- Joined
- Jun 24, 2024
- Messages
- 1,320
- Likes
- 1,882
Wouldn't count on it. Plenty of people will be willing to pay more for a Denon. Downward price pressure is always welcome, though.
-
Welcome to ASR. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
Onkyo TX-NR7100 AVR Review
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
I have one, and I have difficult to drive 4 ohm speakers (dropping down to a low of 1.6ohm) - the DRX 3.4, works as a superb prepro for the hard to drive front L/C/R via external power amps, meanwhile I save on space and costs by using the internal amps to drive the rears and heights.... my setup is 5.1.4.
Results have been excellent - Dirac also contributed to the end result noticeably.
YES - the DRX 3.4 driving my fronts sounded sub par - the internal amps were NOT up to the task of driving speakers with a 1.6 ohm minimum... but the pre-out's are good... and I have susbtantive amps to handle that task - and the internal amps did handle the rest of the speakers with ease.
Also, the unit runs very very cool - unlike previous generation Onkyo's & Integra's that I have owned - which bodes well for a long service life.
looks like there are still quite a few turds in the AVR world.
But their top of the line model seems to be quite good: https://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/onkyo-tx-rz70-1
And pretty much any other Android/Google TV player capable of running Kodi, VLC or some other similar app?
And none of which are HTPCs.
OP
- Thread Starter
- #205
Let me make this clear:
For the second review, when I got to the power test, the AVR limited power. No test prior to that pushed the amplifier to the limit that I am aware of. This is not a rigorous statement but that someone needs to test for this with a unit out of the box and prove that it is not getting triggered due to other factors such as heat.
Next time I get such a unit, I will test power immediately to confirm what is going on here.
For now, the major fault is lack of indicator in the front panel. If they fixed this with firmware, then everyone would be able to check and report how prevalent it is. I would push Onkyo/Pioneer on this with the hope that they listen and make this change. If this is related to passing UL testing, I suspect this will never come to pass. Thinking out loud, maybe we should contact UL and see what they have to say!
For the second review, when I got to the power test, the AVR limited power. No test prior to that pushed the amplifier to the limit that I am aware of. This is not a rigorous statement but that someone needs to test for this with a unit out of the box and prove that it is not getting triggered due to other factors such as heat.
Next time I get such a unit, I will test power immediately to confirm what is going on here.
For now, the major fault is lack of indicator in the front panel. If they fixed this with firmware, then everyone would be able to check and report how prevalent it is. I would push Onkyo/Pioneer on this with the hope that they listen and make this change. If this is related to passing UL testing, I suspect this will never come to pass. Thinking out loud, maybe we should contact UL and see what they have to say!
MLaranjeiras
Active Member
I have a Pioneer VSX LX 503. For all that has been said about its platform, is a cheap AV receiver for a room up to around 20 square meters on moderate volume. I use a stereo amplifier for LR channels. Never ever dream to plug a 4 Ohms speaker on it. On this arrange, it is honest for its (old US$ 549.00) price. A 505 model at US$ 1,000.00 does not worth, IMO
jayapple
Active Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2022
- Messages
- 157
- Likes
- 90
It is true that AVR is not processing graphics, but support for ultra-high-definition movies and games has become the core selling point of AVR.
When talking about sound quality, it's always on the last page. Now the AVR price is very high, it is true that it has supported all kinds of ultra-high-definition picture quality, but the audio quality is far behind the desktop HIFI device.
Considering the price, quite a few AVRs are not worth buying at all, because the lowest AVR now supports 8K60hz, and a few times the high price is only a little additional features.
Last edited:
- Joined
- May 21, 2021
- Messages
- 368
- Likes
- 229
Which is what besides the shield? There is no popular device that people are using to play media on outside the apple Amazom chain. You either are using an htpc, a shield, or some nameless media box. There is one company zipedea..something like that. Oppo is gone. There are only really a couple of decent 4k players on the market. Locked down corporate streaming is the new normal. They will stop producing discs soon because the younger buyers don't use the players. Grandpa is the user of HTPC now. . I remember how awesome getting a graphics card with hdmi was.And pretty much any other Android/Google TV player capable of running Kodi, VLC or some other similar app?
