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Test: AV-Receiver Onkyo TX-SR701E
First of all we would like to thank our
cooperation partner HIFI-REGLER
for providing us with the testing rooms
Overview
The THX Select AV-Receiver Onkyo TX-SR701E is the successor to the TX-SR700 which was launched some time ago. The purchasing price of the AV-receiver, which can alternatively be ordered in silver or black, amounts to EUR 1.199,--. As we expect with AV-receivers of this price range, it provides all decoders, necessary to fulfilling the requirements of our demanding home cinema
fans.
Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 EX and DTS ES Matrix/Discrete 6.1, THX Surround EX, DTS 96/24 as well as Dolby Pro Logic 2 and dts Neo:6. Enough performance power is supplied by the TX-SR701E: 6 x 130 watts (according to the RMS-standard, 6 ohms, 1 kHz, DIN), which is completely sufficient for more extensive home cinema rooms. Otherwise we have to add that the specification of the TX-SR701E is highly rated, e.g. it provides the possibility for a digital up-sampling of analogue input signals up to 96 kHZ/24 bits. Additionally the TX-SR701E is equipped with 32 dual bit processor chips, combined with 192 kHz/24 bits Audio DA-converters for all channels
Finish
As expected with Onkyo-products, the finish of the TX-DS701E is excellent. We like the solid appearance of the front side, made of aluminium, as well as the attractive DOT-matrix-display. The rear side is also attractive due to its perfect finish. The volume regulator is ergonomically shaped and all features on the front side of the appliance have been thoughtfully carried out. The remote control, which is included, is very well known from many other Onkyo designs. Materials and finish provide a very good
impression.
Connections
The equipment of the connections is good, however not above the average. Two YUV-inputs and one YUV-output are available and all A/V-connections are FBAS- and S-Video-switched. For the digital inputs there are two optical inputs and one coaxial input available. In our opinion more connections would be desirable. On the digital outputs there are a coaxial and an optical digital connection. In addition the Onkyo also provides a 7.1. pre out. As multi-channel input a 5.1-input can be found on the rear side of the
appliance.
On the front side the receiver supplies an AV-input with S-video Hosiden-jacks and an optical digital
input. For classical record fans the TX-SR701E also provides a phono socket on the rear
side.
Features and construction elements
 The TX-SR701E with THX select-certificate is internally equipped with highly rated features, which means that 192 kHz/24-bits Audio-D/A-converters work for all channels. Those wishing to digitally optimize analogue input signals can carry out a digital up-sampling up to 96 kHZ/24 bits. Additionally the Onkyo is equipped with doubled 32 Bit DSP-processors, which enable quick and precise signal processing. Those who wish to supply two different rooms with sound at the same time, can also choose the TX-SR701E, as this appliance is also suitable for a second listening zone (Zone-2).
The quality of essential features is impressive. For the Onkyo TX-SR701E an especially efficient converter (H.C.S.P. High Current Power Supply) is responsible for the internal current supply. WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) optimizes the signal quality. A special development by Onkyo, called VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) prevents linearity mistakes at the D/A-conversion and it is said to improve the acoustical performance. The only thing we miss is an additional built in 7th power amplifier. Those who wish to listen to movies in the THX surround EX (with the Onkyo as THX Select-appliance the decoding possibility for THX Surround EX 7.1 has been built in), have to use an external power amplifier, which is connected to the receiver via the visible pre-outs. In addition to the already mentioned technical features the TX-SR701E is also equipped with further helpful, electronic features. As with other different AV-receivers of Onkyo, the TX-SR701E can also supply the useful supplementary function called IntelliVolume, which permanently holds the overall volume by increasing or decreasing the different level of each corresponding source, when deciding between different input sources. The practical partitioned subwoofer cross-over-frequencies also achieved very good ratings. In this case a precise adjustment to the loudspeakers / subwoofer used and to the listener's taste is possible, which means that you can choose between 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 150 Hz.
During Dolby Pro Logic 2-operation the 701 is equipped with all adjustment possibilities such as panorama mode, centre width and dimension control. Depending on the software, the loudspeaker equipment and the individual taste of the listener these adjustment possibilities can be regarded as very good tools for detailed sound optimization. For fans of DSP-programmes our test variant supplies a wide range of different, in most cases well programmed operating modes e.g. "Orchestra", "Enhance", "TV Logic"). Depending on individual taste, the listener can still carry out different assemblies in order to optimize the acoustical performance in all operating modes. Depending on the selected listening mode different parameters are available .
Those who wish to enjoy music "pure" and without DSP-programmes, can find a "Direct"- and a "Pure Audio" mode for pure stereo sound reproduction. With the direct mode the original sound signal is only adjusted at a minimum level when extremely low filtering is carried out. The AV-receiver is internally switched off by the video section so that a clarity of sound (as high as possible) without disturbing influences of other construction groups is guaranteed. Sound is only reproduced via the left and the right front loudspeaker and not via the active subwoofer (also if adjusted to "on" in the set-up). In addition whwn in the "Pure Audio Mode", the display of the TX-SR701E is switched off.
Overall the TX-SR701E impressed us due to its very highly rated finish and its practical and useful equipment. The features used are of high quality. In future we would welcome a 7th power amplifier to enable the connection of a second back surround
loudspeaker.
Rating  
Operating
The TX-SR701E can be operated very easily, above all due to its very convenient remote control, which is illuminated and supplies a well positioned navigation
unit.
Apart from this the precise OSD increases the simple and clearly structured ease of operation, so that you can quickly get accustomed to this appliance without having first studied the very good operating instructions. As you can see from the picture above, the menu chart is concisely presented, so that you can quickly enter into the required sub-menu without any difficulty. In addition, different input adjustments can be fixed via OSD, as you can see from the picture below:
The operating elements on the main unit can also be operated very easily. Above all we have come to appreciate the resolution, the size and the contrast of the highly rated
display.
