Panasonic SA XRS Digital amplifier/HT Receiver

HarleyMYK · « **Reply #280 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 07:43 pm »

I don't have the sheet in front of me, but I think that is correct, that you need to hold the TV button down for a few seconds first and then press the code.

azryan · « **Reply #281 on:** 18 Feb 2004, 10:36 pm »

Sorry you guys are having trouble getting the remote to control other stuff.

I never tried to get my TV to work. I'll have to test that. I used my Sat. remote for SAT and the TV.

In my bedroom my XR25 controls my PAnnie DVD by default (big suprise eh?) and the code for my Pio. DVD player in my HT room worked too.

I wonder why they can't make all these codes totally uniform? I've also never seen 2 digit codes for a remote before. Just lazy lack of programing to put in all the codes for more of the stuff that's out there or what?

Aftermarket remotes seem to be big business though so maybe Pannie is just including the dirt cheapest remote they can figuring either you can use it or get a 'real' one somwhere else?

A lot of people seem to be asking for Recs. and Pre/pros w/o remotes 'cuz they already have costly Pronto-type deals.

The Panny's remote's better than the Sony remote that came with their $800 2000ES. Weak.

BTW.. nice Cafe Racer Mike.

What's your opinion so far of the XR45? -unless I missed it pages back?

I think we both got ours the same day. I've had two XR25's since last Sept. too.

Needs refinement to be top notch but pretty wild what it can do for it's price IMO.

garryjw · « **Reply #282 on:** 20 Feb 2004, 04:39 pm »

Well I haven't had a chance to try my remote codes because my XR45 has developed a fault. Its now in the repair shop but they are having difficulty tracking down the problem. Basically it will suddenly emit a low level 'woomph' sound and then all sound will cut out. No error numbers and all the lights stay on. Changing source will bring the sound back.

This started happening very regularly and was highly annoying.

I really like the XR45 and hope they can find the fault (its under warranty but beyond the exchange period) Typically since its been in for repair the problem hasn't happened.

Luckilly I still have my XR15 which although lacking the power and some of the features is not too bad.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this with the 45?

SteveSatch · « **Reply #283 on:** 21 Feb 2004, 08:05 pm »

Hi everyonne,
I'm seriously considering buying the Panasonic XR-45 or the XR-70. My only question before I buy is about the high sub X-over. I've read here that one must run front speakers as large or it doesn't sound good. My question is can I/should I run *my* speakers as large and what would it sound like if I did or did not. My speakers and the little nOrh 4.0 ceramic and my sub is the Adire Dharman. Some info about the nOrh 4.0:

The freq response is rated as 70-20,000 Hz
the 10dB downpoint is rated as 55 Hz
sensitivity is 87 dB

Thanks for any thoughts on the issues of whether these speakers would be a good match with the high X-over of the Panasonic.

garryjw · « **Reply #284 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 04:18 pm »

Just to follow up on my fault report:

The shop had it in for three weeks but couldn't reproduce the fault. As far as we could see the only difference between my setup and theirs was I was using a Pansonic S75 DVD as source and they were using an S35 both connected using optical cables.

They have given it back to me to see if I can reproduce the fault which I could instantly playing a Dolby Digital soundtrack (I had leant them this disk to test as well)

Now I have noticed the problem only occurs with oversampling on (type 1)

Has anyone got any ideas?

Thanks (by the way, other than cutting out now, it sounds great as its now thoroughly been burnt in by being on constantly in the shop 24 hours a day for 3 weeks)

aamsel · « **Reply #285 on:** 14 Mar 2004, 06:55 pm »

I have had an XR45 on order for a couple weeks at buy.com and it has not been shipped yet. I have my doubts that they are going to get them back in stock. It still says "on order, usually ships in 1-2 weeks" I had ordered the silver one for $307.95. They list the black one for $349.95 with the same status "on order...". I think the pricing for the one I ordered was a mistake on their part, and am doubting that I will ever get it. So, MY QUESTION IS (finally):
Where would you suggest that I order one from that has them in stock at a good price, that is a totally reputable on-line merchant???
Thanks a lot!
Andrew
Austin, TX

grkn · « **Reply #286 on:** 15 Mar 2004, 10:43 am »

Yeah, anyone know any "reputable cheap merchants" who ships worldwide? Bh photo is out of stock

aamsel · « **Reply #287 on:** 15 Mar 2004, 05:09 pm »

