Onkyo TX-NR7100 AVR Review

[andrewskaterrr]

And? Long time ago I had a big collection of books at home, yet I was regularly going to a library because it had so many more. I have a local collection of favorite music and films, it is, however, a drop in a bucket compared to what is offered by streaming services. It is impossible and doesn't make any sense to own all of it. Problem is not that the content is online, problem is that there is no standard way to access this content - every media provider has their own app and they typically don't provide any API to integrate well with third-party software.


That's great, and you own it how - by downloading a pirated copy from BitTorrent? ;-)

If you are "buying" a digital copy online then you don't really own it anyway. There are very few places where you can legally get DRM-free music and selection is limited. And AFAIK there is nothing for video at all. Physical media are dead, virtually everything is digital distribution with DRM and separate apps, people who pretend that it is not so are just lying to themselves. Until the problem of "walled gardens" is solved somehow, traditional HTPC is not a viable choice. And I know it first hand - I still have my old HTPC hardware running (now acting as a NAS and NVR). I stopped using it even before XBMC became Kodi - it was already too much hassle at that time.

“Physical media is dead” not yet. I buy my UHD Blurays and immediately rip them to my PLEX server for viewing via NVIDIA Shield. I buy CDs and Vinyl as well. Then they go on sit on a shelf. You can’t just write off physical media when there’s people still buying them.

 

[Miker 1102]

And? Long time ago I had a big collection of books at home, yet I was regularly going to a library because it had so many more. I have a local collection of favorite music and films, it is, however, a drop in a bucket compared to what is offered by streaming services. It is impossible and doesn't make any sense to own all of it. Problem is not that the content is online, problem is that there is no standard way to access this content - every media provider has their own app and they typically don't provide any API to integrate well with third-party software.


That's great, and you own it how - by downloading a pirated copy from BitTorrent? ;-)

If you are "buying" a digital copy online then you don't really own it anyway. There are very few places where you can legally get DRM-free music and selection is limited. And AFAIK there is nothing for video at all. Physical media are dead, virtually everything is digital distribution with DRM and separate apps, people who pretend that it is not so are just lying to themselves. Until the problem of "walled gardens" is solved somehow, traditional HTPC is not a viable choice. And I know it first hand - I still have my old HTPC hardware running (now acting as a NAS and NVR). I stopped using it even before XBMC became Kodi - it was already too much hassle at that time.

No I buy my own content, thanks. Sorry if you don't understand you can own your own disc. I am not going to debate the idea that I cant copy something I own. Streaming is the drop in the bucket for the model and pricing. If you Google availbe movies by streamer..you might be disappointed by the very small amount that your 20 bucks a month gives you. No you can't own all the great books or music in the world but there is a direct relation to personal freedom in owning a copy for yourself.
I have been using community developed apps to play media for a very long time. I see devices like Kaleidescape and it's very apparent where our society is headed. I am not going to pay 20 times the price for tech and use software that's already free. That project literally started becaue the developer of mad vr wanted to monetize an HTPC and charge 20k. That is why I am still using mine.

 

[cbrworm]

I didn't read all 13 pages, and I know this power limiting issue has been around for a few generations, at least. But, I think if you are using a 4 ohm load, you are supposed to set the impedance in the speaker settings, which change the amp to a lower (mid-level) set of rails. This limits the output @ 4 ohms to something reasonable and, in theory, should prevent it from faulting into the lowest voltage mode. I haven't tried this on a recent model though, this is all supposition based on Onkyo's previous products.

 

[EWL5]

I didn't read all 13 pages, and I know this power limiting issue has been around for a few generations, at least. But, I think if you are using a 4 ohm load, you are supposed to set the impedance in the speaker settings, which change the amp to a lower (mid-level) set of rails. This limits the output @ 4 ohms to something reasonable and, in theory, should prevent it from faulting into the lowest voltage mode. I haven't tried this on a recent model though, this is all supposition based on Onkyo's previous products.

Here's an article why you should never fiddle w/that switch no matter what impedance your speakers are!

Setting the A/V Receiver Impedance Selector Switch

This article explores the purpose and function of the impedance switch found on some A/V receivers. Tradeoffs of following manufacturers recommended settings are also discussed. YouTube video inside.

www.audioholics.com

 

[EWL5]

With the intro of the RZ30, looks like they're replacing the 7100 and finally giving it DLBC capability! Any takers on whether "limp mode" is still a thing?

