ONKYOTXSR309Black AV Receiver

Once again, Onkyo has raised the bar, making the TXSR309 the ultimate starter AV receiver.

Building on the already class-leading TX-SR308, the new TX-SR309 adds an iPhone/iPod compatible USB port, enhanced jitter reduction technology and sleek new styling.

As before, though, what truly marks the TXSR309 out from its competitors is the inclusion of both 3D compatibility and high-definition audio processing; many rivals still only provide one or the other. With 3D compatibility you can run your 3D Blu-ray player, PS3 and Sky 3D box via the receiver and in to your 3D compatible TV; all with the minimum of fuss. The latest and most powerful processing has always been at the heart of Onkyo's receivers, and the TXSR309 is no exception. It will handle high-definition lossless audio codecs from Dolby and DTS. This high resolution surround sound processing makes it the perfect partner for Blu-ray with all the potential for audio excellence this source provides.

It's not just the processing power but quality, too, that makes Onkyo receivers stand out. Burr-Brown 192/24 DACs for all channels, an advanced 32-Bit Processing Chip and a high power transformer help to give the TXSR-309 class-leading sound quality and an equally impressive 85 watts power output (dynamic measurement at 8 ohms).

This may be the baby of the Onkyo range but, when it comes to connecting up, there's a surprisingly comprehensive range of sockets - as good as many mid-range receivers from just a year or two ago. Three HDMI inputs and an output let you route your Blu-ray, digital TV and games console through to the TV. Added to this are a wide range of other sockets including twin component inputs for older DVD players and three digital audio inputs. New to the TX-SR309 is a front-mounted USB socket. It might not look much, but this little socket will transform the sound quality from your iPod or iPhone. By connecting to the USB, you'll benefit from a digital connection. This gives a direct signal and, hence, purer sound quality than using a conventional dock or analogue input. If you don't have an iPod or iPhone, the USB socket will also accept music signals from other MP3 players or multi-media devices.

Finally, one of the features we like most about the Onkyo AV receivers is how easy they are to set up. With an overlaid On-Screen Display, adjusting settings is straight-forward, while the simple menu logically takes you through the fine-tuning of your system.

As budget AV receivers go, the TX-SR309 is a gem and, yet again, if you're looking for a path into proper home cinema then the Onkyo TX-SR309 is still the number one route.