Onkyo's top of the line receivers get a HDMI 1.4a makeover this fall
By Richard Lawler 
posted June 30th 2010 8:29AM
posted June 30th 2010 8:29AM
Onkyo Announces Top-of-the-Line Network Receivers with Flagship Features and Performance
Upper Saddle River, NJ (6/29/10) - Onkyo, a world-renowned innovator in home entertainment, has announced the release of two new high-end network A/V receivers, the TX-NR5008 and TX-NR3008, that offer a wide range of the most up-to-date and user-friendly home theater features, and have achieved THX® Ultra2 Plus™ certification. Both receivers support network audio streaming, various multi-room set-ups, iPhone/iPod playback over USB, and fully immersive, 3D-compatible home theater.
Each of these models features eight HDMI® 1.4a inputs, with compatibility specified for an Audio Return Channel and 3D video. Both mandatory video formats for 3D broadcasting-"Side-By-Side (Half)" and "Top-and-Bottom"-are supported. With 3D content on the rise, users will be able to take advantage of the unique visual dimensions made possible by this dynamic new format.
Dual HDMI outputs are also provided on these models, allowing users to connect two high-definition displays simultaneously. In conjunction with HDMI, HQV-Reon VX enables 1080p upscaling of all video inputs, regardless of source resolution. Both also feature advanced ISF video calibration, which allows users to make fine-grained, independent adjustments for each video source.
Audio networking and internet radio are common to both models. A rear-side Ethernet port enables easy firmware upgrades and links the receiver/controller directly to the internet or to a home PC. Users can access streaming internet radio through Pandora, Rhapsody, Napster, Slacker, Mediafly, Sirius Internet Radio, and vTuner, or play back a wide variety of PC-based audio files, including FLAC, MP3, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, WMA, WMA Lossless, AAC, and LPCM. The receivers are also Windows® 7 compatible and DLNA 1.5 certified to ensure optimal compatibility with other network-enabled equipment in the home.
With 9.2 audio channels, users have a great deal of flexibility in how they set up their home theater. The 9-channel configuration allows users to take advantage of the expanded surround dimensions of Audyssey DSX™ or Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz. The former adds extra height or width channels for greater spatial ambience, while the latter provides the option of extra height channels.
Naturally, support is also provided for Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™, the popular lossless codecs found on Blu-ray Disc. Furthermore, compatibility with DSD Direct means that users will be able to enjoy their SA-CD collections in all their pristine clarity. High-quality Burr-Brown DACs allow these Onkyo models to handle the heavy demands of multi-channel audio processing.
In a modern home theater, matching audio output to the acoustic characteristics of the room is all-important. Both receivers include a full suite of Audyssey room-correction and equalization technologies. These work to optimize audio performance, regardless of room shape and volume level. Audyssey MultEQ® XT, for example, uses information from up to 8 positions throughout the room to calibrate speakers for optimal audio balance.
Flexibility is the byword when it comes to multi-room set-ups. The TX-NR5008 and TX-NR3008 let users play a 5.1-channel source in the main room, along with fully powered stereo audio of two different sources in Zone 2 and Zone 3. On top of that, users also have the option of Zone 2/3 pre outs and Zone 2 video output.
The TX-NR3008 features a front-side USB port, while the TX-NR5008 has USB ports front and rear. As well as handling audio content from flash memory devices, the USB ports let users play music-and display album art-from a connected iPhone/iPod.
Build quality is highlighted by gold-plated audio inputs and PLL jitter-cleaning circuit technology on all models. These A/V receivers feature separate transformers for audio and video processing, with the TX-NR5008 also adding a massive toroidal transformer and 22,000 uF capacitors, a feature more typical of separate component amplifiers.
Other convenient features shared by both models include an analog RGB input for video content from a connected PC; a backlit and customizable remote controller; HDMI Thru allows children to still watch programs when the receiver is not turned on; and Onkyo's new overlaid graphical OSD for seamless adjustment of settings during a viewing session.
These new releases keep Onkyo at the forefront of high-end integrated home entertainment, and demonstrate the company's ongoing commitment to providing maximum performance at every level of the home theater market.
