Onkyo TX-DS494 User Manual

Unmatched Ease of Use

Compared to any other receiver in this class, the TX-DS494 is the most
straightforward, easy-to-use home-theater centerpiece available today. Take
speaker setup, for example. Well thought-out display graphics and menu prompts
make it so simple and intuitive, even first-time home-theater users are amazed
how easy it is. Another plus: unlike many receivers, there are direct-access
source-input buttons on both the front panel and remote—so you don’t have to
cycle through a menu maze just to play your DVDs, CDs, videotapes and other
sources. The remote, which is refreshingly straightforward, groups buttons of
different shapes, sizes, and colors to vividly differentiate between functions. It’s
also preprogrammed* to control other manufacturers’ gear (TV cable, satellite,
VCR, DVD)—so you don’t have to go through the annoying process of searching
for and entering a number.What’s more, the receiver has automatic digital/analog
signal detection and switching to take the guesswork out of what format to choose
or input to use—so you can just hit a button, sit back and enjoy the show.

Wide Range Amplifier Technology (WRAT)

While WRAT was originally developed for our high-end amplifiers to handle the
sonic demands of such high-resolution formats as DVD-Audio and Super-Audio
CD, it also provides an improved dynamic S/N ratio and better delivery of
momentary power peaks from all software, including regular CDs and DVDs.
How? By: 1) Using an innovative low negative-feedback design that virtually
eliminates the influence of counter-electromagnetic force from the speakers; 2)
Eliminating ground-potential fluctuations that could adversely affect the signal;
and 3) Delivering high instantaneous current—enough solid clean power to
effortlessly drive even “difficult” low-impedance loads—just what’s needed to
handle today’s home-theater speaker systems. The result is movie-theater
impact and sound purity that conventional receivers simply cannot match.

Dolby Pro Logic II

This new surround-sound decoding process delivers Dolby Digital-like, quasi-

5.1-channel sound from stereo music recordings, and from stereo- and Dolby
Surround-encoded movie soundtracks. It also provides significantly better

channel separation than standard Dolby Pro Logic, and offers stereo surround

channels, which is a big improvement over plain Pro Logic’s single, mono
surround channel.

Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry

To produce volume at low levels, conventional volume-attenuation methods
must initially drop a signal close to the noise floor. This often taints the signal
with a small amount of noise, which becomes amplified when the signal is
amplified. Onkyo’s Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry solves this problem by
adjusting the gain so that less than half the typical amount of attenuation is
needed. This ensures that the signal never comes close to the noise floor,
and thereby eliminates the possibility of noise contamination that plagues
conventional volume-attenuation designs.

Designed to Handle Today’s and Tomorrow’s High-Resolution
Multichannel A/V Sources

To accommodate the wide dynamic range of sources like DVD-Audio and Super
Audio CD, the TX-DS494 delivers a stereo frequency response up to 100,000 Hz.
The unit also features a 5.1-channel input, meaning it’s ready for new multi­channel formats down the road.

Offers the Ideal Balance of Sophistication, Functionality and Value

For movie fans who want a cost-efficient yet respectable home theater that’s exceptionally easy to use, the TX-DS494 is one of the very best
surround receivers you can buy. It not only offers maximum digital home-theater flexibility, but also sound and build quality that has no peer

in this class. What’s more, in addition to S-video switching and heavy-duty speaker binding-post for all channels (extremely rare in this price

range), the TX-DS494 features three assignable digital inputs, a 5.1-channel input to handle future needs, a frequency response out to 100

kHz to support DVD-Audio and Super-Audio CD playback, state-of-the-art 96 kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels, a powerful preprogrammed*

remote, and Dolby Digital and DTS decoding.

