Onkyo Collection 205 A-905X

Advantages: Great Picture, incredible soundstage
Disadvantages: video artifacts after 3 DVDs CD audio lacking body

...I used a TX DX 777 Onkyo WRAT receiver and a set of Vandersteen 1 2 way floor standing speakers and a Samsung LCD T4871F TV. The audio connection was a Toslink and the video HDMI both low priced parts. My system is set up for surround sound and my speaker levels and placement have been set by using a sound pressure meter and distance measurements used in the DX777. This player is Brutal in it's accurate reproduction of video and cd music. If you put in a so so DVD this player will show you just how so so it is, I do not care what resolution you set it at. The better the quality of the DVD the better the picture will be. I found it to be the same with audio. My bargin CDs sounded just that way, bargin basement, but put in a DDD CD and you could hear the difference. The sound stage is fantastic. The speaker no longer exshist, the music... Read review

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Advantages: yes
Disadvantages: no

...IF you are short on space and money but want a proper sounding system then i strongly recomend you trial one of these little gems. I am a new student living in halls so i needed something a bit smaller than my old sony reciever i was using at home. Although i've moved my system into a different room i could instanty tell the difference between my clapped out sony reciever, this unit sounds greeeeeeeat! Best features: - it does everthing (DAB....the works) - the clarity and natrility (i made that word up) of the sound at high volumes (volume 30 with Direct on is the only way to listen to it!), bass is tight and supprisingly punchy for something with only 40 watts to give (provides Drum and Bass with plenty bass, well enough to annoy the crap out my flat mates!), also has very good dynamic range (i thought my rock collection... Read review

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Advantages: Impressive sound and build quality
Disadvantages: Standard speakers let it down

...I originally bought the CS515's cheeper little brother, the CS315, which is exclusive to Currys, and built down to a price for them, and it showed. The sound quality was only average for a £200 system, but there was a constant buzzing noise when playing CD's, I returned the item to Currys, and tested two more in the shop, both these did exactly the same. I then tried the CS515 at £300, there was an instant improvement in overall sound quality, and no buzzing from the CD player. I was a little reluctant to pay the extra £100, but felt the difference in sound quality was worth it. The unit itself has a CD player, FM/AM radio, DAB radio, and several inputs for Video, MP3 players etc. The speakers that come with the CS515 are Onkyo's DN9BX, nice looking maple, 2 way, bookshelf models, What Hi-Fi give them 5 stars, personally, I think 3... Read review

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