The "Official" Onkyo TX-SR876 Owners Thread - Page 115

I felt that way when the 1007 was initially offered as a replacement. I went back and forth with Onkyo and I tried to get the 3007, but they would not budge. Onkyo insisted that the 1007 is the equivalent model in the new product lineup. I even offered to pay the difference to upgrade, but it was a no-go.

After further consideration, I realized that the only features I might miss were the Reon chip and the built-in HD radio tuner. The 1007 requires a plug-in module for HD radio reception. In reality, I have a Pioneer plasma screen, a Samsung Blu-Ray and a Toshiba HD-DVD player, and they all upscale acceptably, so losing the Reon didn't mean much. I never had much luck with HD radio reception, and there isn't much left on terrestrial radio that I want to listen to anyway. I also lose an insignificant 5 watts per channel (135 vs. 140), but now I have 9 channels at 135 watts each as opposed to 7 at 140 watts.

The 6 HDMI inputs on the 1007 are a nice feature, as is the network functionality with Internet radio tuning built in. Also, the 1007 updates its own firmware over Ethernet, so no more fooling with serial ports. I have already gone through two painless firmware updates.

Sound-wise, the 1007 and the 876 seem very similar. The 1007 has a nicer looking on-screen menu with some new user options, and price-wise, the 876 and 1007 list and sell at the same price points. All in all, I gave up a few features that I was not using, I gained two additional amplified channels and a slew of network functionality that I find myself using constantly (the 1007 also streams files from two servers on my home network). I am happy with the 1007, but I also loved the 876 while it worked.

Shed; sounds like you got everything you wanted/needed so great, glad it all worked out for you!

So, its as Brian said everything worked out and you are still happy. Now the truth from someone that has had to use that "dreaded Onkyo Service" how bad was it. And did all this take a long time to accomplish or were they prompt and easy to deal with? I've read all the horror stories but have not had to use them myself. It would be nice to know how you were treated. Thank you.

I cannot fault Onkyo in any way, and I would say that my experience was as positive as it could have been under the circumstances. I took my 876 to Onkyo’s former authorized service center for in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (actually in Squirrel Hill). When I picked it up, I found that the service center had damaged the unit, and that they taken steps to conceal the damage even though it created a hazardous condition with the potential for electrocution.

I documented the damage in a letter with accompanying pictures, and I contacted Onkyo via phone and Email the next business day. Within one hour after submitting my complaint, I received a phone call offering to replace the receiver with a brand new unit and a full new warranty.

The Service Manger that I spoke to told me that the service center would be removed from Onkyo’s list of approved service facilities immediately, pending a full investigation of their capabilities and business practices. I checked later that day, and the facility had already been removed form the Onkyo Web page. They have never been re-listed, and I suspect that I was not the first customer to have a problem with them. Unfortunately, as a result there is no longer a carry-in facility in Pittsburgh.

Onkyo picked up the tab for express shipping both ways (return of my damaged 876 and shipment of the 1007) since they needed to receive my 876 before they could ship a replacement. Other than turning down my request for the 3007 as a replacement, I cannot think of anything more that Onkyo could have done on my behalf. The entire procerss took about two weeks after I picked up my damaged 876 at the third-party service center.

Thank you, Shed, its nice to hear the process was not as horrible as some have said here and other places. May be the attitude you went in with helped out. Glad everything worked out for you.

thanks. I thought the IR sensor was not working with my emitter, but it turns out it was just in the wrong place.

Even using a flashlight, the IR sensor on the 876 looks like an opaque gray surface to the left of the display. Put the emitter there and it works fine.

Yeah, they acted fast when the word "ELECTROCUTION" was involved, nice going Onkyo.

The unit was damaged by the service center, not Onkyo. They could have easily tried to make the service center pay for or replace and therefore the process would have been much longer. I'm sure there are people out there that have had problems with Onkyo's service as well as every other CE company. But at least we know of one person that wasn't totally screwed over.

I just upgraded from a 606 to 876, only audio is coming out with hdtv, xbox, blu-ray or apple tv all connected through hdmi inputs. Sometimes nothing apears on the tv, sometimes the bottom is pink and sometimes blank but the audio is coming through. All connections are checked i have played with the hdmi out being set to auto, passthrough, 1080p. I have played with every setting I can think of and looking for any ideas. Could this be a firmware thing. I don't want to return it but the 606 worked flawlessly

the 875 has two HDMI outputs. Make sure your TV is plugged into the correct one and it is enabled in the setup menu. When I first got my 876, it was apparently configured for Analog out and both HDMI outs were disabled.

Menu options are:
Main Menu-> 1. Monitor Out -> Monitor Out -> Select: HDMI Main

I have checked that and have it set to hdmi main out. The funny part is if I turn everything off and back on the tv will work but soon as I go into th onkyo settings and back no video and no other source has video if I swithch inputs.

