Onkyo TX-NR809. On the fence about it

[LAB3]

I was just recently in the market for a new AVR. Onkyo was on the top of my list when I started. After a lot of reading I scratched Onkyo and Denon from my list. Just too many issues to ignore.

I ended up with a Yamaha RX-A3000. Picked it up for $1200 from NewEgg a week ago.

Post up when you get it set up and adjusted for You and your room. Good
AVR, I have not read anyone upset about them.

 

[CyberAthlete]

Well,
I took the plunge. I ended up buying the Onkyo TX-NR809 ($640+tax) from a local retailer who price matched Amazon.

The RX-A2000 was selling for $900 last weekend, but I figured that the Onkyo sounds good, has a great feature set, let's give it a shot.

I can use the $200 I saved on a new TV set...Denon was never actually on my list, it was between Onkyo and Yamaha...

I think the main issue people are having are customer service issues and units malfunctioning but other than that no one is complaining about its quality of sound, or surround sound or features...fingers crossed!

 

[LAB3]

Well,
I took the plunge. I ended up buying the Onkyo TX-NR809 ($640+tax) from a local retailer who price matched Amazon.

The RX-A2000 was selling for $900 last weekend, but I figured that the Onkyo sounds good, has a great feature set, let's give it a shot.

I can use the $200 I saved on a new TV set...Denon was never actually on my list, it was between Onkyo and Yamaha...

I think the main issue people are having are customer service issues and units malfunctioning but other than that no one is complaining about its quality of sound, or surround sound or features...fingers crossed!

Buying local with warranty takes the worry out of having to deal with Onkyo direct. If you can purchase the store's service policy that extends the warranty. 2 1/2 years from now if it fails ans it is too expensive to repair you will get full price in store cerdit. Pick out a new AVR and a little cash and have a new model. I did this at Conn's on mt flatt screen. Plasma went bad after normal warrnty ran out, factory said too much $$ to fix. I got full store credit, added 300 bucks a nd got a bigger LCD/Led I did the same with the new Tv and purchased the extra 2 year service policy.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Any manufacture can have issues. I have had issues with Adcom, a bunch with NAD, Denon, Toshiba, and of course Apple. I would not rule out Onkyo because of it so long as they correct the issue.

 

[gmichael]

Post up when you get it set up and adjusted for You and your room. Good
AVR, I have not read anyone upset about them.

I'm loving it so far. I wasn't expecting a huge difference in sound quality over my V2500, but was pleasantly surprised. Maybe it's the improvement in the YPAO or just how I have it set up, but it does sound better IMO.

The video switching is where I have seen a big increase in quality. Not only do all the HDMI connections make life easier for me for switching sources and displays, but the picture itself is much nicer. Deeper colors, better contrast, brighter (this one helps a lot for my projector). All and all, I am very happy with it.

If it lasts as long as my other Yamaha's, I'll be willing this thing to my daughter in a few decades.

 

[CyberAthlete]

I'll actually purchase a warranty with square trade. They're the best. 3 years for $63. And they cover shipping costs as well. You can't beat that. In store manufacture for 3 years is costing me $150...that's over $100 difference. I would how ever opt for a 5 year so will check with square trade on warranty extensions or buying a 5 year plan...I kept my current receiver for 8 years. So this one is in for the long haul.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

I'll actually purchase a warranty with square trade. They're the best. 3 years for $63. And they cover shipping costs as well. You can't beat that. In store manufacture for 3 years is costing me $150...that's over $100 difference. I would how ever opt for a 5 year so will check with square trade on warranty extensions or buying a 5 year plan...I kept my current receiver for 8 years. So this one is in for the long haul.

Not a bad deal for 3 years so long as they are a reputable store and will honor it.

 

[CyberAthlete]

I've had a warranty claim on a Toshiba HD-DVD player that i bought used on eBay and after 3 months the thing malfunctioned. They reimbursed me the full price I paid on it + any shipping costs to send it to them. Can't complain. I am beginning to feel that I should get all my purchases warrantied through them.

They are very reputable. A lot of resellers that can't give you a manufacturer's warranty (because the manufacture doesn't warrant their inventory), usually give you a warranty through square trade.

And you can always get a warranty on square trade on any eBay purchases through square trade. Best way to protect yourself from people who sell used items but you have no idea as to how it has been used.

 

[Alfredfreitas]

Just a thought

I would not even touch those just in case you run into a problem. There's still that legendary customer service of theirs.

