I've been accused of not "pushing" the Onkyo mid priced models as much as the importers would like so I thought I'd revisit the $1399 (RRP) TX-DS595 and see if I haven't missed something - after all, we do try to be impartial in this business.

    First, the good bits. It has Dolby Pro-Logic II, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1. The sound on movies is excellent and using Onkyo's own Cinema Re-EQ, the sometimes harshness in the surrounds is tamed for domestic use. The build is solid and the unit looks and feels substantial. The options are easy to navigate and the front facia uncluttered. As one of the largest independent Onkyo dealers in the country in the mid 1980's I still have a soft spot for the product and with it's 5 year warranty still offers excellent backup.

    So what's wrong with it? - Well it's like buying a Pentium II computer in a world of Pentium IV's. Three years ago this model would have been a class leader, but now it's not a matter of what is has got, more of what it hasn't. It certainly plays 2 channel music as well as it's rivals from Yamaha, Marantz and Denon but when it comes to Home Theatre and practicality, it just ain't got it. There's no digital or A/V inputs on the front, no 6.1 decoding or 6.1 amplification, no component video switching, no pre-amp outputs apart from the subwoofer, no digital outputs and a definite lack of DSP modes.

    Bottom line? - unless you can steal it at a ridiculous price and are looking just for a good honest 5.1 system with good musical capability without any future upgradeability - wait for the new model as there must be one due soon. - Whoops! There goes my Onkyo franchise (sometimes the truth hurts)

N.B. Since writing this review, we lost the Onkyo franchise - oh well, I guess you can't help bad luck :)