CarMad Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Anyone got one and what do they think of it, I know its the outgoing model but I'm considering trying to pick one up cheap maybe a refurbished one?!?! Or pick up a newer 606, I'd spend more but the wife has curbed my spending, one of the many joys of married life. :D:grin: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppetboy Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 I've got a 606, very pleased with it although I'm a beginner in this stuff. The upscaling works! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Yeah I'm not sure which way to jump at the moment, I like some of the features of the high end model but then again the 606 does have most of what I want / need. Will see if I can pick up a bargain.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 Hi, I have the 875 and if you can get hold of one at a bargain price, I'd go for it over the 606. Other than an additional HDMI input, the 606 isn't in the same ball park amplification wise. Only negative is the 875 runs VERY hot, even when not being driven very hard. So make sure you have a good gap between it and the next bit of kit above. Scaler works very well and can drive all manor of speaker. 9 out of 10 for me. We have two at the office as well as a Lexicona and it punches well above it's price tag. If your still after one I could have an ask round Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 Thats what I was thinking, a few are going pretty cheap on ebay that I might see if I can pick up. If there are any going at a good price I'd certainly be interested yep. On the heat my current rack is totally open on all sites and with space above so fingers crossed it shouldn't be a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Thats what I was thinking, a few are going pretty cheap on ebay that I might see if I can pick up. If there are any going at a good price I'd certainly be interested yep. On the heat my current rack is totally open on all sites and with space above so fingers crossed it shouldn't be a problem. What source equipment and speakers are you going to be using it with ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 I went from a Meridian processor and Classé amp at £12,000 to the 875 in the front room when I had a move round and wanted a nice easy all in one system for sky and blueray, and although not as good I have been seriously impressed with it. A friend of mine has it just for processing using a Balanced Audi Technology power amp and Dunlavy Audio Labs SCV speakers across the front, which I guess is £30k's worth of amp and speakers and it does not let the side down one bit. He was going to put in one of the Levinson processors but is now going to get the Onkyo processor that is coming to the UK any time now. You will not be disappointed, probably the best AV bargain of the last 5 years imho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 I've got SKY HD, Sony DVD player, Arcam CD Player, Wii and a PS3 on the way as inputs. Output to some Kef Q55 floorstanders and Kef rears running 7.1 currently with B&W 1000 sub. Currently got a Denon 3801 thats still works a dream and is more powerful than many low end Recievers but it doesn't have HDMI switching or upscaling. I might just end up getting a HDMI switch box for £50 and leave it at that... we will see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 I will crap all over the 3801, I went from a 3802 to a Denon A1 and then to a Lexicon and Paradigm combo, before the Merdian and Classé. The jump from the 3802 to the A1 was superb, made me giggle at points. The jump from the A1 to the seperate processor and amp was just as good but different, allowed you to fill the room more at lower levels and went seriously loud without ever sounding shrill like the Denons did. The Meridian and Classé combo just made everything smoother, was unreal with music as well and was my favourite system, very analogue sounding, but no switching and a pain to use everyday for the rest of the house. I was expecting to be disappointed with the Onkyo, but not at all, I would say for films it is 90% of the Merdian and 500% better than the Denons. For music the Meridian was a different league, but that is what aother £11,000 buys you I guess, the Denons are crap with music full stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 (edited) Well brand new they are currently £550/599 ish and e-bay obviously less. Gizze do you not want to go for the 876 and sell me yours for £10 and a packet of cheesy poofs... :cartman: An 805 went for £370 at the weekend but I forgot about it. Edited September 30, 2008 by CarMad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizze Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 I would get the 875 if funds allow, at £550 it is a feckin' steal!!!! I was going to get this... Integra Research But think I will just keep the 875, it does everything and well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted October 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2008 :eek::eek::eek: Well I picked it up yesterday and oh my is it good. Far clearer and more powerful than the Denon, the processing of the sound around the room is in a totally different league as well the difference is amazing. As for the Video processing its stunning, I'm sure everything looks better and clearer than it did before it's very impressive. Its a doddle to set up but if anyone knows the best mode's to choose for Sky HD and DVD's etc. that would be great, the number of options is huge and I haven't got round to looking yet. It does run toasty hot, I've got it installed in the bottom shelf of an open AV rack and I'm toasting some eggs above it now, I've removed the shelf above it to let it breath as much as possible, I may even get something to chill it down a bit, will see how it goes. All in all its a fantastic improvement and at less than £600 a HiFi bargain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Glad your pleased CARMAD, the 875 really is a great bit of kit. Saturday however mine developed an HDMI fault, Audio, but intermittant video, so I now have to use the RF aerial connection to view sky I suspect it could be due to heat as the HDMI board it at the top rear of the unit, where it gets hot the most. All my equipment is mounted in the loft and I suspect the summer may have cooked it and the SkyHD box (which just got replaced by a new PACE SKYHD unit) Think I need to put some ventilation in before next summer, now the weather has turned it's lovely and cold up there... so no probs short term. The 875 is being replaced under waranty, so not unhappy. Did try and wangle an 876, but don't think my unsubtle hint worked. Should get my new centre speaker this week too Image Audio - IA-C Wall Mounted Loudspeakers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted October 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 I did a bit of reading last night and heat does seem to be a big problem with them so I'm going to get something to keep it cool, rather than than shorten its life. There are plenty of people that have manged to get 905's as replacements for faulty units but then again many people with no problems what so ever. It will get its first epic movie tonight I can't wait. Thanks for the advice boys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Opening scene of Master & Commander by any chance? On a good system you can hear the shards of wood get scattered around the ship My system is currently installed in the living room and now we have another nipper, it's likely I'll buy a 606 and use the 875 in my new home cinema being built in the garden. A 905 has slightly more power and an audio streamer, but otherwise not worth another £400 IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted October 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 905 is only £100 more than an 875 at the moment which is why some have managed to blag one after having problems. Apparently some of the components sit in different places and the AMP is a differnt Torodial type that generates less heat as well. Probabaly going to watch Saving Private Ryan DTS version I think or Gladiator will see what mood I'm in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppetboy Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Opening scene of Master & Commander by any chance? On a good system you can hear the shards of wood get scattered around the ship With you on that one, great movie for testing a system! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobK Posted October 6, 2008 Report Share Posted October 6, 2008 Saving Private Ryan was always one of my favorite demo discs. Also the lobby scene from The Matrix and the bank robbery scene from Heat. All classics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted October 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2008 (edited) Just thought I'd report back after having it for a week. Well all I can say is WOW..... It gets better the more I listen to it, at first I wasn't sure because its a very different sound to the Denon was. The Denon had a fuller sound to it but was in comparison very clumsy sounding and no top end at all in comparison. The Onkyo is incredibly detailed and the power is just endless but at the same time its so much more delicate in the way it delivers when it needs to be. It does run hot but I've got myself one of these Antec AV Cooler and it has helped a lot to keep the temperatures down. Installed as the Denon was internal temps got to 64degs but with the cooler driven hard it doesn't get above 50 and often is in the min 40deg's. The quality of the upscaling is also amazing, even the Wii looks better fed through it and its not missed a beat on any input no matter what the source is sending it. I've now also done a full setup routine and tweaked it a little which has improved things further. I'm running 1.07? I think it is firmware thats the latest for the 875 and i've not found any problems thus far. All in all its a bargain at a little under £600 money well spent and each movie I watch just comes alive on the screen and in sound. :notworthy::notworthy::notworthy::smileylove: Edited October 11, 2008 by CarMad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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