Onkyo TX-RZ30

[J. Lohmann]

@J. Lohmann
Today I looked at the front facia more carefully, with a lamp and a magnet.
Nothing is magnetic at the front, contrary to the side enclosure.
It may be a non magnetic metal (aluminum?) front facia.
About the volume button, my guess is that it is plastic, as the two rotary button on the left.

But let us be realistic: the front facia looks good.
It is far better than a Yamaha Advantage.

Oh, I ABSOLUTELY agree that any of these Onkyos (or Denons, for that matter) look SO much better than the Yamahas -- can't stand that cyclops center-mounted volume knob and piano black shiny faces. Hideous.

But I'm surprised about the Onks, as I assumed all models in the RZ line would boast metal knobs and faceplates. Let's be honest, the 30, even though it's the least expensive in the premium line, still isn't exactly cheap. Heck, I was pissed that the Denon X2800 I selected came with all-plastic bits (the unit retails for over $1K when it's not on sale).

I appreciate that you took the time to check this; guess I won't know exactly what it's made out of until I get my hands on one.

 

[J. Lohmann]

There is however no equivalent to the RZ30 in the Integra range (which is sad!)

The DRX3.4 is like an NR7100 with a full set of pre-outs.... or like an RZ30 but with only one Sub Channel

And like the NR7100, no DLBC as been released for the DRX3.4 - which most likely means there is no chance of there being Dirac ART for it either.

(a pure marketing decision as the processing capabilities are the same as the RZ50 which has received DLBC)

I know we may have discussed this over at AVS, but there hasn't been a replacement for the 7100, has there? Is the RZ30 sort of filling the gap here?

 

[J. Lohmann]

The current generation of AVRs from PAC (RZ30/70/805/DRX-8.4) all display the codec on the front-panel display by default:

View attachment 468750

Also, there's a feature called "My Input Volume" which seems to do what you're asking for:

View attachment 468749

Forgive me for not responding to your post above; I didn't see that you were replying directly to me because there wasn't a quote from my original post...

Thanks for the response -- are you certain that the CODEC in use is what is shown as default ALL THE TIME on the new Onkyos? Because this wasn't available on somewhat previous models; the AVR would show, at all times, the INPUT NAME and VOLUME LEVEL until you pressed a button on the remote (the "i" button) to cycle through different information...but this would eventually go back to the input name and volume after a few seconds.

This is what I mean:

It would stay like that by default...did they make changes to this?

Also -- there's no way to see the input name AND the sound mode at the same time, though, correct?

With regard to the MY INPUT VOLUME -- I'm aware of that feature, but it is NOT the same as IntelliVolume from the past. My Input Volume merely sets a pre-determined starting point for volume for each input, when the AVR is turned on; IntelliVolume was a "gain leveling" program that allowed you to adjust preamp level gain for each device connected to the amp in a range from -12dB to +12dB. This acted like a power amp's "gain sensitivity" control, so you could adjust the sensitivity of the output; in turn, you could, say, turn a source up so that it appears much louder at a lower master volume level, which I personally prefer.

Looking forward to your feedback; thanks again.

 

[ban25]

Forgive me for not responding to your post above; I didn't see that you were replying directly to me because there wasn't a quote from my original post...

Thanks for the response -- are you certain that the CODEC in use is what is shown as default ALL THE TIME on the new Onkyos? Because this wasn't available on somewhat previous models; the AVR would show, at all times, the INPUT NAME and VOLUME LEVEL until you pressed a button on the remote (the "i" button) to cycle through different information...but this would eventually go back to the input name and volume after a few seconds.

This is what I mean:

View attachment 469445

It would stay like that by default...did they make changes to this?

Also -- there's no way to see the input name AND the sound mode at the same time, though, correct?

With regard to the MY INPUT VOLUME -- I'm aware of that feature, but it is NOT the same as IntelliVolume from the past. My Input Volume merely sets a pre-determined starting point for volume for each input, when the AVR is turned on; IntelliVolume was a "gain leveling" program that allowed you to adjust preamp level gain for each device connected to the amp in a range from -12dB to +12dB. This acted like a power amp's "gain sensitivity" control, so you could adjust the sensitivity of the output; in turn, you could, say, turn a source up so that it appears much louder at a lower master volume level, which I personally prefer.

Looking forward to your feedback; thanks again.

