Onkyo TX-NR3007 vs. Yamaha RX-Z7BL

[MortgageGuy]

Looking to purchase a receiver to replace my very old Yamaha RX-V2095. Right now the Onkyo 3007 is available for $1,179 and the Yamaha Z7 can be purchased for the same price at least until the 22nd. My speakers are all Def Tech; (2) BP-10's, (4) DR-7's, a CLR 1000 & 2 BP-2's with a 1500 sub. My music is all saved on the computer so quality wireless access is essential. Though the unit will probably be used more for home theater than for music.

Both units seem to be excellent choices and I have not seen anything else of this quality in this price range. It seems my question is whether there is something about the Yamaha that is so superior that it is worth giving up the two extra amplified channels and the ability to send a separate program to a zone two or three? I have already come to the conclusion that I will give up too much in quality to purchase one of the newer units, at least from Onkyo, with HDMI 1.4a. Not sure if I will be purchasing a 3D TV any time soon. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Seth=L]

I don't think there's anything superior about the Yamaha in comparsion to that Onkyo.

Also...

The TX-NR3007 does not support HDMI 1.4a, however the replacement model TX-NR3008 does.

 

[3db]

Looking to purchase a receiver to replace my very old Yamaha RX-V2095. Right now the Onkyo 3007 is available for $1,179 and the Yamaha Z7 can be purchased for the same price at least until the 22nd. My speakers are all Def Tech; (2) BP-10's, (4) DR-7's, a CLR 1000 & 2 BP-2's with a 1500 sub. My music is all saved on the computer so quality wireless access is essential. Though the unit will probably be used more for home theater than for music.

Both units seem to be excellent choices and I have not seen anything else of this quality in this price range. It seems my question is whether there is something about the Yamaha that is so superior that it is worth giving up the two extra amplified channels and the ability to send a separate program to a zone two or three? I have already come to the conclusion that I will give up too much in quality to purchase one of the newer units, at least from Onkyo, with HDMI 1.4a. Not sure if I will be purchasing a 3D TV any time soon. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

If you aren't going to use those features, then there's no real purpose in buying the Yamaha. As far as power dleviery goes, and noise specs goes, Gene liked it so much that he now has one for his own personal system.

See link..

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/rx-z7-7.1

 

[MortgageGuy]

I don't think there's anything superior about the Yamaha in comparsion to that Onkyo.

Also...

The TX-NR3007 does not support HDMI 1.4a, however the replacement model TX-NR3008 does.

Seth=L, I considered the 1008 and the 3008 Onkyo for the HDMI 1.4a in case we decide to add 3D TV down the road but it seems, at least with Onkyo, they really got cheap on the hardware this year. The amplifier section seems to have been hit the hardest. THD went from 0.05% to 0.08% and the power transformers are much reduced from the 007 versions. I would guess that would mean the power with all channels driven would be much lower with this year's models. For a few extra bells and whistles you give up a lot in build quailty. That is unless they have dramatically improved the networking and ability to stream music or access stored media. The question would be are those networking improvements enough to sacrifice the other? Plus the 3008 is a good bit more expensive than the 3007. Only the 1008 seems to be much of a bargain.

 

[MortgageGuy]

I did not realize that gene purchased a Yamaha RX-Z7 after doing the review. It was an extremely thorough review and his buying the unit afterward adds even more to the review.

 

[ichigo]

On paper the Onkyo looks a LOT better than the Yamaha. Onkyo has a habit of using the newest DACs on their receivers. I don't know if it's an attempt to humiliate their competition. They just jumped up to Burr Brown's new 32bit PCM1795.

 

[3db]

On paper the Onkyo looks a LOT better than the Yamaha. Onkyo has a habit of using the newest DACs on their receivers. I don't know if it's an attempt to humiliate their competition. They just jumped up to Burr Brown's new 32bit PCM1795.

If I was buying a receiver, the last thing I would look at is what DAC's are in the receiver. Most DACs today offer stellar performance. The heart and soul of any receiver or amp is still its power supply and amp section. DACs are way down on my priority list.

 

[MortgageGuy]

Made my purchase

I've been watching all the authorized online Onkyo Dealers for sales the lasr month and a half. Today NewEgg had the TX-NR1008 on sale for $829 and the TX-NR3008 for $1,299. After spending some time with the gentleman I expect was the sales manager in Home Theater at Fry's Electronics, I determined the ..007 models might be something to avoid.
He said there was a major problem with the HDMI card overheating and burning out. It seems this problem was corrected with the ..008 models. Since I did not like the compromises in the amplifier or video sections of the 1008 as compared to the 1007 or 3008, I purchased the 3008 tonight. Can't imagine I will be able to out grow that unit for some time.
It looks like they may be selling these before they actually have received them, as Onkyo's website is stating "shipping soon." I will let you know when I get it hooked up. I expect it will be amazing, hope I am right. I appreciate your insight, reviews and advice, Audioholics is the best source of honest basically unbiased information I have found on the net. Thank you

 

[3db]

I've been watching all the authorized online Onkyo Dealers for sales the lasr month and a half. Today NewEgg had the TX-NR1008 on sale for $829 and the TX-NR3008 for $1,299. After spending some time with the gentleman I expect was the sales manager in Home Theater at Fry's Electronics, I determined the ..007 models might be something to avoid.
He said there was a major problem with the HDMI card overheating and burning out. It seems this problem was corrected with the ..008 models. Since I did not like the compromises in the amplifier or video sections of the 1008 as compared to the 1007 or 3008, I purchased the 3008 tonight. Can't imagine I will be able to out grow that unit for some time.
It looks like they may be selling these before they actually have received them, as Onkyo's website is stating "shipping soon." I will let you know when I get it hooked up. I expect it will be amazing, hope I am right. I appreciate your insight, reviews and advice, Audioholics is the best source of honest basically unbiased information I have found on the net. Thank you

I have seen a few posts now where Onkyo have been having more than their fare share of heat related problems.

 

[MortgageGuy]

Onkyo heat issues ..007

According to the Fry's Electronics Sales Rep it was a design issue that only applied to the 1007, 3007 and 5007 models. He said they should have done a recall on these units. He also said Onkyo is changing out the HDMI circuit boards for those customers with a problem at no cost other than possibly shipping. He said quite a few came back to them for warranty repairs. In addition all the refurbished units have had this board replaced by Onkyo according to him. So it sounds like the refurb's would be the ones to buy for last years models.

 

[PENG]

I purchased the 3008 tonight. Can't imagine I will be able to out grow that unit for some time.

If reliability is no longer an issue, you have got yourself one of the best AVR money can buy today, based on specs and reviews on comparable previous models. Congratulations!

 

[MortgageGuy]

When NewEgg offered the Onkyo 3008 for $1,299 last weekend, I could not resist. It has everything I am looking for and more. The only other reciever that offered as much was the Denon 4311 and that was $700 more expensive. I couldn't see paying that much extra to basically add HD radio. In addition it has already shipped, so they did have them in stock.

 

[tcarcio]

Anyone know how the 3008 bench tested?

 

[dalumberjack]

the 5008 is rated one of the top picks for home theater magazine. I have the 5007 and love it. No complaints, drives all my speakers with ease, and does everything I need it to do.

Only difference between the 2007(8) and the 5 series is the toroidal transformer and the HQV Reon chip for upscaling.