OK, I have an SA-XR45 "on order" at buy.com, and have a couple questions:
1.) Is there a problem with the unit, production, etc. that has caused this item to be out of stock everywhere? Can anyone explain?
2.) If you go to buy.com and search for the SA-XR45, you will see item# ECL72S for $349.95. I did NOT order that one. Then, if you click on "Similar Products" under "Item Information", Item#6 that comes up is:
Item#: E3RSGC, for $307.98. This is the one I ordered. Not sure if it is silver vs. black but they appear to be the same item. If I did not make a mistake and if they EVER ship it, it would be a very good price.
The only problem with buy.com is that you can't talk to anyone, ever. No phone numbers on the website at all.
3.) If I don't get one from buy.com, does anyone know any merchant with a brand new one for sale (in stock) that can be purchased by credit card?
Thanks,
Andrew
Austin, TX

[/url]

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #288 on:** 15 Mar 2004, 08:53 pm »

The reason they're out of stock everywhere is the the '45 is discontinued- it's replacement will be shipping soon. Mass market audio & video manufactureres are a bit like car makers in that they regularly roll out new models every year (and sometimes more frequently than that).

The Panasonic actually will have a matching DVD-A player with a true hi rez digital output that will connect with it. On paper it's a more advanced unit, but who knows if it will have the special quality that's made the '45 such a hit.

aamsel · « **Reply #289 on:** 15 Mar 2004, 08:58 pm »

Do you (or anyone) know of a merchant that still has one in stock that I can buy today??
Andrew
Austin, TX

Dmason · « **Reply #290 on:** 15 Mar 2004, 09:06 pm »

Maybe I can help.

A friend committed to buying mine, however, if I do not have it out of the way by week's end, you may have it. I paid $318 shipped, in September, so feel free to make an offer+shipping. It is well broken in, works great, and I will throw in the AC adaptor. It is black colour.

aamsel · « **Reply #291 on:** 17 Mar 2004, 05:25 pm »

How much is the new model likely to cost? When will it be out?
I am sorry, but I rarely buy used electronics, and am committed to getting a brand new receiver with warranty and return priviledges. If there are no 45's left, should I buy one of the remaining 25's or wait for the new one? buy.com is acting like they will get more 45's but that seems unlikely, doesn't it?
Thanks a lot!
Andrew
Austin, TX

Dmason · « **Reply #292 on:** 17 Mar 2004, 05:46 pm »

I think the next-gen Panasonic XR70 may well be a standout product, with newer-better amp chips and the digital direct wideband connection, makes it kind of hard to ignore. I also doubt that Panasonic has ignored the fact that these little receivers have probably been a huge success, in no small part due to online audio fora.....I personally would wait.

Meantime, I have decided that the Tripath presentation is more to my liking, and I do not feel the "need" to have a digital direct connection to wring all that digital source material has to offer. YMMV.

larss · « **Reply #293 on:** 26 Mar 2004, 07:06 pm »

I am getting a new pair of Electrostic speakers next week. Any
problem to use the XR45 with high capacitive load as electrostatics.

Anyone using the XR45 with electrostatic speakers?

//larss

IronForge · « **Reply #294 on:** 15 Aug 2004, 04:55 pm »

I believe the XR-25/XR-45 remotes are the same. I have not been able to get the remote to work with my cd-player. It is a Denon DCM-350 5 disc changer. Sound is great but I don't have the remote for it. (got it at a garage sale for TWO BUCKS! WORKING!)

Also any updated news on when the XR-70 will be out?

yeahh · « **Reply #295 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 03:32 pm »

It is supposed to be out in October. Not sure if these specs have been posted, but this is what the preliminary specs are supposed to be. I have a picture of the back panel, but dont have a site to post it on.