The Onkyo TX-NR3008 and TX-NR5008 will be available in August with suggested retail prices of $2,099 and $2,699 respectively.
Since 1946 Onkyo has been passionately committed to developing audio products that deliver uncommon performance, quality and value. Bundling proprietary technologies and innovations with other sound-enhancing exclusives, Onkyo continues to created award winning products that are lauded by many of the industry leading audio publications. The company's philosophy is to deliver products that are superbly designed and built to a consistently outstanding standard of excellence. Today, Onkyo is at the forefront of the home theater and digital revolutions. For more information about this and other fine Onkyo products, visit www.onkyousa.com or call 800-229-1687.
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I want one!
@B3nt
Keep dreaming.
@B3nt
talk to self much?
I just hope they don't get those new upgraded capacitors from Dell.
@busbeepbeep
I thought maybe if I negatively replied to my own comment first, the trolls would leave me alone....
need more connectors
@B3nt Just look at the back of that friggin unit!
"Cable came loose, crap. Where does it go?!"
"DLNA 1.5 (Windows 7 Compatible)"
- I didn't even know there were multiple DLNA versions. That would explain the hit-or-miss compatibility I've experienced across devices/clients.
I'm calling it. Does anyone actually need all those ports on the back just to watch TV?
@FNi I had that realization a few days ago. I now have an HTPC running XBMC, and it has a Bluray player built in. I unhooked my XBOX, my cable box, my dvd player, etc. So I have one HDMI going to my receiver, and one optical to my receiver for when I want to have the TV off... the back of my receiver looks naked.
@FNi Depends if you are a sound geek. I sold my receiver a couple of years ago when I realized I mostly wanted to hear the dialogue in the movies and the sound was secondary. A soundbar with an optical input, along with its subwoofer, made things way simpler.
@FNi Unfortunately there's plenty of people out there that have been buying nice gear for decades. So they have plenty of $$$ invested in their laserdisc/vhs/vinyl/dvd/cd/SACD/DVD-audio collection and would be greatly ticked if every time there was a new product their old collection became obsolete. So manufacturers of receivers and pre-pro's need to take care of these folks and make sure they can hook up their old equipment as well as their new stuff.
@hodedofome I don't see why that's unfortunate. You said yourself that there's many people with legacy equipment. But at least 23 of those rca input/outputs are for 7.1 analog which isn't that legacy. The other's are for other zones or for mulitiple subwoofers. Then you have your basic array of inputs, which really add very little to the cost of the unit.
Yeah most of my equipment has HDMI, but I like new toys. However, I still have a carousel cd player. I also have an older airport express that I can stream music and a few other things. So I don't all those input as a bad thing.
@FNi
Not to watch, but to play! I've got a Wii, PS2, Genesis and NES hooked up through legacy ports, and a 360, PS3 and media center hooked up through HDMI. I actually with I had more legacy video/sound ports, but it's nothing a cheap RCA switch can't handle. I've toyed around with the idea of getting analog-to-hdmi converters so that I could standardize all my stuff on one port. Between the receiver and TV, I've got 10 HDMI ports!
Just in time for the planning of my home theater system.
I freekin love Onkyo. Had my unit forever
That thing has more inputs than Jenna Jamison
Wow, looking at the back of the device... is there any electronic device you can not connect to it?
Love it!
@Kavoriken
Yes there is. XLR output for balanced audio like this:
http://www.usa.denon.com/AVPA1HDCI_Large_Back.jpg
@Kavoriken you can't connect an ipad
@SirMaster Except you're comparing a Pre/Pro to a Receiver. Onkyo's Pre/Pro refresh will satisfy that. Your Denon bias notwithstanding.
@virtualpj Yep, waiting for that to happen, now that Outlaw has canceled the 997.
Killer spec sheet, anyone have any insight on the UX?
Yay! S-Video!
/s
Sony & Onkyo almost have same sound quality......but sony's have some cool features.........
Sony's A/V Receivers look handsome....
@XRX
Onkyo have been using the same case and chassis for too long. They just keep improing the specs.
