Yikes, if somebody wants an Onkyo, they can still get a TX-NR696, though the rest are MIA. It's a comparable AVR to the new Yamaha RX-V6A/TSR-700. Yes, the Onkyo is 2019 model with no HDMI 2.1 features and the Yamaha is a 2020 model with HDMI 2.1 features... that have yet to be activated! Turning them on may only result in issues the likes of Denon/Marantz right now. i'll have to wait forthe next firmware update.
I was surprised at how much I liked the TX-NR777 after years with Denon models and wanted to upgrade to the TX-NR797. I waited too long and they can only be found open box right now. I went with a Yamaha TSR-700, a dog that got returned to Costco after a bug fix update did not kill the bugs. I then bought a TX-NR696. Shortly thereafter, Yamaha sent me an RX-V6A that functioned well after the bug fix update. It's still handicapped in the feature department. I unhooked it and am enjoying my TX-NR696.
I'll give the Yamaha another go when they turn more features on. My Onkyos run cooler than any Denon I've ever had and the GUI isn't dated, glitchy and ugly like the Yamahas. If Onkyo goes the way of Denon/Marantz with their HEOS app or the way of Yamaha with their MusicCast app with a f#%kin' Sonos app, I'll be done with them as well. In the meantime, I'm perfectly happy with my 2019 Onkyo and am glad the 2020 Yamahas didn't cost me anything at the end of the day. Credit goes to Yamaha for stepping up with a free replacement model.
I thought about replacing everything this year with 2020 models to game in 4K/120. I am glad I decided to wait. I'm one of the guys who tried to cover all of the bases with a PS3 and an XBOX 360 with HD DVD drive back in the day. Everybody should have waited until the HDMI 2.1 spec was actually fully tested and finalized. I see there is actually an "Ultra Certified Cable" now on the HDMI site after so much hardware flaunted HDMI 2.1 abilities before it. Sony and Microsoft should have waited to put out new consoles until somebody came up with a better design than the mini fridge and hotel room safe they ended up shoving on us. Those things are too big and ugly as f#%k. What the hell was this thread about, again? Oh, that's right, "Where did ONKYO go?" Mine is in the living room.
