Features
Processing Modes: Dolby: Digital 5.1, EX, Pro Logic IIx
DTS: DTS, ES, 96/24, Neo:6
Other: multiple sound modes
THX Certification: No
Audio D/A Converter: N/A
Number of Amp Channels: 7
Power Rating (watts per channel): 100, into 6 ohms
Frequency Response: –/+3 dB from 4 Hz to 88 kHz
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 4.22 x 16.94 x 15.34
Weight (pounds): 10.4
Price $400

Connections
Inputs:
Video: HDMI (1), component video (2), S-video (3), composite video (4)
Audio: Coaxial digital (2), optical digital (2), six-channel analog (1), stereo analog (4)
Outputs:
Video: HDMI (1), component video (1), S-video (1), composite video (1)
Audio: Subwoofer preout (1)
Additional: AM/FM antenna, digital transceiver slot for SH-FX60

These listings are based on the manufacturer's stated specs; the HT Labs box below indicates the gear's performance on our test bench.

Ratings: Panasonic SA-XR57 A/V Receiver

Build Quality: 85
The lightweight chassis feels more like a source component than a receiver

Value: 94
A broad complement of features for the price

Features: 94
7.1 channels, component video switching, and HDMI with HDAVI

Performance: 90
Solid power output for average speakers

Ergonomics: 88
No onscreen display and a confusing remote

Overall Rating: 91
The SA-XR57 offers solid performance and good features for a budget receiver. The inclusion of even one HDMI input and output set that passes both video and audio is rare at this price.

General Information
SA-XR57 A/V Receiver, $400
Panasonic
(800) 211-PANA
www.panasonic.com

HT Labs Measures: Onkyo TX-SR504 A/V Receiver

Five channels driven continuously into 8-ohm loads:
0.1% distortion at 72.6 watts
1% distortion at 104.6 watts

Analog frequency response in Surround Off mode:
–0.99 dB at 10 Hz
–0.30 dB at 20 Hz
+0.24dB at 20 kHz
+2.44 dB at 50 kHz

This graph shows that the SA-XR57's left channel, from CD input to speaker output with two channels driving 8-ohm loads, reaches 0.1% distortion at 77.9 watts and 1% distortion at 116.0 watts. Into

4 ohms, the amplifier reaches 0.1% distortion at 151.5 watts and 1% distortion at 204.3 watts.

Response from the multichannel input to the speaker output measures –0.22 dB at 10 Hz, –0.09 dB at 20 Hz, +0.22 dB at 20 kHz, and –3.98 dB at 50 kHz. THD+N from the amplifier was less than 0.125% at

1 kHz when driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load. Crosstalk at 1 kHz driving 2.83 volts into an 8-ohm load was –95.59 dB left to right and –87.83 dB right to left. The signal-to-noise ratio with 2.83 volts driving an 8-ohm load from 10 Hz to 24 kHz with "A" weighting was –89.80 dBrA.

From the Dolby Digital input to the loudspeaker output, the left channel measures –0.00 dB at 20 Hz and +0.41 dB at 20 kHz. The center channel measures –0.00 dB at 20 Hz and +0.40 dB at 20 kHz, and the left surround channel measures –0.00 dB at 20 Hz and +0.41 dB at 20 kHz. From the Dolby Digital input to the line-level output, the LFE channel is –0.11 dB at 20 Hz when referenced to the level at 40 Hz and reaches the upper 3-dB down point at 118 Hz and the upper 6-dB down point at 121 Hz.—MJP