Correct. The RZ70, RZ30, DRX-8.4, and LX805 default to display the codec by default (or the upmixer if such a mode, like AURO-3D, is selected):

 

[J. Lohmann]

Correct. The RZ70, RZ30, DRX-8.4, and LX805 default to display the codec by default (or the upmixer if such a mode, like AURO-3D, is selected):

View attachment 469456

Thank you, again -- then they must have made the change on newer models, because it didn't function like this before. Good to know, and may inch me towards buying another Onkyo, but they're still not re-introducing the IntelliVolume feature, which was kind of a deal-breaker to me.

Also -- there's no way to see the input name and codec in play at the same time, huh? And they haven't made this change to the RZ50?

With regard to the upmixers you mentioned -- if I am running a 5.1 system and need the upmixers to engage just for one or two-channel signals (which is what I would need them for in my case, as there's nowhere for 5.1 tracks to "upmix" to, being I'm not running overheads), can the Onkyos (and Pioneers/Integras, I suppose) be set so they automatically switch to an upmixer mode when needed? In other words, with my current Denon, the only way the AVR remembers to auto-switch to a certain upmixer when mono or stereo signals are detected is if I leave them engaged all the time, even for 5.1 signals -- I was told this WOULDN'T affect the SOUND of 5.1 tracks being that they're not being "upmixed" in my 5.1 setup (please see my thread about this in this section of the forum).

I HATE having to see the "+DSurr" or "+Neu:X" designation on the front of the Denon when I know I'm not using them, so is there a way to tell the Onkyos to automatically use an upmixer only when they're needed (in my case, that would be for one or two-channel signals)?

 

[ban25]

Thank you, again -- then they must have made the change on newer models, because it didn't function like this before. Good to know, and may inch me towards buying another Onkyo, but they're still not re-introducing the IntelliVolume feature, which was kind of a deal-breaker to me.

Also -- there's no way to see the input name and codec in play at the same time, huh? And they haven't made this change to the RZ50?

With regard to the upmixers you mentioned -- if I am running a 5.1 system and need the upmixers to engage just for one or two-channel signals (which is what I would need them for in my case, as there's nowhere for 5.1 tracks to "upmix" to, being I'm not running overheads), can the Onkyos (and Pioneers/Integras, I suppose) be set so they automatically switch to an upmixer mode when needed? In other words, with my current Denon, the only way the AVR remembers to auto-switch to a certain upmixer when mono or stereo signals are detected is if I leave them engaged all the time, even for 5.1 signals -- I was told this WOULDN'T affect the SOUND of 5.1 tracks being that they're not being "upmixed" in my 5.1 setup (please see my thread about this in this section of the forum).

I HATE having to see the "+DSurr" or "+Neu:X" designation on the front of the Denon when I know I'm not using them, so is there a way to tell the Onkyos to automatically use an upmixer only when they're needed (in my case, that would be for one or two-channel signals)?

The display is single line, so it's just going to show the codec by default and then toggle with the input button. Of course, you can also see all of the information on the OSD or in the mobile app or in the web interface. I can't even see the AVR from my seating position so honestly I do not care if it has a front-panel display or not.

Correct, if you have a 5.1 system and play, for instance, a 5.1 DD+ track, that is what you will see on the screen. You can select a default output mode per input, so if you want one input to be Direct and another to be Dolby Surround or AURO-3D by default, you can set that. With a 5.1 system, you aren't going to see any upmixing on multi-channel tracks, and no Atmos (you have to have height channels to even decode the Atmos metadata, otherwise you just get the 7.1 TrueHD/DD+ base layer).

 

[J. Lohmann]

The display is single line, so it's just going to show the codec by default and then toggle with the input button. Of course, you can also see all of the information on the OSD or in the mobile app or in the web interface. I can't even see the AVR from my seating position so honestly I do not care if it has a front-panel display or not.

I definitely can see -- and use -- the front panel display on all my AVRs, so it is important to me. But, with regard to the single line thing -- Onkyo did this in the past with single line displays, like it was with my TX-SR605, so why can't they do it now?

Here's the way that looked:

Correct, if you have a 5.1 system and play, for instance, a 5.1 DD+ track, that is what you will see on the screen.

But what about plain Dolby Digital signals -- does that show as "DD" or "Dolby D"? The issue wasn't so much how it shows the codec information, it was more whether or not the new Onkyos will remember to use certain sound modes for certain SIGNALS -- in other words, will it know to use Dolby Surround or DTS Neural:X just for two-channel signals in my case, or do I have to use the remote to switch between sound modes every time I go from something in 5.1 to 2.0?

