The "Official" Onkyo TX-SR876 Owners Thread - Page 14

Well in this case maybe. If reference is set at 85dB the LFE channel might hit 95dB (if everything is setup correctly), and that could be too much for a small sub. But my sub is able to go >105dB and I was seeing the problem at 15 to 20 dB below reference. But note too that I did not "blame" the 906. But it is a problem.

So the tough question is...silver or black, and why? I can't decide, although I am leaning more toward the retro look of the silver and the orange display.

I hear ya. This issue kept me from purchasing this unit. I know that SD will be around for a while so the ability to jump back and forth via the zoom mode is critical for me. You did well if you got it down to 3 sequence buttons. I have heard guys who are really upset having to click over ten times to do the same thing. I am waiting to see who beats who. If Denon comes out with next gen stuff before Onkyo fixes this problem, I am jumping on the Denon wagon.

Joerod claims to be an independant reviewer. He does not appear to work for any of the manufacturers that he reviews, he just provides his opinion of what he sees and hears. A lot of folks swear by his reviews.

I was reading the instruction manual and you can set a Macro key on the remote very easily just for Source Setup.

Who in this thread went from the 875 to the 876?

Why? And what are the differences between the two?

Have any of you 876/875 owners experienced any problems with sending video signals from the receiver to a component DVI 1080i input on a TV? If I plunk down a grand will I be able to run my Blu Ray through the 876 via HDMI and then component out to my 5 year old Mits TV (with no HDMI)?

I read that the 805 may have had a conversion problem and was dropping signals. Not good.

Thanks!

I posted this question also on NR-906. I was planning to go with NR-906 mainly due to its networkability, but then a poster said that I could simply connect my lap top to 876. That effectively means that 876 can connect to my home network, which by the same token will mean that I can listen to my mp3s and even internet radio stations such as Pandora. I really like Pandora and would like to be able to listen to it in my HT speakers.

If all of the above is true, then I am getting lost in comprehending what additional network features the NR-906 is boasting for? I am really lost, help please?

Can I connect 876 wirelessly to my laptop?

To be very honest, I don't believe the usability of surfing the web via the receiver even with NR-906. That sounds to me as if it would be incredible cumbersome. Besides why not get 876 and Logitech Squeezebox Duet. Won't it be cheaper and way more user-friendly and functional?

My understanding is NR-906 won't have Pandora directly anyway and Squeezebox will. I am not trying to be devil's advocate or anything, but just trying to understand if there is any benefit that I don't see in this step-up.

I am assuming there is no difference between 876 and 906 as far as video since they are both ISF certified and have the same VP. Is that correct?

While the 876 does not have a network adapter for direct streaming,
be it wired or wireless,
you still can transmit wireless to the 876 via your laptop
if you have a Wireless Router and Media Center Extender
such as the Linksys WRT600N & DMA2100.

Personally I just prefer HDMI or SPDIF.
I have a 1 Terabyte eSATA drive for all my media server content
and HDMI & SPDIF have worked fine for my use.
I have to run my media server but that's not an issue.



Also the USB option in the 906 is limited to FAT32 so I was not interested in that.
I like 1 big NTFS 1 Terabyte drive partition for my use.
I have a single artist in my catalog where 85 Official Releases is beyond the file system limitations of a tree directory support for USB hookup
on the 906. Fine for a one of those small 4GB sticks but not for mass media of thousands of albums.
I just can't see navigating with an AVR when I can do it all in a Media Server.

I just got my 876 today and don't get any signal over hdmi with my magnavox Blueray dvd player. I've changed hdmi ports and assign them but still nothing. I have the hdmi output set at the default pass through. I tested my satellite DVR connection on the HDMI-2 port and it works. Also plugged the DVD player directly into TV with HDMI and that works. Could it be I need a specific BlueRay player?
Am I missing something? thanks

The reason I am asking these questions is I am between buying 876 and Logitech Squeezebox Duet together or 906 alone. Can 906 come close to what the Duet/876 combo can achieve? If not, since Duet + 876 is still $200 cheaper, why get 906? I am really getting confused here in seeing the value in this.

