Onkyo TX-RZ30

[J. Lohmann]

Sorry, I got distracted by a squirrel....

Ummmm....okay.....

Everything is definitely plastic. It's reasonably high quality plastic, and I think it looks fine overall, though I've never loved the Onkyo AVR aesthetic. I get wanting something a little more premium looking/feeling, but this seems like the standard anymore at this price point, especially given this price includes the Dirac license. I wouldn't pay full price for it, mind you, but it seems to be regularly available for $750 or so. At full price, I'd probably reach just a bit higher for the Denon X3800h

Thanks very much for checking on this for me; that's very disappointing, especially since I always DID love the Onkyo aesthetic on their AVRs. I assumed, because it was in the RZ family, that the 30 would definitely have metal knobs and faceplate; the 50 and 70 look beastly in this way.

Are you sure the faceplate isn't real brushed metal?

As for Denon, I'm running a 2800 now and don't care for its sound compared to Onkyos I've had in the past, which is why I want to go back to Onk -- the problem is, we can't really afford (and don't need, for our setup) anything more than the RZ30 (a 6100 would probably work just as well, too, but something about it just screams "really cheap") and, on top of that, the Onkyos are missing certain must-have features for me.

 

[dlaloum]

Ummmm....okay.....

Thanks very much for checking on this for me; that's very disappointing, especially since I always DID love the Onkyo aesthetic on their AVRs. I assumed, because it was in the RZ family, that the 30 would definitely have metal knobs and faceplate; the 50 and 70 look beastly in this way.

Are you sure the faceplate isn't real brushed metal?

As for Denon, I'm running a 2800 now and don't care for its sound compared to Onkyos I've had in the past, which is why I want to go back to Onk -- the problem is, we can't really afford (and don't need, for our setup) anything more than the RZ30 (a 6100 would probably work just as well, too, but something about it just screams "really cheap") and, on top of that, the Onkyos are missing certain must-have features for me.

In terms of aesthetic, I quite liked the Onkyo look on their flagships of about 15 years ago (thinking of my SR876) - with the sculpted metal faceplate...

When they switched to the current flat bland faceplate, I found it a bit disappointing.

Integra have maintained a bit of that sculpted look, and I quite like the DRX3.4...

 

[J. Lohmann]

In terms of aesthetic, I quite liked the Onkyo look on their flagships of about 15 years ago (thinking of my SR876) - with the sculpted metal faceplate...

When they switched to the current flat bland faceplate, I found it a bit disappointing.

Integra have maintained a bit of that sculpted look, and I quite like the DRX3.4...

I agree about the previous Onkyos, even dating back to the 605 I had -- they all boasted that almost concave faceplate (some called it a "lanterned jaw" look) which was very appealing and made the receivers look serious.

I don't care for the flat look currently being used, but I like it more than most AVR designs out there. If the AVRs boasted the features I need, I'd look past that a bit...

I know you're a fan of Integras from when we spoke on AVS.

 

[dlaloum]

I agree about the previous Onkyos, even dating back to the 605 I had -- they all boasted that almost concave faceplate (some called it a "lanterned jaw" look) which was very appealing and made the receivers look serious.

I don't care for the flat look currently being used, but I like it more than most AVR designs out there. If the AVRs boasted the features I need, I'd look past that a bit...

I know you're a fan of Integras from when we spoke on AVS.

Sadly I moved to Denon so I could access DIrac ART.... lost patience with PAC.... (my preferred ART platform would have been an RZ70/DRX8.4)

Aesthetically speaking.... another bland flat faceplate

 

[J. Lohmann]

Sadly I moved to Denon so I could access DIrac ART.... lost patience with PAC.... (my preferred ART platform would have been an RZ70/DRX8.4)

Aesthetically speaking.... another bland flat faceplate

Hope you have better luck with the Denon sound; can't believe you moved on from the Integra line!

 

[dlaloum]

Hope you have better luck with the Denon sound; can't believe you moved on from the Integra line!