You can select a default output mode per input, so if you want one input to be Direct and another to be Dolby Surround or AURO-3D by default, you can set that.

So they behave just like the Denons -- per input. Got that. But what I was more interested in was whether the AVR will remember what mode to use AUTOMATICALLY BY CODEC AND CHANNEL every time it senses that kind of input signal...do you see what I'm saying?

In other words, I only need the Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X upmixers to engage for one or two-channel (mono or stereo) signals from discs (because I'm running a 5.1 setup) -- will the Onkyos REMEMBER to use one of these the next time I go from, say, a disc with a 5.1 surround track to one with a stereo mix?

With a 5.1 system, you aren't going to see any upmixing on multi-channel tracks, and no Atmos (you have to have height channels to even decode the Atmos metadata, otherwise you just get the 7.1 TrueHD/DD+ base layer).

I understand that I only get the TrueHD base layer (in my case, because I only watch discs, the DD+ doesn't apply) because I don't have overheads -- but in comparing it to my current Denon, the Denon WILL show "Dolby Atmos" on the front IF the Speaker Virtualizer is turned on WITHOUT overhead speakers, as it is attempting to simulate an Atmos setup with regular bed level speakers. In MY case, because I don't have bed level surrounds (they're in the ceiling), I leave the Virtualizer turned OFF, so when I watch discs with Atmos tracks, the front of the Denon reads "DTHD" (for Dolby TrueHD). At any rate, that's not the real concern...

What you said above regarding not seeing any upmixing on multichannel tracks is what I was more interested in -- with my current Denon, the AVR shows an upmixer is being used even WITH my 5.1 system on 5.1 tracks, but I was told it ISN'T affecting the sound output in my case. With the Onkyos, are you saying the AVR will KNOW to use a straight Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD, etc. decode with my 5.1 setup without any kind of upmixer "added" on top?

 

[EWL5]

I know we may have discussed this over at AVS, but there hasn't been a replacement for the 7100, has there? Is the RZ30 sort of filling the gap here?

Marketing will say “no” but we know better as the RZ30 shares about 90% of parts with the 7100 and occupies that 100W into 2ch segment.

 

[J. Lohmann]

Marketing will say “no” but we know better as the RZ30 shares about 90% of parts with the 7100 and occupies that 100W into 2ch segment.

Agreed -- as soon as I saw the 100WPC specs, I realized this was a stand-in for the 7100, especially following its demise from the market.

The 7100 always was a bit of a redundancy in their lineup, though, given that the 6100 had the same power rating and the fact that it shared the Dirac implementation with the RZ50 (at the time). Of course, those who wanted to get into Dirac without paying for an RZ Series level amp was a good match for the 7100, but otherwise it always seemed like a weird duck to me.

 

[EWL5]

Agreed -- as soon as I saw the 100WPC specs, I realized this was a stand-in for the 7100, especially following its demise from the market.

The 7100 always was a bit of a redundancy in their lineup, though, given that the 6100 had the same power rating and the fact that it shared the Dirac implementation with the RZ50 (at the time). Of course, those who wanted to get into Dirac without paying for an RZ Series level amp was a good match for the 7100, but otherwise it always seemed like a weird duck to me.

Yes, the fact that a non-RZ AVR included Dirac for a reasonable price made all current and future RZ products less attractive.

 

[dlaloum]

Yes, the fact that a non-RZ AVR included Dirac for a reasonable price made all current and future RZ products less attractive.

The strange thing, is that no equivalent to the RZ30 has been released in the Integra range.

Makes one wonder whether there is going to be a change of direction for the Integra branding?
A long time ago... decades... Integra was the branding for the flagship Onkyo model, later it became the branding for the Onkyo clones that were tweaked for CI (custom installer) marketplace.

Now??

 

[ban25]

I definitely can see -- and use -- the front panel display on all my AVRs, so it is important to me. But, with regard to the single line thing -- Onkyo did this in the past with single line displays, like it was with my TX-SR605, so why can't they do it now?

Here's the way that looked:

View attachment 469612

But what about plain Dolby Digital signals -- does that show as "DD" or "Dolby D"? The issue wasn't so much how it shows the codec information, it was more whether or not the new Onkyos will remember to use certain sound modes for certain SIGNALS -- in other words, will it know to use Dolby Surround or DTS Neural:X just for two-channel signals in my case, or do I have to use the remote to switch between sound modes every time I go from something in 5.1 to 2.0?