Rating
Sound
Test equipment:
Level stability
With regard to its stability level the Onkyo AV-receiver also achieved good results, as in the past. However, these past results have never been above the average or even sensational. However, the TX-SR701E has now improved a lot, because in all testing procedures the AV-receiver provided an outstanding level of stability. The AV-receiver heated itself noticeably, however even at the strongest stress influence with extensive loudspeakers and highest levels the 701 never switched off. Dynamic break-downs or losses in the bass range, even when operating without active subwoofer, could not be noticed. All testing runs, partly lasting up to five hours, could be concluded by the TX-SR701E with excellent results. A further positive aspect is that the Onkyo can also manage a large number of loudspeaker systems without any
difficulty.
Movie-sound-reproduction
Onkyo successfully improved the movie sound reproduction of the TX-SR701E relative to its predecessor. Above all after a relatively short period of time more volume and pressure in the bass range can be noticed. At all our movie examples the Onkyo inspired everybody due to its very powerful reproduction; the incorporation of all effects succeeded perfectly with the TX-SR701E. Especially those people, who like to watch action and science fiction-movies, will be glad to have purchased the TX-SR701E. However, this AV-receiver still supplies more, as its voice reproduction, which emphasizes all kinds of nuances, impressed us greatly. Due to its extremely good bass reproduction a lot of effect is given to men's deep voices and due to the pleasantly structured high frequency range and the considerable brilliance it can also deal perfectly with women's high voices. Insignificant details are clearly reproduced by the Onkyo, thereby achieving a complete and harmonic sound
picture.
Multi-channel music-reproduction
For a long time the AV-receivers of Onkyo have always been especially suitable for multi-channel music operation. With a lot of sensitivity and brilliance they presented themselves as very musical AV-machines during different testing procedures. Of course these appliances are also able to deal with powerful passages and sudden orchestral entries very well. The only difference relative to its competition however is its precise working which is above average. The competitors, e.g. Pioneer and Harman Kardon, can also provide outstanding values, which means that it is time for the engineers of Onkyo to focus on optimizing further sound features. The TX-SR701E managed this procedure with great success, which means that you can now listen to an AV-receiver with totally new virtues, such as a highly dynamic start and, this especially amazed us, with a lot of power and volume relative to its predecessor. Although a new design, the precise incorporation of particular details is still
outstanding.
Dolby Pro Logic 2
Already the TX-SR700 could supply results above the average during Dolby Pro Logic 2-operation due to its balanced and clear sound. Therefore it was rather difficult to introduce further improvements. However, whoever now listens to the TX-SR701E will realize that there will still be an increase of the sound quality. Responsible above all for this increase is the voluminous bass range, which did not lose any of its precision. The PL 2 music- as well as the PL 2 movie-mode benefit from this change, which can even be noticed within an active subwoofer. Above all music or movies involving major effects can now be reproduced with still more powerful and more expressive sound
reproduction.
Stereo reproduction
As we have come to expect from other Onkyo AV-receivers, the TX-SR701E also achieved very good results during stereo reproduction due to very good incorporation of details, outstanding transparency in the high frequency range and sensitive voice reproduction. The TX-SR701E supplies so many qualities and is overall only just below the outstanding Pioneer VSX-AX3 during stereo
reproduction.
Rating level stability
Rating sound at movies
Rating sound of multi-channel music
Rating sound at Dolby PLII
Rating sound at Stereo
Result
Without any doubt the Onkyo TX-SR701E presents an especially good choice in the price range around EUR 1.200,--, as it presents no weak features but presents brilliant results on account of its well-balanced concept. It is to be found at the peak of this price level justified by its powerful amplifiers, its perfect finish and its useful
features.
Excellent
Upper class
Test dated November 17th, 2003
Value: 
Pro:
- First-class level stability
- Powerful bass reproduction in all operation modes
- Highly pleasant and homogeneous sound
- Excellent Dolby PL2-integration
- Suitable for many loudspeaker systems
- Practical and useful equipment
- Simple operating
- Outstanding finish
Contra:
Specifications:
AV-receiver with THX Select-certificate
Decoded dts 5.1/Dolby Digital 5.1, dts ES Matrix/Discrete 6.1, Dolby Digital EX,
THX Surround EX, Dolby Pro Logic II, dts NEO:6, dts 96/24,
6 x 130 watts output performance (DIN, 1 kHz, 6 ohms)
192 kHz/24-bits D/A-converter for all channels
40/60/80/100/120/150 Hz adjustable subwoofer cross-over frequency
On Screen Display
DOT Matrix-display on the appliance (color green at the black variant, color
amber at the silver variant)
Connection possibilities
Front AV-input, inclusively S-Video & optical digital input
5.1-channel-input for DVD-Audio & SACD
Digital-inputs: 1 x coaxial, 2 x optical, 1 x front-AV (optical)
Audio-/Video-inputs (Video FBAS/S-Video): 4AV / 3A inclusively phono input
Audio-/Video-inputs (Video FBAS/S-Video): 1A / 2AV / 1V (Monitor Out)
Digital-output: 1 x optical, 1 x coaxial
2 component inputs, 1 component output (YUV)
7.1 Pre-Out
Loudspeaker terminals A + B
Multi-room-capable
RDS-tuner with 40 transmitter memories
Remote control (pre-programmed, macro- and adaptive)
Dimensions (W x H x D) in mm: 435 x 175 x 431,5
Weight: 13 kg
Colours: black, silver
Price: EUR 1.199,--
Test: Carsten Rampacher
Assistant: Matthias Walther-Richters
November 17th, 2003
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