Just a note: I have used Onkyo for years (4 receivers) and my last is the SR-502. I'm replacing with either a TX- nr 609 or TX-nr709 (for hdmi switching). I have not had a single problem with any of the 4 receivers.

I have had excellent sound quality and reliability with Onkyo. However, I always buy an extended warranty for all my equipment. I rarely need one but what a relief when I do. (got a 65" lcd replaced with a newer model 18 months after purchase and Apple replacements twice).

Onkyo customer service may be a problem, but that can be remedied with a local extended warranty. Any manufacturer can have a bad unit or a bad product line if they make enough units.

 

[Alfredfreitas]

Keep us posted, Please

Well,
I took the plunge. I ended up buying the Onkyo TX-NR809 ($640+tax) from a local retailer who price matched Amazon.

The RX-A2000 was selling for $900 last weekend, but I figured that the Onkyo sounds good, has a great feature set, let's give it a shot.

I can use the $200 I saved on a new TV set...Denon was never actually on my list, it was between Onkyo and Yamaha...

I think the main issue people are having are customer service issues and units malfunctioning but other than that no one is complaining about its quality of sound, or surround sound or features...fingers crossed!

Please keep us posted on your experience with the TX-NR809. I would like to know how it turns out for you. I'm about to buy a Onkyo TX-NR 609 or 709 and will post also. Thanks

 

[LAB3]

Just a note: I have used Onkyo for years (4 receivers) and my last is the SR-502. I'm replacing with either a TX- nr 609 or TX-nr709 (for hdmi switching). I have not had a single problem with any of the 4 receivers.

I have had excellent sound quality and reliability with Onkyo. However, I always buy an extended warranty for all my equipment. I rarely need one but what a relief when I do. (got a 65" lcd replaced with a newer model 18 months after purchase and Apple replacements twice).

Onkyo customer service may be a problem, but that can be remedied with a local extended warranty. Any manufacturer can have a bad unit or a bad product line if they make enough units.

I agree,Any brand has units that just don't live a long life..... I am 61 and my late Brother had GREAT service life out of older NON HDHI Onkyo HD AVR (805) Mojor problems and head aches. 700 page thread on a different forum just about ALL the 805 owners posting up. I have read Onkyo moved the plant out of Japan for cheeper cost in labor and QC suffered....(new non trained assembly line) and non trained Customer Service Reps. make dealing with them a pain. If I buy another Onkyo HD AVR it will from a local Retailer with Factory Warranty and the store's Service Policy(local if problem and THEY deal with Onkyo) for extended time just after 2 1/2 years a LOT of these failed.Great Amps ran SO Hot Burned up parts 3 times.$1,200.00 3 year old brick Time will tell if HMDI HD Yamaha will last. Just saying what happened to me and what I have read.

 

[DaleAV]

I just picked up an 809.. should be on my doorstep tomorrow.
I was swaying between the Onkyo and the Pioneer SC-35 at Costco for just over 8 bills.
I really like the Pioneer, but with Elites you must buy it in-store (and not Costco) if you want to retain the factory warranty. Pioneer is a real stickler about that, and from what I understand the Integra line from Onkyo is the same way.

Ironically, getting firmware support for an Elite (outside of bootleg version) is having a registered product. More irony, the SC-35 can not be firmware updated. Not over the internet or downloaded, however it is felt this model will not need updating.
While it is likely a very good design, it is not future-proofed as well as the Onkyo. That may or may not be such a big deal, but tended to point me to the Onkyo.
The other thing that moved me to the 809 were the features and a few preliminary reviews that tend to confirm these are redesigned boxes with none of the problems of some of the x08 models.
The 809 has a the same beefy amp as the 1009 higher end model, with 2 less channels. (7.2 vs. 9.2)

The internet features are very extensive, and has a good implementation of Audyssey. Like anything to do with reliability, time will tell. I will report back of any good stuff, as well as any warnings.

BTW, concerning where these babies are built, it was only a few years ago you knew if you bought Denon, Yamaha, or Marantz you would see Made in Japan on the back panel. This is no longer true.
Yamaha does retain their own plants so they say, but not in Japan, but they don't 'share' as Denon and Marantz do.

Yamaha is definitely it's own animal, and a good one at that. I hope Onkyo has turned a corner here, I guess I will find out. It's been 13 years since I owned my last one, and at that time it was one of the best sounding receivers for the money.

 

[CyberAthlete]

I've created a new thread with my first impressions on the Onkyo TX-NR809 receiver:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75757