Have you tried swapping out HDMI cables? I had a problem with inconsistent handshaking (black screen, audio dropout etc.) that was cured with a new cable. I would probably start with the cable connecting the HDMI output to the display, since multiple input sources seem to be affected. There is no need to buy "premium" HDMI cables, but the free ones packaged with some consumer electronics seem to be junk. I've never had a problem with inexpensive HDMI cables from Monoprice.com.

Even if the same cables worked with your 606, it is possible that the HDMI switch/repeater in the 876 is a bit more finicky.

Shed

Perhaps, not "totally screwed over", but NOT allowing the customer to pay a price difference in getting the upgraded model originally desired is certainly not great product support by any means, in MY opinion. Happy customers COME BACK, the main reason I just bought a Honda Civic LX. I own the Onkyo 906 and pray every day it has no issues, so far so good, still gotta get those extra cooling fans though!

You are correct, it would not have hurt Onkyo to give him the 3007 as a replacement, and they should have. But few with maybe the exception being H/K do this. Most of these CE's are alike, once they get your money they could care less about customer service. It took me almost a full year for a replacement display from Sony that was bad from the start.

Trying to find out what cooling fan set-up works the best. I found this through a search, but will one fan be enough. My set-up is open and not in a cabinet. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=2713

This link is for a TWO fan setup, you can get the case alone and put in whatever fans you like:

http://www.coolerguys.com/ccstandk.html

Thanks I think I am going to buy this set-up, how are the fans that come with it, are they loud? Also how hot it is too hot, I am running at about 49-50 degrees during normal viewing. How do you know if the fan is on I dont hear anything.

As posted earlier I had a problem only hearing the audio and having the video freeze or not even show. After swapping for another unit, I got everything working except my Samsung BD-P1500 which was resolved after updating the players firmware. I used to have my blu-ray out put 1080p at 24fps and have not tried this since the firmware update and maybe the 24 fps is what caused the no video issues.

Having come from the 606, I am a bit disappointed that the hdmi switching is slower on the higher 876 model and overall just seems more finicky locking on to input signals. The 606 was quick and never showed "no signal" whereas with the 876 I have to some times switch between inputs or power off and on to get it to pick up the signal.

And you have done ALL the firmware updates on your 876?

Did you get the large or medium stand size?

I have an Onkyo 906, probably the same size AVR, but have not taken the time to actually order it yet, did not look at the "sizes", as long as it has openings for TWO fans, seems the best choice of all the other options I have seen recommended here, and the google searching I have done. Just don't take the last one!

I just ordered that fan set-up, I will let you know how it works out. Does anyone know at what temperature the unit goes into protection mode. I was really crankin the tunes today just to see how high I could get it, when it reached 70, and I shut it down. It never went into protection mode.

The internal fan does not even go to High until 75°.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBdicX

Did an experiment by putting a hearblower on the heat sensors to see when the fans will start to work.
This is what i get (see pic):

from 60 C it will start on L (low)
from 65 C it will go to M (medium)
from 75 C it will go to H (high)

When temp goes down again the fans will run longer, well into the mid 50 C zone, below 55 C they will stop.
The L speed is a low dB sound, but you will hear them.
On M its starting to be loud !
On H its grazy, i do not understand why Onkyo uses these loud fans.
I do think that the users with normal use of the amp will never see or hear the fans at work, as the starting temp of 60 C. high is.

Mine ran between 56° and 60° for normal TV listening... the highest I ever got it to read was about 63°. The Comcool system dropped the normal temp to about 43° (5 active channels). My 876 is in a semi-closed cabinet, glass doors in front, 2" clarance on each side, 8" clearance on top, open back (the 876's rearmost 4" is out of the cabinet entirely).

Well I am pushing this reciever to the max with a 7.1 4ohm speaker set-up so it's really starting to sweat. I can't believe after some tweaking how great it is pushing these speakers. Most people said u need an amp but it just isn't true I found out with this beast.

The 876 and 807 cost about the same in my area. I notice that the 876 is much heavier but the 807 can upgrade its firmware over Ethernet. How important is this feature? Which receiver is a better buy?

If you want true power its no contest. The 876 wins going away. Also has a lot more other significant features that the 807 doesn't. Much better Audyssey and video processor along with the best THX available if that's important to you. If you feel the internet connection is really that important and you don't need or will use the things in the 876 then its the 807 you want. Between these two though as far as being the better buy then its easily without a doubt the 876. It will power any speakers you want now or in the future, the 807 won't come close to it in that respect.

Thank you very much for your valuable inputs. The power. audio and video quality are much more important to me. I just wonder how often it is to upgrade the firmware and how it can be done without Ethernet. You see, the last AV Amp I had was an Onkyo 595.

I am going to get a 876. How can I tell if ALL the firmware updates have been done? If they are not done, do I have to take it to Onkyo for the updates? I appreciate any inputs that you may have.

All the instructions and firmware updates along with how to do it are on the thread I listed below. It will also tell you how to check what firmware version is on your 876. Good luck and enjoy. Its well worth the money and effort.


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1016297

Thanks again for the help.