I would have preferred to stick with Onkyo/Integra - and particularly like the RZ70/DRX8.4 - but I gave up waiting for PAC to commit to ART...

I wanted to try ART.

I will report my results in due course....

First try at configuring ART, is not showing any dramatic improvements in my setup - possible detail improvements.

But I am in a large living /dining/kitchen space with full range main and surround speakers, so there may not have been all that much for ART to "fix"!

 

[J. Lohmann]

I would have preferred to stick with Onkyo/Integra - and particularly like the RZ70/DRX8.4 - but I gave up waiting for PAC to commit to ART...

I wanted to try ART.

I will report my results in due course....

First try at configuring ART, is not showing any dramatic improvements in my setup - possible detail improvements.

But I am in a large living /dining/kitchen space with full range main and surround speakers, so there may not have been all that much for ART to "fix"!

I don't use room correction, myself...

 

[DrStranger]

I would have preferred to stick with Onkyo/Integra - and particularly like the RZ70/DRX8.4 - but I gave up waiting for PAC to commit to ART...

I wanted to try ART.

I will report my results in due course....

First try at configuring ART, is not showing any dramatic improvements in my setup - possible detail improvements.

But I am in a large living /dining/kitchen space with full range main and surround speakers, so there may not have been all that much for ART to "fix"!

Which Denon did you get? I ended up with RZ30 will be landing here till next gen’s come out from onky (maybe pio) and Den/Mar, then take decision if I need a new depending on the features from all vendors. I also believe prices will increase compared to the covid aftermath, this shit we all are in right now is not going to be cheaper is my guess.

 

[J. Lohmann]

Aesthetically speaking.... another bland flat faceplate

Indeed -- but still FAR better than the aesthetics of the Yamahas, with those awful "cyclops" center-mounted volume knobs and shiny piano black faceplates.

I don't mind the front panel design language of the Denons what with the two control knobs on either side of the display, but I do wish all the "X Series" models were made with aluminum faceplates and knobs (at least starting with the 2800), as this is supposed to be their "premium" line, and that the models lower in the lineup were a bit beefier in terms of size (most Denons, until you get to the X4000 range, are blatantly compact). I also wish they'd make some changes to the front panel display algorithm, namely that when an upmixer isn't being used, it should stay off the display -- for example, with my 5.1 system, I don't use Dolby Surround or DTS Neural:X with 5.1 tracks (only when one or two channel signals need to be matrixed into my 5.1 setup), but in order for the AVR to auto-switch without me needing to press a button on the remote every time, I have to leave the "+Upmixer" designation on the front of the unit. So, as an example, when I watch discs with DTS-HD Master Audio tracks, the front of my 2800 reads "DTSHD + Neu:X."

I can't stand that.

 

[dlaloum]

Which Denon did you get? I ended up with RZ30 will be landing here till next gen’s come out from onky (maybe pio) and Den/Mar, then take decision if I need a new depending on the features from all vendors. I also believe prices will increase compared to the covid aftermath, this shit we all are in right now is not going to be cheaper is my guess.

I chose the X4800.... the X3800 has the same features (barring jitter reduction) at a much better value price point, but emotion / subjective reasons caused me to go up a notch.... (I doubt there is any audible difference between the two).

I originally purchaed the DRX 3.4 with the intent of replacing it once ART became available with something like the RZ70... much like you. I just loss patience with PAC's dithering, and back and forth over Dirac deployment. I decided that it was unlikely that PAC would release ART on the current hardware, and far more likely that they will ultimately release it on a new generation of Hardware - IF they continue with Dirac. - According to some industry insiders, Onkyo management were very resistant to Dirac ... and that may be the reason for the continuous back and forth (we are working on ART for the DRX8.4.... then nothing for 2 years, release the Icon series promising ART is coming to the series, and a few months later "we have no plans to bring ART to the series"....)

ART is indeed lifting performance up a notch further from Dirac Live RC, but in my environment, a case could be made that the AU$4000 cost of ART/X4800 was too much for the improvement provided. (maybe I should have stuck with the X3800?)