Onkyo Details New 9.2 Channel TX-RZ30 AV Receiver — Could Be Used as AV Processor for Rooms, Too

Onkyo announced the TX-RZ30 Channel A/V Receiver, as it expands its premium RZ Series lineup. This 9.2-channel, 100 watt-per-channel SMART AV Receiver delivers immersive sound featuring Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, Dirac Live Room Correction, Dolby Atmos 3D Sound, THX Certification, IMAX Enhanced, Klipsch Optim

www.ravepubs.com

 

[cbrworm]

Here's an article why you should never fiddle w/that switch no matter what impedance your speakers are!

Setting the A/V Receiver Impedance Selector Switch

This article explores the purpose and function of the impedance switch found on some A/V receivers. Tradeoffs of following manufacturers recommended settings are also discussed. YouTube video inside.

www.audioholics.com

Yep, I'm familiar with that article, and I generally agree. That being said, I don't think those particular amps are rated for the current of a true 4 ohm resistive load. I believe they can drive 6 ohms all day. Look at the size of the transformer and heatsink - those aren't high current sourcing or sinking items.

 

[dlaloum]

Apparently Onkyo are launching a new AVR, the RZ30....

There are no specs for it released yet.

It is a 9.2 AVR, with a full set of pre-outs.

To me it looks like an NR7100 with pre-outs fitted

 

[perceptionist]

Apparently Onkyo are launching a new AVR, the RZ30....

There are no specs for it released yet.

It is a 9.2 AVR, with a full set of pre-outs.

To me it looks like an NR7100 with pre-outs fitted

100W, and it can be upgraded to DLBC. Hopefully it can pass @amirm 's test. Except the look it overpowers and undercuts Marantz Cinema 70s completely.

 

[Millwrong]

I have a onyko nr6100 that I use to feed my parasound zonemaster 2350, I use the high level inputs to drive the amp, I used a ocilloscope to find the clipping point of the front channels with a 1khz 0dbfs tear tone in pure mode cause it has the highest voltage output, once you make the avr amp clip for a few seconds it goes into that low power mode that was noted for the nr7100. I just cycled through the sound mode settings and back to the pure mode and it seems to reset the avr amp cause as you cycle through the sound modes you can hear the relays click and on the scope you regain full amp power again

 

[fjhuerta]

If someone here can recommend something that does bass management, Dirac live for 9 channels, Dolby Atmos, hardware HDMI switching, 9 channels of amplification, and is integrated in a single box for $750, I'll change my vote. Otherwise I'll keep my 2.1 system for serious music listening, and the Onkyo for watching movies in 5.2.4, which seems to be the intention of this thing, and which it does ok. At this price point I guess nobody expects audiophile numbers, just something that gets an specific thing done.

 

[jomo]

I have a onyko nr6100 that I use to feed my parasound zonemaster 2350, I use the high level inputs to drive the amp, I used a ocilloscope to find the clipping point of the front channels with a 1khz 0dbfs tear tone in pure mode cause it has the highest voltage output, once you make the avr amp clip for a few seconds it goes into that low power mode that was noted for the nr7100. I just cycled through the sound mode settings and back to the pure mode and it seems to reset the avr amp cause as you cycle through the sound modes you can hear the relays click and on the scope you regain full amp power again

Interesting. Did you test anything else?

It would be cool to see if this low power mode is really an issue with music or just a continuous load, test bench issue. Can you drive a variable signal like music into the scope with the music peaks... 1. just below clipping? 2. slightly clipped? Does the protection circuit trigger and how long does it take till it trips? What about infrequent, but significant clipping of pulses (<1s)? Music like "Fanfare for the Common Man" may be useful here. Just wondering if you have time to burn for......science.

 

[Millwrong]

It’s been awhile since I put the scope on it but from memory if I used a -10dbfs 1khz tone it would not clip even at max volume. Also the nr6100 didn’t like a 40hz tone it was always closer to a square wave but I will re check tonight. Not sure how close the nr6100 and nr7100 are for internal chips

 

[Millwrong]

I don’t know how to post a video but I got two screen shots from a old video, the scope was connected to the zonemaster stereo out rca and I was driving in on the high level inputs, sorry for the sub par pictures. Can see the small clip then it powers down

 

[jomo]

Not sure how close the nr6100 and nr7100 are for internal chips

Amplifierwise, I think they are identical.

I don’t know how to post a video but I got two screen shots from a old video, the scope was connected to the zonemaster stereo out rca and I was driving in on the high level inputs, sorry for the sub par pictures. Can see the small clip then it powers down

This is the same trip as you described before. So when this trips to low power, does the amp get very distorted (at a lower output). Then you have to turn it down to get clean output.

