No love for the xr70?

[yanni]

Iv read through (most) of the xr55 thread and theres a little bit about this receiver in there, but not a whole lot.
Is there a reason for this?
Did the newer version do something wrong that put everyone back to the xr55?
I thought with the HDMI input/output people would be all over this one.
Im about to order the xr70 as it would seem newer is better, but thats not always the case.
I will only be using a 5.1 setup.

Should I stick with the older one or go with the newer one?

[blazar]

is the 55 or 70 newer? I'm not so sure.

[SiriuslyCold]

the 7.1 XR-55 is actually newer, while the 6.1 XR70 is from a "higher range" with HDMI connection. It's also (marginally) more expensive than the 55.

I think it was released late in the 6.1 game and early into HDMI and fell in between because most people were looking at 7.1 systems by then.

Unless HDMI is really important to you, the XR55 offers a lower minimum LFE xover and binding posts on all channels.

[intence]

Check the connections on the XR70, not sure if they're spring clip or full size for all channels.

[NoddE]

the XR70 uses spring clips for all speakers except for the front

[Neild]

XR70 does have the HDMI in/out, but there have been some compatibility issues reported. Those may not be the fault of the XR70, just the quickly changing specs and issues with HDMI.

A few other differences:

- XR55 has more dual amp, dual wiring possibilities
- XR70 has a more polished appearance
- XR70 is slimmer
- XR55 has more binding posts

If you absolutely need HDMI in your receiver, sure get the XR70. But you might want to re-evaluate if the receiver needs to be your video hub. I used to think that was a requirement but it was always complicating my choices for equipment and such. Now I don't rely on the receiver for video and find my options and costs are better.

[juca39]

What about sound quality between the two?
Are any differences or just 6.1 and 7.1?
I am interested in either, if the sownd quality is the same, however the XR55 is out of stock in every place that shipps overseas, and the only avalable is the XR70.

[M Code]

The SA-XR lineup has limited inputs/outputs, also the SA-XR 70 has a single HDMI input but it is best used with Panasonic DVD player such as their 77 or 97..

Before purchasing the SA-XR70 suggest that you check it out closely to make sure it meets your expectations..

[Pacificamodern]

I have the SA-XR70 combined with the S97 DVD player and while I only have a few hours on it, so far I am quite impressed. This is the first digital amp I have owned...It would be cool if it did HDMI switching so that I could just have one cable to the PDP for both DVD and PVR, but I guess that would be alot to expect from a small $$ reciever like this!

[Pacificamodern]

Oh yeah, one other thing.

The weenie connections for the surround and center channels...(why?...Why?...WHY?!?!?)

[Spudsmizzou]

How desirable is the HDMI on the XR70?

I am getting a Vizio Plasma this weekend and will be using it with a STB that has a HDMI connection. My DVD player is a Panny DMR-E60 which has componet as its highest output.

Would I be in a better position with the XR70 or the XR55?

[Neild]

[QUOTE=Spudsmizzou]How desirable is the HDMI on the XR70?

I am getting a Vizio Plasma this weekend and will be using it with a STB that has a HDMI connection. My DVD player is a Panny DMR-E60 which has componet as its highest output.

Would I be in a better position with the XR70 or the XR55?[/QUOTE]

I would say it's not that desirable. Some people have had grief and incompatibilities with different versions of HDMI (1, 1.1, 1.2)

If you don't run your HDMI through the receiver it just means you have to select both the audio & video sources with your remotes.