Onkyo TX-RZ30 AV Receiver Review

[aagstn]

Probably this is "I don't care" item for most consumers. For me this is disadvantage. The same for analog radio.

I won't buy a receiver without AM/FM so there are reasons they include stuff like that. They must be getting feedback that the inclusion is worth the cost as it sells enough to warrant the existence.

 

[amirm]

The "bug" does not show in Audio Vision bench test of RZ30. I guess the testing method is "1kHz Power Sweep vs. Distortion". I don`t know how it differs what Amir does.

I tell you. In the process of testing the pre-out, the amp is pushed to clipping, causing the firmware to sharply reduce max power. Then when I get to testing the amp, it clips very early, likely due to much lower amplifier rail voltage.

If you didn't test the pre-out in this manner, and your power sweep avoided pushing the amplifier into clipping, you would not see it.

Alternatively, these companies may know this and are told to run their test on a fresh AC power cycle. I don't know. What I do know is that I can repeat this on demand as I have shown in this review and a number of Pioneer/Onkyo AVRs.

Their competitors do not have this issue.

I see no justification for this limitation, especially when the AVR does not show any indication of entering this mode. As I said, I suspect this is to pass regulatory testing. If so, that would explain why they don't want to be transparent about it.

 

[EWL5]

I tell you. In the process of testing the pre-out, the amp is pushed to clipping, causing the firmware to sharply reduce max power. Then when I get to testing the amp, it clips very early, likely due to much lower amplifier rail voltage.

If you didn't test the pre-out in this manner, and your power sweep avoided pushing the amplifier into clipping, you would not see it.

Alternatively, these companies may know this and are told to run their test on a fresh AC power cycle. I don't know. What I do know is that I can repeat this on demand as I have shown in this review and a number of Pioneer/Onkyo AVRs.

Their competitors do not have this issue.

I see no justification for this limitation, especially when the AVR does not show any indication of entering this mode. As I said, I suspect this is to pass regulatory testing. If so, that would explain why they don't want to be transparent about it.

Sometimes it costs money to be transparent.

 

[popej]

I won't buy a receiver without AM/FM

DAB and Internet already replaced AM/FM for me.
But I stil accept USB-A

 

[Ismapics]

That is regrettable to hear.

I had a failed HDMI output on an Onkyo '805' over a decade ago

This morning I could not access the GUI of the 'System Setup' of a similar Pioneer '505' AVR - used as an AVP - with the '805' powering four channels.

The Pioneer remote app for iOS could not connect to the AVR either.

An execution of a 'factory reset' via the front panel display restored functionality.

My 4.1 home theater configuration will become a 2.1 configuration going forward if and when this AVR fails.


The JBL 'MA' series of AVR's uses Class-D amplification and all models weigh less than 17 pounds.

That relatively low weight should save money on the cost of shipping if servicing is needed.

It's really an insult to us that they are now trying to revive the brand when they needed to let it die. It's like we are a new company, don't pay attention to the logo. I should have gotten a Yamaha. I will eventually. Now I am using an HTR bought in FB marketplace. Will have to do for now.

 

[Spkrdctr]

Amir - "I see no justification for this limitation, especially when the AVR does not show any indication of entering this mode."

That is my issue and why I gave it a junk rating. First you don't know you have been permanently limited to 30 watts and second you can't just cycle the power switch. All of this is literally a $10 fix when they designed the unit. Literally no effort at all. It is appalling how many people let the manufacturers slide on issues that have been dealt with for 30 years. This is like buying speakers rated up tp 300 watts and then they emit smoke at 100 watts. In this regard the speaker driver manufacturers do a much better job at producing good products than some of the AVR companies. This stuff is unbelievably inexpensive to fix and should have never happened in the first place. Amir just did a great job at show casing an engineering hiccup that could be fixed at the factory level in less than 3 months easily. I say don't let them off the hook! The only standards we have are ones that we as consumers demand. Power to the people! Or, well, power to the AVR!

 

[EWL5]

Amir - "I see no justification for this limitation, especially when the AVR does not show any indication of entering this mode."

