Onkyo TX-NR1010

[masammut]

I recently replaced my beloved Marantz SR9600 AV Receiver with an Onkyo TX-NR1010, as its HDMI was not 3D capable.

I am not sure if its just my imagination, but the sound is less refined than the Marantz, although it is just as powerful if not more.

I don't consider myself an audiophile, but I'm sure that the Marantz sounded better in the same setup. Now it could be because the Marantz had a toroidal power supply, or maybe I need to tweak the settings a bit, but nevertheless the Onkyo's sound although extremely clear, is not as refined.
Anybody else switched from another amp to a new one and had similar disappointments? Can anyone let me know if I'm just imagining things or not?

 

[PSM1]

Onkyo has a brighter sound signiture to Marantz and this could explain the difference you are sounding. If you prefer a warmer, smoother sound then this could be why you prefered your old Marantz. Why did you not go for a 3D capable Marantz instead?

 

[masammut]

Marantz seem to have dropped their THX Ultra 2 all in one receivers. The only one in my price range was the onkyo. I don't have space in my unit for separates otherwise I would have just bought a processor and used my marantz as a power amp.

 

[dante01]

Marantz seem to have dropped their THX Ultra 2 all in one receivers. The only one in my price range was the onkyo. I don't have space in my unit for separates otherwise I would have just bought a processor and used my marantz as a power amp.

THX Ultra2 is simply certification that Marantz had to pay THX for. You don't need the certification in order to attain the same performance from an AV receiver.

Your speakers aren't THX certified anyway so the amp being certified is simply a waste of money. According to THX, THX certification is only valid while using speakers that also comply with the certification i.e. THX certified speakers.


I suppose it is like Yamaha have said about the lack of THX certification in relation to Yamaha products. They've stated that they don't need THX to tell them how to make amplifiers and can quite happily make goods themselves without having to pay someone else to check their work for them.

 

[masammut]

THX Ultra2 is simply certification that Marantz had to pay THX for. You don't need the certification in order to attain the same performance from an AV receiver.

Yes I know that but at least I know it would have passed a certain standard. And listening at a shop is different to listening at home. Its also the power ratings. They cheat so much with power ratings that I wanted to be certain that I get the power I had with my marantz

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

 

[dante01]

Yes I know that but at least I know it would have passed a certain standard. And listening at a shop is different to listening at home. Its also the power ratings. They cheat so much with power ratings that I wanted to be certain that I get the power I had with my marantz

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

As I said, pointless without also using THX approved speakers which you do not have.


For all intense purposes, you've paid extra for a badge.

 

[masammut]

As I said, pointless without also using THX approved speakers which you do not have.


For all intents & purposes, you've paid extra for a badge.

Not exactly pointless in my eyes - as at least I know that it can play as loud as the old amp I had. Most amps cheat in their specifications. The biggest giveaway is usually the weight and power consumption. Do you know of a similarly or better specced amp at the same price or cheaper as its not THX certified? I paid €1350 (about £1000) delivered for the Onkyo.

 

[dante01]

Not exactly pointless in my eyes - as at least I know that it can play as loud as the old amp I had. Most amps cheat in their specifications. The biggest giveaway is usually the weight and power consumption. Do you know of a similarly or better specced amp at the same price or cheaper as its not THX certified? I paid €1350 (about £1000) delivered for the Onkyo.

Try the Yamaha Adventage receivers. Yamaha are in my opinion better in terms of their power than either current DEnon or Marantz models. You should be able to pick up an RXA3010 for about £1k or an XA2020 for about £1,400. The older x10 models are good value for money and basically the same as the newer x20 models apart from them lacking Airplay and 4K video capabilities.

 

[masammut]

Well I tweaked around with the settings a bit and it sounds much better.
Actually contrary to common belief, the Onkyo sounds less bright than the Marantz, but I could be mistaking the higher precision of the high notes on the Marantz for brightness. On the other hand the Onkyo feels like it has better speaker control as the sound is much tighter, but then it could be the superior and more modern processing on the Onkyo which could be making it sound so.
All in all I am very happy with the sound quality of this receiver and it pumped out any complex sound track i threw at it with ease. My favourite is the first part of Top Gun. You really feel like being next to a real jet fighter!
I can vouch that the intensity in my living room is identical to the real thing which I can compare to when we have the air show here in Malta.