Onkyo DS-A2X Remote Interactive iPod Dock Review

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Onkyo DS-A2X Remote Interactive iPod Dock
I recently purchased a Onkyo 605 Receiver. As advertised, it is a superior product. I am very happy with it. I then purchased the IPod Remote and Adapter for the Receiver, figuring there would be advantages of using the Onkyo branded product with their Receiver. Well, Onkyo must have used the A engineers on the Receiver and put their B engineers on the Accessories. The DS-A2X Remote, is disappointing, at best. The interface is something out of the 80's. It is all text, like an old DEC terminal. Not very Ipodish.
I would strongly suggest looking at other products out there first. There are many others (Tuneview, DLO Dock) which offer a more elegant user interface.
This is the first product I have every had to return to Amazon.
If you are taking the time to put together a top-notch system, you will be very dissapointed with this. I cannot understand why Onkyo would have released something like this this when they obviously did not spend the time to create a "best of class" product.

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The next-generation Remote Interactive Dock for the iPod, the DS-A2x, brings the iPod even closer to Onkyo's world. With the ability to accommodate video files alongside audio, the DS-A2x brings out the full potential of the latest iPod models combined with Onkyo A/V sound quality. Also, with an on-screen display function enabling you to view music track lists, this Dock ensures easy navigation through your music options via its dedicated remote control. The DS-A2x's cradle-type build - with an easily color-matched black exterior - neatly supports the iPod, and even recharges while the Dock remains connected to an AC power supply. And like its predecessor, the DS-A1, it brings you even more functions to choose from when connected through an Onkyo component's Remote Interactive (RI) terminal.

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Cambridge Audio Sonata AR 30 Compact Stereo Receiver with iPod Dock, Black Review

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(More customer reviews)I have had the AR30 now for about 2 weeks, and i really like it. The only draw-back is if you hook up your dvd player to the dvd input you wont get the base, only L & R audio. But you can hook it up 2 your Cd or AUX, and it works great. The DVD input is set up to be used with the Cambridge Audio Sonata dvd player. I'll be getting it soon anyways, but i wanted to let others know about this small problem. Buy the way, I live in Phoenix AZ. and got it from DEDICATED AUDIO, who were as good as all there reviews say. The let me just come over, and pick it up, and took the time to show me everything about how it works. So i'll be getting the DVD player from them also.

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The AR30 FM/AM integrated 2.1 receiver proves Sonata's beauty is way more than skin deep. Using a substantial toroidal transformer and fully discrete amplification, this svelte receiver offers genuine hi-fi performance and an impressive 40 Watts per channel (8 Ohms) of controlled, refined power.Complete iPod integrationSonata's custom-designed iPod dock can vastly improve your digital music thanks to Cambridge Audio's quasi-differential noise cancelling technology.Drawing every last drop of detail from your music collection, the neat yet sturdy dock accommodates any iPod and the supplied Navigator remote offers armchair control of your iPod, CDs, radio and amp controls. Other MP3 players can also be connected via the front connection and accessed using a dedicated 'MP3' source selector.The on-board high sensitivity FM/AM tuners include twenty presets for instant access radio to stations. In addition, the North American version of Sonata is SIRIUS Ready. Simply purchase a SIRIUS tuner device in order to activate this amazing service. For more information on SIRIUS, click hereNot only does Sonata perform superbly, it looks absolutely fantastic thanks to a stunning high-end brushed aluminium finish and isavailable in either black or silver. And under the hood, micro surface-mount circuit technology further improves performance by reducing signal paths to the absolute minimum. This produces a highly detailed and rich soundstage - ideal for any room in the home and is perfectly developed to handle music and movies with aplomb.

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Monster Cable MP HTS800 Home Theater PowerCenter HTS800 With Coax Protection Review

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(More customer reviews)The house I live in was built in 1939; they didn't have TVs back in 1939; the outlets aren't even three prong grounded except for one the landlord had to have put in with a higher capacity circuit to accomodate that new fangled gadget--the air conditioner.
So when I picked up my new Sharp Aquos, 1080p, 42" television I was very susceptible to the pitch that I should buy only the most expensive surge protector / line noise reducer possible, the more expensive the better--but I'm not a sucker so I didn't buy it right there and then.
Next store, Best Buy, the salesperson recommends the HTS800 as the minimum, and he recommends more expensive ones but not with as much zeal. The difference is that the Best Buy salesperson doesn't work for commission. The logic is of course that if you're going to spend $1500 for a TV, you might as well spend another $100 or so to protect it from electrical surges and clean up the picture static caused by line noise in both our ancient power supply and by our cable provider.
I find this on Amazon for no less than a 40 percent discount over what I can find it for anywhere else, and order it, but before I open the package I go to the Monster website to make absolutely sure this one is adaquate--and it is. The difference between this and higher end ones is the capacity and the ability for the unit to not only shut off and sound an alarm when there's a surge, but also turn everything back on safely.
This one will turn off everything that's hooked into it and sound an alarm, besides cleaning up the line noise, but that's as far as the description goes.
OK, so I open the package and hook it up. WOW. Absolutely huge difference in the picture on the set. I don't think a more expensive one would make a great difference or that it would be worth it for me--on my level of home entertainment--to pay more for a 'better' one.
And then, one day soon after, I hear an alarm warning me about a dangerous surge, but it doesn't shut down the system. Perhaps just to assure me, another day it does shut down the cable box only AND then came back on.
But the real prize is the picture. There is a huge difference between the quality of the picture on my HD television with this filtering the power and cable lines. I'm thinking of buying another one for my old TV--a Sony Trinitron--because I'm sure it must make a difference there as well.
BOTTOM LINE: If you live in a fairly new building, your electrical system is probably not as much of a hazard as mine, but might be just as noisy. And surges are always a big risk, even if you have all new appliances. For what you spend on items like televisions, stereos, and game systems, it's worth paying a bit more to protect them from the kind of damage that insurance wont cover--wear and tear--as well as allow them to perform as intended--better than they do while on display at your local electronics store in fact.
This item will not only protect your sensitive electronics, but make them better as well. Clearer images, clearer sound, and it's just plain smart design.
Now that I have this one, I definitely would pay for the next level up from this model but I'm also confident that this is all I need. A higher level one has more features, but for my home entertainment purposes I doubt it would really add anything. If one day I really go all out in terms of buying a full home theatre system, I'll spend a couple of hundred dollars on the best one, but this one was made for people like me now who don't have such high end needs but want better-than-expected performance.

