Why do the new Onkyo TX-NRx09 receivers sound so bad for music?

billbillw

IMO, the smart buyer would find a used 805, check to see if the unit has main firmware 1.08, and plan to rebuild the HDMI board. Should be much cheaper than the new units. Are the networking features really worth it?

cnh

Serendipity wrote: »

Should I go for the TX-NR1000 or the TX-NR5009 ($1400 more)?

I am undecided at this point.

The 1000 is "ancient" at this point. It has, what? A couple of HDMIs? And what version are those? Do they pass LPCM audio...because that is a consideration since this unit cannot process HD sound formats. This was "supposed" to be Onkyo's answer to obsolescence (had module ports for circuit board upgrades that Onkyo NEVER delivered on--instead they introduced the XX5 series).

There is no doubt that this is a beast of a receiver, 150 watts per channel weighing in at over 70 lbs. I'm sure it has pretty good sound for most purposes. And probably has multi-channel ins that can be used for blu-ray?

The 5009, though, trumps it in having dozens of extra features including the ever important wireless web access, etc. And primo video upscaling.

Is that worth the extra money? ONLY if you have it to spend. Don't overextend yourself for features (but that's just my opinion and I'm on the "frugal" side of things!).

The other thing to consider is; is the 1000 reparable? Can one find "parts" for it if it fails when Onkyo, itself, stopped supporting it?

cnh

jon s

jbooker82 wrote: »

Why not just buy a AC Cooling Fan. I have the 120mmx120mmx25mm one on top of my Onkyo. Then plug it in to a switched (smart or green, what ever you wan to call it) power strip.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110V-115V-120V-AC-Axial-Cooling-Fan-120mm-x-25mm-Power-Plug-/330633835322?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cfb4ff33a

If you want to reverse the direction why not just flip the fan over?

some fans are designed for one way only... the weight of the fan assembly and the displaced bearings can cause premature wear...

Serendipity

Well, after disconnecting everything and having gear all over the place... Argh!

pdxfj

You can also check out Accessories 4 less and look at "B" stock units. The person I bought my amp from was using the 5008 as a pre. I asked him how the 5008 sounded on its own and his response was the amp did sound better but only just a bit. Wasn't enough to concern him too much.

I haven't ever used my 808 to drive my L-C-R speakers but I have been curious how it sounds vs. my external amp.

Also I'm using two 90mm 12v computer fans blowing though the top onto the HDMI board. I was getting overheating issues and would lose audio from time to time.

Face

If you're willing to spend that kind of money, forget Onkyo and try one of the other brands I mentioned. There was a night and day difference going from my old Onkyo 707 to a Marantz AV7005.

Serendipity

Looks like I am satisfied at this moment -

I hooked up my old Onkyo and wow what a difference. Sounds great!

Now onto that tube amp build...

ViperZ

seeclear wrote: »

What kind of fan, exactly? Link?

Thanks in advance.

http://www.buyextras.com/evavcoblfanf.html

Adjustable voltage output on the power supply, so you can make it dead quiet (running at 3V)

IRLRaceFan

Face wrote: »

If you're willing to spend that kind of money, forget Onkyo and try one of the other brands I mentioned. There was a night and day difference going from my old Onkyo 707 to a Marantz AV7005.

How do you like the AV7005 for 2Ch music? And have you compared it to any other multichannel pre/pro's?

Face

I've only compared it to a Onkyo 707 and a Wyred 4 Sound STP preamp/DAC-2.

The 7005 is much more coherent and cleaner than the 707, the differences weren't subtle. And for HT, the room correction in the 7005 is better sounding too IMO.

The W4S gear does sound better for music, but it should at more than double the price.

Serendipity

Unfortunately, I do not like the user interface of the Marantz receivers and NAD's face plate won't do it for me. How about the Denon AVR-5805?

When I buy gear I consider it as a whole package (user interface, aesthetics, sound quality, and reliability).

If a piece of gear only meets 3 out of the 4 criteria IMO it could use improvement in one of those other categories.

Face

I'm not familiar with that particular Denon, but I have read good things about the 4311CI. Many Denon and Marantz receivers/processors are similar under the hood, so I wouldn't be surprised if their interfaces are the same too.

