Onkyo TX-RZ30

[peng]

It'd be pretty meaningless to only add DLBC capability w/o the ability to do the "multi" part!

Not totally meaningless, I have been using DLBC with my AVR-X1800H, with DLBC (PC version obviously and just 2 ch stereo) I've got smoother bass/i.e. less bumps and dips in the 20-200 Hz range. It is good enough that if I am going to get a second sub and upgrade to a RZ30 or AVR-X3800H it will be for fun/playing only.

Any pricing info, even just rumor on the RZ30 yet?

 

[EWL5]

Not totally meaningless, I have been using DLBC with my AVR-X1800H, with DLBC (PC version obviously and just 2 ch stereo) I've got smoother bass/i.e. less bumps and dips in the 20-200 Hz range. It is good enough that if I am going to get a second sub and upgrade to a RZ30 or AVR-X3800H it will be for fun/playing only.

Any pricing info, even just rumor on the RZ30 yet?

$1199 MSRP

TX-RZ30 | Onkyo

The Onkyo TX-RZ30 AV Receiver delivers ultra-wide bandwidth and boasts the latest technology like built-in Dirac Live, THX and Dolby Atmos for the home theater of your dreams. Shop now!

onkyo.com

 

[dlaloum]

The RZ30 steps rather heavily on the toes of the Integra DRX3.4...

It does make sense as the more audiophile/videophile version of the NR7100....

But the market that would choose an NR7100 over an RZ30 would probably be fine with the NR6100... so will the NR7100 be run out?

 

[perceptionist]

I hope that RZ30 will be the second Onkyo without the Eco mode issue that amirm complains all the time. All those Onkyo/Integra/Pioneer must be out.

 

[EWL5]

I hope that RZ30 will be the second Onkyo without the Eco mode issue that amirm complains all the time. All those Onkyo/Integra/Pioneer must be out.

I would never called it an "ECO mode". In his review of the 7100, Amir called it a "limp mode" which is much more proper.

This is how I see the 2 modes as defined:

ECO mode - an "on purpose" mode (can either be defeated or not based on manufacturer spec) whose sole purpose is to save power and be "green" during idle conditions or periods of low power demand. Does not require unplugging of the AVR to reset.

Limp mode - an unfortunate fail-safe position that limits the capability of the AVR such that it cannot cause damage while operating in an "unsafe" state and has nothing to do with power economy. In the case of 2021 Voxx products, this state will be triggered by low impedance speakers/loads and the AVR MUST BE powered off to be restored to prior default state. Anyone who has ever experienced "limp mode" in a car knows that it takes quite a bit of effort just to get the car to the shoulder. No one would ever confuse this limp mode w/ECO mode for boosting fuel economy!

 

[jerem06]

Do you think the RZ range will have access to the Dirac ART Active Room Treatment via a paid update? This is the one thing I'm looking forward to the most on the RZ series

 

[dlaloum]

I would never called it an "ECO mode". In his review of the 7100, Amir called it a "limp mode" which is much more proper.

This is how I see the 2 modes as defined:

ECO mode - an "on purpose" mode (can either be defeated or not based on manufacturer spec) whose sole purpose is to save power and be "green" during idle conditions or periods of low power demand. Does not require unplugging of the AVR to reset.

Limp mode - an unfortunate fail-safe position that limits the capability of the AVR such that it cannot cause damage while operating in an "unsafe" state and has nothing to do with power economy. In the case of 2021 Voxx products, this state will be triggered by low impedance speakers/loads and the AVR MUST BE powered off to be restored to prior default state. Anyone who has ever experienced "limp mode" in a car knows that it takes quite a bit of effort just to get the car to the shoulder. No one would ever confuse this limp mode w/ECO mode for boosting fuel economy!

The Limp / "Protection" mode is however in at least the amp mode, identical to the "Eco" mode - except that you can't get out of it without a full reset!

In both cases it appears the power supply is put into a lower voltage state which then limits power output - it appears the two are the same in that sense.

In the way the "smarts" treat the two it is clearly different though... and there may be other things that are enabled and disabled as part of "ECO" mode.

 

[ban25]

Do you think the RZ range will have access to the Dirac ART Active Room Treatment via a paid update? This is the one thing I'm looking forward to the most on the RZ series

I think we're going to have to see some more information out of Dirac regarding ART before speculating further. The exclusivity period with StormAudio for ART ended a year ago and there have been no announcements from any other companies, nor Dirac themselves.

 

[EWL5]

The Limp / "Protection" mode is however in at least the amp mode, identical to the "Eco" mode - except that you can't get out of it without a full reset!

In both cases it appears the power supply is put into a lower voltage state which then limits power output - it appears the two are the same in that sense.

In the way the "smarts" treat the two it is clearly different though... and there may be other things that are enabled and disabled as part of "ECO" mode.

