Onkyo Network Hi-Fi CD System Black (CS-N575)

I bought the CS(CN)-N575 as a digital receiver and better amplifier for my den - near my computer. It doesn't have the power or features (e.g. room correction) for my main living area; I use a Marantz NR-1608 for that.For my purposes, it's a good choice. Things you need to know:1. This is the CS-N575, but the firmware and other reviews call it the CR-N575. They're the same thing. I'm not certain, but it may be the inclusion of the speakers; the receiver itself is the CR-N575. (The CR-N575D is the 240V model.)2. The D-075 speakers are responsive and bright... which is another way of saying efficient and don't do bass real well. And they're ludicrously directional. Just a little off-center and they sound a LOT worse. They sound good if you can point them right at your ears, but if you move around, not so much. They have a 130mm (5.1") pulp-fiber" woofer and 25mm (1") tweeter, and claim 55Hz to 40KHz... but without a chart.I swapped them out for some 18-year-old DefTech BP-1X bipolar surrounds. Yeah, I purchased them in March 2000... ever feel old suddenly? These have two 12-cm (4.7") mineral filled polypropylene cones with butyl rubber surrounds and dust caps and two 19mm ferrofluid damped moving coil dome tweeters. (Bipolar - remember? Check my reviews - speakers aren't the only things I love that way.) They're the little and older sibling to the Definitive Technology BP2X Much better, about the same volume level. Lost a bit of brightness; the Onkyo speakers really are great at the top end. But gained fullness and the ability to move around. And probably much more accurate.In fairness, a pair of good speakers cost more than the entire CS-N575 system. So you may prefer to add a subwoofer... see point #5 because that won't work either.4. No keyholes on speakers. But you probably will replace them anyhow.5. There is a subwoofer output jack for an powered (amplified) subwoofer but the manual says "When you play source material that contains noinformation in the LFE channel, the subwoofer produces no sound." Which sounds like there's no bass management for most music.I tried this. It is unfortunately true. No subwoofer output from regular music. Since the CR-N575 isn't a home theatre box, I'm unclear as to when the sub would be used.---- Update ----I set an older DefTech ProSub 100 (yeah, lots of Definitive Technology - you WANT this stuff, really. And a Synology.) using the speaker-level inputs instead of the subwoofer in. That works and balances the sound magnificently. The CR-N575 sounds fantastic with decent speakers and a sub. But you need a sub that can take speaker-input, e.g. the Polk Audio PSW10 which is about one-quarter the cost of my DefTech and probably about as good for this purpose.6. The CR-N575 has tone controls, but they're very hidden. You must turn off Direct mode to enable them. And the impact is subtle.That default tune, once you switch to more massive speakers, is VERY bass heavy. Very boomy.7. The unit comes with comically short speaker cables - just under 3 feet long. And thin - like 22 gauge. So you'll be replacing that too. Add $8 for some decent speaker wire.8. You can set up with just the unit, without the remote, but that's not at all intuitive. Using the remote, it's pretty easy. A video-output interface would be more convenient, but the panel is usable.9. Three very long privacy policies displayed on micro-screen, that you must accept to use the device. Probably not enforceable.10. That panel - the display - it's fine when looking right at it. Much like the speakers, terrible off-axis.11. It's easy to play off of a music server (e.g. a Synology.) Really easy.12. You can't play Spotify directly. It must accept a cast from another device, and that requires Spotify Premium.13. TuneIn doesn't work that great either. It does work on many stations, but many others it just says "Cannot play"... no useful error message.14. It doesn't remember what it was last playing. Which is inconvenient... it can take a while to dive back into where you were.15. And it takes a while to turn back on after being off. Even with the power setting changed to tell it to stay somewhat alert.16. The amp has TERRIBLE specs. 10% THD at 20 watts.So with poor speakers, a non-functional subwoofer jack and the streaming issues and other short-comings, how could I give it five stars? Because even with those short-comings, it's a great unit for the price. I'm not displeased with it. I was just hoping it would live up to what they were selling.

This is actually a really nice system, love the ease of use and it does sound pretty great. I use this as my computer sound station.ONE MAJOR PROBLEMIf you use Pandora thru it, you will be VERY annoyed. Pandora always connects and starts playing quickly, but shows an error."Playback Error" Cannot Play" "Back"(but it IS already playing when it says that!)So I click BACK then re-click, then BACK then re-click, then it works and shows the song info.(I have to go thru this for EVERY SONG)And this is the THIRD firmware update I have done, still broken... :((It also has the stupid licencing issue as most other players do, skip limits using your PREMIUM Pandora account...)-Chris

This is a fantastic all in one micro shelf stereo.Sound quality is very good. I was also surprised by headphone audio out through a Grado S-1000. Stock speakers are not that great. I am using a pair of Mission MS-50. Speakers with 88/89 db sensitivity or above should work great. Would be better if Onkyo did not bundle any speakers with it.I am liking chromecast built in as well as using an android substituting remote. Pandora worked without a hitch using chromecast.FM Radio reception is very clear using stock antenna. Net radio works great.All major circuits DSP, ADC PCM9211, DAC PCM1754, LAN, FM, headphone amp and Class-D TAS5760M in one PCB. (40 watts version CR-N775 with AKM DAC sounds great but does not worth the price difference).Updated to 5 star due to overall quality and versatility related to audio. Forgiven is lack luster speakers.I am so impressed that replaced a Denon and a Teac shelf stereo with two more CS-N575.

Very disappointed in this model. First experience was the weight. I picked up the 4.5lbs mini receiver, and said uh oh, this feels really cheap and lightweight. I hoped it was just new technology that made them lighter. This was replacing my 16 year old Yamaha CRX-E300. I unboxed the speakers, and one of the speakers laminate was peeled up. Another uh oh moment. I hooked it all up. Pressed the on button.. and waited approx. 10-20 seconds for the unit to power on! A blue loading progress bar, loads to the right, when full you see the Onkyo logo, then the setup screen. Another Uh oh moment. I started to listen to music. Eagles Hotel California Live as a test. The Mids were good, the highs were lacking. The highest volume level was low IMHO, for a $350 unit. No where near the quality of my 16 year old Yamaha. I also wish the bass, treble, and balance knobs were front and center on the unit, and not buried in menus, or require a remote for quick access. I powered it off, and couldn't get it to power back on. But then realized it may be trying to shutdown like an operating system does. It took a minute or 2, then I could power back on, with the blue loading bar. Very frustrating. You don't know when its off or on, or the power button is not an instant on and off. It was the final uh oh, that made me ship it back. I ordered the Denon M41. Its more expensive. But. hopefully I will have better luck with that. If anyone knows of the best mini system to get, please let me know!!!

I love this stereo! I primarily stream music from sources that this stereo supports. I really like the built in color display but what really blew me away was the cool phone app that you can use to control the stereo from you phone or other device. This app is called Onkyo Controller and with it you can control everything in the stereo, including streaming sources such as Pandora. The app is basically like a super remote control.Finally, I think the audio quality for this stereo is pretty superior. It definitely sounds better then my last Onkyo book shelf that this new network enabled one replaced.