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Onkyo TX-NR818 "official" owner's thread discussion - Page 138

post #4111 of 7019
1/8/13 at 7:29pm
Thanks for the information Kilian.ca

I have noticed since I've had the 818 that my front soundstage has been "weak". The Onkyo 805 that I had before drove my Kef 104/2's and previous JBL center well. The front soundstage was well presented. I know the 805 had a very serious amp section and the 818 not so much. While watching a couple blu-rays this evening with the "new to me" B&W's and after a proper Audyssey calibration the front soundstage was still on the weak side. Better defined but still somewhat weak. I don't believe this is an Audyssey issue as driving the fronts for music requires a bit more throttle. The B&W's are approximately as efficient as my former fronts and center at +/- 90db. Perhaps this is where the external amp would help if I do as you mention and have it run the front soundstage 3 speakers and the receiver handle the rear speakers.

Decisions, decisions....
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post #4112 of 7019
1/8/13 at 10:40pm
Got my B&H black Friday 818 a few weeks ago, finally had some time to play with it and cant seem to get sound on HDMI passthrough. Video works fine. I have tried RIHD on and off, all variations of HDMI through (auto, etc), spoke with Onkyo tech, no luck. Wanted to see if anyone here has had any experience with this before i send for a replacement. I only have a few days left to send it in. Its not my uverse box because I have the issue with blu ray too. I cant help but think it may be something simple. On a side note, Its replacing a 10 year old TX-SR800 that was still running strong when it got its gold watch and was forced into retirement. With recent front speaker purchase they no longer match center and rears (working on upgrading the rest) and didnt sound right at all. I expected room correction to help, but didnt know if it would live up to the hype as few things do. In short, it blew me away, sounds so much better than before, especially at low volumes so I dont wake up the kids.
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post #4113 of 7019
1/8/13 at 11:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sg2100 View Post

Thanks for the advice. I thought I had tried that, but apparently not.
For anyone else with this type of issue, apparently my Vera home automation controller is the 'problem', even though it's never been an issue with any other device previously. Also, it appears it's only a problem when the amp is starting up, because if I plug it into the network after the amp starts up from an unplugged state, the amp continues to work fine (haven't tried it yet with just powering the amp off/on).
Hopefully this will be something they address in a patch at some point. Thanks again for the tip.

I seemingly ran into this problem and been pulling my hair out for days... even ordered a replacement 818 (not arrived yet).

I had the 818 working for hours just fine, then it would stop working.

What was your solution for this?
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post #4114 of 7019
1/9/13 at 12:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cainman View Post

Thanks for the information Kilian.ca

I have noticed since I've had the 818 that my front soundstage has been "weak". The Onkyo 805 that I had before drove my Kef 104/2's and previous JBL center well. The front soundstage was well presented. I know the 805 had a very serious amp section and the 818 not so much. While watching a couple blu-rays this evening with the "new to me" B&W's and after a proper Audyssey calibration the front soundstage was still on the weak side. Better defined but still somewhat weak.

You're welcome. The KEFs are reference speakers (I have them) and have a weightier sound than my B&W N803s (I also have the 603s). That's where the main difference lies. More power doesn't hurt but doubt it helps here. No harm trying ext. amps for a trial.
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post #4115 of 7019
1/9/13 at 2:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Fineberg View Post


2nd question is...how do I setup a macro on the harmony one to go to zone 2 and turn that on to trigger the 12v on for the amp? thanks in advance!!

 

 

 
Zone 2 trigger to activate a power amp
 
What I did was:
1. Teach the Harmony one the command to turn on and off Zone 2.
a. In the Harmony control program, go to the devices tab, select the receiver and click the "learn IR" button.
b. Go down to the list and in the "Learn New Command" box enter the name you want for Zone2ON and click the "learn" button.
c. Follow the program instructions and on the original receiver remote, press the Zone button once (it turns red) and then press the ON button. The Harmony should have now acknowledged the key press and learned the command.
d. Back in the learn page, enter the name for Zone2OFF and click "learn".
e. Without pressing anything else, press the STANDBY button on the original remote. Another command learned.
 
2. Now teach the Harmony remote that the receiver needs further commands to turn on and off:
a. Go back to the devices screen in the Harmony control program and click on the "Settings" button for the receiver.
b. Select "adjust power settings" from the list and click next.
c. Go to the "Which command will Power On your device?" and select "My device needs more than one command to turn it on and off."
d. Select Zone2ON as the second command needed.
e. Do the same for "Which command will Power Off your device?" now selecting Zone2OFF as second power off command.
 
