ONKYO TXNR808 - £599.95

Power, control and the flexibility for any AV eventuality. The Onkyo TXNR808 has to be the best equipped AV receiver at its price.

The TXNR808 gets off to an impressive start with its THX Select 2 Plus certification. Gaining THX certification is not easy for any receiver and it must demonstrate not just immense power but quality through control, too. The Onkyo has a 7.2 power output of 150 watts per channel into an 8 ohm load. That's enough for even the most demanding of speakers and largest of rooms. 7.2 compatibility means there's also the ability to be able to run two subwoofers. This not only improves the power of bass but enables it to be spread more evenly around the room and, hence, gives better control and consistency at all levels. Quality of sound is very much a strength of the TXNR808. Onkyo's latest WRAT2 amplifier circuits offer three main benefits. The first is very low negative feedback for cleaner, less distorted sound. The second is closed ground-loop circuits for a purer sound with an "inky black" background. Finally, high current capacitors allow for dynamic impact - an essential ingredient of action films.

With such a competent amplifier, the TX-NR808 has the perfect base on which to build the rest of its exceptional specification. As you'd expect, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus are all standard. In addition to this, this Onkyo AV receiver comes with Dolby Pro Logic IIz. Pro Logic IIz is the latest processor from Dolby that spatially enhances sound by incorporating front height channels. With the Faroudja DCDi technology, standard resolution analogue signals can be upscaled to 1080p for the highest quality viewing.

Perhaps the most exciting feature is the fitment of a Network connection. Once connected to your home network, this connection allows you access to Internet radio and streaming from your PC. With sites such as last.fm and vTuner you may never go back to conventional radio again!

In terms of inputs, the TX-NR808 has no fewer than 7 HDMI inputs - 1 front and 6 rear - and twin HDMI outputs. The twin outputs are especially useful if you run both a flat screen TV and projector or have a screen in another room. Furthermore, these are to the latest HDMI spec, making the TX-NR808 compatible with 3D TV and TV Audio Return functionality. Better still, these are all fully assignable meaning that you can label them as you wish - "Blu-ray", "PS3", etc. This is especially useful when you've got this many HDMI connections! Added to this amazing HDMI count you'll also find triple optical and coaxial digital inputs and the full complement of component, composite and RCA phono sockets that you'd expect. For those wanting to extend sound in to other rooms, the TX-NR808 offers excellent multi-room compatibility. Both second and third zones that output via powered speaker outlets (2 only) or passive phonos give great flexibility in wiring up your home for sound. This impressive Onkyo adds zone 2 video to audio for the full AV experience in another room. Alternatively, the option of bi-amping the front speakers improves the sound quality considerably; especially with music.

There isn't enough space here to list all of the TX-NR808's features but a few additional highlights include a bi-directional remote control, iPod/iPhone connection via USB (displays album artwork), Audyssey MULTEQ and DYANAMIC VOLUME for accurate set-up and non-intrusive commercials and Remote Interactive over HDMI (RIHD)which allows you to control other branded products such as Panasonic VIERA via the Onkyo's remote.

If you're looking for a serious mid-range AV receiver then compare the Onkyo TXNR808 to its rivals. We don't think you'll find better at this price!