(Seemingly) great deal on entry-level 5.1.4 Onkyo TX-NR797 AVR ($379 from Adorama)

[steelydave]

I want to preface this by saying I know nothing about Adorama.com so do your own research first before jumping into/onto this, but I spotted this on one of the quad facebook groups and it seems like a great deal.

https://www.adorama.com/ontxnr797.h...M-HwbnXtNRV36W2u0g_aem_wuG9PMtypYQJ5xOsdbf1DA

Obviously this isn't a 2024 model year unit, but it's basically new enough that it has HDCP 2.2 which means 4K Dolby Vision/HDR10 and Atmos support across all 6 HDMI inputs. I have the HT-NR695 (it's even older, 5.1.2 cousin) and generally speaking I've been really happy with it, especially at the low price point. The only real annoyance with the 695 (and I don't know if it's common to the 797) is that to change the individual speaker levels you have to navigate into the menu where it mutes whatever you're listening to and plays white noise from the affected speaker while you adjust the +/- slider from a full on-screen display, rather than a simple adjustment from the remote like I was previously used to with my Denon AVRs. But I've managed to live with it, because like I said, the price was right.

Anyway, I know there are people here on the fence about investing in an Atmos setup so I thought this might be a decent option, especially given that it's about 1/4 the price of what most similar 5.1.4 AVRs cost these days.

 

[somethingcleveridunno]

Tugging at my wallet, but living in the midst of so many historical events is gonna make me wait at least another year before pulling the trigger on Atmos.

 

[LennonCobain]

Adorama is a legit retailer. I have purchased some camera equipment in the past.

 

[paligap]

Adorama is a legit retailer. I have purchased some camera equipment in the past.

I had zero problems purchasing a receiver from them. I believe they are also an authorized Denon retailer, so the Denon warranty applies. I would use them again.

 

[LuvMyQuad]

It does lo9k like a great price.

 

[Werno]

I had zero problems purchasing a receiver from them. I believe they are also an authorized Denon retailer, so the Denon warranty applies. I would use them again.

We're talking Onkyo here, not Denon, but I can confirm they're legit for Onkyo too. I just took the plunge on the 797. Originally supposed to arrive today, now per Adorama on Saturday so while 'chatting' w/ Adorama I confirmed they're authorized Onkyo dealers and a 2-year warranty will be in effect.

I'm upgrading from a TX-NR494, which has been a good intro to Atmos 5.1.2 amp but shares the OP's problem of not having a level control on the remote that can adjust every channel. My old Integra remote does, however, and it works fine to adjust the 494's 5.1.2 channels so I hope it'll also work with the 797. I wanted the 797 because it has a phono input and a component video input that'll digitize and output via HDMI so I can hook up my old DVD changer and put it to occasional use. Plus more HDMI inputs, and it can run a 5.1.4 Atmos setup that I'll probably never actually getting around to setting up if I plan to remain married. THX support, which I've had before but haven't really missed with the 494.

 

[andyp]

Adorama is similar to but smaller than B&H Photo in Manhattan. I purchased telescope equipment in the store almost 40 years ago.

 

[fizzywiggs41]

Adorama, hmmmm, not related I suppose to this..........?
(Sorry, but i just had to , for a chuckles. )

 

[par4ken]

"Odorama", sort of a generic version of Smell-O-Vision

 

[kvsawilson]

I'm upgrading from a TX-NR494, which has been a good intro to Atmos 5.1.2 amp but shares the OP's problem of not having a level control on the remote that can adjust every channel.

Have you been able to determine if this model has that same design? It's been my biggest complaint with my Onkyo.

 

[Werno]

Have you been able to determine if this model has that same design? It's been my biggest complaint with my Onkyo.

I've used my same old 'Integra' remote to control channel levels on the 797, it lets me click through the 5.1.2 channels individually and set levels. Because the included remote only lets you use the 'Q'(uick Menu) button to control 3 settings, namely fronts, center, and sub on the fly, otherwise you have to dive into the settings and do a white-noise speaker setup to get individual channel control. You can probably find an older Onkyo or 3rd party remote online that'd give you individual level control.

 

[Tribby2001]

This Onkyo would be nice if it had replaced the stereo analog inputs with at least 5.1 analog inputs.

Does anyone make a high powered receiver/amp w/RCA 5.1 analog inputs anymore?

My old Integra DTR-7.8 is the powerhouse needed to drive my 5 hungry Vandersteens. And my very old Yamaha RX-Z9 doesn't even have HDMI! LOL

Looks like I'll be on fleBay

 

[vinylguy4]

Does anyone make a high powered receiver/amp w/RCA 5.1 analog inputs anymore?

NAD has 2 models with 5.1 analog inputs.

 

[Tribby2001]

NAD has 2 models with 5.1 analog inputs.

Well, that was off my radar.
The T778 would be more than enough juice.
Not to highjack but, any caveats?

 

[vinylguy4]

I am real happy with my NAD T758 V3 for 5.1.2. The only feature I wish it had was DSD over HDMI. I need my Oppo to convert the sacd to LPCM and send that over HDMI.
That works well except for a few Audio Fidelity SACDs which are 4.0. And the NAD does not handle LPCM 4.0. Many receivers do not handle LPCM 4.0.

 

[mandrix]

For just a little more money the Onkyo NR7100 and RZ50 have been seen for "steal" prices. The 7100 doesn't have pre-outs though I believe.

Far as Onkyo's go, I've had the TX-NR609, TX-NR656, TX-RZ50.
Gave the 609 to my Daughter, still have the other two.
The 656 was my first Atmos AVR.

 

[barfle]

Does anyone make a high powered receiver/amp w/RCA 5.1 analog inputs anymore?

Not a receiver, but Marantz is selling off the 7706, which has 7.1 inpots. Provide your own power amps.

FWIW, I’ll have my old 7701, which also has 7.1 analog inputs here in a week or so - once I get my CD4 demodulator finished. A heck of a lot of capacitors to replace, and finding the right pins to desolder is, to put it mildly, tricky.