Is there anything other than torrodial sound benefits in this equation that I am missing?

Is there any difference in video capabilities?

In my opinion, the torrodial transformer is about the only thing of value in the 906 vs the 876. Next in line would be the extra 5 watts/channel. The rest of the stuff is just fluff. But thats just me. Some folks love the streaming audio. Video is basically the same on both.

I am very happy with the 876.
I purchased the 876(certified reseller) and an HDMI cable for just about $900 less than 906 MSRP.
That is close to 50% of the 906 MSRP.
No tax, No shipping and a 30 day trial. My kinda purchase.
This is all that I needed for all media server audio & video content.
I wanted to buy the Outlaw Pre/Pro with an AMP but the cost of the 876 was just too good where that alone was 300 less than the expected Outlaw pre/pro intro price that many are still awaiting a release date.
Add close to another 2K for a balanced 7 channel 125 WPC Amp and 3K for the combo could not compete with the 876 that was very close to 2/3rds less.

I'll buy an Outlaw combo down the line so as to take advantage of Trinnov but it's Audessy until then. In all honesty my 24 bit HD music with the 876 sounds amazing in direct mode with no need for room optimization. For 2 Channel direct it's about on par with my previous Onkyo Integra where I was using a rack mount DAC but I would have expected just a bit more with latest Brown Burrs that have much higher S/N ratios to my rack mount DAC. Source limitations can only be improved so much with consumer DACs.

CDs and Ripped Lossless CD Quality sound so much better in general with DACs dating back to the first PS Audio Digital Link but it is modern multi track source master analogue to HD transfers and engineering improvements that I have experienced are far more beneficial to getting amazing knock your sox off home sound that competes with reference quality. When an artists takes the time to take action on their old masters as described it's far superior to older CDs from the 80s that get improved by just using DACs in an a Receiver or seperate scenario. The manufactures like to call it remastering but engineers do a better job.
I will use some oh the Audessy stuff for film but the surround sound modes without room optimization sound very good out of the box.
I just have a very good room and speaker setup fro the majority of sources. Once again how good the source is and can one listen at reference level.
So why do I go into great length on this issue if you are basically asking about some convenience issue? Hmm think outside the box of what these electronic companies hype. No need to invest in networking or media players if you have a vista client.

Other consideration was Denon 3808 with firmware upgrades and in my opinion the 3808, even with upgrades is not as good as the 876.
For Denon to compete with the 876 you have to look at the 4308 with upgrades and that is just way overpriced.
Hands down the Onkyo 876 is the best AMP in it's price point. It's a hairy monster. Issues with heat but hey it delivers the goods.
So for my needs the 876 at it's price point is the best for the money until an AVR or Pre/Pro with Trinnov gets released,
is a stabilized unit and comes down in price .

In the example I previously exhibited a media server, wireless router and media extender example.
Remember a Windows Vista Client is basically a media server.
Go to Linksys and read up on this stuff.

A Windows Vista Client can stream wireless audio and video to
the 876 if you have 1- wireless adapter in your vista client, 2- wireless router and 3 - a media extender.
The development of Media Extenders is far more useful than a squeeze but hey for me a hard wired HDMI connection is all I need.
REsearch how inexpensive a good certified HDMI cable cost from Monoprice. My client has HDMI and SPDIF output and as I said both work very well for Audio and Video

I see no reason to spend between 300 and 500 for that Logitech for the only thing that is getting squeezed is my bank account.
I don't need Squeezebox navigation if Widows Media Center or Windows Media Player navigation gets me all of my audio and video data.
Be it wired or wireless the Windows Vista Client is all I need. Since so many of these AVR and peripheral player devices need a Vista Client anyway
why just not lest the Visa Client be the Server/Player. Even when I considered the front USB optionon the 906 that FAT32 limitation lends itself to only 4Gb
archives with folder limitations and since I already have a 1 Terabyte NTFS archive why bother with some really small device size archive limitation.

