Onkyo TX-NR717
Onkyo introduces two new mid-range audio/video receivers, the TX-NR717 and TX-NR818 with 7.2-channel output and network connectivity. Both models are THX Select2 Plus Certified and provides 7.2-channel output. The former provides 110W/ch and the latter delivers 135W/ch. They are equipped with Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-bit DACs on all seven channel, and the TX-NR818 includes also PLL jitter-cleaning circuits to further improve signal quality, as well as isolated power amp and pre-amp blocks.
The Onkyo TX-NR818 features Dual Core Video Engine, combining the power of an HQV Vida VHD 1900 video processor core to generate smooth, accurate 1080p upscaling and enhancement of lower-quality content, with the performance of the Marvel Qdeo processor, which can upscale 1080p content to four times that resolution. The Engine also offers video calibration to ISF standards. The TX-NR717, on the other hand, gets Marvel Qdeo processor for upscaling of all source to 1080p and 4K.
Onkyo TX-NR818
Both receivers include Audyssey DSX and Dolby Pro Logic IIz. The TX-NR818 includes Audyssey MultEQ XT32 and DTS Neo:X audio calibration capabilities while the NR717 uses Audyssey 2EQ for room calibration. They have 8in/2out HDMI support for 3D Video and Audio Return Channel and supports DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD audio decoding. The NR818 also sport an onboard Digital Crossover Processing Network to cancel frequency interference when bi-wiring loudspeakers. These receivers also feature InstaPrevue that displays video thumnails of available content of HDMI devices, and MHL (Mobile High Definition Link) HDMI playing media content from compatible smartphones or tablets.
The TX-NR717 and TX-NR818 both have Ethernet port and 12V Trigger, and the NR818 also offers RS-232 control port. Coming in May, the TX-NR717 and TX-NR818 will be available for $999 and $1199, respectively.