So they behave just like the Denons -- per input. Got that. But what I was more interested in was whether the AVR will remember what mode to use AUTOMATICALLY BY CODEC AND CHANNEL every time it senses that kind of input signal...do you see what I'm saying?

In other words, I only need the Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X upmixers to engage for one or two-channel (mono or stereo) signals from discs (because I'm running a 5.1 setup) -- will the Onkyos REMEMBER to use one of these the next time I go from, say, a disc with a 5.1 surround track to one with a stereo mix?

I understand that I only get the TrueHD base layer (in my case, because I only watch discs, the DD+ doesn't apply) because I don't have overheads -- but in comparing it to my current Denon, the Denon WILL show "Dolby Atmos" on the front IF the Speaker Virtualizer is turned on WITHOUT overhead speakers, as it is attempting to simulate an Atmos setup with regular bed level speakers. In MY case, because I don't have bed level surrounds (they're in the ceiling), I leave the Virtualizer turned OFF, so when I watch discs with Atmos tracks, the front of the Denon reads "DTHD" (for Dolby TrueHD). At any rate, that's not the real concern...

What you said above regarding not seeing any upmixing on multichannel tracks is what I was more interested in -- with my current Denon, the AVR shows an upmixer is being used even WITH my 5.1 system on 5.1 tracks, but I was told it ISN'T affecting the sound output in my case. With the Onkyos, are you saying the AVR will KNOW to use a straight Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS-HD, Dolby TrueHD, etc. decode with my 5.1 setup without any kind of upmixer "added" on top?

You can specify the mode/upmixer per input per codec type, at least on the 8.4, I don't know if the RZ30 supports that also:

 

[J. Lohmann]

Thanks, ban -- will get back to you in kind as soon as possible.

 

[J. Lohmann]

Yes, the fact that a non-RZ AVR included Dirac for a reasonable price made all current and future RZ products less attractive.

Agreed.

 

[Timcognito]

My RZ30 came today $749 from Audorama via slickdeals.net. As has been stated a few times in this thread the older 2021 Onkyo/Intega designs have circuit protection issues, no pre-outs, single sub out and some had hdmi board failures. Why would one go back to the older design?

 

[J. Lohmann]

My RZ30 came today $749 from Audorama via slickdeals.net. As has been stated a few times in this thread the older 2021 Onkyo/Intega designs have circuit protection issues, no pre-outs, single sub out and some had hdmi board failures. Why would one go back to the older design?

Wouldn't care to go back to the older design based on THOSE factors, but there are some elements they removed from their AVRs that were very helpful to certain users, such as the IntelliVolume feature and the way the front displays show information.

 

[J. Lohmann]

You can specify the mode/upmixer per input per codec type, at least on the 8.4, I don't know if the RZ30 supports that also:

View attachment 469828

I believe I remember seeing this (some kind of Listening Mode Preset, like on the old Onkyos and Integras), but, like you, I'm unsure if this applies to the current Onk lineup (specifically the model we're talking about here, the RZ30). Is this something that's only available via the app setup, or can it be accessed through the AVR's main menu?

 

[valerianf]

On the RZ30, for each input, the type of audio codec is automatically memorized.
First you select the input (i.e. STRMBOX) on the remote, then you push the buttons MOVIE/TV or MUSIC or GAME several time until the wanted audio setting is reached. That is all.
The next time STRMBOX is select the same audio codec will be used.

 

[dlaloum]

On the RZ30, for each input, the type of audio codec is automatically memorized.
First you select the input (i.e. STRMBOX) on the remote, then you push the buttons MOVIE/TV or MUSIC or GAME several time until the wanted audio setting is reached. That is all.
The next time STRMBOX is select the same audio codec will be used.

Or you can log into the webinterface and set it there...

 

[J. Lohmann]

On the RZ30, for each input, the type of audio codec is automatically memorized.
First you select the input (i.e. STRMBOX) on the remote, then you push the buttons MOVIE/TV or MUSIC or GAME several time until the wanted audio setting is reached. That is all.
The next time STRMBOX is select the same audio codec will be used.

I understand that at a fundamental level...but I'm referring to whether or not the unit will remember what was used last based on CHANNEL COUNT, as well. In other words, if I used Dolby Surround the last time I watched something with a two channel signal, will it remember to use Dolby Surround the NEXT TIME I watch something with a 2.0 signal?