The power plant on the 876 is very good. It has no troubles driving my power hungry 4 Ohm speakers. Due to heat issues I realized ahead of time so I went ahead and purchased a Niles Fan so if you have this in a rack or somewhat enclosed entertainment system give strong consideration to a quit low voltage fan scenario such as the Niles FM-1 ,or building it yourself as has been discussed in this forum.

You can always test both out from a retailer that has a 30 day trial period.

I'm not sure what the other poster means by three sequencing buttons but I would be interested in hearing about it. The only device where this was an issue for me was my HD PVR (SA 8300HD). I decided to connect it to the 876 via component video. With component video the 876 has great flexibility. What I was able to do was assign the PVR to three different inputs utilizing just one set of cables and then I created different profiles, 1 for HD and 1 for 4x3 SD and 1 for widescreen SD. Each profile now has its own zoom settings, nosie reduction settings, edge enhancement, etc.

Thus, I can now properly display all material with the click of just one button depending on the material.

It's too bad you don't have this flexibility over HDMI but I'm currently not really in a position to utilize such a setup with any of my other components as by BD players and HD players don't have source direct mode so I would have to manually select 480i when each disc is inserted to take advantage of the REON's scaling and deinterlacing (too much work in my opinion). Though I must say, sending 480i to the 876 from my Toshiba HD-A35 and allowing the 876 to do the deinterlacing/scaling produces better results with SD material than my A35 on its own.

Can you explain what you mean with that? If it is a regular USB Port, then can I simply connect it to my i-phone for internet streaming or is it more complicated then this? Sorry for the noob questions

Also does 906 run cooler due to torrodial or the same heat?

Much of the heat from these units actually comes from the Reon Video Processor rather than from the Audio transformers/heatsinks. So any of the units with the Reon is going to generate a lot of heat.

Much of the heat in a receiver like the 876/906 is generated by the various processors (think how hot some of your PC's chips get).

Toroidal Power Transformers have greater efficiency (less waste heating) at lower loads compared to EI transformers of the same capacity. The difference is greatest at idle and decreases as the load increases. A bit of web searching will get you a nice graph or two.

Toroidal Power Transformers are less likely to hum (not cause hum but to vibrate audibly).

They are less able to induce noise in nearby components/circuits.

They weigh less than a comparable EI transformer.

A well designed EI transformer will is unlikely to hum, can be constructed to minimize electrical and magnetic interference, but it cannot be made to be more efficient.

There is a certain mystique to toroids in audio and I think it comes from a combination of comparative rarity and confusion with audio output transformers. Audio output transformers (tube amps need 'em) are a critical design challenge. The good ones are heavy- large- expensive. The power and output transformers in an old stereo amp along with the steel chassis accounted for the high weight to power output ratio.

The extra output power of the 906 is good in terms of headroom, not in terms of a listenable difference in SPL. The networking features had limited appeal and the toroidial transformer was nice but not critical. So why did I get the 906?

I gave considerable thought to buying the 876 because that is what I normally do. I compare the models just down from the top because they usually offer the best combination of performance and price. Second best or end of the model year is often the smart buy. But in this case my decision was to buy the top model, because I damned well deserved it, that's why.

I will have it for several years and amortized that way the price difference was not so much. But this was an emotional buy not a smart buy. I am happy with the 906; I would have enjoyed the 876.

Networking was not important I thought, but I now have a display that is networkable, two players that are networkable and of course the 906. So I moved the wireless router to the garage and ran cat 6 to three rooms (three runs to the family room). I've blown the dust off a retired PC and set it up as a media server (audio only at the moment). I have 300 CDs that I will rip and that along with 24/7 polka music from Lithuania or Slovenian rock music (all in English). I like it.

Both receivers are pretty darn good.

Problem with new 786.
On 786 when switching between satellite and blue ray player it will loose both signals.
It tries to get signal and will occasionally get sound.
I waited on phone for 45 minutes for tech support at Onkyo and never did speak to anyone.

Hi Friends!