Shown: North American model (Black only) Europe:Black/Silver Asia:Black/Gold

TX-DS494

DIGITAL SURROUND HOME THEATER RECEIVER

*North American models

TX-DS494

DIGITAL SURROUND HOME THEATER RECEIVER

NPR No. 01N03 12/00 Printed in Japan

Amplifier Features

• 55 Watts minimum of continuous

RMS power to each of the five chan­nels into 8 Ω from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
with no more than 0.08% THD (North
American models, FTC rated)

• 75 Watts minimum of continuous

RMS power to each of the five chan­nels into 6 Ω at 1 kHz (European
models, DIN)

• 100 Watts minimum to each of the

five channels into 6 Ω at 1 kHz (Asian
models, JEITA)

• Wide Range Amplifier Technology

(WRAT)

• Extended Frequency Response (20 Hz

to 100 kHz)

• Full bandwidth power to all 5 main

channels

• High-current, low-impedance 6-Ohm

drive for all five channels

• Oversized electrolytic capacitors

• State-of-the-art linear PCM 96

kHz/24-bit DACs for all channels

• Fully discrete output stages for all five

channels

• Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry

• Massive isolated transformer

• 2 Large high-grade extruded-aluminum

heat sinks

• A/B speaker drive

• Tone control (bass, treble) for front L/R

speakers

• Auto-protection circuitry

Audio/Video Features

• Dolby®Digital, DTS®,Dolby Pro Logic II

decoding

• All Channel stereo

• 7 DSP soundfields

• High Definition DSP

• Late night mode (on, off)

• “Easy-set” speaker configuration

• Extensive bass management circuitry

• 5.1-Channel input

• Automatic signal detection

• 3 Assignable digital inputs (2 coaxial,

1 optical)

• 3 S-video inputs and 1 output

• 3 A/V inputs

• 3 Audio inputs

• Phono input

• Dedicated line-level subwoofer pre out

• Full input/output cassette and

VCR loops

• 7 Sets of heavy-duty multiway speaker

binding posts (dual banana-plug
compatible)

FM/AM Tuner Features

• Outstanding selectivity and sensitivity

• 30 FM/AM random presets

• FM auto tuning

• RDS (European models) with PS

• Red FM stereo indicator

• 75-Ohm antenna input

• FM indoor antenna supplied

• AM loop antenna supplied

Other Performance Features

• Precision digital speed-sensitive

volume control

• Absolute volume display

• Separate PC (printed circuit) boards

for audio and video sources

• Large bright fluorescent display

• 2-Mode display dimmer (normal, low)

• Individual input selectors for each

source

• Headphone jack (standard size)

• Audio mute (remote)

• Sleep timer (remote)

• Battery-free memory backup

• 2 Switched AC convenience outlets

with a total 120 watts max (100 watts
max for European/Asian models)

• Heavy-duty power cord

• Large non-resonant feet

• Heavy-gauge, anti-resonant, reinforced-

steel chassis

• Vibration-resistant cover

• Brushed aluminum front panel

• Powerful preprogrammed* remote

(*North American models only)

AMPLIFIER SECTION

Power Output

North American Models

Front Main L/R ............... 55 W/ch min. RMS.

(8 Ω, 20 Hz-20 kHz, FTC, 0.08 % THD)

Center ............................ 55 W min. RMS.

(8 Ω, 20 Hz-20 kHz, FTC, 0.08 % THD)

Surround L/R ................. 55 W/ch min. RMS.

(8 Ω, 20 Hz-20 kHz, FTC, 0.08 % THD)

Front Main L/R ............... 70 W/ch min. RMS. (6 Ω, 1 kHz, FTC, 0.1 % THD)

Center ............................ 70 W min. RMS. (6 Ω, 1 kHz, FTC, 0.1 % THD)

Surround L/R ................. 70 W/ch min. RMS. (6 Ω, 1 kHz, FTC, 0.1 % THD)

European Models

Front Main L/R ............... 75 W/ch min. RMS. (6 Ω, 1 kHz, DIN)

Center ............................ 75 W/ch min. RMS. (6 Ω, 1 kHz, DIN)

Surround L/R ................. 75 W/ch min. RMS. (6 Ω, 1 kHz, DIN)

Asian Models

Front Main L/R ............... 100 W/ch (6 Ω, 1 kHz, JEITA)