3. Update your remote. Connect the trigger to your power amp, make necessary adjustments. And you're all set!
========================
 
On the Onkyo remote, you first have to hit the Zone2/3 button on the top of the remote to get into Zone2/3 mode - if the Zone button turns Red, then you're in Zone 2 mode. Hit the Zone button again and it turns Green, meaning you're in Zone 3. Keep in mind that the Zone button remembers what Zone it's been set to before (so pressing it once may turn it Green, for instance).
 
Now, once you set the particular zone using the above instructions, you can press ON, and if you're in Zone 2 (Red), Zone 2 will turn on. Same idea to turn Zone 2 Off- press STANDBY while Zone 2 is Red. That particular Zone's 12V trigger fires too.
 
I memorized these IR commands with my Harmony 1100. The key to all this is that the Zone button does not send an IR command, it only sets the following button presses to operate in that Zone. So to memorize (for instance) "Zone2On" IR command in the Harmony, you must first press the Zone button until it lights Red, then press ON. The Harmony will memorize that ON as being for Zone 2. Do the same thing for "Zone2Off" and Zone3 if you want.
 
================================
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post #4116 of 7019
1/9/13 at 5:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kbarnes701 View Post


 
Zone 2 trigger to activate a power amp
 
What I did was:
1. Teach the Harmony one the command to turn on and off Zone 2.
a. In the Harmony control program, go to the devices tab, select the receiver and click the "learn IR" button.
b. Go down to the list and in the "Learn New Command" box enter the name you want for Zone2ON and click the "learn" button.
c. Follow the program instructions and on the original receiver remote, press the Zone button once (it turns red) and then press the ON button. The Harmony should have now acknowledged the key press and learned the command.
d. Back in the learn page, enter the name for Zone2OFF and click "learn".
e. Without pressing anything else, press the STANDBY button on the original remote. Another command learned.
 
2. Now teach the Harmony remote that the receiver needs further commands to turn on and off:
a. Go back to the devices screen in the Harmony control program and click on the "Settings" button for the receiver.
b. Select "adjust power settings" from the list and click next.
c. Go to the "Which command will Power On your device?" and select "My device needs more than one command to turn it on and off."
d. Select Zone2ON as the second command needed.
e. Do the same for "Which command will Power Off your device?" now selecting Zone2OFF as second power off command.
 
3. Update your remote. Connect the trigger to your power amp, make necessary adjustments. And you're all set!
========================
 
On the Onkyo remote, you first have to hit the Zone2/3 button on the top of the remote to get into Zone2/3 mode - if the Zone button turns Red, then you're in Zone 2 mode. Hit the Zone button again and it turns Green, meaning you're in Zone 3. Keep in mind that the Zone button remembers what Zone it's been set to before (so pressing it once may turn it Green, for instance).
 
Now, once you set the particular zone using the above instructions, you can press ON, and if you're in Zone 2 (Red), Zone 2 will turn on. Same idea to turn Zone 2 Off- press STANDBY while Zone 2 is Red. That particular Zone's 12V trigger fires too.
 
I memorized these IR commands with my Harmony 1100. The key to all this is that the Zone button does not send an IR command, it only sets the following button presses to operate in that Zone. So to memorize (for instance) "Zone2On" IR command in the Harmony, you must first press the Zone button until it lights Red, then press ON. The Harmony will memorize that ON as being for Zone 2. Do the same thing for "Zone2Off" and Zone3 if you want.
 
================================

thanks I ton!!! I was experimenting wiht it last night (although I dont have my amp yet...it comes friday) and what I tried was I created a whole new device for zone2 and renamed it emotiva XPA-5. I then taught that device how to power on/off. This way I added that device to all my activities I need it for and it then will keep it on when swicthing activities. I dry ran it and zone 2 powered up and also stayed on when switchiong inputs...I might have made it more complicated but we shall see. If not I will try your way! smile.gif
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post #4117 of 7019
1/9/13 at 5:41am
My 104's, which I've owned since new for 21 years not only developed the foam surrounds dry rotting (which I know I could fix) but one of the mid-drivers has a fracture which caused me to search out replacements. In giving this some more thought I'm going to take a closer look at what Audyssey has set for levels for my front sound stage. Perhaps the front three are set too low and hence my "weak" sound issue. I spent 3-4 hours watching movies and demos (a bit louder than is typical for me) last evening and my 818 was just a little warm, not hot so it's not having an issue pushing the B&W's.
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post #4118 of 7019
1/9/13 at 5:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Fineberg View Post

 
thanks I ton!!! I was experimenting wiht it last night (although I dont have my amp yet...it comes friday) and what I tried was I created a whole new device for zone2 and renamed it emotiva XPA-5. I then taught that device how to power on/off. This way I added that device to all my activities I need it for and it then will keep it on when swicthing activities. I dry ran it and zone 2 powered up and also stayed on when switchiong inputs...I might have made it more complicated but we shall see. If not I will try your way! smile.gif

 

You're welcome, Brian. My method is guaranteed to work, or your money back :)  I use this method myself.

