AVR upgrade time

codyc1ark
codyc1ark Posts: 2,539
in Electronics
Hi! Hope everyone has had a great 2026 so far! We've been just spending money left and right to close out 2025 so why not begin the new year the same way?! I'm looking to replace my Pioneer Elite SC-25. It's been great, but it's showing its age. I'm kind of locked on to the Onkyo RZ-30. I want to have pre-out's, the included dirac is attractive, and I can get a refurb for $800ish, and that's where I'd like the budget to be. I'm close to pulling the trigger but just wanted to see if anyone else had thoughts on something else in that range.

TIA!
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Comments

  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,849
    Do you need the 9.2 of the Onkyo or is 7.2 still sufficient? How many channels do you need? This will help in the decision making.
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,738
    The RZ30 is the best thing going in that price range. New ones can be had for $999 on sale now. Yamaha Aventage is another to look at but more expensive and doesn't really offer anything better. I wouldn't go below that level. Something like the Denon X3800H is comparable but costs $1799. The RZ30 has ARC/eARC, HDCP 2.3, and a full set of pre-outs including for dual subwoofers so all set for connectivity.

    https://www.crutchfield.com/p_580TXRZ30/Onkyo-TX-RZ30.html?tp=179
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,738
    Edit: The RZ30 can be found new on Amazon from Electronics Expo for as low as $799.
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,539
    Emlyn wrote: »
    The RZ30 is the best thing going in that price range. New ones can be had for $999 on sale now. Yamaha Aventage is another to look at but more expensive and doesn't really offer anything better. I wouldn't go below that level. Something like the Denon X3800H is comparable but costs $1799. The RZ30 has ARC/eARC, HDCP 2.3, and a full set of pre-outs including for dual subwoofers so all set for connectivity.

    https://www.crutchfield.com/p_580TXRZ30/Onkyo-TX-RZ30.html?tp=179

    I'm seeing the same, and just wanted to get everyone else's view on it. 9.2 isn't necessary but I'm also not seeing anything at that price range that looks like it would have everything the RZ has.
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,738
    One thing that sets the RZ models apart from others is Onkyo includes a cooling fan for heat dissipation rather than larger heat sinks for the amp and processing sections. That may turn off some but it's part of the design worth knowing about. The comparably powered Denon x3800H only weighs a couple lbs more then the RZ30 but that equates to about a 9 percent weight difference and helps explain part of the price difference. When companies are competing with each other for the same customers they squeeze out quality as the price point goes down for different models. I've always viewed Onkyo as the comparatively good value brand.
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,849
    @codyc1ark. Is this for 2CH or HT or both? How many speakers are in your setup and total planned for? Are you looking for maximum features or simple HT?
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  • skipshot12
    skipshot12 Posts: 1,992
    Proper heat sinks are good but moving the air is better than good.

    I have a fan on my amp, a fan built into my processor...
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  • Emlyn
    Emlyn Posts: 4,738
    edited January 5
    True! Heat kills electronics and many receiver models from 10 to 15 years ago had real problems with heat dissipation as processing power was boosted for new video and audio demands. Especially when receivers were installed by owners without adequate airflow. HDMI board failures were pretty common.

    I haven't heard that Onkyo has had heat problems with the RZ30 or RZ50. The next step up RZ70 model doesn't use a large fan internally for cooling because it has adequate heat sinks. It also weighs almost 50 lbs as a result. It does have a couple of small fans for the processor sections.
    Post edited by Emlyn on
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,539
    Found a good buy on ebay for an RZ30 - initially I'm very happy with it! I'm super sad to old SC-25 go but on to new tech! I've got some other additions in mind, but between this and the TV I'm holding off on anything in the near future.
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  • WagnerRC
    WagnerRC Posts: 2,206
    Thanks for all the info posted in this thread. I think I will get the RZ70 and give it a try. I will upgrade from a arcam av350. I appreciate the info posted.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,500
    Emlyn wrote: »
    True! Heat kills electronics and many receiver models from 10 to 15 years ago had real problems with heat dissipation as processing power was boosted for new video and audio demands. Especially when receivers were installed by owners without adequate airflow. HDMI board failures were pretty common.

    I haven't heard that Onkyo has had heat problems with the RZ30 or RZ50. The next step up RZ70 model doesn't use a large fan internally for cooling because it has adequate heat sinks. It also weighs almost 50 lbs as a result. It does have a couple of small fans for the processor sections.

    I have the RZ Flagship AVR in the Integra DRX 8.4. It's basically a juiced up RZ70. The new amp design from a few years ago is fantastic as releasing heat. Mine runs pretty cool for such a huge powerful AVR and I have 9 speakers connected to mine. I have a 5.2.4 Atmos system. I can drive the living hell out of it and it barely breaks a sweat.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,500
    edited January 21
    gmcman wrote: »
    @codyc1ark. Is this for 2CH or HT or both? How many speakers are in your setup and total planned for? Are you looking for maximum features or simple HT?

    I gotta tell you man, the full Integra DRX line and Onkyo's RZ line is one hell of a musical lineups. It's amazing how damn good they all sound. From the entry to flagship , for what you need for your room and speaker package, you will be able to pull double duty and really enjoy it.

    I have been impressed with the current line of Onkyo / Integra models. Hell so much I currently own the Integra Flagship DRX 8.4.

    bpqgixz7xab8.jpeg
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,500
    codyc1ark wrote: »
    Hi! Hope everyone has had a great 2026 so far! We've been just spending money left and right to close out 2025 so why not begin the new year the same way?! I'm looking to replace my Pioneer Elite SC-25. It's been great, but it's showing its age. I'm kind of locked on to the Onkyo RZ-30. I want to have pre-out's, the included dirac is attractive, and I can get a refurb for $800ish, and that's where I'd like the budget to be. I'm close to pulling the trigger but just wanted to see if anyone else had thoughts on something else in that range.

    TIA!

    If you have any questions about the line , just hit me up man. You will enjoy the Onkyo . I know the SC-25 very well, I had several SC models back in the day, I think I had like 4 or 5 of them.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,539
    Thanks! I'm a few weeks into the RZ and I'm impressed so far! I need to do a few more tweaks and get some cables cleaned up, the usual.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,500
    WagnerRC wrote: »
    Thanks for all the info posted in this thread. I think I will get the RZ70 and give it a try. I will upgrade from a arcam av350. I appreciate the info posted.

    The RZ70 is a beast. It's very powerful and loaded with modern features. The amp design is pretty unique and I'm very impressed with its abilities. Looking forward to your impressions after you get it.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,500
    codyc1ark wrote: »
    Thanks! I'm a few weeks into the RZ and I'm impressed so far! I need to do a few more tweaks and get some cables cleaned up, the usual.

    The RZ30 like the RZ50 is highly regarded in the audio community for many good reasons. The price vs performance is great. It's a great budget AVR that does many things right.

    I love how Onkyo also includes DIRAC while other brands like Denon and Marantz make you pay to use it.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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