Center ............................ 100 W (6 Ω, 1 kHz, JEITA)

Surround L/R ................. 100 W/ch (6 Ω, 1 kHz, JEITA)

Dynamic Power (front)

(Calculated on basis of IHF dynamic headroom)

3 Ω /4 Ω/8 Ω............................................... 140 W/ch / 110 W/ch / 75 W/ch

Tot al Harmonic Distortion ....... 0.08 % at rated power/0.08% at 1 W output

Frequency Response ...................................... 20 Hz-100 kHz: + 1 dB, - 3 dB

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Phono .................................................................. 80 dB (IHF-A, 5 mV input)

CD/TAPE ............................................................... 100 dB (IHF-A)

Phono Overload ........................................ 110 mV RMS. (1 kHz, 0.5 % THD)

Damping Factor ............................................................................... 60 at 8 Ω

Input Sensitivity and Impedance

PHONO .............................................................................. 2.5 mV, 50 kΩ

LINE (CD, TAPE, DVD, VIDEO-1, 2) ................................... 200 mV, 50 kΩ

DIGITAL-2 (COAXIAL) ....................................................... 0.5 Vp-p, 75 Ω

DVD, VIDEO-1, 2 ............................................................... 1 Vp-p, 75 Ω

Output Level and Impedance

Rec out (TAPE, VIDEO-2) .................................................. 200 mV, 2.2 kΩ

Pre out (SUBWOOFER) ..................................................... 1 V, 2.2 kΩ

VIDEO (VIDEO-2, MONI) ................................................... 1 Vp-p 75 Ω

Tone Control

BASS ................................................................................. ± 10 dB at 50 Hz

TREBLE ............................................................................. ± 10 dB at 20 kHz

TUNER SECTION

Usable Sensitivity

FM Mono.............................. 11.2 dBf, 1.0 µV (75 Ω IHF), 0.9µV (75 Ω DIN)

FM Stereo ............................ 17.2 dBf, 2.0 µV (75 ΩIHF), 23 µV (75 ΩDIN)

AM ....................................... 30 µV

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

FM Mono ...................................................................................... 76 dB, IHF

FM Stereo ..................................................................................... 70 dB, IHF

AM ................................................................................................ 40 dB

Harmonic Distortion

FM Mono .............................................................................................. 0.2 %

FM Stereo ............................................................................................. 0.3 %

AM ....................................................................................................... 0.7 %

FM Stereo Separation ..................... 45 dB at 1 kHz/30 dB at 100 Hz-10 kHz

GENERAL

Dimensions (W x H x D) ... 17-1/8˝ x 5-7/8˝ x 13-1/8˝ /435 x 150 x 333 mm

Weight .................................. 21.4 lbs./9.7 kg (Noth American Models)

10.3 kg/22.7 lbs. (European Models)

11.1 kg/24.5 lbs. (Asian Models)

SPECIFICATIONS

ONKYO CORPORATION

Sales & Product Planning Div.: 2-1, Nisshin-cho, Neyagawa-shi, OSAKA 572-8540, JAPAN Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]

ONKYO U.S.A. CORPORATION

18 Park Way, Upper Saddle River, N.J. 07458, U.S.A. Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] http://www.onkyousa.com

ONKYO EUROPE ELECTRONICS GmbH

Industriestrasse 20, 82110 Germering, GERMANY Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] http://www.onkyo.net

ONKYO CHINA LIMITED

Units 2102-2107, Metroplaza Tower I, 223 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Chung, N. T., HONG KONG, SAR of China Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] http://www.onkyochina.com

ONKYO INDIA PVT. LTD.,

No.1, Sriram Nagar, South Street, Alwarpet, Chennai 600 018, INDIA Tel: [phone] (Telefax

)

Due to a policy of continuous product improvement, Onkyo reserves the right to change specifications and appearance without notice.

“Dolby”, “Pro Logic” and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.“DTS” is a trademark of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.

Shown: North American model (Black only) Europe:Black/Silver Asia:Black/Gold

Shown: North American model

(Illustration)