Onkyo Professional Debuts its First Multichannel Surround Pr

[Shane]

Onkyo Professional introduced its first surround processor model designed for commercial and professional studio applications at the InfoComm 2007 event here today. The Onkyo Pro PR-SC885P is a THX-Ultra2 Certified 7.1-channel A/V processor that delivers state-of-the-art features and performance for the most technically sophisticated installations, including HDMI 1.3a compatibility, comprehensive upconversion of all sources to HD video with Reon-VX HQV video processing, and a wide array of connection options to accommodate any system. The rack-mounted unit is built around a massive toroidal transformer power supply with two separate power transformers for audio and video processing, and includes professional XLR balanced pre-outs for all channels.

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[jkim]

How is this different than the TX-SR805 and 875? Is the "Onkyo Professional" a different line than Onkyo vs Integra? Sorry for the possibly ignorant question, I have been following the release of the 875 and Denon's 3808 and am not familar with the PR-SC885P. Thanks!

[Shane]

I am not intimately familiar with how the model numbers differ, but from the press release:

Onkyo Professional is a division of Onkyo USA devoted to providing high quality audio/video components designed for use in commercial and professional venues such as broadcast facilities, schools, stores, hotels, churches, etc. and semi-pro applications such as DJ usage.

This would imply a higher-end receiver. From the looks of it, the output connections are of the type commonly used in professional installations rather than home theater installations.

Not a bad price though.

- Shane

[AlanBrown]

The first line of the announcement declares it's not a receiver but a 'surround processor.' Actually it's a tuner/preamp/processor (along the lines of the similar older Integra and Integra Research chassis) which replaces the multi-channel amplifier section and speaker posts with balanced line outputs. That also explains the cost factor: no amplifiers.

Since this unit has an HD Radio tuner, it is comparable to the TX-SR905 reciever, also due out at the end of August. This unit has a very impressive feature pack. It also allows one to match outboard amplification to the size of room and speaker efficiencies.