Something tells me your definition may change for "ECO mode" vs "limp mode" if you had nominal 8 ohm speakers instead of low impedance speakers!

I honestly think the ECO mode would have acted "normally" like it does on a Denon, for example. I've never heard the descriptors "dull" and "lifeless" used in the context of a Denon AVR (with or w/o ECO mode)!

 

[dlaloum]

Something tells me your definition may change for "ECO mode" vs "limp mode" if you had nominal 8 ohm speakers instead of low impedance speakers!

I honestly think the ECO mode would have acted "normally" like it does on a Denon, for example. I've never heard the descriptors "dull" and "lifeless" used in the context of a Denon AVR (with or w/o ECO mode)!

Did someone describe ECO mode as lifeless? (I must have missed that!)

 

[jerem06]

Je pense que nous allons devoir attendre quelques informations supplémentaires de la part de Dirac concernant ART avant de spéculer davantage. La période d'exclusivité avec StormAudio pour ART a pris fin il y a un an et il n'y a eu aucune annonce de la part d'autres sociétés, ni de Dirac elle-même.

Thanks for the information, do we know the DAC that is integrated into this model?

 

[EWL5]

Did someone describe ECO mode as lifeless? (I must have missed that!)

No, I was simply making a point to @perceptionist and you that what you and others experienced w/low impedance speakers cannot be equated to "ECO mode".
A true "ECO mode" allows for the dynamics to return when needed and would never exhibit what you and others have experienced!

I hope that RZ30 will be the second Onkyo without the Eco mode issue that amirm complains all the time. All those Onkyo/Integra/Pioneer must be out.

 

[EWL5]

Thanks for the information, do we know the DAC that is integrated into this model?

No info on internals yet but I would imagine they would continue to use the Burr Brown PCM1690 as on the 7100, RZ50, etc. I would not put it past Onkyo to downgrade from that to cut costs but I would be surprised if they did!

 

[peng]

No info on internals yet but I would imagine they would continue to use the Burr Brown PCM1690 as on the 7100, RZ50, etc. I would not put it past Onkyo to downgrade from that to cut costs but I would be surprised if they did!

That would be reasonable at this price point. The 1690 is as good as, maybe a hair better than the 1502, on paper..

 

[ban25]

Spec sheet:

https://assets.onkyo-av.com/spec-sheets/EMEA-Onkyo-TX-RZ30-Spec-sheet-EN.pdf?v=1726817641

But it doesn't list the DAC.

 

[EWL5]

Spec sheet:

https://assets.onkyo-av.com/spec-sheets/EMEA-Onkyo-TX-RZ30-Spec-sheet-EN.pdf?v=1726817641

But it doesn't list the DAC.

I've noticed that DAC information is one of the few things AVR OEMs choose to conceal! In the age of the internet, it's getting harder and harder for them to do. LOL!

 

[dlaloum]

No, I was simply making a point to @perceptionist and you that what you and others experienced w/low impedance speakers cannot be equated to "ECO mode".
A true "ECO mode" allows for the dynamics to return when needed and would never exhibit what you and others have experienced!

Yes, but my AVR never entered the protection mode, and I have never set it to ECO - the sound I experience indicated that it was clearly unhappy driving my speakers... but it never went into "nanny mode" (confirmed via the status screen on the web interface)

And it may be that it was not just the low impedance by the low impedance + capacitive load that made it "unhappy" (with impedance at 1.6 ohm + capacitive load, I bet the EPDR is below 1 ohm)

 

[EWL5]

Yes, but my AVR never entered the protection mode, and I have never set it to ECO - the sound I experience indicated that it was clearly unhappy driving my speakers... but it never went into "nanny mode" (confirmed via the status screen on the web interface)

And it may be that it was not just the low impedance by the low impedance + capacitive load that made it "unhappy" (with impedance at 1.6 ohm + capacitive load, I bet the EPDR is below 1 ohm)

Is your definition of nanny mode “protection” or “limp mode”?

 

[peng]

Yes, but my AVR never entered the protection mode, and I have never set it to ECO - the sound I experience indicated that it was clearly unhappy driving my speakers... but it never went into "nanny mode" (confirmed via the status screen on the web interface)

And it may be that it was not just the low impedance by the low impedance + capacitive load that made it "unhappy" (with impedance at 1.6 ohm + capacitive load, I bet the EPDR is below 1 ohm)

We have had this conversion before, I think it is something else, based on the info you provided, wish I had those speakers to try..

 

[dlaloum]

Is your definition of nanny mode “protection” or “limp mode”?

Well from an amp perspective (how much power and/or current it puts out) the two seem to be the same!

The "limp" mode is referred to in the status screen as "protection" - so my answer would be.... yes?