Onkyo 906 or Yamaha Z7

[michael360]

I am looking to upgrade from Onkyo 805 to 906 or Z7 but I really cant make up my mind. I know the onkyo 906 have THX and Yamaha Z7 doesnt. I have looked through google and it sounded like the Z7 was much better than onkyo. Iam really having an headache. Can anyone advice which i should buy!!!!

 

[nibhaz]

I am looking to upgrade from Onkyo 805 to 906 or Z7 but I really cant make up my mind. I know the onkyo 906 have THX and Yamaha Z7 doesnt. I have looked through google and it sounded like the Z7 was much better than onkyo. Iam really having an headache. Can anyone advice which i should buy!!!!

What are you attempting to accomplish by stepping up to the 906 or Z7? What don’t you like about your 805?

I have a personal preference for the Audyssey based room correction found in the 906, so that would lean me towards the 906. Also online pricing has the 906 300-400 dollars cheaper than the Z7 which would again cause me to lean towards the 906.

Either one is great receiver, so it’s hard to say. It should come down to which unit fits your needs the best.

 

[michael360]

Actually I have a friend who is willing to buy my Onkyo 805 so i thought of upgrading to higher models.

 

[Seth=L]

Unless you want the better video processing of the TX-NR906 you won't gain a large power advantage over the TX-SR805. If you are tired of the TX-SR805's heat dissapation you might switch over to the Yamaha RX-Z7. If neither of those things are currently bothering you and connectivity is a non issue then I would suggest sticking with the TX-SR805 and recommend a receiver for your friend within his budget, or send him here.

 

[nibhaz]

Unless you want the better video processing of the TX-NR906 you won't gain a large power advantage over the TX-SR805. If you are tired of the TX-SR805's heat dissapation you might switch over to the Yamaha RX-Z7. If neither of those things are currently bothering you and connectivity is a non issue then I would suggest sticking with the TX-SR805 and recommend a receiver for your friend within his budget, or send him here.

According to Gene’s review of the RX-z7 you’re not going to gain anything in regards to heat dissipation by moving to the Z7. He was pretty adamant about the heat output of the Z7, and stated that it ran hot to the touch even when idling.

PS It is not the Onkyo’s amp sections that run hot, unless they're under heavy load, but rather their video processors, if you’re just passing signals through with no VP, then a lot of this heat can be mitigated.

 

[michael360]

Thank you guys for the tips.
Heat is not a problem for me because i put my amp on top of Tv cupboard for good ventalation. For the review i have seen the z7 seems to have larger power than the 906. So the bigger chance i will be getting a Z7..

 

[Chopin_Guy]

You have to remember that the amp in your 805 is plenty capable and very robust. If power is what you want, then add an external amp -- as no AVR can match the power of a high quality seperate amp...

You say heat is not the problem and you don't seem to want the video capabilites of the NR-906 so there is no point on going with the Z7 and think your going to get a power increase that will be worth anything. If memory serves me correctly -- you have to DOUBLE power just to get an overall +3db gain in output.

The Z7 is definitely a nice AVR but you seem to be basing your decision on incomplete information...Now if you just have a stint of 'upgrade-itis' and just want a fancy new AVR that is one thing (we have all been there ), but don't think you're going to gain any noticeable performance...

 

[Seth=L]

According to Gene’s review of the RX-z7 you’re not going to gain anything in regards to heat dissipation by moving to the Z7. He was pretty adamant about the heat output of the Z7, and stated that it ran hot to the touch even when idling.

PS It is not the Onkyo’s amp sections that run hot, unless they're under heavy load, but rather their video processors, if you’re just passing signals through with no VP, then a lot of this heat can be mitigated.

That's only part of the heat problem. Most of the heat does originate from the amplifier section itself. This is evident on the TX-SR805 as most of the heat comes from the front of the unit where the heatsinks are. The TX-SR805 doesn't have the Reon anyway, which is reported to run hot. I seriously doubt the Reon processor runs so hot it hurts you hand to touch the case of the AVR.

 

[Nemo128]

I keep my 906 in a cabinet without a lot of ventilation. Open it and the interior is warm. I've never had any problem with it, and I have it upscaling all sources to 1080p.

Gene's review made the video processing in the Z7 seem superior to the Reon in the 906 except for some issues he noted.

 

[nibhaz]

That's only part of the heat problem. Most of the heat does originate from the amplifier section itself. This is evident on the TX-SR805 as most of the heat comes from the front of the unit where the heatsinks are. The TX-SR805 doesn't have the Reon anyway, which is reported to run hot. I seriously doubt the Reon processor runs so hot it hurts you hand to touch the case of the AVR.

Your right the 805 uses a Faroudja DCDi chip for video, and I can’t speak to its heat output. Anecdotally though I don’t recall my friend 805 pumping out significant heat from it amp section.

