Onkyo today announced the release of two flagship high-end network 9.2-channel THX Ultra2 Plus-certified A/V receivers?the TX-NR5009 and the TX-NR3009.
Both receiver models include major upgrades from last year,
including the use of the latest HQV-Vida and Marvel Qdeo video
processors, new DTS Neo:X dimensional surround processing, Dolby
Volume, and new streaming internet radio channels.
When it comes to input options, the TX-NR5009 and TX-NR3009 are
versatile, sporting eight HDMI inputs and two outputs, plus a full
range of legacy analog and digital AV connections. New media
connections include an Ethernet port, two USB ports, a Universal
Port for Onkyo peripheral devices, and an RGB input for video
content from a connected PC. Onkyo also offers an optional UWF-1
wireless LAN adaptor that turns the front panel USB port into a home
internet access point. Users can also download and install free
applications that turn their Android or iPod touch/iPhone into a
full-function remote control to control the receiver.
Both receivers are designed to connect to the new generation of
user-customized Internet radio stations and streaming music
services, including those from Spotify, AUPEO!, Pandora, Last.fm,
Rhapsody, Napster, Mediafly, Slacker, Sirius XM, and vTuner. The
receiver is also DLNA 1.5 certified; it can interface with
USB-compatible portable music devices, such as iPods, and and play
music straight off a USB thumb drive. The unit can handle a wide
variety of audio formats, including FLAC, WMA Lossless, WAV, AAC,
Ogg, MP3, and, for audiophiles, Super Audio CD.
With terminals for 11 speakers, the nine amplifier channels can be
tasked to power a wide variety of front, surround, height, bi-amped,
or remote-zone loudspeakers depending on the users needs. Onkyo
makes it easy to fine-tune all these speakers by providing the
latest Audyssey MultEQ XT32 room-correction and equalization
technology, which perfects audio performance regardless of a room?s
shape or acoustics.
Onkyo was the first AV receiver manufacturer to introduce DTS Neo:X,
the industry?s first 2.0/5.1/6.1/7.1-to- 9.1/11.1 conversion
technology within a single algorithm. This technology allows users
to augment a basic 5.1-channel set-up by adding speakers in various
combinations of height, wide, and surround channels. As implemented
on the TX-NR5009, Neo:X can bring out subtle ambient sounds or even
work around the need to install rear speakers to deliver a
cinema-like experience. Like last years' models, both receivers
include the related surround processing of Audyssey DSX, and Dolby
ProLogic IIz.
The next-generation video capabilities of these new receivers are
the result of a tag-team effort from two new video processors. The
HQV Vida VHD 1900 processor lies at the heart of the system, and
brings standard video images to life in high definition. The chip
employs multi-cadence tracking, expanded 12-bit color-processing,
and smooth, motion-adaptive de-interlacing to optimize quality and
detail. Marvell's Qdeo technology upscales 1080p video to a full 4K
(3840 x 2160), even from sources already upscaled by HQV Vida from
lower resolutions to 1080p.
Onkyo's eye for detail extends to backlit remote controls and an
overlaid graphical OSD for simple adjustment of settings during a
program, game, or movie.
Both receivers use Onkyo's proven WRAT (wide range amplifier
technology) power stages and three-stage inverted Darlington
topology to deliver high power with low distortion and high current
capability. Audio signals on are refined by PLL jitter-cleaning
technology and Onkyo's VLSC contributes to an extremely crisp
digital-to-analog signal conversion. Separate aluminum panels encase
the low-resonance chassis to help eliminate vibration and
microphonics.
Onkyo's TX-NR3009 uses 24-bit TI Burr-Brown DACs for each channel
and a high-current power supply with large 18,000 µF capacitors and
a large EI transformer.
The TX-NR5009's amplifier takes the whole issue of amplifier and
power supply performance up a notch. Power flows efficiently from a
high-current toroidal transformer through two 22,000 µF capacitors,
with dedicated transformers for audio and video. The digital audio
section employs Powerful 192 kHz/32-bit TI Burr-Brown DACs on all
channels, coupled to a 32-bit DSP chip. These contribute to the
receiver achieving prestigious THX Ultra2 Plus certification and a
level of sound quality that rivals that of many separate component
amplifiers.
The Onkyo TX-NR5009 will have a suggested retail price of $2,899
with the TX-NR3009 will be offered for $2,199. They will ship to
dealers in the beginning of September.