Recently upgraded to the 876 from a Sony STR DA5ES. The Sony was great in its time but man when I hooked up this Onkyo I was blown away.
Anyway - couple of quick questions:
1. What is the correct way to set the listening mode so that the Onkyo always automatically detects the right audio format? Should the devices be set to "Direct"? It does not seem to have an "auto" mode unless "last valid" is considered auto but this does not seem to work properly because for example a movie that should be in Dolby Digital would show as ProLogic II, kind of like remembering. So I really never know if the receiver is properly playing the right audio format.
2. Does the Audessey work for 6.1 setups? I tried it and it kept giving me an error because it was not detecting one of the rear speakers, even though they are all connected and when doing the tone test it works fine. For now I basically set the speakers up manually.
3. My speakers (Polk LCi Series are THX Ultra 2 certified) should there be a special set up for this in the AV?
4. When playing any DVD, such as Blu-Ray - should the audio be set to THX Cinema or is this just a preference setting?

Am sure I have other questions but I will leave it at this for now. Thanks so much for your inputs!

Rgds,
J~

I'm interested in purchasing the 876 but I have a couple of questions regarding the Receiver:

1. Zoom mode - While I understand there are issues regarding the stretching of 4:3 material, I would like to understand whether the Zoom mode can be used to remove the black bars when watching 2:35 cinemascope movies, but zooming in and cutting the left and right edges off. Reading the manual, it appears "normal", "full" and "zoom" do not, but I'm not clear about "Wide Zoom". What does this produce on a Cinemascope picture.

2. Amp stage - is the amp used in the 876 the same as the 875, or have they done something to the product to keep it cooler. I am concerned as it seems the power for the 805 to the 806 (at 4 ohms) was cut according to a review I read somewhere.

Thanks for your help.

I don't have an 876, but do have an 805, which is similar....

1. There is no "right" or "wrong" sound setting. Play around with the modes and go with whatever works best for you. If you want a certain sound mode to kick in with a certain incoming stream, you can do this via the Setup Menu. If you want the ability to instantly access the straight decode via remote there is a discrete remote code for this.

2. Make sure you have Rear Surround speakers set to "1" in the Setup menu.

3. Go with whatever sounds best to you.

4. Personal preference.

I think I may have asked this question wrong because I can't get anyone to even comment on it.

I'm down to the final days to purchase a new AVR. The 876 is the leading candidate based on reading the threads on this forum.

I have a 5 year-old 73" Mits with a great picture but only one 1080i input through DVI components. I just bought a Sony Blu Ray and want to feed both Directv and the BD into the TV though the 876.

Then I read the 805/6 had problems upgrading from SD to HD and I'm very concerned that the 876 will have the same issue. Is there some HDMI/DVI codec issue that won't let the incoming, up-scaled images lock with a DVI component in?

If this is the case with the 876 are there other mid/high end AVR's that handle this problem better?

I need some serious advice from you old pros! Please help before I squander $1,000 and my wife leaves me!! Thanks!

Hey guys, I need some help. This is my first AV Receiver and I'm more then happy but I just have one problem. Everything is going through HDMI Main. I was able to assign HDMI to both my Cable Box and PS3. Also, I assign my component sources. However, I also have a CD/Laserdisc Player (Connected to Game/TV by composite) and a VHS player (Connected to AUX 1 by composite) How do I assign composite sources?

I purchased the 876 from Newegg on Black Friday. I got it on Friday and I just finished hooking it up tonight. It appears that 4 of the 8 channels are not working. I can only get the Front Left, Front Right, Right Surround, and Subwoofer channels to work.

I tried swapping speakers from those channels to other channels and vice versa just to be sure it wasn't a speaker problem. I get sound no matter what speaker I hook to those 4 channels, and no sound regardless of which speaker I hook to the other 4 channels.

Do I have a defective unit? And it also appears that Newegg does not accept returns, is that correct? So I'll have to return it directly to Onkyo?

Even though they say that, I recall another guy who had a unit DOA from Newegg and when he called them about it, they replaced it within a couple of days.....give it a try.

Rich