Serendipity

The first review I came across on this page:

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-4311CI-Channel-Multi-Room-Receiver/dp/B0042KVX2S

"Great Sound, poor user interface"

EndersShadow

Face wrote: »

I'm not familiar with that particular Denon, but I have read good things about the 4311CI. Many Denon and Marantz receivers/processors are similar under the hood, so I wouldn't be surprised if their interfaces are the same too.

That Denon is on my short list to replace my Integra DTR 5.9 (mostly for XT32 to replace my 2EQ), but I would HIGHLY recommend making use of its pre-outs as Denons real wattage stats with all channels driven are darn right embarrasing from what I have read, and its an across the board thing.....

Rampittman

was a big believer in onkyos until the 1009 and 809 crapped out on me after a few months use. bad hdmi boards, bad soldering, you name it. now have the yamaha 2010 (best avr i've ever had) and the denon 4311ci which are super. screw onkyo.

Serendipity

There was a night and day difference in SQ going from the Onkyo TX-NR609 to the Denon AVR-5800.

Once you get over the $4k price barrier, sound quality on music improves. I'm looking at a $9k AVR right now...

F1nut

I'm looking at a $9k AVR right now...

Why, it's still an AVR.

Serendipity

Because it sounds awesome. I'll post pics when I eventually buy it. Not now though, need to save up...

bruss

P

billbillw wrote: »

My SR805 has been in heavy use since I purchased it about 4 years ago and I hope to get many more years out of it. So far, not a single issue with the HDMI board. My receiver sits in open air with nothing on top and it is actually pretty close to an AC vent (within 3 feet), so that has probably helped keep it cooler than most, especially those who place it inside a cabinet. I still expect it might be a problem in the years to come, but I'm prepared to fix it.

On the topic of when Onkyo started to slide, most agree (see discussion at AVSforum) that the SR806 was a step down from the SR805 in terms of sound quality and sheer power.

The reason the 806 is substantially lighter than the 805 is because it uses a much smaller transformer! In other words, it doesn't have the same current capability with all channels driven. In addition, the 806 had a less powerful version of Audyssey (XT on the 805), and lower quality DACs.

However, the 806 has better video upconversion (which I've never used anyway) and 2 additional HDMI ports, both of which may be important to some folks, just not to me. Oh, the 806 also did away with the switched accessory AC plug, which may be used to power a cooling fan or to switch on an external mains amp (I do this).

+1 ive had zero issues with my 805.. It is only powering my rears though. Im startig to get the upgrade itch on it though

mantis

mantis wrote: »

I use to do Integra many years ago back in 2001 2002. We just recently picked up Integra and I actually think they sound pretty good. Features and dynamic range are the 2 things that stand out.
Honestly I do believe the Pioneer Elite models sound much better side by side. They tend to have a more musical separate type sound while the Integra's seem to sound more like a receiver. I do however feel they are better then most others out there.

I'm wondering if Integra also has this HDMI board issues. I guess time will tell.

Since this time(12/6/11) We have had no Integra Failures of any kind. The work horse is the DTR40.3 which is a fine receiver. No issues of any kind with HDMI. I'm assuming Onkyo/Integra has fixed this issue along with any other as they work flawless.

The New .4 series is hitting and I'm looking forward to checking out the DTR80.4 and the DHC80.4 Pre.

Mike Kozak

I just bought a new Yamaha 7.1 Reciever and LOVE it. It is the RX-V571, and with 105 watts X 7.1 it really cranks
out the sound. I have to get it all calibrated still but it sounds great for music, cannot wait till I hook up the TV and blu ray!!

brgman

I have an 808 that hasnt blinked once.Guess i got lucky.Also not a big HT guy so it was seldom used but when i did i had a carver amp and parasound 2100 for HT bypass for 2 channel.
i'm either giving it to the kid or selling it soon now anyway.

zane77

I bought a cople of thermaltake fans off of ebay, these were usb powered came with cables and a speed control so you could adjust the speed so you couldn't hear it from a foot away. So far no problems on my 708. I had a 705 that the hdmi board died, didn't want to have that problem again. so far so good almost two years.