Onkyo boxes are too hot and heavy for what they offer now and their firmware support is pitiful. I'm glad I got rid of mine.
That thing has more inputs then a toaster.
What's the deal with 2 subwoofers? The frequencies are low enough that you can't here were they are coming from, so 1 should be good enough.
Nevertheless, that's some pretty serious a/v stuff going on there. DLNA 1.5 is quite cool too.
@Bartoman It's widely known (and THX spec'd if you care about that) that multiple subwoofers enhance the bass in the room. You can tune a sub to be great where you are sitting, but the person in front of you or next to you won't have the same effect. Multiple subs (2 to 4) can give every seat the same bass in the room.
@Bartoman
2 subs is not uncommon, but is also not necessary for most rooms. Depending on your room, and what kind of bass traps you have (or not), a second sub can be very useful. I believe the second sub output would also be useful of you have one of those bass-shaker set-ups in your seating, or in a riser for fancy home theater.
I sitting here waiting for UPS to deliver my ONKYO HT-S3300 right now
That thing is a monster. I have no idea what it's for but it looks awesome.
@shaurz You can solve that by reading the article.
Only 9.2 channel audio? I want one that goes to 11.
@Ed T
Make it 10.2 and above lol! Jokes!
Ok, tech savvy people, can someone answer me this?
I own the very popular Onkyo TX-SR606... If I buy a 3DTV, can it transmit the signal from my PS3 or will I need to upgrade/hook it up directly to the TV? That would suck big time.
@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar
From what I read it "Does not upscale HDMI inputs, only passes them through." so that should mean it would work, right?...
@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar
I'm in a similar boat. I've got a good receiver that's only a few years old, but at the time I bought it none of them were spec'd for 3D. Mine does do upscaling, so my situation is a little different. But my guess is that we would both need a new receiver to pass the 3D signal.
@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar
We'll... Might as well just plug the HDMI straight in the TV... and Audio through optical.
@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar
I just solved this by getting a cheap HDMI switcher box.
Audio goes straight to the TV through the switcher box, audio to the ONKYO receiver via optical or whatever.
The switcher box automatically switches when you turn the source on too, so you don't even have to manually switch it.
This $10 purchase saved me from buying a new receiver just to get HDMI inputs.
Onkyo is great, except for one thing. It does not allow the remote to exactly specify the input. It only allows the remote to do a relative change of the input. So, I can't set the remote to switch from Tuner to DVD directly. I need to push the input select button twice. This is not very convenient if I want to switch from DVD to tuner to CD to digital music to VCR. If they fix this, I'd be really happy... but for this reason, I'm looking for an alternative.
@hiroo
Weird, my Onkyo remote has 8 (10?) dedicated input buttons. So when I press "DVD" it goes straight to the DVD player etc...
@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar
REALLY??? I had 3 onkyo AV amps and I was always frustrated by this... Maybe somebody at Onkyo doesn't like me. Thanks for the info!
@hiroo I have the TX-NR5007 and my remote also has a dedicated switch button for every input.
@Zedem YOU EVIL NON-JAPANESE CONSUMERS MUST HAVE GOTTEN IT FROM THE DEVIL!!
@Dark Archon PSN Archonik XBL Dar
Mine too, but mine is pretty old.
the TX-NR3008 has an MSRP of $2,099 while the TX-NR5008 will add on upgraded transformers, capacitors and extra USB for $2,699.
You'd think that for $2100 you'd be privy to the best "transformers and capacitors" Onkyo has to offer. A $700 premium for what should be standard in a high-end model is ridiculous.
@Bandigolo
That extra money is going towards the class action lawsuit for when the capacitors blow up.
@Robhimself I thought only Dell did that.
Will it output digital sound the zone2 or zone3? My trusty Yamaha RXV-2400 will only output analog sound to zone 2 or 3, so my plan to pipe movie sound into the bathroom adjacent to my home theater won't work out. I need a receiver that will output digital sound to all zones. (HTPC will not output digital and analog at the same time, so I need to split the digital signal)
looks like pioneer.