Need a new $350-$400 7.1 receiver and I'm thinking the Onkyo TX-NR616, opinions?

I prefer the current generation lower end Denons (1612 or 1613 or higher) due to better Audyssey versions.
MultEQ is significantly better than the 2EQ on the NR616, and MultEQ XT (on 1712, 1713, 2112, 2113) is even better. The 1612/1613/1912/1913 have only MultEQ (still better than 2EQ). Higher end Onkyo's have better versions of Audyssey, but at a much higher price.

Here is a link to a comparison section from the Audyssey web site: http://www.audyssey.com/audio-technology/multeq#multeq-solutions
Most importantly, the 2EQ doesn't EQ the sub at all.
10W per channel doesn't mean much in volume difference. 50W per channel would be significant.
You need to check that you have enough HDMI inputs for your needs. Without knowing that, I can't say whether two more HDMIs is significant or not.

Honestly, I have a denon 3311 in which has audessey xt and also has an onyko 515 in which has audessey 2eq. And ran audessey on same place using same speakers and I dont hear any difference. In fact I am able to hear better the surround effects from the onkyo than the denon 3311.

I ran audessey again and tested the same movies (batman, battleship and avengers) and i hear better the surrounds effects on onkyo. The warmer and cleaner audio from denon is a plus. The audessey xt is supposed to eq the sub. And all i can tell is that after running audessey my sealed sub sounds more tight on the onkyo while on denon bit deeper.
The onkyo 616 has few advantages over 515. One is that has manual eq for speakers and also 4 additional low frequency bands to tweak your sub. Also it has 3 stage inverter amps, 20w more per channel, and thx.

I also own a yamaha 471 and ran ypao on same place with same speakers and i have to say that the onkyo 515 with only audessey 2eq sound much much better than yamaha. Oknyo is a power beast. Pretty loud.

The only audio correction that i havent test is tbe pioneers mcacc. So I ordered a pioneer sc-1222. Im neutral in this things. Most people says that audessey is better. But im pretty sure that the advanced mcacc is on par if not better than audessey xt. I ha e to prove it myself on my enviroment. I will test all my receivers and then will post my impressions. The thing of mcacc is that after running calibration you can tweak everything and is not too straight forward. On audessey you have to do nothing. Omce audessey finished its calibration is done.
But i like to tweak so, it will be a nice experience.

My speakers are Polks RtiA7, Rti4, CS20 with an Emotiva Xref12sub. Having said that dont be affraid of the 616. I did not bought the 616 because i thought that the 515 has manual eq, but its not. For me manuak eq is a plus. My idea was to returned the onkyo and get the 616, but I decided to returned when pioneer arrives so I can perform tests again. Also im not interested in thx at all. In the past I had an onkyo 706 and i remembered thst i have 2 differents eq for sub. One setting is which sub sounds deeper and other in which sound more tighter.

Om your price range I will look on onkyo 616, or pioneer 1122 or one of the Denons if you really want at least audessey multieq. But for me I cant tell you that multieq xt is better on my ht room than 2eq. On paper is better; in reality Is another story.
Edited by javygonx - 1/5/13 at 11:54pm

I bought the onkyo 809 for 449$ just last week on amazon. Just be patient it should drop to that price again

I lost that great special of the 809 form $449. Pretty sad; but if Amazon do it again. Dont think twice and order it and forget about 515, 616, and pioneer 1122.

Cant remove the 1222 from the list because the 1222 can compete very well with 809/818

I'd definitely would spring for the Onkyo TX-NR709 or TX-NR818. BOTH have preamp out which would allow you to add additional external power amps. 709 has MultEQ XT and 818 has MultEQ XT32. I will never-ever buy another AVR without preamp out. Audyssey is almost useless without bass management and multiple sample points, so MultEQ XT or XT 32 is what you want. Accessories4less has the 709 for $450. These are factory refurbished with a one-year warranty. Extended warranties ( 5 years ) are available for around $50 from them or a bit more directly from Onkyo. I wouldn't get the TX-NR717 because it only has 2EQ. The Onkyo TX-NR809 is $600 and offers up the same Audyssey as the 709 plus more wattage.

Yes. The Onkyo TX-NR709's power rating is on the low side but that can be easily solved with an Emotiva XPA-3 ( 200w x 3 ) for $600 or a pair or three of Outlaw 2200 200w monoblocks for $350 each when you get upgradeitis.
Edited by jevans64 - 1/6/13 at 6:51pm

I think it is only 5.1 in the main zone if zone 2 is in powered mode stereo. Only option for 7.1 in the main room is with either a power amp in zone 2 or powered speakers. I have no idea whether a power amp can be run in the main zone and those internal amps can be re-assigned to zone 2. Doesn't look like they can be re-assigned from looking at the manual. Looks like you'd have to step up all the way to the TX-NR1009 in order to get a powered 7.1 and 2.0 setup. Cheaper in the long-run to get a 2-channel amp for Zone 2. Something like an Emotiva XPA-200 for $420.

