New since its predecessor is wireless networking and built-in bluetooth for simple music streaming from mobile devices. Otherwise the TX-NR828 reminds us much about the NR818.
Onkyo TX-NR828
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Sound Quality - 90%90%
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Features - 85%85%
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Ease of Use - 85%85%
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Build Quality - 90%90%
SUMMARY
The Onkyo TX-NR828 is a cool, musical theater machine, with good control and bass pressure. And also wireless network and Spotify.
Big and powerful sound.
Wifi and bluetooth.
Phono Input.
Spotify.
The harmonics could be more resolved.
Less advanced than its predecessor.
These improvements means that Onkyo skimped in other areas. Speaker calibration is less sophisticated, ISF video calibration has been removed and while its predecessor did 9.2 surround sound using the optional power amplifier, the newer TX-NR828 can only do 7.1 processing. The predecessor had built-in digital crossover for bi-amping your speakers, which meant that it could drive speakers that were made for an external crossover. TX-NR828 does not have this feature.
Other than that, the functionality is more or less the same, including 24 bit/192 kHz digital converters from Burr-Brown. InstaPrevue makes it easy to switch to the appropriate HDMI input using the thumbnail images on the screen, and THX Select2 certification ensures proper sound reproduction up to a 20-25 square-meter room (although we have mixed experiences of THX). TX-NR828 streams most music formats, including ALAC and FLAC. Spotify is built-in and controlled from the Onkyo app for Android or iOS. There are no special apps for tablets, but Onkyo is working on the matter and also planning a Windows Phone app.
The iPhone app is simple to use but I miss being able to make playlists directly in the app when I stream music.
Sound Quality
Audyssey MultEQ is doing a good job from 6 calibration measurement sites in the room. In our new 7.1 home theater, it processes the surround sound seamless and immersive. ‘Iron Man 3‘ is a groovy sound experience because the receiver plays loud, even up to the THX reference level, without sounding distorted. True, but without the control and the power resources available on lower volumes. The scene where Tony Stark’s house is bombarded with missiles is deafening intense, but more powerful amps has better control and calm. The Onkyo AV receiver offers an extremely realistic movie experience, nonetheless. And the dialogue is big, open and clean.
Onkyo TX-NR828 is good at playing music too. Instruments are separated nicely, and the whole gamut is present and has distinct overtones. It serves both vocals and stringed instruments like guitar and piano. Classic Jazz like ‘Quiet Winter Night‘ by Jan Gunnar Hoff on blu-ray has air and precision, and fine control and tonality of the double bass.
Conclusion
Onkyo TX-NR828 keeps track of the action scenes and renders the dialogue crisp, with great sound. The soundstage is big and seamless. It works very well in a 7.1 system but it is also possible to use the extra height channels in the front. Stereo sound and multi channel music have plenty of power in the bass and a neutral tonal balance. The harmonics are distinct, and what is lacking in the upper range, this unit makes up with purity in the midrange.
Wireless network connectivity and built-in bluetooth simplifies music streaming. But to afford this, Onkyo have removed some features compared to its predecessor. The remote app for Android and iOS works fine, but we look forward to when the Onkyo is releasing a special app for tablets. A Windows Phone app is also in the works.
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- FEATURES
- SPecIFICATIONS
| Amplifier | |
| # Channels | 7.2 |
| Power Watts/ch | 130W (8ohms 20-20kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 Channels Driven, FTC) |
| Power (8ohms 20-20kHz 0.05%) /Ch | - |
| THX Certified | Select2 Plus |
| Continuous 6ohms Rated | ✓ |
| Certified 4ohms performance | ✓ |
| All Discrete Circuitry | ✓ |
| 3-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry | ✓ (All Channels) |
| PUSH-PULL Design | ✓ |
| Independent Block Construction (Amp/Preprocessor) | - |
| Toroidal Transformer | - |
| Independent Power Supply | ✓ |
| Bi-amp Capability For Front | ✓ |
| Processing | |
| DOLBY Decoder | True HD, DD Plus, PLIIz |
| DTS Decoder | DTS-HD Master Audio |
| Dolby PLIIz | ✓ |
| ONKYO GAME Surround Modes | ✓ |
| THX Processing Mode | ✓ |
| Audyssey DSX | ✓ |
| Audyssey Dynamic EQ | ✓ |
| Audyssey Dynamic Volume | ✓ |
| Direct/Pure Mode | X / X |
| Music Optimizer | ✓ (Advanced) |
| 192K/24 Bit DACs | ✓ (Burr-Brown) |
| VLSC | - |
| isf Certified Calibration Control | - |
| Connectivity | |
| Audio I/O | 7 / 0 |
| Phono Input | ✓ |
| Digital Audio IN (OPT/COAX) | 2 / 3 |
| Digital Audio OUT (OPT/COAX) | - |
| Composite I/O | 5 / 1 |
| Component Video I/O | 2 / 1 |
| Front-Panel A/V | L / R / V |
| Front-Panel Optical | - |
| USB Input | Front |
| HDMI I/O | 8 (7 +1) / 2 |
| HDMI Support for 3D, Audio Return Channel and CEC | ✓ |
| HDMI Support for Deep Color, x.v.Color, LipSync | ✓ |
| HDMI Support for DVD-Audio, SACD, Multichannel PCM | ✓ |
| PC Input (15 pin D-sub) | - |
| Component Video Upconversion | - |
| Analog To HDMI Upconversion | ✓ (from 480/576i) |
| 1080p Upscaling | ✓ (Marvell Qdeo) |
| 4K (up to 4096 x 2160) Upscaling | ✓ (Marvell Qdeo) |
| 4K Passthrough | ✓ |
| Multi-Channel Input | - |
| Analog Pre-Outs | 7.2 |
| Speaker A/+B | - |
| Powered Zone2 | ✓ |
| Zone 2 Line Out | ✓ |
| Zone 2 Video Out | - |
| Zone 3 Line Out | ✓ |
| U-Port | - |
| iPod Ready | ✓ (via optional DS-A5) |
| Airplay Ready | ✓ (via optional DS-A5) |
| HD Radio | - |
| Supports Onkyo Remote App | ✓ (iPod touch/iPhone and Android-Powered Devices) |
| Internet Radio Capable | ✓ (Pandora, Spotify, Rhapsody, Sirius/XM, Slacker, last.fm, Aupeo!, TuneIn) |
| Streaming Audio From PC / Network | ✓ (DLNA, Home Media) |
| Streaming Audio Formats Supported | ✓ (MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, AAC Stereo, Apple Lossless, DSD, LPCM, Dolby TrueH |
| Wireless Network | ✓ (Wi-Fi-Certified) |
| Bluetooth | ✓ (Built-in) |
| Integration Access | |
| RS-232 | ✓ |
| IR Input | ✓ |
| Ethernet | ✓ |
| ONKYO-RI System Control | ✓ |
| 12V Trigger | ✓ (Zone 2) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Pre-Pro/Learning Remote | ✓ / - |
| Back-Lit Remote | - |
| On Screen Remote Programming | ✓ |
| Bi-directional Remote Setup via GUI | - |
| Activity Based Remote | ✓ |
| Color-Coded Speaker Terminals | ✓ |
| Auto Speaker Calibration W/Mic. | ✓ (Audyssey MultEQ) |
| OSD Out | ✓ (Advanced "Home" GUI) |
| Solid Aluminum Front | ✓ |
| Warranty | 2 YEARS |
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