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post #4119 of 7019
1/9/13 at 5:52am
Brian and Kbarnes, that is very helpful. I also set it up as a new device for Zone 2 since that is what Harmony said I needed to do for my current receiver. I do have the question of how to switch back and forth on the Harmony between Zone 2/3 and know that you are in the correct zone. With the 818 remote you can see it with the red/green, but how for the Harmony? I would prefer not changing the volume on Zone 2 when I am trying to change Zone 3, for example.
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post #4120 of 7019
1/9/13 at 8:11am
Quick question:

I have a bluray player attached to my 818 over HDMI. When I put in a Bluray, it appears that the 818 detects the signal from the player, and automatically turns on. I do not want this to happen. Can I turn off this "Automatic" "turn-on" behavior?

Thanks!
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post #4121 of 7019
1/9/13 at 9:10am
Does the firmware update fix the 24P problem?

JMPage2:

I have an 818 sitting in its box. It cost me $800, Would you keep if the film rate problem is not fixed?

- Rich
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post #4122 of 7019
1/9/13 at 9:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by WannaTheater View Post

Quick question:
I have a bluray player attached to my 818 over HDMI. When I put in a Bluray, it appears that the 818 detects the signal from the player, and automatically turns on. I do not want this to happen. Can I turn off this "Automatic" "turn-on" behavior?
Thanks!

turn off the HDMI control
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post #4123 of 7019
1/9/13 at 9:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Fineberg View Post

turn off the HDMI control

FYI... It is called RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) under the HDMI menu

Quote:
Originally Posted by kbarnes701 View Post

Zone 2 trigger to activate a power amp
 
What I did was:
1. Teach the Harmony one the command to turn on and off Zone 2.
a. In the Harmony control program, go to the devices tab, select the receiver and click the "learn IR" button.
b. Go down to the list and in the "Learn New Command" box enter the name you want for Zone2ON and click the "learn" button.
c. Follow the program instructions and on the original receiver remote, press the Zone button once (it turns red) and then press the ON button. The Harmony should have now acknowledged the key press and learned the command.
d. Back in the learn page, enter the name for Zone2OFF and click "learn".
e. Without pressing anything else, press the STANDBY button on the original remote. Another command learned.
 
2. Now teach the Harmony remote that the receiver needs further commands to turn on and off:
a. Go back to the devices screen in the Harmony control program and click on the "Settings" button for the receiver.
b. Select "adjust power settings" from the list and click next.
c. Go to the "Which command will Power On your device?" and select "My device needs more than one command to turn it on and off."
d. Select Zone2ON as the second command needed.
e. Do the same for "Which command will Power Off your device?" now selecting Zone2OFF as second power off command.
 
3. Update your remote. Connect the trigger to your power amp, make necessary adjustments. And you're all set!
========================
 
On the Onkyo remote, you first have to hit the Zone2/3 button on the top of the remote to get into Zone2/3 mode - if the Zone button turns Red, then you're in Zone 2 mode. Hit the Zone button again and it turns Green, meaning you're in Zone 3. Keep in mind that the Zone button remembers what Zone it's been set to before (so pressing it once may turn it Green, for instance).
 
Now, once you set the particular zone using the above instructions, you can press ON, and if you're in Zone 2 (Red), Zone 2 will turn on. Same idea to turn Zone 2 Off- press STANDBY while Zone 2 is Red. That particular Zone's 12V trigger fires too.
 
I memorized these IR commands with my Harmony 1100. The key to all this is that the Zone button does not send an IR command, it only sets the following button presses to operate in that Zone. So to memorize (for instance) "Zone2On" IR command in the Harmony, you must first press the Zone button until it lights Red, then press ON. The Harmony will memorize that ON as being for Zone 2. Do the same thing for "Zone2Off" and Zone3 if you want.
 
================================

BTW guys... if you have a Windows PC that is always running... like I do, my HTPC, you can use EventGhost (free app) to control your Onkyo using a free plugin that does bi-directional communications over the network (there is also a serial version if you so desire).

EventGhost turns my 5 channel amp ON/OFF using Zone2 trigger on the 818.
The beauty of using EventGhost is that I can setup ANY rules I want...