But I will tell you from first hand experience that the Reon runs scary hot. My 876 is basically a 906 sans the toroidal power supply and networking capabilities. Extended periods of operation cause the case directly above the Reon to get hot enough to cause slight discomfort. Sure you can put your hand on it and keep it there, so it not that hot, but if you weren’t expecting it and accidentally touched that area you’d probably jerk your hand back the first time, does that make sense?

The real question is whether or not these temperatures are outside of internal component’s specified operating range, which may lead premature failure.

Either way it looks as if the OP is going for a Z7 so all of this is really moot.

 

[PeterWhite]

Your right the 805 uses a Faroudja DCDi chip for video, and I can’t speak to its heat output. Anecdotally though I don’t recall my friend 805 pumping out significant heat from it amp section.

My 805 gets warm, as you'd expect any receiver to. But it never gets hot to the touch. It's at the top of my open equipment rack, and I never block the vents on top.

 

[michael360]

The heat problem is not really a concern to me as I have a DIY fan over my amp for much better cooling. One of the major reasons i didnt mention for upgrading my AV amp is having better video processing. For the reviews I have been reading its seems like the ONKYO 906 is getting the rank 9.5/10 and the YAMAHA Z7 9/10 but the video processing for yamaha is better than onkyo as Gene's review made the video processing in the Z7 seem superior to the Reon in the 906.

 

[nibhaz]

My 805 gets warm, as you'd expect any receiver to. But it never gets hot to the touch. It's at the top of my open equipment rack, and I never block the vents on top.

This is how I remember his 805 operating, no Chernobyl like others have claimed

 

[lsiberian]

I suggest the Yamaha. Yamaha has excellent dsp's

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Easy decision

Both are awesome receivers and equivalent in just about every way.

But since the Yamaha Z7 has a 5 yr parts + labor warranty and the Onkyo has a 2yr warranty, I would get the Z7:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_022RXZ7/Yamaha-RX-Z7.html?search=yamaha+z7&tp=179&tab=features_and_specs

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_580TXN906B/Onkyo-TX-NR906.html?o=p&search=onkyo+receiver&tp=179&tab=features_and_specs

Simple as that. Black & white.

 

[Lordoftherings]

That one.

Me, between these two excellent receivers, I'll pick the one with the best financial value.
I guess I don't have to say which one.

1st hint: It does have the letter Y in it's model #.
2nd hint: It does have the letter X in it's model #.
3rd hint: It does have the letter R in it's model #.
4th hint: It has a total of 9 letters in it's model #.
5th hint: It has one dash in it's serial model #.

Last hint: It comes in two colors (front panel display).

 

[GlocksRock]

If it were me, I'd go with the Yamaha, the RX-Z7 is very nice.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Another vote for Yammaha....while I have no personal experience with them....you hear alot less about Yammy's having problems than what I have read about problems in various Onkyo models. And as AcuDef mentioned the 5 yr. warranty is fantastic...

 

[Lordoftherings]

Ok, I know that the street price for the Onkyo TX-NR906 is about $1,250

But I just can't remember the best street price for the Yamaha RX-Z7.
Anyone know? Was it somewhere around $1,700?

Don't get me wrong, the Z7 is a very nice receiver, with great power reserve, excellent video processor, very nice cosmetics (nicer than the Onkyo 906), great DSP modes (the best), nice front face and rear too, runs as hot as the Onkyo 906, weight about 13.5 pounds less than the 906, YPAO, etc.

But the 906 is very nice too, it should not be dismiss so easily; with Audyssey MultEQ XT, THX Ultra2 Plus, good Dacs, 3 TI Aureus DSP chips, lots of true power (into 4 ohms too), great HQV Reon video processor too (comparable to the Z7, not a big difference from my view), etc.

I don't think one is much better than the other one. I'ts only a question of preference and finances too.
I know that in the UK, they really like the Z7. And even if it's cost more.
The Onkyo receivers in the UK are heavily discounted, I'm just amazed at that.
It seems that a lot of people are afraid by the heat too.
Maybe Pioneer Elite SC series are into something here with their ICE power.
The SC-07 can be had for very little money (used to be $900, but now I think it's $1,000).

Anyway, any of these receivers, mated with the right speakers, are all top notch performers.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Me, between these two excellent receivers, I'll pick the one with the best financial value.
I guess I don't have to say which one.

1st hint: It does have the letter Y in it's model #.
2nd hint: It does have the letter X in it's model #.
3rd hint: It does have the letter R in it's model #.
4th hint: It has a total of 9 letters in it's model #.
5th hint: It has one dash in it's serial model #.

Last hint: It comes in two colors (front panel display).

Oh, oh, oh, (Raised Hand) I got. It's a DENON!

Oops, that's not one of the choices...DOH!