And none of which are HTPCs.
Many folks also forget that w/these mid-tier Onkyo/Pioneer/Integra AVRs that come w/Dirac, a license fee has been paid to Dirac for the privilege. However much they paid Dirac is that much less money spent on hardware! Yes, the Denon 3800 and kin are more expensive but they have a dedicated SHARC DSP chip that can go all the way to processing DLBM. Just ask Onkyo 7100/RZ50, Pioneer 305/505 (and presumably Integra DRX 3.4 and 5.4) owners why it takes so long to transfer the Dirac filter and why it's not capable of DLBM/DLBC! Having Dirac Live "included" doesn't mean Onkyo didn't cheapen out somewhere else!
popej
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2023
- Messages
- 461
- Likes
- 362
Chromecast with Google TV and Kodi. OpenElec on Raspberry Pi. CoreElec on cheap Amlogic TV BOX.
popej
Senior Member
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2023
- Messages
- 461
- Likes
- 362
For my LX305 it is about 9 seconds for preparing export and 8 seconds for transfer. It is for 4.1.2, maybe would be more for 7.1.4. IMO it doesn't depend on DSP but internal microcontroller.
Similarly for DLBM/DLBC. All calculations are done on PC and DSP doesn't get much more work than for standard DL. If you can't buy DLBC, then it is probably marketing decision to make you consider RZ70 and spend more. DLBM seems to be a special case for AVR with multipe subs, where it replace DL.
And I'm sure, that Onkyo did a lot of cost savings, regardles of DL
I've seen a lot of complaints concerning HDMI w/Onkyo units but not from personal experience as I haven't owned an Onkyo since the TX-SR601!For my LX305 it is about 9 seconds for preparing export and 8 seconds for transfer. It is for 4.1.2, maybe would be more for 7.1.4. IMO it doesn't depend on DSP but internal microcontroller.
Similarly for DLBM/DLBC. All calculations are done on PC and DSP doesn't get much more work than for standard DL. If you can't buy DLBC, then it is probably marketing decision to make you consider RZ70 and spend more. DLBM seems to be a special case for AVR with multipe subs, where it replace DL.
And I'm sure, that Onkyo did a lot of cost savings, regardles of DL
There are undoubtedly separate thermal and possibly a peak limiter. I suspect for this particular limiter, Onkyo likely just samples the rail voltage with a time function. The receiver may not care if there is current actually flowing. The amp "knows" it cannot supply the hypothetical current being demanded without an eventual thermal event or PSU failure, assumes it will continue since it has already gone on for 35 seconds, and permanently latches to a low rail. More or less, it may be a failsafe to the thermal limiter which will still activate and trigger even if the thermal limiter fails. Since the power amps do not disconnect, something as simple as hitting it with a 2V input signal for 35 seconds with no load connected possibly could force the amplifier onto the lower power rail until a power cycle. I would not be surprised if the AP SINAD dashboard could trip it if left to run, even with a zero current demand. I believe D+M products used to do this as well, but might be wrong on that. Whether this particular limiter is hardware or software, who knows.
Last edited:
I am an AVR meathead (someone else in this thread coined that term). I purchased the Onkyo TX-NR-7100 last May. This is perhaps the best AVR I've had in my man-cave in 20 years. The features are fantastic, DIRAC is a game changer for my room. It's a 9.2 channel AVR, perfect for me. I use the AVR primarily for Movies and for 2-channel music via CD and streaming a distant third. I'm a baby-boomer so I don't turn the volume as high as it go, but I can rock out if the feeling moves me. The sound characteristics of the Onkyo TX-NR7100 are very good with my Klipsch speaker 5.1.4 setup. I have a highly technical job and background and I'm very comfortable with measurement techniques and results as described on this website. I am fan of this website, not so much the comments from others. The quote below is from the Amirm's website on this AVR, I'm not kidding!
One of the typical examples why I won't buy an AVR any time soon.