If the continuous signal was just below clipping, does the amp power down? If yes, at what point does it not power down with a continuous signal?

Also, is there a means to have a music-like input on the scope? A continuous signal that is say 10dB below clipping with spaced, short pulses to clipping... A music simulation. Does the amp allow this (does the protection reset due to the short duration of clipping) if the continuous voltage is well below clipping.

Please excuse my ignorance and numerous questions.

 

[dlaloum]

If someone here can recommend something that does bass management, Dirac live for 9 channels, Dolby Atmos, hardware HDMI switching, 9 channels of amplification, and is integrated in a single box for $750, I'll change my vote. Otherwise I'll keep my 2.1 system for serious music listening, and the Onkyo for watching movies in 5.2.4, which seems to be the intention of this thing, and which it does ok. At this price point I guess nobody expects audiophile numbers, just something that gets an specific thing done.

The new RZ30 will probably meet that target in terms of features, and in terms of price... you need to wait for the discounting to kick in

 

[EWL5]

The new RZ30 will probably meet that target in terms of features, and in terms of price... you need to wait for the discounting to kick in

I was going to suggest the same but I think we're a long ways off from $1200->$750 (probably wait at least a year). Think of what it does to the market value of the RZ50 and 7100 if you saw $750 on Black Friday!

 

[dlaloum]

I was going to suggest the same but I think we're a long ways off from $1200->$750 (probably wait at least a year). Think of what it does to the market value of the RZ50 and 7100 if you saw $750 on Black Friday!

At the initial release of the Integra DRX 3.4 that I use, I purchased it at a substantial discount by Pre-ordering... in local AU$ terms it was equivalent to US$1000 when MSRP was US$1200 - but the really deep discounting didn't kick in for another 2 years....

So yeah, probably be a while before it drops to US$750

 

[ryanmh1]

The new RZ30 will probably meet that target in terms of features, and in terms of price... you need to wait for the discounting to kick in

Pretty sure he was saying he can already get that performance for that price with existing Onkyo product. NR7100 does it for that, and via Adorama, so does DRX-3.4... The DRX for well under a grand at the moment new is . But I assume new product will replace that and the current pricing scheme(?).

Unclear it brings that much new on the audio side except preouts and DLBC to Onkyo's bottom rung premium product. That's something though, and Denon still doesn't really have viable competing product. They really need to add preouts and XT32 to the x2800H, which is just a bad joke at current price vs Onkyo/Integra. Problem is, consumers in Best Buy have no idea, so maybe Denon has a point.

 

[EWL5]

If someone here can recommend something that does bass management, Dirac live for 9 channels, Dolby Atmos, hardware HDMI switching, 9 channels of amplification, and is integrated in a single box for $750, I'll change my vote. Otherwise I'll keep my 2.1 system for serious music listening, and the Onkyo for watching movies in 5.2.4, which seems to be the intention of this thing, and which it does ok. At this price point I guess nobody expects audiophile numbers, just something that gets an specific thing done.

Only issue w/the 7100 is the lack of Dirac Bass Management (which should come w/the basic DL license but doesn't on 2021 Voxx products). The mismatch in SW response is understood if the Dirac filter doesn't contain that additional crossover information. Many here and on AVS have attributed it to a "bug" but I think it's hardware limited. Otherwise, there would have been DLBM/DLBC support and no "bug" since 2021! IMHO, this partially explains the "rush" to introduce an affordable product in the RZ30 to stay competitive in the lower premium segment. I still remain doubtful a simple firmware update will unlock DLBM/DLBC for the RZ50 but I would never rule anything out!

 

[EWL5]

Pretty sure he was saying he can already get that performance for that price with existing Onkyo product. NR7100 does it for that, and via Adorama, so does DRX-3.4... The DRX for well under a grand at the moment new is . But I assume new product will replace that and the current pricing scheme(?).

Unclear it brings that much new on the audio side except preouts and DLBC to Onkyo's bottom rung premium product. That's something though, and Denon still doesn't really have viable competing product. They really need to add preouts and XT32 to the x2800H, which is just a bad joke at current price vs Onkyo/Integra. Problem is, consumers in Best Buy have no idea, so maybe Denon has a point.

1) The lack of DLBM is still troublesome for current owners who use Dirac. I've seen the workaround to get the SW to work on the AVS thread and I don't believe anyone w/a Denon or non-Voxx product has had to go through the same simply because DLBM is available to them.

2) I think the 2800 is fine as is. Why does the line need to be blurred b/w the 2800 and 3800? If cost is an issue, there are so many other brands to choose from!