That is my issue and why I gave it a junk rating. First you don't know you have been permanently limited to 30 watts and second you can't just cycle the power switch. All of this is literally a $10 fix when they designed the unit. Literally no effort at all. It is appalling how many people let the manufacturers slide on issues that have been dealt with for 30 years. This is like buying speakers rated up tp 300 watts and then they emit smoke at 100 watts. In this regard the speaker driver manufacturers do a much better job at producing good products than some of the AVR companies. This stuff is unbelievably inexpensive to fix and should have never happened in the first place. Amir just did a great job at show casing an engineering hiccup that could be fixed at the factory level in less than 3 months easily. I say don't let them off the hook! The only standards we have are ones that we as consumers demand. Power to the people! Or, well, power to the AVR!

I think we'll see if Onkyo's been listening when their next gen products come out in 2027. In the meantime, just let them know with your wallet!

 

[popej]

This is like buying speakers rated up tp 300 watts and then they emit smoke at 100 watts.

Better analogy would be: they don't emit smoke at 1000W. We talk about overzealous protection, not risk of damage.

 

[peng]

Better analogy would be: they don't emit smoke at 1000W. We talk about overzealous protection, not risk of damage.

Overzealus protection, imo is forgivable but not if there is no alert/warning, or messages when the limit is triggered.

 

[AudioX3]

Yes they do. Vast majority of speakers ate 4 ohm or lower yet there no reports of them malfunctioning. They run perfectly fine in my tests as you even see here.

Thank you I follow, your point and your more rigurous and uniform testing exposes flaws on an equal playing field.

 

[MoStyles]

Would any of these findings be a problem if the RZ30 is only used as a preamp?

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

Would any of these findings be a problem if the RZ30 is only used as a preamp?

No

 

[AndreaT]

As inevitably I get older, I consider the precious little time I spend listening as a true gift. I do not wish to waste any of it worrying about invisible limp mode, IMD or THD, or noise from electronics. In the present time, very little needs to be spent to have a SOTA amplification (and source and DAC), and just a little more for impeccable speakers. I rather dedicate my attention to Music and the magic of daydreaming when listening. Thank you Amir for steering us away from bad products, and showing us what to choose.

 

[peng]

@amirm , the dashboard says 94 dB SINAD, the graphs says much less, only about 80 dB, why, both with volume at about 84.5, or 84.82 in the latter made so much difference?

and what was the output level for this test, was it the typical 2 Vrms?

 

[Power Pop 23]

@amirm , the dashboard says 94 dB SINAD, the graphs says much less, only about 80 dB, why, both with volume at about 84.5, or 84.82 in the latter made so much difference?


View attachment 536815


and what was the output level for this test, was it the typical 2 Vrms?

View attachment 536816

Hi @peng,

I am manually entering data for the dashboard for Amir as reviews are added and will make a correction.

Thank you

 

[amirm]

@amirm , the dashboard says 94 dB SINAD, the graphs says much less, only about 80 dB, why, both with volume at about 84.5, or 84.82 in the latter made so much difference?

I thought something was odd there but forgot to check. It is possible I did not have Pure mode on then as that made that kind of difference.

 

[Alice of Old Vincennes]

I’ve used this avr for 3 weeks. I don’t listen at ear bleeding levels. I know the limp mode is the show stopper. If I couldn’t detect difference at limp mode without confirmation in the settings then not sure of the problem. No one is going to match with Maggie’s or 85 db over priced speakers unless used as processor.

 

[EWL5]

I’ve used this avr for 3 weeks. I don’t listen at ear bleeding levels. I know the limp mode is the show stopper. If I couldn’t detect difference at limp mode without confirmation in the settings then not sure of the problem. No one is going to match with Maggie’s or 85 db over priced speakers unless used as processor.

There’s no need to defend a position as success stories do exist. Everyone should understand that Amir’s bench test doesn’t necessarily guarantee failure in your specific situation.

 

[peng]

I thought something was odd there but forgot to check. It is possible I did not have Pure mode on then as that made that kind of difference.

Thank you very much. How about my other question about your typical THD+N ratio vs frequency, did you always do those measurements with the preout at 2 V, or not, the graphs never show what the output levels were.

 

[beagleman]

There’s no need to defend a position as success stories do exist. Everyone should understand that Amir’s bench test doesn’t necessarily guarantee failure in your specific situation.

I have said this for years....

There is "Testing" and finding out limits.

Then there is listening, where in many cases those limits never come into play OR are audible.

Then there are a small group in this forum, that with never having "Used" a product that tests mediocre, equating that with being audible, but have no actual experience, other than measurements.

I am very objective mostly, but think some can not relate what is audible versus test bench figures.