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  December 31, 2012 4:05 pmPosted 11 years ago

  FLmiami

  1 of 4 people found the following review helpful

  
  Onkyo DS-A5 lacks key features and it is priced too high, December 17, 2012

  By 

  FLmiami (Miami, FL) –

  This review is from: Onkyo DS-A5 iPod/iPhone/iPad Dock (Electronics)

  I have an Onkyo TX-SR805 (non-networked) receiver and I use an Apple TV to stream music from my iPhone. However, I can’t turn the receiver on or off or control it remotely from my iPhone. So, I’ve been thinking about replacing it by a new networked receiver. And yet, the TX-SR805 is a very good and powerful receiver, and I’d rather keep it if ONKYO offered a device which added networking functionality comparable to the new ONKYO receivers at the right price.

  “Googling” for “ONKYO and AIRPLAY” recently, I found ONKYO’s DS-A5 new product announcement and I was hopeful for a moment, but after reading the details I realized that it does not offer the functionality that I want.

  So, this is my WISH LIST for the next version (If I have not replaced the TX-SR805 by then).

  MUSTS

  #1: Remote Control of the RECEIVER (and of this device) via an APP from an iPhone (or Android Phone, or Windows Phone).
  This device does not offer that functionality at this time.
  My question is: Would it be even possible via the RI interface between this device and the receiver?

  #2: AirPlay
  It is included with this device, but without “MUST #1”, I don’t have a compelling reason to buy it, because AppleTV offers AirPlay and much more for $99, half the price of this device.

  #3: HDMI
  It is surprising that it does not have it. Instead it has a composite port. Disappointing.

  DESIRABLES

  #1: Access to internet radio services such as those included with the new Onkyo network receivers (Pandora, Rhapsody, Spotify, Slacker, Last.FM, Aupeo, vTuner)

  #2: Ability to play music and videos from a media server.

  #3: USB port
  It is surprising that it does not include one, particularly when the product description says the following:
  “Owners of Onkyo A/V receivers and stereo amplifiers – particularly older units that lack a USB or ethernet port – can now enjoy the convenience…”

  #4: Access to internet video services such as YouTube, Amazon Video, Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, etc.

  OTHER COMMENTS
  For me, the “docking connector / charger” is not necessary. Plus not having it would make the device more “universal” now that Apple devices come with two different types of connectors.

  PRICE
  Finally, I also think that the price ($199) is too high for this particular device, and that the sweet spot would be around $99, same as the Apple TV and the ROKU 2 XS, or perhaps up to 25% higher, so that potential buyers could get functionality comparable to an Apple TV or a ROKU 2XS plus the ability to control their non-networked ONKYO receivers from their smartphones.

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