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Onkyo TX-NR7100 AVR Review

Rate this AVR:

  • 1. Poor (headless panther)

    Votes: 156 72.9%
  • 2. Not terrible (postman panther)

    Votes: 45 21.0%
  • 3. Fine (happy panther)

    Votes: 8 3.7%
  • 4. Great (golfing panther)

    Votes: 5 2.3%

  • Total voters
    214
I recently picked up the Denon 1800H while it was on sale, but my partner mentioned she’d be okay with a 5.1.4 setup. Unfortunately, the Denon only supports 5.1.2. I noticed the Onkyo NR7100 is on sale for just $100 more—would this be a good upgrade? I could stretch my budget up to $1000 if absolutely necessary, but I’d prefer not to if possible. Any advice?
 
I recently picked up the Denon 1800H while it was on sale, but my partner mentioned she’d be okay with a 5.1.4 setup. Unfortunately, the Denon only supports 5.1.2. I noticed the Onkyo NR7100 is on sale for just $100 more—would this be a good upgrade? I could stretch my budget up to $1000 if absolutely necessary, but I’d prefer not to if possible. Any advice?
What speakers are you running?
 
I recently picked up the Denon 1800H while it was on sale, but my partner mentioned she’d be okay with a 5.1.4 setup. Unfortunately, the Denon only supports 5.1.2. I noticed the Onkyo NR7100 is on sale for just $100 more—would this be a good upgrade? I could stretch my budget up to $1000 if absolutely necessary, but I’d prefer not to if possible. Any advice?
I suggest jumping up to an Onkyo RZ50 or similar for $750, or even better going Denon X3800h for $900+. Dirac upgradable and 4 sub independent outputs.
 
I recently picked up the Denon 1800H while it was on sale, but my partner mentioned she’d be okay with a 5.1.4 setup. Unfortunately, the Denon only supports 5.1.2. I noticed the Onkyo NR7100 is on sale for just $100 more—would this be a good upgrade? I could stretch my budget up to $1000 if absolutely necessary, but I’d prefer not to if possible. Any advice?
I am very happy with my 5.1.4 setup based on the Integra version of this AVR (DRX 3.4).

The only caveat, is that it can get unhappy driving "difficult" 4 ohm speakers. (which is why I use external amps for L/C/R and why I chose the Integra rather than the Onkyo, as it has pre-outs so it can be paired with external amps - I run the fronts externally and surrounds and heights using the internal amps)

If your speakers of choice are 8ohm or 6ohm nominal - it would be an excellent choice.
 
I recently picked up the Denon 1800H while it was on sale, but my partner mentioned she’d be okay with a 5.1.4 setup. Unfortunately, the Denon only supports 5.1.2. I noticed the Onkyo NR7100 is on sale for just $100 more—would this be a good upgrade? I could stretch my budget up to $1000 if absolutely necessary, but I’d prefer not to if possible. Any advice?
In my opinion only, if the .4 vs .2 is important to you then it is a good upgrade. If you mean pure sound quality, then no it isn't. And, if you can stretch to $1,000, then I would say the AVR-X3800H is the best deal out there, in terms of future proofing for you, i.e. can process up to 11 channels so you do do 7.1.4, 4 discrete subwoofer outputs, even just 2 will be much better than the NR7100's 1. Or the RZ30, but I am not sure if you can get it for $1,000 yet.

The Onkyo has the edge that you can use Dirac Live right away, with the Denon, you must know that you best bet is to spend $20 and use the app, that should be get almost as good performance as Dirac Live (on paper anyway).
 
In my opinion only, if the .4 vs .2 is important to you then it is a good upgrade. If you mean pure sound quality, then no it isn't. And, if you can stretch to $1,000, then I would say the AVR-X3800H is the best deal out there, in terms of future proofing for you, i.e. can process up to 11 channels so you do do 7.1.4, 4 discrete subwoofer outputs, even just 2 will be much better than the NR7100's 1. Or the RZ30, but I am not sure if you can get it for $1,000 yet.

The Onkyo has the edge that you can use Dirac Live right away, with the Denon, you must know that you best bet is to spend $20 and use the app, that should be get almost as good performance as Dirac Live (on paper anyway).
At least in the States, the RZ30 can currently be had for < $1000 at your local Best Buy!
 
At least in the States, the RZ30 can currently be had for < $1000 at your local Best Buy!

Wow, in Canada Bestbuy it is currently at $1,999.99, and online only, ouch!
 
Wow, in Canada Bestbuy it is currently at $1,999.99, and online only, ouch!
Literally double ouch!
 
Literally double ouch!
I felt sorry for those in Australia in the past when they post their prices so it might be worse for them Onkyo fans.

Wait... actually they don't do too bad this time, it is on sale for only $2,499, list price $2,799

So at their on sale price they are almost in par with Canada's based on current exch rate.
 
I suggest jumping up to an Onkyo RZ50 or similar for $750, or even better going Denon X3800h for $900+. Dirac upgradable and 4 sub independent outputs.
What about the pioneer 505 I can get it for $200 more at my local bestbuy $950 after taxes with a 5 year warranty. Also 3800h cheapest I could find after taxes $1200
 
What about the pioneer 505 I can get it for $200 more at my local bestbuy $950 after taxes with a 5 year warranty. Also 3800h cheapest I could find after taxes $1200
I'd get the RZ50 before the 505. The 505 has not been given DLBM/DLBC support (if you care at all about Dirac).
 
What about the pioneer 505 I can get it for $200 more at my local bestbuy $950 after taxes with a 5 year warranty. Also 3800h cheapest I could find after taxes $1200
If you only need 5.1.4, the RZ30 is better.
 
I have a my finger on the trigger to order it

edit: Bought the RZ-30 it will be here Saturday
Congrats! I wonder if you can still get the DLBC license that was on sale for 20% off on Black Friday sale. If you missed that, you may want to wait for boxing day sale.
DLBC definitely helps but even the plain DL license can do a very respectable job.
 
Thank you partially my SO fault she gifted me a Umik-1 and a nice stand and thats when i realized I couldn't get Dirac on my 1800h Im like one month into home audio.
 
Congrats! I wonder if you can still get the DLBC license that was on sale for 20% off on Black Friday sale. If you missed that, you may want to wait for boxing day sale.
DLBC definitely helps but even the plain DL license can do a very respectable job.
If using just a single subwoofer, the difference with DLBC is subtle enough that I would certainly encourage one to wait for a discount.
 
If using just a single subwoofer, the difference with DLBC is subtle enough that I would certainly encourage one to wait for a discount.
Yes, just have a Polk PSW10 as of right now so I will keep using that into I upgrade to a better sub. Not sure what I'll get at the moment.
 
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