Customer Reviews
basically, the with-HDMI older brother of the xr-55
Here's a simple comparison of this model and the newer xr-55:
xr70: HDMI, 6.1 channels, binding posts only on 2 main channels and annoying spring clips on the rest, lowest crossover at 100Hz, $300-350
xr55: no HDMI, 7.1 channels, binding posts on all channels, lowest crossover at 80Hz, $230-250
In other words, the internal parts are basically identical between these two models. The only reason to get the xr70 is to have HDMI, which only matters if your TV has an HDMI connection and so does your DVD player, cable/satellite box, etc. Personally I find that a simple video component connection has about the same picture quality so this to me is a non-issue.
Here's my personal history with these Panasonic sa-xr55: I went from an Onkyo 601 to a Marantz 5400 then added some NAD separates for the mains. A few months later, I bought the Panny xr55 on a lark from Amazon thinking that I was just going to try it out and send it back, treating the $15 return shipping fee as a home audition fee.
Now my Marantz is headed to eBay and my NAD separates are running my bedroom system.
I'm not promising that you will have the same results but you really owe it to yourself to give it a listen, $15 is peanuts. I know that Panasonic is hardly a well-respected audiophile brand, but they and TI (the xr55 runs on a TI Equibit chip) have come out with a real paradigm shift in amplification technology, especially at this ridiculously low pricepoint.
If you browse and search online audio discussion boards such as AVS Forums, eCoustics, and hometheaterforum dot com, or do a simple Google search for these models, you'll find a plethora of similar accounts of people giving up much, much more expensive receivers and amps in favor of these digital Panasonics.
A few caveats---very minor IMHO at this pricepoint: no pre-outs (would negate the whole point of a digital amp after all), subwoofer crossover only down to 80Hz (only to 100Hz for the xr70), no room speaker EQ, primitive remote, no digital outputs, no OSD (onscreen display). Also may not be the best choice if you have lousy, overly bright speakers with tipped-up treble (JBLs, Cerwin Vegas, etc.)...neutral (e.g. Ascend Acoustics) and warm (e.g. Alegria Audio, Wharfedale) speakers do best with them.
Just as some folks still prefer LPs to CDs and tubes to solid state, you might decide to stick with an analog receiver, I'll make no guarantees. But it's definitely worth hearing it to make up your own mind, in any case...it's a whole different animal!
(I have written a much longer, more detailed Amazon review of the xr55.)
Great Receiver
I purchased this receiver from Fry's Electronics in San Diego, CA for $199.99. At first, I was a little hesitant about purchasing an all digital receiver. When I got it home, and connected it, I was amazed. This receiver will blow you away with the precision of it's home theater capabilities. I am using four Polk R30's as my fronts, and rear surround, and two Sony center channels for my front center, and rear center channels. I also have a KLH 10inch Tremor Series powered subwoofer. I estimate the entire system to cost about $650.00 total. I have colleague that has a Bose home theater system, and my little system blows his out of the water, and he paid much more for the Bose. If you want a great receiver a minimal price, this is the way to go. By the way, did I mention that it has four digital inputs, an optical output, and HDMI in and out connections. BUY IT!!!!
Pansonic Delivers a Lot of Value in a Small Package
I read a recent review of the Panasonic in an audio-video magazine which gave the XR70 very high marks compared to the more traditional, large and heavy receivers costing much more. This unit lives up to its reviews and has not disappointed me. Sound is spectactular especially on HDTV braodcasts in 5.1 stereo and on DVDs. More than enough inputs/outputs to satisy most audio/video enthusiasts including HDMI. All of this is contained in a small, lightweight [9 lbs], but very high tech looking package. I highly recommend this unit.
