Customer Reviews

Onkyo UP-HT1 HD Radio Tuner

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This product has a really low star review for no reason except people can't objectively review something. (see rant below review)

It works and works great. The sound quality is amazing, like listening to radio on CD. If you are an NPR listener and your station supports HD, get this! It works, works well with the receiver I have and I have the Onkyo Ipod dock plugged into it too, (which also works flawlessly)

My only caution is to buy a powered external antenna ( I have a Terk that's a few years old). Most receivers will not pick up well enough for HD with the awful FM antenna (aerial to some) supplied, especially if you are far from the source. You've spent the money for an Onkyo HD Tuner, so buy an extra antenna. Hint: Many old TV "Rabbit Ears" will work, new or old.

Overall, a good investment if you like radio and like it clear. Yes, it's pricey, but think it was worth it. Get a good external antenna and you won't be disappointed.

Now, for the rant:

First off, don't give an item a bad review if it's DOA. Send it back, get a new one and then review it. Sometimes, you get a lemon, whether it's a car, appliance or an HD tuner! Yes, it's disappointing, but it happens. Make sure it works with your system before you buy it, the description lists which receivers it works with. If your situation doesn't allow you to return it, that's not the fault of the product, so don't give it a bad rating.

Sorry, had to get that out.

Hooked up easily.
Display is cool.
Even does OSD.
Pricey but works great.

Bought this tuner for my high end Onkyo system and was not disappointed with the sound that I received from it.
Many channels that it received did not register as high def. It did receive about 16 channels in the Chicago metro area as high def. The sound quality was equivalent
to CD media. The AM reception was not as good. Probably this is due to a pure AM antenna.

While this does a perfectly good job of decoding HD radio and I have no complaints about the sound quality etc, I don't think Onkyo did a very good job making this integrate with the controls on the receiver or other devices that use the expansion port. I did not find the tuning controls to be very intuitive because they don't appear along with the normal FM tuning display. Instead you have to select "Port" and use different controls that aren't as consistent as they should be with the analog FM tuner controls.

The unit does have a "pass through" for the expansion port, but at least on my receiver this pass through is not "automatic". Basically you have to throw a physical switch on the HD tuner to pick whether you want the HD tuner connected to the receiver, or whatever other passthrough device (such as an iPod dock) connected to the receiver.

What it comes down to is that the integration of this accessory is far from seamless, so if you buy this tuner just don't expect it to be that way.

Works, but tuner seems a little weak. Stations I listened to regularly with the receiver's built in tuner drop out a lot with the HD tuner.

Item works as described. A bit confusing in that have to choose "port" mode on TX-8050 receiver, which then uses the HD tuner. The display does go back to the FM/AM freq and also then shows HD. Also note that the HD will go in and out if the signal drops. The transition is smooth and holds in HD if the signal is good. The improvement in audio is noticable but is not earth shattering. I think it's a bit high price for what you get, but it does work and seems to have no problem with getting HD on all HD FM stations in chicago at my house in suburbs. I would give it 5 stars if the price were more in line with what it should be given the function. The box can be hidden behind the receiver which is nice.

Bought this to go with my new Onkyo receiver. No matter how I try I can not receive any HD stations. I tried calling Onkyo customer service and no seems to be home. I am very disappointed with this purchase. I was looking forward to receiving HD stations.

I read conflicting reviews of this antenna, but figured I have a relatively new Onkyo receiver and thought HD must be better than a traditional fm receiver. When it is working, the signal is clear especially with talk radio, but when there are abrupt changes including most pop and rock music, the antenna will literally cause the sound to go silent and then go back on. It is very frustrating. I studied the manual, but yet to find a solution. I would not recommend this antenna for its cost.

Did not work with my Onkyo receiver; had to return the item. On the up side: the return process with Amazon was wonderful. I provided the necessary documentation and followed the steps outlined on Amazon.com re: how to return an item, and the return went VERY smooth.

I got this device and it was dead on arrival. I did contact Crutchfield and they offered to make it right, but due to being hospitalized, I have not been able too. I am just now able to write the review.
Anyway, the people at Crutchfield seem very eager to want to help, so I can't give them a bad review.