Onkyo TX-RZ50 Review (Home Theater AVR)

[Scot Matheaon]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I also have a cable box connected to the receiver, and I do have CEC turned on.

 

[Scot Matheaon]

Is Apple TV the only item connected via HDMI? I used to have this issue when an Xfinity cable box was connected. Once the cable box was gone, the problem went away. Also have had problems with CEC turned on. Rebooting the display (Sony) has cleared up issues as well.

Yes, I do have a cable box attached to the receiver through HDMI and I do have CEC turned on however, it’s odd that this has just surfaced after using the receiver for eight months. Although I believe the LG G1 television had a software update recently

 

[Brambo67]

I wonder why? Is Pioneer more premium/better built than Onkyo?

No, only branding and 'looks'. You can find pic's across the web showing the all their internals and they are similar for Onkyo 7100, 50 and Pioneer 505 and 305.

 

[Johnp]

Yes, I do have a cable box attached to the receiver through HDMI and I do have CEC turned on however, it’s odd that this has just surfaced after using the receiver for eight months. Although I believe the LG G1 television had a software update recently

My issue didn’t show up right away either. I unplugged everything for 15 minutes and then hooked up only the Apple TV and all was well. When the cable box was plugged back in, the lagging volume display issue returned. I assumed it was a failing cable box, but it may have been some HDMI incompatibility. I was ready to get rid of cable at the time, so I removed the box and the problem has not resurfaced since.

 

[Wildgift]

Hey all – – I am considering this receiver or a Denon 4700H. My speakers are Swan diva 4.1/2.1 they are around 4 to 6 ohms. Will this receiver have a hard time driving them? I’m running a basic 5.1 system. Thanks.

 

[dlaloum]

Hey all – – I am considering this receiver or a Denon 4700H. My speakers are Swan diva 4.1/2.1 they are around 4 to 6 ohms. Will this receiver have a hard time driving them? I’m running a basic 5.1 system. Thanks.

Some reviews say the Swan Diva 4.1 is 4 ohm.... and typically 4 ohm speakers can bottom out at 2 ohm or below on some frequencies ( as mine do)

If it remains above 3 ohm - both these receivers would be fine, if it drops below that, I think the Denon would handle it better - but neither would be particularly "happy".... which is why I use external amps with my Integra, and opted for the 3.4 model down as the internal amps are plenty for the surround and height channels... and I didn't need the additional channels of the RZ50.

The models that have more beefy amps will be the X6800 (when it comes out) or the RZ70/DRX8.4/LX805 (and the AV1H if you can stretch that high).

 

[Bren Derlin]

Hey all – – I am considering this receiver or a Denon 4700H. My speakers are Swan diva 4.1/2.1 they are around 4 to 6 ohms. Will this receiver have a hard time driving them? I’m running a basic 5.1 system. Thanks.

If you have an Ethernet connection near your HT rig, the Anthem 540 8K would be a very good option. Even if you plan to expand to a 7.2 system - you can expand via pre-outs. Just plug it in the network, and “check for updates”, before you begin the rest of the set up.

EDIT: I've figured out a workaround for not having an Ethernet connection to your home's network near your Home Theater rig using a USB to Ethernet adapter/dongle.

 

[Wildgift]

Ordered the 4700h. Fingers crossed!

 

[Bren Derlin]

Ordered the 4700h. Fingers crossed!

Hysterical that with any receiver we order, we all “cross our fingers”. LOL

 

[Scot Matheaon]

My issue didn’t show up right away either. I unplugged everything for 15 minutes and then hooked up only the Apple TV and all was well. When the cable box was plugged back in, the lagging volume display issue returned. I assumed it was a failing cable box, but it may have been some HDMI incompatibility. I was ready to get rid of cable at the time, so I removed the box and the problem has not resurfaced since.

I have solved the issue with handshake. I toggled CEC off and on on all devices. Seems to have fixed the problem.

 

[EWL5]

I have solved the issue with handshake. I toggled CEC off and on on all devices. Seems to have fixed the problem.

Was your final CEC setting "ON" for all or "OFF"?

 

[SorenTyson]

Now on sale for usd 1,300. The gap to x3800 incl . Dirac license cost is pretty big. I ordered one and it will be my first experience with dirac Will save up for an buckeye amp for lcr.

 

[WeaponizedApe]

Andrew Robinson gave this unit such a rave review. Really, the so called audiophile reviewers seem to suck up to suppliers, distributors and manufacturers for freebies.

Having just recently purchased one, he was right.

 

[2therock]

Got a HDMI audio extractor extending the life for my SC-75. . It would not pass more than 4k @ 24Hz. So now I cable box to TV ARC and the audio breakout to the SC-75. Works great.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

Not sure if this qualifies for it's own thread, but refurbished RZ50 units are on sale on Onkyo's website for $950.. 40% off retail for people who wanted to get into a Dirac unit. I'm tempted to buy a second one even though I don't need it.

TX-RZ50 Refurbished 9.2-Channel THX Certified AV Receiver | Onkyo

The Onkyo TX-RZ50 Refurbished AV Receiver will revitalize your home entertainment set-up with groundbreaking DIRAC room correction technology. Shop Now.

onkyousa.com

 

[gab]

Not sure if this qualifies for it's own thread, but refurbished RZ50 units are on sale on Onkyo's website for $950.. 40% off retail for people who wanted to get into a Dirac unit. I'm tempted to buy a second one even though I don't need it.

TX-RZ50 Refurbished 9.2-Channel THX Certified AV Receiver | Onkyo

The Onkyo TX-RZ50 Refurbished AV Receiver will revitalize your home entertainment set-up with groundbreaking DIRAC room correction technology. Shop Now.

onkyousa.com

Was going to pull the trigger but found a new unit available from SafeandSoundhq for $1099 with free shipping.

 

[WilliamO]

Can I use this in Pure mode with an external DAC for 2 channel and get full resolution while using DIRAC for movies?

 

[ban25]

Can I use this in Pure mode with an external DAC for 2 channel and get full resolution while using DIRAC for movies?

Pure mode (and for that matter, an external DAC) will bypass processing and therefore preclude Dirac from functioning. DAC resolution and "pure direct" are really just audiophile snake oil, don't worry about them.

 

[WilliamO]

Pure mode (and for that matter, an external DAC) will bypass processing and therefore preclude Dirac from functioning. DAC resolution and "pure direct" are really just audiophile snake oil, don't worry about them.

Great! Thank you. I discovered this in my Marantz 70s. "Pure Direct" is different from "Pure" Mode. Pure Direct really limits the bass output. It is easily noticeable. It is a STARK difference. I do believe with Pure Mode my McIntosh system still sounds like it did without the inclusion of the Marantz 70s. I needed the AVR because the XBOX Series X decided to delete the optical output included in the previous XBOX One X.

 

[WilliamO]

So, do I purchase this thing and use external amplification or do I go Marantz C50, Sony ES, NAD T778? I'm not really a Denon fan. Sony appears to have audio processing issues with speaker locations. This RZ50 appears to have everything once external amplification is added. NAD isn't HDMI 2.1.