Onkyo TX-RZ50 Review (Home Theater AVR)

[silverstreak_2006]

Latest Firmware which gives DIRAC Bass control support amongst other fixes / addon, states in the Firmware Update notes at "Improved Amplifier Power supply sequence". I wonder if this is the fix for benchmarking a 4R load under the 6R setting, mainly relying on temperature control as opposed to current sensing so heavily, at least over two channels? Be interesting to see if this holds the rail for longer under such conditions as Amir was testing.

Released: 10/28/2024
1. Dirac Live Bass Control To use Dirac Live Bass Control, you need to register with Dirac Live and obtain a Dirac Live Bass Control license. https://www.dirac.com/online-store/onkyo-tx-rz50/
2. Addition of Amazon Music HD
3. Dolby Atmos Music Playback Capability for Amazon Music HD and Tidal Native Playback
4. Source Based Tone Mapping for HDMI2.1a
5. Improved Amplifier Power supply sequence
6. Google Cast2.0 The method for network connection will be changed. For details, please refer here. https://assets.onkyo-av.com/product-manuals/supple_cast20_onk.pdf
7. Support Tidal MAX
8. Improve the Dirac Live measurement on the Onkyo Application.
9. Minor bug fixes and improvements stability.

 

[EWL5]

Latest Firmware which gives DIRAC Bass control support amongst other fixes / addon, states in the Firmware Update notes at "Improved Amplifier Power supply sequence". I wonder if this is the fix for benchmarking a 4R load under the 6R setting, mainly relying on temperature control as opposed to current sensing so heavily, at least over two channels? Be interesting to see if this holds the rail for longer under such conditions as Amir was testing.

Released: 10/28/2024
1. Dirac Live Bass Control To use Dirac Live Bass Control, you need to register with Dirac Live and obtain a Dirac Live Bass Control license. https://www.dirac.com/online-store/onkyo-tx-rz50/
2. Addition of Amazon Music HD
3. Dolby Atmos Music Playback Capability for Amazon Music HD and Tidal Native Playback
4. Source Based Tone Mapping for HDMI2.1a
5. Improved Amplifier Power supply sequence
6. Google Cast2.0 The method for network connection will be changed. For details, please refer here. https://assets.onkyo-av.com/product-manuals/supple_cast20_onk.pdf
7. Support Tidal MAX
8. Improve the Dirac Live measurement on the Onkyo Application.
9. Minor bug fixes and improvements stability.

I wonder if anyone is intrepid enough to send their RZ50 to Amir to redo the low impedance bench tests?

 

[peng]

I wonder if anyone is intrepid enough to send their RZ50 to Amir to redo the low impedance bench tests?

I would rather see the RZ30 get tested first.

 

[silverstreak_2006]

I'm wondering if this is to address the "clicking" issue that everyone keeps whinging about. On the older units if the audio voltage didn't exceed 20volts RMS total for around 30 minutes, it would switch the rail down to (guessing) keep heat down, and play a part in "saving the planet", almost a cheesy class G syndrome going on!

 

[EWL5]

I would rather see the RZ30 get tested first.

True. Andrew Robinson already declared it the best all around AVR but he's just marketing what's new!
If the new RZ50 firmware update is everything we think it is, it's a better AVR than the RZ30 and street price is hundreds cheaper!

 

[EWL5]

I'm wondering if this is to address the "clicking" issue that everyone keeps whinging about. On the older units if the audio voltage didn't exceed 20volts RMS total for around 30 minutes, it would switch the rail down to (guessing) keep heat down, and play a part in "saving the planet", almost a cheesy class G syndrome going on!

Not sure if the clicking is related to the RZ50's poor performance on low impedance loads but if this limp mode has been addressed by the new firmware, the RZ50 becomes the best AVR to get this holiday season (albeit w/o ART compatibility in all likelihood)!

 

[silverstreak_2006]

I would rather see the RZ30 get tested first.

I cannot find a firmware update for this, so if it is tested, and holds out better with impedance load, then it will answer the question I'm sure.

 

[EWL5]

I cannot find a firmware update for this, so if it is tested, and holds out better with impedance load, then it will answer the question I'm sure.

