home home theater system. It has a 3D-Ready HDMI-1.4a interface, HQV Reon-VX video processing, ISF Video Calibration, and a long list of audio and video features. The networking features offer DLNA 1.5 and Windows 7 compatible connection to PC audio and internet radio. The system is configured for Pandora, Rhapsody, Mediafly, Slacker, Napster, VTuner, and Sirius Internet Radio. Video performance comes in the form of HQV Reon-VX processing, 1080p upscaling, and individual ISF calibration capability for all video sources. This THX-Ultra 2 Plus certified system offers surround sound, height channels, setup calibration, and processing from Dolby, THX, DTS, and Audyssey, including the latter's new MultEQ XT 32. The PR-SC5508's connectivity options includes 8 HDMI inputs, dual USB's, two balanced line-level XLR audio inputs, and nine XLR preamp outputs to drive the matching PA-MC5500 nine-channel power amplifier.
Related Reviews and Content
To learn more about Onkyo's products please read our articles, including the Onkyo TX-SR608 home theater receiver reviewed by Dr. Ken Taraszka, the Onkyo TX-NR5007 AV receiver review also by Dr. Ken Taraszka, and DTS Announces Partnership With Onkyo To Launch DTS Premium Suite Technology Into PC Market. Visit our Onkyo brand page to find out more about the company itself.
The Onkyo PA-MC5500 is a nine-channel THX-Ultra2 Plus certified analog power amplifier that is 8-ohm rated at 150 Watts per channel, and up to 400 Watts dynamic power into 3 ohms. It utilizes Onkyo's exclusive WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) design philosophy, which proscribes reportedly low negative feedback, low distortion, extended frequency response, and a power supply with high instantaneous-current capability. To achieve all this, the PA-MC5500 uses large, custom output transistors in push-pull configuration and massive power supply consisting of a large toroidal power transformer and two 22,000 µF storage capacitors. Despite the power, the PA-MC5500 preserves the details of the sound with a three-stage inverted Darlington circuit to remove distortion and the use of professional balanced line-level XLR inputs for the optimal interface for its companion piece, the Onkyo PR-SC5508. The 51-lb PA-MC5500 has a rigid, anti-resonant chassis, gold-plated inputs and outputs, plus multi-zone and bi-amp capability to allow utilization of all channels no mater what the system configuration.
The Onkyo BD-SP808 is a THX Certified and DLNA 1.5 Certified Blu-ray disc player with a full array of state of the art technology, including Video On Demand, Marvel Qdeo video scaler, and Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio sound. It provides a playback solution for Blu-ray, DVD, and CD. Harmful vibrations are minimized due to the rigid chassis construction and a balanced, center-mounted drive mechanism. An Ethernet port enables interactive Profile 2.0 BD-Live features such as picture-in-picture and web-sourced firmware updates. An SD card slot allows playback of downloaded web content or stills and video from a digital camera. In HDMI Source Direct mode, the player can output the video signal in its native resolution for optional external processing.
These products will begin shipping to dealers in September. The PR-SC5508 will have a MSRP of $2,199, the PA-MC5500 will be $1,699, and the BD-SP808 will have a MSRP of $599.
