Is the XR70 the finest current Panasonic?

dwc · « **on:** 12 Jan 2006, 07:08 am »

I'm just confirming that the XR70 is the model to buy for bi-amping. (right?)

Thanks,
Dan

Feisal K · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 07:55 am »

no the XR55 is the latest available model with native dual-amp and triple-amp capabilities. the XR70 is older, 6.1 but has HDMI input/output (no switching)

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 04:34 pm »

I don't get it!! I looked at the specs on the Panasonic site and as far as I see the 70 and 55 have the same specs.
Is there somebody out there who can explain(In very plain english) what is the difference. Which receiver would be the better buy?

Cheers
Charlie

KJ · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 04:41 pm »

According to Panasonic at CES, a new model will be coming out between April and June of this year. Model # was SA-XR57, but they didn't have any details.

-KJ

brj · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 05:03 pm »

Quote from: Charles Calkins

I don't get it!! I looked at the specs on the Panasonic site and as far as I see the 70 and 55 have the same specs.
Is there somebody out there who can explain(In very plain english) what is the difference. Which receiver would be the better buy?

Within a given generation of Panasonic "digital" receivers, there have traditionally been two price points. The higher price point model typically has a somewhat better power supply and HDMI capabilities, but the models are otherwise extremely similar.

The SA-XR25 and SA-XR45 are the same generation, with the XR45 having HDMI.
The SA-XR50 and SA-XR70 are the same generation, with the XR70 having HDMI.
The SA-XR55 is the newest replacement for the SA-XR50, but the SA-XR70 does not yet have a shipping replacement.

Both the 7.1 channel XR55 and 6.1 channel XR70 can be set up to bi-amp your speakers. In this case, bi-amping means sending the same signal to the "Speaker A" and "Speaker B" amp outputs. (There is no active crossover ability.) I was recently reminded, however, that no matter how many amps you are using from these units, you are still limited by what the power supply can handle.

If you want to buy now, and don't need HDMI, then the SA-XR55 is probably the way to go. It has a new, larger chassis with room for real binding posts for all speakers, as well as lower crossover points for a sub woofer (but still not low enough). If you need HDMI, then the SA-XR70 is your only choice.

The SA-XR57 that was announced at CES appears to be the replacement for the SA-XR70, but details have been sparse and multiple release dates have been quoted.

dwc · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 06:22 pm »

Thanks much guys.

On the xr-55, does it give you that ability to go into "HQ sound mode" where it shuts off the video section to give more power to the audio?

btw: in my googling to remember what the mode is called, I came across both user manuals:

http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/SAXR55.PDF
http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/SAXR70.PDF

One thing I dont see clearly yet is how to set the sub low-pass crossover level. I see how to set the high-pass on the surround speakers using "Filter Frequency", but it's not clear if you can set a filter on the sub. I'm going to run full-range on the mains anyway. If I can't set the lowpass on the sub with the receiver I can always do it with the crossover on the sub.

-Dan

Carlman · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 06:46 pm »

Quote from: KJ

According to Panasonic at CES, a new model will be coming out between April and June of this year. Model # was SA-XR57, but they didn't have any details.

-KJ

57? Wouldn't it make more sense to be a 75?
XR-50 became XR-55
XR-70 should become XR-75

I guess it doesn't really matter... since there's no details anyway.

dwc · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 06:56 pm »

It looks like the 55 does not have the HQ audio mode. The question then is how much improvement is gained in that mode over standard, and is the difference worth the cost for someone who doesn't need HDMI.

More important I guess is the question of how much improved is the audio quality in general between the two generations? We have the older (but includes HQ mode) 70 and the newer generation 55 without it. Could the 55 sound better than the 70 when it is in HQ mode?

-Dan

KJ · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 07:12 pm »

Quote from: Carlman

57? Wouldn't it make more sense to be a 75?

I thought the same thing. Unfortunately, the person I spoke to at the Panasonic display couldn't speak to the new product. All they had for reference was a sign on the wall.

-KJ

dwc · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Jan 2006, 07:26 pm »

It looks a lot like the xr70 and the xr55 are of the "same generation" in terms of audio spec. Maybe the xr57 will actually be a step forward, and thus Panasonic wants to distinguish it by adding 2.

edit: after doing more reading, it looks like the xr55 is the way to go. Too bad black is sold out everywhere I trust...
-Dan

tyee · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 05:54 am »

I just ordered from www.jr.com a week or so ago. I just checked again and it's still available!

Feisal K · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 07:23 am »

brj,

XR45 does not have HDMI

there were two models on display at CES the one announced was the XR57 and there was a prototype of a bigger model which I think will be the XR75

Wayne1 · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 05:19 pm »

The SAXR-25 and the 45 are from the same generation. Neither have HDMI. The 45 has the best power supply put in one of these digital receivers. Both of this generation used fans for cooling.

The 50 and 70 are just about the same internally. They use the same basic power supply as used in the 25. The big difference is the HDMI board and power supply for it in the 70. If you do not use a Panasonic DVD-A player, there is not that much benefit to the 70. This generation does not use fans and can run fairly hot.

The 55 was released as a replacement for the 50 with all banana plugs for all speaker connections. Spade lugs cannot be used on these connectors. The crossover for the sub was lowered to 80 Hz.

I currently use a modded SA-XR70 for my HT. It drives 4 VMPS 626Rs, a LRC and I use a Larger subwoofer driven by a QSC power amp. I run the speakers full range and adjust the crossove on the digital EQ unit I use with the sub.

I have recently received a SAXR-55. I will be taking a look and listen to that, if I ever get caught up in my work load

groovetube66 · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 05:28 pm »

I noticed this about the XR50. Is it possible to add a small fan like the XR10 had?

dwc · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 07:29 pm »

Quote from: tyee

I just ordered from www.jr.com a week or so ago. I just checked again and it's still available!

Damn! I was just looking at JR yesterday and black was not available. I ordered a silver one from Amazon last night. I'm either stuck with silver or I have to refuse shipment from Amazon and order again with JR and add shipping costs. I think I'm just going to stick with silver.

Thanks though Tyee,
-Dan

JumboJim · « **Reply #15 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 08:29 pm »

I've had the 25 for 3 years now and love it. I've been wanting to upgrade to a new model for my main HT but still don't feel the newer models have what it takes for me to upgrade. Perhaps the new releases have what it takes.

dwc · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Jan 2006, 09:11 pm »

Quote from: JumboJim

I've had the 25 for 3 years now and love it. I've been wanting to upgrade to a new model for my main HT but still don't feel the newer models have what it takes for me to upgrade. Perhaps the new releases have what it takes.

I think if your speakers support bi-wire/bi-amp it might be worth testing the advantages of the extra power and benefits of seperating the high and low loads. That's what motivated me.

Wayne, we'd all probably agree that too much work is far better than not enough.

-Dan

djbnh · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 Jan 2006, 05:47 pm »

I was considering the Panny SA-XR55 for HT, but have some concerns about comments that report limited user friendliness - lack of on-screen programming, can't do certain things from the remote, etc. Can anyone with this unit confirm/deny? Also, if true, do the 50/70 have the same issues?

dwc · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 Jan 2006, 11:55 pm »

Can you be more specific? I mean the user manual is linked in the first page of the thread. What are your concerns? I have not seen any on screen display (at least not through the s-video output I use) and it is true you cannot do all the setup from the remote.

-Dan

djbnh · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 Jan 2006, 01:52 am »

I'll check the manual. I appreciate your comments re: remote, screen display, links.