When EventGhost sees the 818 turn on, it automatically turns on Zone2 - which turns on my amp. Then it turns Zone2 off when the 818 turns off.

When EventGhost (EG) sees NET enabled on the 818, EG can turn on Zone3 and off Zone2
When EG sees the TUNER, or CD enabled it sets the 818 to Pure Audio mode.

... it can set anything in any combination you desire.


If you want to discuss more let me know and lets start a new thread.
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post #4124 of 7019
1/9/13 at 10:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Fineberg View Post

turn off the HDMI control
RHID in Onkyo terms.
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post #4125 of 7019
1/9/13 at 10:41am
Just purchased one of these massive receivers after upgrading from a TX-NR708.

Anyone having the issue where the receiver will automatically switch to TV/CD when powering on?

Seems like no matter what setting I change or what input i'm on when I power off, whenever I power on the machine after 3 seconds it goes to TV/CD. I do not want to turn off RHID in my receiver and Anynet+ in my TV as I want my receiver to auto power on when I switch on my TV. I have tried it with ARC in Auto and OFF and switched my HDMI cable to the non-ARC input on my TV. Still nothing.

Any ideas?
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post #4126 of 7019
1/9/13 at 10:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bfocussvt View Post

Just purchased one of these massive receivers after upgrading from a TX-NR708.
Anyone having the issue where the receiver will automatically switch to TV/CD when powering on?
Seems like no matter what setting I change or what input i'm on when I power off, whenever I power on the machine after 3 seconds it goes to TV/CD. I do not want to turn off RHID in my receiver and Anynet+ in my TV as I want my receiver to auto power on when I switch on my TV. I have tried it with ARC in Auto and OFF and switched my HDMI cable to the non-ARC input on my TV. Still nothing.
Any ideas?

You're basically SOL. You can't adjust hdmi control [RHID/Anynet]. Turn them both off and get a harmony remote.
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post #4127 of 7019
1/9/13 at 11:53am
How is it I knew the first response would be, "Get a Harmony." smile.gif

Problem is that my remote is the SMK-Link Blu-Link BT remote that also works my PS3.
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post #4128 of 7019
1/9/13 at 12:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bfocussvt View Post

How is it I knew the first response would be, "Get a Harmony." smile.gif
Problem is that my remote is the SMK-Link Blu-Link BT remote that also works my PS3.

you have options like...

find a way to send IR to your 818 using your current setup - maybe with an add on device/app/etc
use a different IR remote - harmony
use a different control device - iphone, ipod, android, etc
automate your control by using an Onkyo control app with serial or network - tons of these that run on linux, windows, etc
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post #4129 of 7019
1/9/13 at 12:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bfocussvt View Post

How is it I knew the first response would be, "Get a Harmony." smile.gif
Problem is that my remote is the SMK-Link Blu-Link BT remote that also works my PS3.

No macros for that remote, from a quick look at their user guide. That sucks.
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post #4130 of 7019
1/9/13 at 1:27pm
guys i wanted to ask what this 24p bug is.

im wanting to buy a 818 or a denon 3313 to replace my 609

my 609 used to not accept my htpc's 24p signal * ati card* but it did accept the same signal from nvidia videocard*also 24p offcourse* the tv whould flash on and off trying to lock the 24p or 25p image

now it works with the latest firmware patch im scared that the 818 will not accept my ati card AGAIN as i dont realy like the nvidia options
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post #4131 of 7019
1/9/13 at 1:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Havolice View Post

guys i wanted to ask what this 24p bug is.
im wanting to buy a 818 or a denon 3313 to replace my 609
my 609 used to not accept my htpc's 24p signal * ati card* but it did accept the same signal from nvidia videocard*also 24p offcourse* the tv whould flash on and off trying to lock the 24p or 25p image
now it works with the latest firmware patch im scared that the 818 will not accept my ati card AGAIN as i dont realy like the nvidia options

The 24fps bug had nothing related to receiving 24p (or 23.976p) signal. In my testing (not HTPC card though), it accept both 23.976 and 24p no problem.
The issue is that with 23.976 input, it output at 24 instead (thereby skipping one frame for every 40second or so). Depending on the material you are watching, it might be untolerable, or you don't even notice.
If you are using sub-out, then you don't have this issue, but you also don't get OSD and any video conversion that you might want to get.
Onkyo is aware of the issues, but no action at this point for say a few months already.
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post #4132 of 7019
1/9/13 at 2:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fight4yu View Post

