Can Anyone Help Me Track Down a Certain Vintage of Onkyo AVR?

[J. Lohmann]

The older generations of Onkyo AVRs have features I am very interested in (the "IntelliVolume" system, front panels that show the input name alongside the sound mode currently in use, aluminum faces, etc.) and after living with a Denon X2800 for a few years now that I picked up to replace an aging Onk 605, I'm convinced I don't care for the cheap build/knobs or sound of the Denon. As such, I'm back to looking for an Onkyo, but it can't be a new one because they're missing the aforementioned features (notably the front panels that don't allow for showing the sound mode in use in large lettering), and I really do not care for the aesthetics of the new ones coming next year (an important consideration for me).

I thought I had my search narrowed down to an RZ900 (which was based, if memory serves, on a suggestion by a member here), which shows the information on the front AND includes IntelliVolume, but the dimensions are just far too large for our entertainment center (in depth); someone is selling one for like 600 bucks on eBay, which seems to be a steal, but it just won't fit.

The RZ800, when I looked it up, is even bigger in the depth -- which is baffling -- so that won't work right now, either.

Does anyone know of any older RZ models (or well-made NR models) that offer a smaller footprint along with the features I'm looking for (the Onkyo IntelliVolume system and front panel like the 900 seen in the pic above)? I can't seem to hunt down exactly what I'm after, but I know I want an Onkyo and don't want the Denon anymore.

When did they begin building the AVRs without the input name and sound mode on two rows, as seen in the pic above? I'd want a model from just BEFORE that time period, even if it's a decently-built NR unit.

I of course realize I'd then have to hunt down one of these units in the wild, pre-owned.

If anyone could assist, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[thcdru2k]

This has intellivolume and two line display

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-sfsPxeekSem/p_580TXN818/Onkyo-TX-NR818.html

 

[fatoldgit]

7-channel amplifier; 135 watts per channel with 2 channels driven

hmm... not a very useful spec... so given they won't tell us the rating for 7 channels we have to assume it sucks bad.

Surely at this point there must be some industry standard test driving 7 channels to allow for real world usage modeling/product comparisons?

Peter

 

[J. Lohmann]

This has intellivolume and two line display

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-sfsPxeekSem/p_580TXN818/Onkyo-TX-NR818.html

Thank you very much!

I will put that model on my search list.

 

[J. Lohmann]

7-channel amplifier; 135 watts per channel with 2 channels driven

hmm... not a very useful spec... so given they won't tell us the rating for 7 channels we have to assume it sucks bad.

Surely at this point there must be some industry standard test driving 7 channels to allow for real world usage modeling/product comparisons?

Peter

Not sure if you're new to the surround arena, but most (if not all) of the time, AVRs are rated with two channels driven mainly because all channels in a multichannel setup aren't firing at the same time, full tilt. It's common to see these kinds of ratings.

That being said, I don't put a lot of stock in the "that won't be enough power!" argument when I see these under-100WPC numbers; I've powered plenty of surround setups with 80 to 95WPC AVRs (including my current system using a Denon 2800), albeit in a normal sized living room, just fine.

 

[fatoldgit]

Not sure if you're new to the surround arena, but most (if not all) of the time, AVRs are rated with two channels driven mainly because all channels in a multichannel setup aren't firing at the same time, full tilt. It's common to see these kinds of ratings.

I am a complete novice/idiot with regard to surround sound.

My comment was based on this logic:

- device has one power supply shared by all channels
- has enough grunt to power two channels at reasonable levels
- but power supply sages with 5.1 or 7.1 load

Hence my query as to why there isn't some standard 5.1/7.1 industry test that stresses all channels to a typical level or even multiple levels.

Peter

 

[J. Lohmann]

I am a complete novice/idiot with regard to surround sound.

My comment was based on this logic:

- device has one power supply shared by all channels
- has enough grunt to power two channels at reasonable levels
- but power supply sages with 5.1 or 7.1 load

Hence my query as to why there isn't some standard 5.1/7.1 industry test that stresses all channels to a typical level or even multiple levels.

Peter

You apparently aren't, based on your reply, an idiot.

But I never suspected that.

 

[fatoldgit]

You apparently aren't, based on your reply, an idiot.

But I never suspected that.

yeah but I can't spell...."but power supply sages"...how embarrassing!!!!

I hang my head in shame.

Peter

 

[J. Lohmann]

yeah but I can't spell...."but power supply sages"...how embarrassing!!!!

I hang my head in shame.

Peter

 

[Roland68]

The older generations of Onkyo AVRs have features I am very interested in (the "IntelliVolume" system, front panels that show the input name alongside the sound mode currently in use, aluminum faces, etc.) and after living with a Denon X2800 for a few years now that I picked up to replace an aging Onk 605, I'm convinced I don't care for the cheap build/knobs or sound of the Denon. As such, I'm back to looking for an Onkyo, but it can't be a new one because they're missing the aforementioned features (notably the front panels that don't allow for showing the sound mode in use in large lettering), and I really do not care for the aesthetics of the new ones coming next year (an important consideration for me).

I thought I had my search narrowed down to an RZ900 (which was based, if memory serves, on a suggestion by a member here), which shows the information on the front AND includes IntelliVolume, but the dimensions are just far too large for our entertainment center (in depth); someone is selling one for like 600 bucks on eBay, which seems to be a steal, but it just won't fit.

View attachment 536489

The RZ800, when I looked it up, is even bigger in the depth -- which is baffling -- so that won't work right now, either.

Does anyone know of any older RZ models (or well-made NR models) that offer a smaller footprint along with the features I'm looking for (the Onkyo IntelliVolume system and front panel like the 900 seen in the pic above)? I can't seem to hunt down exactly what I'm after, but I know I want an Onkyo and don't want the Denon anymore.

When did they begin building the AVRs without the input name and sound mode on two rows, as seen in the pic above? I'd want a model from just BEFORE that time period, even if it's a decently-built NR unit.

I of course realize I'd then have to hunt down one of these units in the wild, pre-owned.

If anyone could assist, it would be greatly appreciated.

It is likely that the specific unit you are looking for was never built.
If the successor models—the TX-RZ 810, 820, 830, 840, or 1100—don't fit the bill, there probably isn't another option. The subsequent NR models are either of significantly lower quality or are even deeper.
You also shouldn't forget that the RZ900's depth is due to its superior build quality—a feature many of the other units lack.
Perhaps a different rack would make more sense—for example, one that is open at the back.

 

[J. Lohmann]

It is likely that the specific unit you are looking for was never built.
If the successor models—the TX-RZ 810, 820, 830, 840, or 1100—don't fit the bill, there probably isn't another option. The subsequent NR models are either of significantly lower quality or are even deeper.
You also shouldn't forget that the RZ900's depth is due to its superior build quality—a feature many of the other units lack.
Perhaps a different rack would make more sense—for example, one that is open at the back.

Thank you for this.

The 900 definitely has what I'm looking for, but, again, the space is the issue. We cannot install another rack in this space, as it's part of a massive wall unit/entertainment center that we're not getting rid of. The only option would be cutting the back, which I'm not keen on either.

So I'm in a bit of a pickle.

At this point, I'm wondering if I should just get my old 605 repaired because other than not supporting upmixers that handle two-channel DTS-HD signals, it was absolutely perfect for our needs.

If there's anything else you can think of in terms of what may work based on my demands, please share -- I'd appreciate it very much. Thank you, again.