You might want to check some brick and mortar stores for clearance, open box and sales.

I got my 1912 back in May open box for $299 at Paul's TV in store.

Here is a link for BB

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat12090&type=page

You can select a store and check out clearance and open box merchandise.

I think they give you 11 speaker terminals so you can use the AVR for Zones 2 and 3 when you AREN'T using Zone 1. Also allows for different surround combinations to be run while still having 11 speakers connected to the AVR and, of course, bi-amping speakers. Having 11 speaker terminals doesn't make perfect sense unless the amp sections can be assigned freely. I know how Denon does their amp assign but not sure how Onkyo does theirs now. Denon only has custom amp assign in the 4520ci this year. The Onkyo under the 1xxx series don't seem to have it as well.

Again, you COULD add an amp to the TX-NR709 to get a powered 7.1 + 2.0, BUT, if I was going to buy an external amp, which are generally MUCH better at delivering guaranteed power, I'd want to put that amp on the front speakers and use the receiver's amps for Zone 2. The 709/809 manual just states that selecting Powered Zone 2 drops it down to 5.1 and isn't clear whether having the front L/R on an external amp would make a difference.

I'd maybe ask someone in the 709 Owner's thread about the AVR and external amps.

Doing away with the low-amperage 110v outlets is just another thing to be cut in order to save money, that and legacy inputs.

I'm currently looking at getting a receiver to replace my aging Onkyo TX-SR604. That amp has been really good to me, so I thought I would replace it with another Onkyo (the TX-NR616) but I am also on the fence in that I hear Denon is really good to.

The one thing that's holding me back from the Onkyo 616 is the fact that it has Audyssey 2EQ only. The Denon's that I've looked at 1913, 2113 and 2313 have MultEQ at a minimum. How big of a deal is this?


Not talking exact prices, but where I live the Onkyo 616 can be had for X dollars, the Denon 1913 is $100 more, the 2113 $150 more and the the 2313 $350 more. That alone is pretty much dropping the 2313 from the equation for me. While the $150 more for the Denon 2113 wouldn't break the bank, I'm just not sure if it's worth it. I would be getting Audyssey MultEQ XT, but I can't help but think that the Onkyo 616 would have a better amp section than the 2113.

Any advice or thoughts?

Thank you.

Hi, I just thought that I would chime in with the fact that I just got a Onkyo HT-RC470 for $100 less at Visons than the 616 is being advertised at BestBuy, in spite of the fact they are pretty much the same unit.
(I'm in Canada BTW)
It would seem that the only difference is that the 616 supports RDS (Radio Data System) in Europe. The only other minor difference I could find was the manuals call the "Music Optimizer" button the "Pure Audio" button on European and Asian models. My impression is that the 616 is a "world" model and the 470 is a North American model even though they sell the 616 here too. The manual for the 616 includes regulatory information for Europe and Asian countries, where the 470 manual does not. As far as specs and Inputs & Outputs they are identical.

I'll just chime in and say this is the last day for the refurb special from Onkyo. I bought the 616 and really love it.

Although the www.shoponkyo.com site warns the device may have cosmetic issues, lack stickers, and batteries; mine came with everything and it sure seemed as good as new to me. IMHO it was even better since it already had the latest firmware update. 1 year factory warranty with an extended factory warranty for an additional $40 (I didn't bother extending).

$253 for an Onkyo 616 with free shipping and no tax! Just sign up for the free Onkyo club first and then apply the coupon code.

--
Doug

I'm in a similar boat as I just picked up a brand new Panny 3D tv and need to replace my 5 yr old Onkyo. Looking into the reliability thing on the new Onkyos I'm wondering if I should wait and see what the 2013 lineup provides. Right now I'm debating between the Onkyo 515 and the Denon 1613 but I'll check out the refurb Onkyo deals.

I was worried about reliability as well so I decided to buy the 709 for 320 (refurbished the deal is still going at shop onkyo), and an external amplifier. I feel like I'll get more mileage out of my receiver if it's not powering anything.

previous Onkyo receivers were known for the clicking noise when changing audio formats. I ended up selling mine because I wanted a HDMI receiver anyway. there may have been a fix but I don't remember what it was now.