The 24fps bug had nothing related to receiving 24p (or 23.976p) signal. In my testing (not HTPC card though), it accept both 23.976 and 24p no problem.
The issue is that with 23.976 input, it output at 24 instead (thereby skipping one frame for every 40second or so). Depending on the material you are watching, it might be untolerable, or you don't even notice.
If you are using sub-out, then you don't have this issue, but you also don't get OSD and any video conversion that you might want to get.
Onkyo is aware of the issues, but no action at this point for say a few months already.

thats pretty horrid :< just checked there site and they havent updated the firmware for more then half a year. frown.gif unsure what to do now
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post #4133 of 7019
1/9/13 at 3:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SectorZero View Post

BTW, does anyone know if it's possible to change the volume control to do 1dB steps? I don't like the 0.5 steps. I can probably program my Harmony One to do that, but I'm just wondering if there's an easier/faster way.

It is possible to change the volume level using discrete 1db steps, but only via RS-232 or IP control. I assume your Harmony One is limited to IR control only. In my case I own a Pronto Professional TSU9600 remote and RFX9600 extender and control the Onkyo TX-NR818 exclusively using RS-232 commands. That being said, I also prefer controlling the volume at 1dB increments. As such, I've programmed the volume up and down hard buttons throughout my configuration file to increase/decrease the volume by 1dB on a short button press, then continuously at 1dB increments on an extended press. The interface I built for my remote also contains a speaker graphic. Within the text label of the speaker graphic I am populating the current volume level of the receiver as seen here. The speaker graphic itself will update as well to indicate if the receiver happens to be muted or not. In the event the receiver is powered off the speaker graphic will appear greyed out with no volume level displayed. If interested in learning more about how I implemented this for my Pronto feel free to hit up the post found here over at Remote Central.
Edited by Low Profile - 1/9/13 at 4:00pm
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post #4134 of 7019
1/9/13 at 3:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Havolice View Post

thats pretty horrid :< just checked there site and they havent updated the firmware for more then half a year. frown.gif unsure what to do now

What you do is buy something else. Maybe if enough people buy a different product and tell Onkyo this is the reason why then they will understand that it's unacceptable to release broken equipment and then refuse to make-right by the owners through either a firmware update or a hardware swapout.
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post #4135 of 7019
1/9/13 at 4:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmpage2 View Post

What you do is buy something else. Maybe if enough people buy a different product and tell Onkyo this is the reason why then they will understand that it's unacceptable to release broken equipment and then refuse to make-right by the owners through either a firmware update or a hardware swapout.

oh i totaly agree onkyo in past 10 years was good sound etc but always hdmi errors specialy with playstation and ati

but ya i dont know left from right with recievers and now i dont know what else to take i had denon or yamaha in mind tho
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post #4136 of 7019
1/9/13 at 4:07pm
Thread Starter 
If you can live without XT32 you should look into Denon's current lineup.
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post #4137 of 7019
1/9/13 at 4:24pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichB View Post

Does the firmware update fix the 24P problem?

JMPage2:

I have an 818 sitting in its box. It cost me $800, Would you keep if the film rate problem is not fixed?

- Rich

That depends on whether or not you notice things like that... and also whether you use source and TV settings that would hide or mask the issue.

I sit 9' away from a 65" Panasonic VT series plasma. The picture is fantastic. When the picture looks like it stuttered due to a dropped/duplicated frame it is very obvious to me. I'm sure that there are some who would view it and think it was fine.
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post #4138 of 7019
1/9/13 at 4:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmpage2 View Post

That depends on whether or not you notice things like that... and also whether you use source and TV settings that would hide or mask the issue.

I sit 9' away from a 65" Panasonic VT series plasma. The picture is fantastic. When the picture looks like it stuttered due to a dropped/duplicated frame it is very obvious to me. I'm sure that there are some who would view it and think it was fine.

now that you say this i noticed small stutters on my 609 aswel god if this bug is onkyo driven >< guh.

ook wel ill be looking into denon's 3313 and yamaha's 1020 i think read something about it hope it clears it out for me.
about the 32xt or not i dont even know what it does lol i used the mic on the 609 and the older one and i thought it was fine im more of a image freak then a audiophile i whould love to make my sound top for a change to tho
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post #4139 of 7019
1/9/13 at 7:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmpage2 View Post

If you can live without XT32 you should look into Denon's current lineup.

Do you happen to know whether the Onkyo TX-NR1010 suffers from the same bug?
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post #4140 of 7019
1/9/13 at 7:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BarracudaDelGato View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmpage2 View Post

If you can live without XT32 you should look into Denon's current lineup.

Do you happen to know whether the Onkyo TX-NR1010 suffers from the same bug?

No idea.
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