The RZ30 has no need for firmware update as it's 2024 tech vs 2021 tech (RZ50, 7100, etc)!

It only just came out this month!

 

[silverstreak_2006]

The RZ30 has no need for firmware update as it's 2024 tech vs 2021 tech (RZ50, 7100, etc)!

It only just came out this month!

Sorry, my point being that the RZ-30 already has the feature set that the new firmware gives to the RZ-50, including the PSU sequence improvement.

 

[EWL5]

Sorry, my point being that the RZ-30 already has the feature set that the new firmware gives to the RZ-50, including the PSU sequence improvement.

It remains to be seen whether the new RZ50/7100 firmware really does address the limp mode. If it stays, I would imagine it's a corporate decision and would be on the RZ30 as well!

 

[peng]

True. Andrew Robinson already declared it the best all around AVR but he's just marketing what's new!
If the new RZ50 firmware update is everything we think it is, it's a better AVR than the RZ30 and street price is hundreds cheaper!

I watch his only for entertainment, and always ignore his opinion on "sound quality" comparison. I value such subjective measurements very little especially his, versus someone like John of Ripwaveaudio, who at least usually give his opinion but never over the top kind. That's obvious just me, the fact that AR gets so many units for reviews means he is very talented in doing what he's doing and is probably one of the most (if not the defacto) most popular reviewer(s).

 

[silverstreak_2006]

It remains to be seen whether the new RZ50/7100 firmware really does address the limp mode. If it stays, I would imagine it's a corporate decision and would be on the RZ30 as well!

They can't iterate what it does for compliance purposes. Be interested if anybody in the real world would notice.

 

[EWL5]

Be interested if anybody in the real world would notice.

I'll be addressing this in a separate thread shortly...

 

[ban25]

True. Andrew Robinson already declared it the best all around AVR but he's just marketing what's new!
If the new RZ50 firmware update is everything we think it is, it's a better AVR than the RZ30 and street price is hundreds cheaper!

To be fair, the RZ30 has dual independent subwoofer outputs whereas the RZ50 does not.

 

[peng]

To be fair, the RZ30 has dual independent subwoofer outputs whereas the RZ50 does not.

Am I right that the RZ30 can process only 9 main channels whereas the 50 can do 7.1.4 (11 channels)?

 

[EWL5]

To be fair, the RZ30 has dual independent subwoofer outputs whereas the RZ50 does not.

Yes, that's about the only advantage. Is it worth hundreds more while not supporting more than 2 independent subs?

I could make the argument that the RZ30 answered the question that no one asked!

 

[EWL5]

Am I right that the RZ30 can process only 9 main channels whereas the 50 can do 7.1.4 (11 channels)?

Correct but the RZ50 requires 2 external amps to process 11 (internal amps only for 9).

 

[ban25]

Yes, that's about the only advantage. Is it worth hundreds more while not supporting more than 2 independent subs?

I could make the argument that the RZ30 answered the question that no one asked!

These prices are fairly fluid. Let's see what it will cost on Black Friday.

 

[ban25]

Am I right that the RZ30 can process only 9 main channels whereas the 50 can do 7.1.4 (11 channels)?

Yes. If you want an 11.1 system, then the RZ50 is the better option. If you only need a 9 channel system, then might as well take the 30 and get an extra subwoofer output.

 

[Vlaitor]

Morning,
First time I ever post something after lurking here for years.
I bought my RZ50 back in November 2022.

It did the "clicking" issue 3 times in the first month of use.
I didn't seem to find a "pattern", using it in pure direct or normal mode in a 2.1 system with my Aperions (6 ohms). I could crank the volume (95-100db) and it would work just fine but sometimes it would do this clicking after 15 minutes of play in a very relax mood (60-70db).

HOWEVER, since January 2023 I had no issue whatsoever.
My RZ50 resides now in my living room feeding 3 Aperions speakers, 2 Monitor Audio Bronze and an SVS SB2000.

Perfect operational status so far. No clicking, no reboots, nothing. Very reliable and giving me at least 1 hour of content everyday.

New measurements would be interesting. Or maybe there is a sampling rate.

Very, very happy with my RZ50. For the price it's a monster.