Panasonic SA-XR70
Home Theater Receiver
* Super High Quality Sound and Picture Playback by HDMI Full Digital Transmission
* High Sound Quality Digital Amplifier - Wide Frequency Range, Wide Power Bandwidth
* Easy-to-Use by System Connection Receiver & DVD, and OSD for Setup
* Home Theater Mode: Provides Equal High Power Output of 100W x 6 (1kHz, 6 ohms, 0.9% THD) to Left/Center/Right/Left Surround/Right Surround/Surround Back
* Powerful Stereo Mode: 100W x 2 (20Hz - 20kHz, 6 ohms, 0.9% THD)
* 192kHz/24-Bit Audio A/D Converter for Analog Input
* DVD-Audio Ready for High Quality Sound (88kHz Reproduction, S/N 103dB)
* DTS(r) 96/24 Decoder and DTS(r)-ES, NEO:6, Dolby Digital(r) EX Decoder for 6.1-Ch. Surround Sound Effect
* Dolby(r) Surround Pro Logic(r) Ilx
* Surround Field Control (Music: Live, Pop/Rock, Vocal, Jazz, Dance, Party - AV/Movie: Drama, Action, Sports, Musical, Game, Mono)
* Multi-Source Re-Master Processing Helps to Compensate for Any Sounds Lost Due to Compression During Recording for a Rich Sound Field When Listening to DVDs, CDs and WMA/MP3 Recordings on CD-R/RW Discs
* HQ Sound Mode Helps Reduce Noise Level of Power Stage to Improve S/N
* Multi-Channel Multi-Drive with Digital Linear Phase
* Bass Synthesizer
* Independent Simple Subwoofer Level Control
* Speaker Configuration Settings for Each Channel: Large, Small, None (Except L/R Channels)
* Multi-Channel Sound Field Functions for Advanced A/V Effects (Center Focus, Multi-Rear Sound)
* High Quality Analog Parts
* Second Audio Output
* A and/or B Speaker Selector
* On-Screen Display for Easy Setup
* Multi-Control Jog
* HDMI Terminals Compatible with DVD-Audio (1-In, 1-Out)
* 6-Ch Discrete Inputs for Connection to Decoder Built-in DVD-Audio Player or DVD-Video Player
* 4 Digital Inputs (2 Optical, 2 Coaxial: 192kHz Compatible with DVD)/1 Digital Output (Optical)
* Front Audio/Video Input (with S-Video)
* Large Speaker Terminals for Front LR Speakers (Speaker A and B)
* Subwoofer Output for Extended Bass Reproduction
* 4 S-Video Terminals (3-In, 1-Out)
* 3 Component Video Terminals (2-In, 1-Out)
* Quartz-Synthesized Digital Tuning System
* 10-KeyDirect Tuning (Via Remote Control)
* 3 Video and 4 Audio Input Selectors
* Illuminated Universal Remote Control Commands Most Current TVs, VCRs and DVD Players
DTS(r) is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.
Dolby Digital(r) and the Double D Symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories
[/img]

Andrikos · « **Reply #296 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 04:31 pm »

Quote from: larss

I am getting a new pair of Electrostic speakers next week. Any
problem to use the XR45 with high capacitive load as electrostatics.

Anyone using the XR45 with electrostatic speakers?

//larss

I wouldn't use a 9lb receiver to drive electrostats.
At the very least buy a beefy stereo power amplifier or a couple of monoblocks...

azryan · « **Reply #297 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 05:39 pm »

Why would weight of the amp matter?

Now if he tells us exactly which 'stats he's getting I assume Martin Logan as there are few other 'stat companies and most others cost a lot more $ and just a guess that someone wouldn't be looking into these mini-recs. to run them.

But the exact model, it's effi. Ohm rating and how much power the person needs are the facts that matter. Not that these recs are light.

The Pannie in 'party' mode is 200W x 2. Lots of sepp. amps and monoblocks that are FAR heavier, with less actual power.

Plus the fact that there's very few amps that give you more real world power than 200W.
400W monster monoblock will get you an extra 3db of headroom. wow.
800W another 3db.

I think people aren't ever using this kind of power even on peak bursts in music. It's more the control and quality of the amp that makes it 'seem' so powerful and the little 9lbs. Panny has that kind of power and control sound to it.

As much as my former Acoustic Reality 250W x 2 eARTwo stereo amp did.

cjr888 · « **Reply #298 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 09:53 pm »

The stats may be rather low impedance though, regardless of sensitivity, and from the comments I've pulled from all of the boards out there, the Panny isn't its happiest with lower impedance loads....if this is the case with the stats. Have another inquiry on the cheapy-receivers and low impedance speakers from a purely technical side of things regardless of people's experiences.. Still no takers on the question though....

ABEX · « **Reply #299 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 11:05 pm »

CJR
I've read some comments that state that it work's best with Impedances of approx. 5ohms and it's all experimentation after that. I would magine no one will know what the 70 will do until it's here.

I thought that someone had tried it with Apogee's which is about as demanding of a load most will have.

Some posters at the AA BB have some good experience and comments on it. Some might have some Tech references there. Wayne might have done some scope work with it to see.

Hope that helped some,Good luck