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Onkyo Launches Replacement to TX-SR602E Home Cinema Receiver and Reduces the Price (15/7/2005)

ONKYO is pleased to announce the debut of the new £399.95 TX-SR603E 7.1 channel receiver, the replacement for the acclaimed TX-SR602E, winner of Home Cinema Choice magazine's prestigious Best Budget Receiver of 2005 award.

Externally re-designed and significantly upgraded internally, this new model offers improved aesthetics, increased power and input flexibility while retaining the huge roster of features that Home Cinema Choice were moved to describe as being 'truly beyond its price point.' With the TX-SR603E costing £50 less than its illustrious predecessor Onkyo is certain this receiver will continue to offer the best value for money possible.

* 7 x 125w per channel (into 6 ohms) * Microphone-based auto set-up system * Dual 32-bit processors, * 7 x 192kHz/24-bit Audio DACs * Composite/S-Video-to-Component Video Upconversion (with Timebase correction) * A powered Zone 2 output plus a stereo pre-amp output for Zone 2 * 12v trigger for Zone 2 * Learning/pre-programmed remote control

Setting up the system is simple as ever, thanks to a speedy microphone-based automatic speaker set-up. Plug the supplied microphone in and, with just a push of a button, the system sends test signals to the speakers in the room. The microphone captures/analyses the test signals and makes any necessary adjustments to compensate for the distance between speaker and listening position, loudness level and the frequency response of audio signals from each speaker. Just two minutes later your system levels are set-up... it's that easy.

As you'd expect when it comes to handling surround sound this receiver (available in black or silver) offers comprehensive decoding capabilities including DTS, DTS 96/24, DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix 6.1, DTS NEO:6, Dolby Digital EX, and Dolby Pro Logic IIx. Whatever's on your disc this receiver will decode it.

Sound quality has always been a primary concern for Onkyo (in Japanese On means sound while Kyo means harmony). To enhance sound quality the TX-SR603E uses oversized capacitors, a massive isolated transformer and fully discrete output stages.

As well as a Direct mode that bypasses the receiver's tone controls there's also a Pure Audio mode. This goes even further by shutting down the video circuitry and offers significantly improved reproduction from CD, an important consideration or those who cannot afford to accommodate separate systems for hi-fi and home cinema.

The quality of the digital processing employed has a significant bearing on performance too, which is why 192kHz/24-bit audio DACS are used for all channels along with a pair of 32-bit processors.

With Sky due to launch its High Definition TV service in 2006 the TX-SR603E's trio of wide bandwidth (50MHz) component video inputs (plus one output) will shortly come into their own. To simplify connections to plasma screens, projectors and the like there's full Composite/S-Video-to Component Video Up-conversion (with Timebase Correction to minimise harmful jitter). So you'll need fewer cables...

Want to set up a modest multi-room system? Just turn to the TX-SR603E's pair of powered Zone 2 loudspeaker outputs. By switching the TX-SR603E's replay mode to 5.1 in the main zone it's possible to enjoy a Dolby Digital soundtrack in one room while playing, say, a CD in the kitchen or bedroom (a 12v trigger plus line-outs for Zone 2 add even further flexibility).

With such a wide range of facilties you'll welcome the inclusion of a remote control handset. It's a versatile pre-programmed device, too, one that's capable of learning multi-key macros, that's also compatible with Onkyo's RI-control system.

As a final finishing touch, the receiver is equipped with Onkyo's ingenious Remote Interactive (RI) system. As well as allowing other RI-equipped components to be controlled via the receivers' remote control, that also means that the TX-SR603E is compatible with the new Onkyo DS-A1 iPod dock (optional - £59.95).

This allows owners of recent iPods to operate their device via the TX-SR603E's remote control, as well as listen to their music via the receiver. Usefully, the dock also charges the iPod and owners of iPod Photo models can even view images stored on their device by routing them via to their TV/projector via the receiver.

www.onkyo.co.uk