ANything beat onkyo for ht receiver $500?

HK's have great sound for the money, but their reliability has been lower than the Japanese brands. Onkyos are pretty good for the money - you can get a new Onkyo TX-SR706 for under $500 on Amazon. I assure you this machine will sound good.

If you get an Onkyo, be sure to set the listening mode to "Direct" instead of "stereo" for all serious two channel listening. This makes a VERY BIG difference in the quality of the sound.

And yes, Onkyos run HOT, but that seems to be within design parameters for these receivers. To be on the safe side,allow room above for air flow and use in a well ventilated space.

705/706 and 805/806 are rated for continuous 4 ohm load - may have power reserves that allow them to easily handle more difficult loads than lower models rated only for 6 ohm loads.

Going from 70X to 80X gives 30 more watts per channel of power (100W to 130W) and about 10 lbs more chassis bulk. If you need the power, you could probably find a slightly older 805 with the features you are looking for used under $500.

I guess to answer the original question - no, nothing really better than Onkyo in each class for the money. Some makes just as good, but Onkyo has been on a roll in making value laden and good sounding receivers for quite a while.

Yes Iplaynaked, I really do know nothing... but if you insist on fulfilling your moniker in the live test you suggest, I think I'll pass (particularly if you are the gender and age of most of the people who post on here!!!)...LOL :-)

Denon and HK are also good, and Sony and Yamaha make some nice receivers as well. Each one has a "house sound", and it may come down to preferences. For example Onkyo is relying on WRAT switching amps which provide a detailed and forward presentation - the opposite of Yamaha's more laid back "Natural Sound". I really like the HK's presentation, but do they hold up as well as the others? I have read they don't, and my mother-in-law has one and one of the channels on it crapped out after about two or three years of light use.

Will be curious to hear how it goes if somebody steps up to this challenge - keep the playing field level with all units going for close to five hundred bucks new on the street.