But - ART is definitely an improvement. Even on well sorted systems in a decent room without major issues.

So a bit sad to be leaving the Onkyo/Integra family, having owned an SR876 (2008) DTR70.4 (2013) and a DRX 3.4 (2022) the last of which is surely about to go to a good home today, having found a buyer...

 

[peng]

So a bit sad to be leaving the Onkyo/Integra family, having owned an SR876 (2008) DTR70.4 (2013) and a DRX 3.4 (2022) the last of which is surely about to go to a good home today, having found a buyer...

I gave my friend the AVR-3805 a couple years ago, still missed it when I thought about it and visualize it still doing its job in one of my stereo system, so I know the feeling....., but congrats to your new toy and ART.

 

[DrStranger]

I chose the X4800.... the X3800 has the same features (barring jitter reduction) at a much better value price point, but emotion / subjective reasons caused me to go up a notch.... (I doubt there is any audible difference between the two).

I originally purchaed the DRX 3.4 with the intent of replacing it once ART became available with something like the RZ70... much like you. I just loss patience with PAC's dithering, and back and forth over Dirac deployment. I decided that it was unlikely that PAC would release ART on the current hardware, and far more likely that they will ultimately release it on a new generation of Hardware - IF they continue with Dirac. - According to some industry insiders, Onkyo management were very resistant to Dirac ... and that may be the reason for the continuous back and forth (we are working on ART for the DRX8.4.... then nothing for 2 years, release the Icon series promising ART is coming to the series, and a few months later "we have no plans to bring ART to the series"....)

ART is indeed lifting performance up a notch further from Dirac Live RC, but in my environment, a case could be made that the AU$4000 cost of ART/X4800 was too much for the improvement provided. (maybe I should have stuck with the X3800?)

But - ART is definitely an improvement. Even on well sorted systems in a decent room without major issues.

So a bit sad to be leaving the Onkyo/Integra family, having owned an SR876 (2008) DTR70.4 (2013) and a DRX 3.4 (2022) the last of which is surely about to go to a good home today, having found a buyer...

I also had 4800 as the main, instead of buying a cheaper one now and buy a solid next generations, but the prices here in Europe are insane, plus the DIRAC would be an additional … well.. you get where I am going…

Either way I hope you find it to your liking and you see ART was worth it.

 

[Fish17]

I’ve sent an RZ30 to Amir for testing.

Has Amir mentioned when he’s going to test this?

 

[EngineerNate]

I know he’s received it, he told me it was a 4-5 week lag on testing from receipt.

 

[Fish17]

I know he’s received it, he told me it was a 4-5 week lag on testing from receipt.

Thanks Nate! I imagine with the holidays it may be longer. When did he receive it?

I'm looking at getting a NZ30 how have you liked it so far? I'm between the NZ30 and a Denon 3800

 

[EngineerNate]

I sent it to Amir for testing as soon as I received it then got a deal on a DRX 8.4 in the meantime

 

[Fish17]

I sent it to Amir for testing as soon as I received it then got a deal on a DRX 8.4 in the meantime

Nice! That's a big difference in price between the 2.

Approximately when did he receive it? I'd like to wait until he publishes his review before I made a decision.

 

[EngineerNate]

Nice! That's a big difference in price between the 2.

Approximately when did he receive it? I'd like to wait until he publishes his review before I made a decision.

I’m not going to put Amir under the gun, but holiday delays excepted it should be done soon.

 

[Fish17]

I’m not going to put Amir under the gun, but holiday delays excepted it should be done soon.

Good call! I'll keep an eye out on the forums for his review. When it does come out could you do me a favor and reply to this post? I'm guessing you will be the first to know lol.

 

[Timcognito]

More here, in case you missed it.

Onkyo TX-RZ30

New AVR coming.. https://www.ravepubs.com/onkyo-details-new-9-2-channel-tx-rz30-av-receiver-could-be-used-as-av-processor-for-rooms-too/

www.audiosciencereview.com