Oh, im not a OCer, im just an erratic hazard so i dont know what to do about heat and have the demand for good receivers that dont blow up without modifications.
On top of that, once the NR609 goes boom (because most people are not OCer) and out of warranty it usually will cost several hundred of USD in order to repair that thing, but you say it is "only" a HDMI board. The joke is, the build is that cheap that the parts are not separated in the best way possible, but instead merged on a few PCBs, so it will always create a high issue for repair. Bottom line... repair is not a economical solution and we create a huge amount of waste just because "we want it cheap". But my problem is, i just dont know a good alternate surround-solution, its very hard to get real quality at a affordable price nowadays. Yes it is possible to build "affordable quality" but its rarely done, just not the way how the industry is working. It is either a trash-Rippoff or a quality-Rippoff. Does Onkyo care? I am not sure... as long they are making profit doing so. The very best that can happen: 1. Device will die after 2.5 years. 2. Customer is gonna repair for several hundred USD. 3. it dies another time after 2 years. 4. Thrown into the environment because there is a better device available and repair to pricy at that point (correct recycling is rarely done). 5. Lot of profitable smile... and the customer is getting another device. Worst of all, a lot of people gonna tell me: Whats the issue? Its just the way how it works!
About the receiver, well it wont change, i need stereo + endurance for music but surround is useful too for movies and games, so i may get both at once at some point. Doesnt really matter anymore, total price of all boxes is around 2k USD, so both receiver at once is bit more than half that price. But it will take me half a year to get them all, so simply working slowly into it.
Well the next half year they wont run away, thats certain. Boxes arnt stuff that is frequently changed and maybe a price cut in term there is new series out.
Lets check alternate offers for surround matters: (have to check it all myself because no one doing it/able to tell a good solution).
Basically in most terms there is the gape between music-stereo and surround-theater movie/game mode. Close to nothing can combine both at once. In that term may have to use 2 dedicated systems with dedicated stereo boxes, because combo nearly impossible. About SPDIF (Toslink): It is only good at stereo mode because to less bandwidth for lossless multichannel support. I would recommend for stereo use so there is no need for HDMI link (that stuff is always outdated way to quick).
Adcom:
Receiver: GFR-700H, no 4K support and 3k USD is hard cookie without knowing all the hardware infos.
Preamp/DAC: To less accurate infos
Amp: To less accurate infos
Conclusion: Failed. I enjoy when the manufacturers are trying to explain as much as possible on theyr site, so the customer know what to expect. In term its hidden they obviously want to put themself "
out of comparable condition", no good thing. I cant be bothered spying them out and stuff (im not making money out of it), i need to know the thing i place my bid on. Of course, price may be subject to change, simply asking price.
Rotel: (investigating)
Receiver: RSX 1562 [3.2k USD]
Preamp/DAC: RDD-1580 [920 USD] Preamp no 4k support
Amp: RMB-1555 (5 channel) [2k USD]
Conclusion: DAC + Amp may be suitable at a high price range of 3k USD. Need further investigation.
Classe (Classeaudio):
Receiver: No option
Preamp/DAC: No 4k support
Amp: Sigma AMP5 (5 channel) [5k USD ???]
Conclusion: Aged preamps and high price
, not very popular
, looks like it failed
Parasound:
Receiver: No option (such manufacturers arnt building that kind of stuff).
Preamp/DAC: Analog only (may require foreign DAC).
Amp: Parasound Halo A51 [~6k USD]
Conclusion: Stuff for true audiophiles, pretty overpowered, not for raw quality lovers looking for fair priced stuff. Failed.
McIntosh
Receiver: No option
Preamp/DAC: No option
Amp: Stereo only
Conclusion: Failed. McIntosh is problematic for anyone looking for easy/affordable solutions. because it requires Preamp/DAC and then hooking up 2-3 stereo Amps at once, its true audiophile stuff and extremely expensive. Or simply use a single unit but it simply means 2 dedicated systems needed, combo impossible.
Audio Research
Receiver: Not a matter
Preamp/DAC: Not a matter
Amp: Stereo only it seems
Conclusion: Comparable to McIntosh, more or less same issues. Stereo-audiophile stuff, not the stuff someone needs for a "all in one solution at affordable prices".
Emotiva (investigating)
Receiver: Weak and outdated, no 4k support
Preamp/DAC: XMC-1 [2k USD]
Amp: XPA-5 (5 channel) [1.6k USD]
Conclusion: Generally, for a price of 3.6k USD may work good but quality of parts are just a bit above "mainstream", not the highest.
NAD
Receiver: NAD T787, no 4k support
Preamp/DAC: 7.1 AV-Prozessor-Vorverstärker T 187
Amp: 7-Kanal-Endverstärker T 977
Conclusion: (not sure yet)
Krell
Receiver: Foundation Surround Processor [~a lot of USD]
Preamp/DAC:
Amp: Chorus 5200 (5 channel) [~a lot of USD]
Conclusion: For those who "have a lot". Failed
Theta
Receiver:
Preamp/DAC:
Amp:
Conclusion:
Outlaw
Receiver:
Preamp/DAC:
Amp:
Conclusion:
Pass Labs
Receiver:
Preamp/DAC:
Amp:
Conclusion:
Final decision: For the speakers its clear now, 5.0 spec@ front 4xKEF Q300, center 1x ELAC CC241 one of the best technologys combined in one spot. Receiver im gonna use the Pioneer SC-LX56-S (got it for 800 USD new with full warranty), i may look out for somethig better in 3-5 years, as soon as a true quality manufacturer got a HDMI 2.0 inside. Matter solved for now. I pass on subwoofers, its for "boom boom" lovers, all im gonna need is outstanding front and center setup, those speakers got enough of OOMPH, "boom boom" too, that i am sure, enough for my needs.