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Tripp Lite HT10DBS 10-Outlet Home Theater Surge Protector (3570 Joules, Tel/Ethernet/Coax) Review

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(More customer reviews)This surge protector was recommended by several audio and home theatre internet sites. It's solid in construction and is aesthetically pleasing. There are three indicator lights that serve as a heads up as to wether the surge protector is working properly or not. The 10 outlets are labeled (DVD, Amp, receiver,CBL/SAT, etc.). It also comes with additional labels if you have two of any electronic device or do not like the label arrangment on the surge protector. The outlets are spaced out so its easy to fit as many as 6 transformers onto the surge protector. On the side of the surge protector are inputs for a phoneline and an internet line. The device also allows protection for up to three coaxial cables. The output Watt capacity is 1440 watts. This surge protector has allowed me to safely and adequately protect everything in my room. It is great if you want to organize all the wires behind a desk or TV/audio stand. I am thoroughly impressed with the device and would recommend it to anyone.

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Tripp Lite Lite Isobar Home/Business Theater Surge Suppressor HT10DBS Surge Suppressors

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APC BE550R 550VA Back-UPS ES 8-Outlet Battery Backup System Review

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(More customer reviews)At first, I thought this thing was the tops. It performed well in several power outages/fuse problems/spikes (I'm in a 1939 building & my office has mostly original wiring). After about 8 months, half of the plugs quit working altogether. I moved my important stuff to the other 3 plugs and took everything else off backup. We didn't have a power outage for a long time, so I don't know when the backup quit working on the rest, but it doesn't work anymore, although the alarm still sounds and the power light is still on. But anything plugged in will shut off with a power loss. Overall, I've owned it less than a year and a half. At this point, it's a very expensive extension cord. But the price has gone way down (it's less than half what I paid) from when I purchased mine. Either way, I'm paying more and going for a different brand for the replacement.

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Apc Be550r Back-Ups Es 8-Outlet 550va 8-Outlets;Output Power Capacity: 550va/330w ;470 Joules ;Features Phone, Fax, Modem & Dsl Protection ;Up To 44 Min Battery Backup Time For Safe Shutdown When Power Is Lost ;Includes Power chute File-Saving, Auto Shutdown Software ; $75,000 Lifetime Equipment Protection Policy

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Sony STR-DG810 6.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I got this for it's HDMI switching capability. It does this well and that's a welcome accomplishment for $300 at this point in time. There is now 1 cable! from the HD DVD player to the recvr and 1 cable! from the satellite recvr and 1 cable to the plasma monitor. That's pretty exciting in my book. The prior reviewer seemed to expect it to do analog to digital conversion of video signals. That's far from realistic at this price point, but it seems like the 910 may do that. For me this receiver replaces an older Sony ES (high end) with better amplication. One knows the 810 is a step down just from its reduced weight. But in my simple home theater context I'm very happy with this recvr's capability. Of course, I've only had it a week. It has a nice blend of features, and even at this level its manual is a bit daunting re the features to be learned. For my wife, it's handy that it allows you to rename inputs. So, instead of SAT appearing on the display I changed it to DIRECTV, and I changed VIDEO2 to EMPTY. Radio stations can be preset and named too. Regardless of which input you switch to, it remembers your last sound settings for it -- that's helpful. When you insert headphones for late night tv watching, it senses that, turns off the speakers and optimizes the sound fields for 2 channel listening. Very nice. I hope it gives me many years of service.

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Sony 6.1 Channel110watts A/V Receiver

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Monster HTS 1000 MKIII 8-Outlet Power Center with Clean Power Stage 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)I received the Monster HTS 1000 MKIII from Amazon about a week ago, after losing my DVD player, VCR, Tivo, and Wii to a massive power surge. I was immediately surprised by the size and weight of the unit. It is quite large, weighing several pounds and measuring just over 16" long by 5" wide by 3" high when laying flat. It feels quite sturdy, made of what appears to be brushed aluminum and black plastic or thermoplastic. The cord is long (6 to 8 feet) and is of high quality (true rubber, not vinyl or shiny plastic).

Upon plugging it in for the first time, you'll notice that it seems to check itself and the power coming into it. There is a brief delay, where it measures the voltage and checks for ground - something I immediately found reassuring. There is a circuit breaker/reset button on one end, a jack for a remote cable on the other end. Monster has included labels for your various cords, so you know what you're unplugging, as well as a coaxial cable, a phone cable, and a remote cable to connect it to a receiver.

I haven't yet had the "opportunity" to test the unit as a surge protector - and I hope I never do. I purchased this as a sort of insurance policy that I hope I never use. But should a surge hit, Monster provides a $350,000 warranty covering properly connected equipment. Good enough for me.

This unit is one of the more expensive surge protectors out there, but it's less expensive than an insurance deductible, and it's certainly less expensive than replacing your electronics. A good buy by any estimate.

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