As a consumer grade customer who has a budget to keep in-line with other priorities I simply adore the sound in my room. I doubt I will ever have a problem with the power output the the Onkyo 7100, who would unless your a person under 30 yrs old trying to impress the neighborhood. I get it this AV receiver doesn't come close the specification of a product 2-5 times the price. Should it? I can simply say, if you are a consumer like me, in my age group, and not audiophile, BUY the Onkyo TX-NR7100. For $800 (on sale). OMG it sounds awesome! I'm not being a audio SNOB. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE the writeup that Amirm produces on his site.
AVR Meathead
One of the typical examples why I won't buy an AVR any time soon.
As a consumer grade customer who has a budget to keep in-line with other priorities I simply adore the sound in my room. I doubt I will ever have a problem with the power output the the Onkyo 7100, who would unless your a person under 30 yrs old trying to impress the neighborhood. I get it this AV receiver doesn't come close the specification of a product 2-5 times the price. Should it? I can simply say, if you are a consumer like me, in my age group, and not audiophile, BUY the Onkyo TX-NR7100. For $800 (on sale). OMG it sounds awesome! I'm not being a audio SNOB. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE the writeup that Amirm produces on his site.
AVR Meathead
beagleman
Major Contributor
I still say there seems to be a huge disconnect with many members here, based on what they expect to get for this price range.
Top Notch performance audio and video, along with 5/7/9 or more channels of amplification, tons of switching, room correction, equalization, and many streaming features and wifi stuff, Remote controls, etc, etc simply can not be had for a lowly $1,000 or so.
I have seen 2 channel amps that cost as much as more as THIS!
VERY UNREALISTIC expectations.............wow.
To do all this with complete separates and have ALL THE FUNCTIONS of this or a similar AVR, would be literally $5,000-7,000
All Avrs based on price alone MUST be a compromise, between tons of features and connections and so on, and less than ideal 4 ohm performance and some power amp limitations.
Not excusing how this one in particular implemented the protection, but I am just wondering what some are "Expecting" for about $1,000??
Top Notch performance audio and video, along with 5/7/9 or more channels of amplification, tons of switching, room correction, equalization, and many streaming features and wifi stuff, Remote controls, etc, etc simply can not be had for a lowly $1,000 or so.
I have seen 2 channel amps that cost as much as more as THIS!
VERY UNREALISTIC expectations.............wow.
To do all this with complete separates and have ALL THE FUNCTIONS of this or a similar AVR, would be literally $5,000-7,000
All Avrs based on price alone MUST be a compromise, between tons of features and connections and so on, and less than ideal 4 ohm performance and some power amp limitations.
Not excusing how this one in particular implemented the protection, but I am just wondering what some are "Expecting" for about $1,000??
MLaranjeiras
Active Member
I try to have the best low cost possible set. For music, an old Sansui AU 317 is fantastic, much better than the Pioneer VSX LX 503 itself. I could use Pioneer’s preout to the Sansui, but an used Mac Mini with Audirvana and TIDAL/Qobuz and a Topping E50 DAC sounds slightly better for me. Talking about US$ 1,500. set, if you buy used some components. Amazing results.
Attachments
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2024
- Messages
- 1,320
- Likes
- 1,882
For $1000+, yeah I expect half-decent engineering. There are AVRs in this price category that do.
You can get very high performance 2-channel amps for about $200 nowadays, btw.
Chromecast with Google TV will be an obvious answer if you need a huge brand name but there are TONS of Android TV devices on the market from, probably, hundreds of different (mostly unknown, but who cares?) brands, even Walmart has its own Google TV streamer (for < $20, https://www.walmart.com/ip/onn-Google-TV-4K-Streaming-Box-New-2023-4K-UHD-Resolution/2835618394). Shield is just one of the most capable (and most expensive), doesn't mean people need it. I own several Chromecast with Google TV devices and they play media from NAS without any issues.
MLaranjeiras
Active Member
For audio, get mconnect lite for free
beagleman
Major Contributor
That will do 120 watts at 8 ohms and 150 watts into 4 ohms>??
I really do not know, not challenging you. Have not been in the market for an (new) amp in many years.
Similar threads
