Need to replace a few components in your aging high-end A/V rig? Onkyo has just announced three that might pique your interest. Starting next month, the company will add a new preamp/processor, power amplifier and Blu-ray player to its lineup. The big hook is that all are THX certified, to appeal to the ultra-picky.
First up is the PR-SC5508 9.2-channel audio-video controller. Not only does the unit have THX-Ultra 2 Plus certification, but it's ready to roll out some 3D, via an HDMI 1.4a interface. Other highlights include HQV Reon-VX video processing, ISF Video Calibration, and networking features, which offer either a DLNA 1.5 and Windows 7 connection to both PC audio and web radio. Right out of the box, the SC5508 can play Pandora, Rhapsody, Mediafly, Slacker, Napster, VTuner, and Sirius Internet Radio (subscription fees may apply).
If you're looking to hook up your other components, this $2,199 unit is quite the mega-hub, packing eight HDMI inputs, two USBs, two balanced line-level XLR audio inputs, and nine XLR preamp outputs to drive the matching PA-MC5500 9-channel power amplifier.
Ah yes, the PA-MC5500. This is Onkyo's latest 9-channel power amp. Each of those nine channels is rated at 150 watts per channel driving an 8-ohm load (or 400 watts at 3 ohms). Boasting a WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) design, the $1,699 amp uses large, custom output transistors in push-pull configuration and massive power supply consisting of a large toroidal power transformer and two 22,000 µF storage capacitors. Featuring multi-zone and bi-amp capability, the MC5500 is built tough with an anti-resonant chassis and gold-plated inputs and outputs.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Onkyo BD-SP808 Blu-ray player. Featuring both THX and DLNA 1.5 certification, the unit includes a Marvell Qdeo video processor and scaler and an HDMI Source Direct mode. The company also says it has access to Video On Demand content, although no provider has been listed. For $599, Onkyo isn't throwing in wireless features, but the Profile 2.0 player does come with the standard Ethernet and SD card slots.
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