Onkyo TX-SR504 review (black)

As mentioned above, the TX-SR574 is a worthwhile upgrade if only to get the component video conversion feature that's lacking on the SR504. Stepping down the Onkyo line will get you the company's entry-level 2006 model, the TX-SR304. That 5.1-channel model offers a bit less power and lacks the 504's XM satellite radio functionality and S-Video inputs but retains the step-up receiver's three component video inputs, despite costing $100 less.

Onkyo 2006 A/V receivers compared:
(These models will remain current through the first two quarters of 2007.)

Chuck Berry's Hail! Hail! Rock N' Roll DVD was a total joy. The 1986 documentary has finally made it to DVD, and the sound over the Onkyo TX-SR504 did not disappoint. The all-star supporting cast includes Keith Richards, Robert Cray, and Eric Clapton, but they never come close to touching Berry's presence and command of his music. We pumped the volume on classics such as "Sweet Little Sixteen," and the dynamic/visceral quality of the music, especially the drums, came through loud and clear.

The TX-SR504 home-theater stamina was fully the equal of any $300 receiver we've reviewed. The 75 watts per channel felt as powerful as most 100-watt models, and it was capable of playing action movie DVDs loud enough to fill a fairly large room. Bass was full and rich sounding, though lacking some of the definition we associate with $500-plus receivers. That extra degree of refinement found in higher-end receivers was also evident when listening to classical music--it just sounded a little harsher than we'd like.

As far as Onkyo's implementation of XM HD Surround goes, it seems to have a performance advantage over other companies' receivers we've tested that also offer the XM-ready feature. The Onkyo's channel separation is superior to the Pioneer VSX-816 ($300) and Yamaha RX-V659 ($550) receivers', but we noted that whenever we were watching DVDs or listening to CDs, we heard a very low-level noise over the speakers (it was only audible only during quietest scenes). An Onkyo rep says the company hasn't been able to duplicate the problem in its tests, but we're not convinced the problem was exclusive to our review sample, since we used the same antenna with the Pioneer VSX-816 and the issue wasn't present. We did manage to eliminate the noise by disconnecting the XM antenna from the back of the TX-SR504, but that's not exactly an acceptable solution. That, paired with the Pioneer's automatic speaker calibration and onscreen display, are the three main reasons the VSX-816 was rated slightly higher.