Onkyo 2012 Midline Receivers Preview

[3db]

I understand that, as I stated Marantz sometimes leaves out certain features (brand name video processing etc), but to say they leave out important features like MultiEQ XT32 is silly. They have MultiEQ XT which isn't that far behind the 32. The newer Marantz receivers don't have any s-video inputs.

Again, most would agree that some features are left out because Marantz products have a higher starting build quality and reliability. As audioholics have stated in some of their articles (Gene himself I believe) receivers are all about tradeoffs and which tradeoffs are acceptable to the buyer. Marantz tries to balance the loss of a few features by building a rock solid product. That being said it would be nice to see a little bit more feature wise

I rather quality over bells and whistles any day even if it means not having MultiEQ XT32. Although its shown to work really well, I doubt that there i a night and day difference in sound between it and the lesser eq schemes. A receiver breakdown is a night day difference however. Just my personal preference.

 

[fuzz092888]

I wouldn't say that 4x the filter resolution for the sub and 32x for the satellites is nothing. Even if the audible difference is subtle, having a flagship product without the best available EQ when your competition is offering it in their $1k product needs to be addressed.

Now that I have a receiver with both the multi XT and the 32 I can honestly say I don't notice a huge difference.

To me the Marantz leaving it out is even less of a big deal now that I've tested both in my space.

Now if you want to compare either of the above to YPAO then I'm game

For the record I didn't say it was nothing, I said that to say Marantz leaves out important features is silly because the MultiEQ XT and 32 are pretty similar.

Obviously the 32 offers some advantages, but for most people it won't be a deal breaker.

 

[smurphy522]

Fuzz quoted: "Obviously the 32 offers some advantages, but for most people it won't be a deal breaker."

Like those people using a subwoofer

 

[hk2000]

I Agree

I know most people don't use them, but recently receivers have been omitting the AC switched outlet(s). I use an AC switched outlet to control the amp to my passive subwoofer via an AC relay, so it kills me to see this feature fall by the wayside.

The worst cost cutting measure all manufacturers seem to be jumping on- either they assume other compnents are no longer used (CD, DVD players..etc, who needs them when you have Pandora) or they want you to buy their own components and control them thrhough RI both options are flawd, I just want a switched outlet damnit

 

[Spyder207]

Amazon has recently lowered the price on the TX-NR818. Click Add to Cart to see price

Cheaper than many used units I have seen advertised.

 

[Marshall_Guthrie]

<$900 for xt32 is pretty good.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

<$900 for xt32 is pretty good.

In 2007 I got my 805 for $717 - hair under $900 is ok, but closer to lower $800 would be even better

 

[Spyder207]

In 2007 I got my 805 for $717 - hair under $900 is ok, but closer to lower $800 would be even better

Not to mention how much better it would be if it were free.

 

[zimmer]

Onkyo TX-NR818 questions about features

Doesn't this also have the HQV vida and the Marvel Qdeo video processing? Wouldn't that make this more worth the price? I saw a big difference when I saw the Yamaha RX-A2010 with the HQV chip.

 

[Cinetune]

ISF controls....

"...offers video calibration to ISF standards for color correction at the receiver level (though we have no idea why you'd want this as opposed to doing it at the display)."

I can think of a few:
1) Your display may lack some of the calibration controls offered in the receiver (gamma adjustment, separate ISF day and Night modes, etc.)
2) Perhaps calibration controls on the display work very poorly (not uncommon!)
3) many folks want to use their receiver for HDMI switching yet their $49 blue ray (for example) has brightness set too high and lacks any controls…since the Onkyo has calibration controls specific to each input (saving the day)…a calibrator can adjust the display's input to reference and then only tweak the individual inputs on the receiver on a per source basis...sweet!!