Onkyo TX-NR609
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In this month's mag
July 2013
SUPERTEST: Soundbar solutions £250-£450
GROUP TEST: 46-47in smart TVs
GROUP TEST: Standmount speakers £350-£450
© 2013 Haymarket Publishing
Comments
So my question is which onkyo to get?
The TX-NR609 is still available but should I get the TX-NR515 or the TX-NR616?
There's very little difference in sound quality between the NR609 and NR515, so if you can find the older model at a discount it still makes a great buy.
Are there any other changes or additions on the NR515 that would make it worth going for the newer model rather than getting the older model?
You can read all about the new models in our news story – clickety. The main difference is video upscaling all the way to 4K2K (4096x2160 pixels) using Marvell's Qdeo processing, if that matters to you.
I have the TX-NR609 and, according to the technical details on the Onkyo website, it is capable of HDMI video upscaling and processing to 4K (3840 x 2160), if not full 4K2K. In reality, would there be much difference?
Given that there aren't many 4K2K displays available, don't think it would make much difference, no.
AAAARRGGHH ! !!!! 6th time lucky
Denon Have slashed the price of the AVR2312.
Is it worth a listen, it's a little feature light, although it does have Airplay, but I can live with that if the sound is worth it?
I wanted to love this receiver, but I haven't had the chance to as the damn thing nearly killed me! Sitting in front of it working through the setup and (I'm honestly not being melodramatic here) the thing literally blew up. Sparks flying out of the top and a strong burning smell. I unplugged it before it did any damage to the TV etc connected to it.
I hope this is not reflective of Onkyo's product quality as I haven't heard of any of these issues with the unit online, but the damn thing nearly gave me a heart attack!
I now have a wait to get a replacement sent out. I may video the setup with the new unit next time as it may be the last anyone will ever see of me...
SMC,
Response from Onkyo is: 'Onkyo can confirm that there¹s no known issue with TX-NR609s behaving in the manner described.'
Hi,
I have a video of it blowing up which I recorded on my iPhone as I wanted to make sure it wasn't just a single random event and end up with egg on my face when sending it back. Do you have an email address or somewhere I can email it so you can ask Onkyo their opinion on the issue as I think it's important they verify why it happened as next time someone could be hurt.
I also have the serial number of the offending unit so they can track which one had the issue.
Cheers
There's a customer support email page you can fill in on the Onkyo UK website:
http://www.uk.onkyo.com/en/contact-42204.html
I contacted Onkyo but they did not reply.
Just so people are aware of the issue I've had I've posted the video so you can see for yourself. I hope this is an isolated incident for everyone's safety:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyJQc5vz-Ng
Just to complete this thread, I did finally get a reply from Onkyo. Sadly it was 2 months after I contacted them:
First of all, our sincere apologies for the delay in answering your e-mail and again for the problems you had with your 609. I made an enquiry with Genserve reference this and it seems that surround back left channel had blown on this particular unit. They also changed the amp main circuit board as well and it will now be sold as B stock.
I hope you have recovered from your shock and are enjoying whatever amp it was replaced with.
Just as a note, I have a replacement TX-NR609. No issues as yet.
Guys, I did indeed buy this at £430 a couple of months ago and it is a fantastic receiver. Excellent with BD, naturally, but what really surprised me was how capable it was with the SACD multi-channel audio discs that I happened to have without noticing that they were SACD hybrids! No idea what the real world price is these days, but I would pay it again. I does however make the most worrying noise when you switch it on using the audio return channel...
Noooooooo!!
I've had my eye on this amp for months.... watching the price slowly drop, biding my time, happy in the knowledge that if I was patient it would eventually fall into my budget range...... and then WHF go and give it the Product of the Year Award!!
A sure fire way of guaranteeing that if anything, the price will go back up and stay there until next years model comes along and even then most retailers will hold the price until they've sold the last unit on the shelf.
Thanks WHF!
i am hoping this technique will bag me a 709 or even 809 but alas i fear these amps are now to popular for this to work. credit to onkyo. I have seen retailers online using onkyo amps to advertise other manufacturers more expensive amps that they are slashing the price on. i.e 709 for £800 but look we have slashed the price on this.... to £799 it should be £1400
I think onkyo got it right by offering more or not taking functions/inputs away for a given price range.
Shop around, these receivers can be had for around £430, or so my research would indicate, giving you more dosh for speakers capable of doing the receiver justice. I too am teetering on buying said '609 and partnering it up with my faithful Mission Cinema 7 set up for the time being, but finding it near impossible to audition one as I live in NI... I may have to go on reviews and awards!
I'm a newby to the market on surround sound systems / amps having just moved into my own rather large open plan bachelor pad. I'm looking to make the jump, and everything I've read points me in the direction of the TX-NR609.
However, stupid question for all you experts, I'm expecting I also need to purchase a suitable set of speakers to compliment this bit of kit. Are there any you'd recommend I pair up with this amp? My budget for speakers is <£400 if I'm also forking out £500 on the amp.
Thanks in advance.
Onkyo sure are churning out Whf-5star AVRs.I must say any time ive heard 1,they never sound short of power,even the starter budget units.
No, not at all - rather that the 609 has a more forthright, involving sound: take a listen for yourself...
you said...
"What’s slightly less typical, though, is the leanness of its sound – there’s no shortage of articulacy or balance, but where the SR608 sounded Rubenesque, the NR609 has a bit more leanness and agility about it."
I had read that with the 07 and 08 series the Onkyo had become more neutral/warm/smooth in nature. Does you above comment mean that the Onkyo sound is now going back to the older Onkyo's that were lean/bright and more in your face....?
Kindly clear the confusion.
Warm Regards,
Rana