Thoughts/Experience on Onkyo TX-NR838?

msg

Hey guys, anyone have any experience or info on the Onkyo TX-NR838?

tonyb

As far as what ? Most info and reviews is easily obtained in a simple google search. Not really a huge difference in receivers, aside from the bells and whistles you want, and slight sound signature differences.....maybe dependability issues but other than that, what exactly do you want to know ?

jeremymarcinko

I would want the older 818 (even refurbished ) over the 838, unless 4k processing is required. iirc the 818 has independent power supplies for the amp and preamp and weighs over 40lbs. Also many would argue that the audyssey xt32 in the 818 is better than the in house auto eq Onkyo now uses, but in any case I haven't heard onkyos latest eq. The 818 however doesn't have built in WiFi and Bluetooth built in and will require adapters.

gudnoyez

I own a TX-NR838 if you need 4K Upscaling and Dolby Atmos then the 838 is the one to get weighs 34 lbs and has plenty of power Onkyos in house EQ is pretty decent and does the job unless your a XT32 fan, the EQ in the 838 is fine, if you don't need the bells and whistles the 838 offers the 818 would be a decent purchase, I'm real Happy with my 838.

msg

was just wondering whether anyone has one and what the general impressions are, sort of all around. It would be a combo use piece for me, and probably with an amp. I'm pretty content with my current setup, but I like the connectivity the 838 offers, and curious as to how it sounds for music. supposed to have a pure analog mode - is this the same as what everyone else (Pioneer, Yamaha) is doing with Direct modes? Haven't really done much research other than just reading the product briefs and throwing this out here just to see whether anyone else has had any experience with the unit.

I'll check into the 818/828 some more, as well; thanks, and thanks for the info so far fellas.

838 Features - http://www.onkyousa.com/Products/model.php?m=TX-NR838&class=Receiver&source=prodClass
818 Features - http://www.onkyousa.com/Products/model.php?m=TX-NR818&class=Receiver&source=prodClass
828 Features - http://www.onkyousa.com/Products/model.php?m=TX-NR828&class=Receiver&source=prodClass

rpf65

Accessories4less has the 929 for 1k. May want to look at that one also.

WLDock

msg wrote: »

I'm pretty content with my current setup, but I like the connectivity the 838 offers, and curious as to how it sounds for music. Supposed to have a pure analog mode - is this the same as what everyone else (Pioneer, Yamaha) is doing with Direct modes?

Just about everyone has a direct or Pure Audio mode. I never used the later Onkyo units but my TX-NR3008 I'm selling and the 5008 both sound better in 2 ch Direct, Pure Audio etc. playing music vs. the TX-SR806 I had previous. I can even dare to say I like it better than the Pioneer SC units I had.
I'm sure things get even better with a good external amp...but keep things in perspective, these are receivers.

DnPortland

Confused about the atmos part of the onkyo tx-nr838. First do you need atmos content to use atmos setting like Blu-ray? Once you do the update for atmos on the onkyo do you lose the 7.1 and have to use 5.1.2? If you connect an lan to the onkyo will the onkyo automatically do updates given you no choice but to use the atmos?

PolkieMan

I have an 808 and bought it for the pure audio mode and the phono preamp when I listen to music it's nice just to press the pure audio button. I am quite happy with it.