Make some noise! That's basically what Onkyo is promising as the company announces the first four new home theater receivers for 2012. All will feature USB connections and added HDMI inputs, but for 2012 three will offer network capability, and will be the world's first AVRs to include music "cloud server" access via MP3Tunes.
Leading the pack is the THX certified 7.2-channel TX-NR616, which features the THX Select2 Plus guarantee of cinema-quality sound. To achieve this certification standard for audio quality isn't easy, but it's made possible partly by the use of Onkyo's three-stage inverted Darlington amp circuitry.
The new models also include the TX-NR515 7.2-Channel Network Receiver, TX-NR414 5.1-Channel Network Receiver, and TX-SR313 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver. Onkyo's WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology), the low negative-feedback topology that offers the promise to reduce signal noise and guarantees superb performance with minimal distortion, is implemented throughout the line. This discrete-component output stage is even used in the entry model TX-SR313, rather than lower cost integrated circuit amplifiers.
The TX-NR616, along with the TX-NR515 and TX-NR414 are the world's first AV receivers to employ Silicon Image's InstaPrevue, which provides on-screen video thumbnails to show the content currently available on HDMI-connected components making input source selection easy. The TX-NR616 and TX-NR515 are also the first to include Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) technology, an interface protocol that facilitates the playback of 1080p video and stills with 7.1 channels of surround sound over HDMI from MHL compatible smartphones and other portable devices, with full charging of the device's battery possible while viewing content.
The TX-NR616 and TX-NR515 also offer on-board Qdeo processing technology by Marvell, which provides analog video upscaling to 1080p, and up to 4K (4096 x 2160 pixels) scaling when used with a compatible 4K display. Both models offer eight HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs, along with an additional USB port on the rear panel that can be used for the optional UWF-1 wireless network adapter, leaving the front-side USB port free for iPod and iPhone use.
These two 7.2 channel models feature Dolby Pro Logic IIz expansion to incorporate front height channels, where desired. The TX-NR616 includes Audyssey DSX expansion for additional Front Wide or Height channels, while both systems allow users to connect two subwoofers via parallel pre-outs in a 7.2-channel set-up.
The whole line-up promises to be about connectivity with the TX-SR313 offering four HDMI inputs while the TX-NR414 sports six. All four AVRs support 3D video passthrough, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and ARC (Audio Return Channel) support all through an easy-to-use interactive on screen display. The top models incorporate eight inputs plus two outputs for connecting a TV and a projector. A "Q" remote button overlays a "Quick Set-Up" menu on the program being watched via HDMI so you can make quick tweaks without completely losing your picture. Furthermore, Hybrid Standby allows HDMI pass-through to the HDTV while the receiver is off. All models have connections for legacy analog and S/PDIF digital audio technology. Additionally, the TX-NR515 offers distributed audio with Powered Zone 2, while the TX-NR616 adds Powered Zone 2 and a Zone 3 line-out.
With these receivers users can access Internet radio stations, stream from services such as Spotify or MP3tunes 'Cloud' services or connect to computers and other devices on the network from either hard-wired Ethernet or wireless networking via Onkyo UWFI.. Users can control all network AVRs with an iPod touch/iPhone or Android phone with a free Remote App, but unlike some competitive models, the Onkyo receivers do not come with support for Apple's AirPlay.
The TX-NR616 will be available in April with a suggested retail price of $699; the TX-NR515, TX-NR414 and TX-SR313 will all be available in March at suggested retail prices of $599, $499 and $299, respectively.
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