Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #1584 in Receiver or Amplifier
- Color: Black
- Brand: Onkyo
- Model: TX-NR717
- Dimensions: 6.88" h x
14.94" w x
17.13" l,
26.70 pounds
Features
- THX Select2 Plus Certified
- Internet Radio and Cloud Music Streaming Service Connectivity with control via Onkyo Remote Apps
- MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) and InstaPrevue Technologies
- Audyssey DSX and Dolby PLIIz. Phono input retained.
- iPod/iPhone Direct Digital Connection through USB and Firmware Updates via Ethernet and USB
Onkyo TX-NR717 7.2-Channel Home Theater A/V Receiver (Black)
Product Description
With the power to fill large rooms with THX-certified sound, this cutting-edge receiver is ready to integrate and distribute entertainment throughout your home. More than a home theater processor, the TX-NR717 allows you access music on PC, streamfrom MP3tunes and Spotify, explore online radio, or connect your iPod/iPhone to one of two USB ports. You can distribute any ofthese various stereo sources to other rooms for house-wide entertainment. With a total of 10 HDMI connections, this receiverconverges HD content from all your components-even your smart phone media via a frontside MHL/HDMI-and provides easy inputselection with InstaPrevue technology. HDMI also enables intuitive GUI with overlaid Quick Set-Up menu. Visually managing settingsand playback-even across multiple zones-is easy with the Onkyo Remote App for iPhone and Android phones. Video upscaling to 4K,Audyssey DSX seven-channel sound expansion, and Audyssey 2EQ room correction are all included. Sound quality is quite simply thebest in class, with powerful WRAT amplifier, three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry, and discrete output stage components deliveringan otherworldly entertainment experience.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful.
A great upgrade of my 12 year old Onkyo!
By T. Bock
I don't write a lot of reviews, but this model is new enough, I thought I should give my $.02. For starters, the TX-NR717 replaced an Onkyo TX-DS777 that I bought exactly 12 years ago. The 777 has been and still is a fantastic receiver, aside from idiosyncrasies due to it being outdated (more details below). If it hadn't been for those issues, I wouldn't have been in the market for a new receiver, but since I've never had a single problem with it, I went with Onkyo again.I initially planned to get the TX-NR515, but after reading sour reviews from people having HDMI issues (having to unplug the unit every day), I started looking at the 616, only to find it had the same issues. Finally, someone posted that their 717 didn't have the HDMI issues, so even though it was about $250 more than the 515 at the time, I gave it a closer look. I compared the 717 to the Denon AVR-2113CI, which was identically priced at the time. After several weeks of poring over the specs of the Denon and 717, I finally settled on the 717 because of the dual HDMI outputs (the Denon only has one). The ONLY reason I almost went with the Denon was that it included Audyssey MultEQ XT (also available on the far more expensive Onkyo 818).Sound and video-wise, I don't think I could be more happy! I have it paired with 5 Polk satellites, a Polk subwoofer, and an LG 47LW5600 HDTV. I'm hearing things (especially ambient) like never before, a single HDMI cable to the TV saves a few button presses & wires, and the video upconversion is nice (see below).I admit it - I'm one of those guys that prefers to read a manual cover to cover before plugging anything in. That said, I only read through 20 pages of the 100 page PDF before I got impatient enough to start using it. If it had been a printed manual, I probably would have read it in bed before plugging it in. I'll finish reading it over the next week or two, and I might print it out since I'd like to have it at my fingertips...there's just way too much cool stuff going on with this thing to figure it all out "by accident" (see network example below).A few people have noted problems with the Audyssey 2EQ auto-setup. The "how to" on Audyssey's website clearly states something like "do not hold the mic...set it on a tripod at ear height. Then for the 2nd position, move it 2' to either side; for the 3rd position, move it back 4' to the other side." I did that, and setup was a breeze...I love the little chirping sound. :) The mix is beautiful; the only thing I noticed was it set the subwoofer a little quieter than I like it. It's easy enough to fix temporarily, but I haven't figured out how to make it remember my setting.There are so many options for the sound, and I'm sure it's mostly subjective, but initially I wished I knew which was "best" for what without having to play with the settings mid-listen. After a couple weeks, I settled on straight Dolby for 5.1 TV & movies, Dolby TV Logic for 2-channel/stereo TV, and Dolby PLII Music for CDs, network streaming, and 2-channel music DVDs. The PLII has fantastic separation, and music sounds awesome! One of my favorite things is the 717 allows me to set the output audio for every different incoming stream (mono, stereo, Dolby 5.1, DTS, etc.), and it remembers and auto-switches if the incoming stream changes! So if I'm watching a stereo broadcast, then flip to a 5.1, it automatically changes to the output setting I last used for that format.I've gone into the main setup multiple times over the past couple weeks, just playing with the different options; I still need to read the manual (which is actually quite well written) to truly understand a couple options, but the menus are setup pretty well, and there are one line descriptions of each option - acceptable for most, but not all options, so I DO recommend reading or at least skimming the manual.Unlike the 515 & 615, the 717 upconverts ANY signal (including 480p, 720p, etc.) to 1080p or even 4k (if you have a projector, etc. that displays 4k). The 515 & 615 only upconvert 480i. Nice of them to sneak that one in. I don't have a Blu-Ray player yet, but I can honestly say the DVDs (using component cables) look noticeably crisper with the upconversion to 1080p. It really looks fantastic!Gone are the A/V sync issues we used to have with our DVR. While watching TV, my 777 played the (optical) audio nearly half a second before the LG HDTV could process the (HDMI) video, no matter how much I fiddled with the TV's settings, and it drove us crazy while watching people talking or dancing. The 717 sound is synced perfectly with the video since everything is passing through the AVR & same cables.Gone also are the weird A/V sync and lag issues we had with the Wii. The Wii always worked fine on my SDTV, but when we got the LG HDTV, it made playing games where timing is important nearly impossible to play. Yes, I had the TV set to all the "game" options...it didn't help. The 717 solved the sync & lag issues completely, and now we're playing the Wii much more again! Even the Wiimote seems to have better responsiveness, although I don't know how. :)Gone also are the weird audio cutouts while watching certain broadcasts (like Comedy Central). With the 777, using an optical audio cable (even brand new AND coax audio), the sound would cut out for a second or so three or four times per hour, then come back in much louder or much quieter. It was VERY annoying, and it hasn't happened AT ALL with the 717 via HDMI. YAY!I was pleasantly surprised that I can watch one source (e.g., Game) while playing the audio from the TV/CD source. I often prefer to listen to a CD while playing Wii games, so this is a nice plus for me. It only works if the video source is HDMI and the audio source is analog, which makes sense.When I initially viewed the network options, I liked that it had Pandora and DLNA, but I thought, "man...I wish somehow I could tap into DI.FM (a streaming electronic music website)." After digging a little further into the manual, I found the "My Favorites" section in the network options. The receiver has a built-in html page (just browse to the receiver's IP address from any computer on the network) that allows a user to program up to 40 network streams (M3U, PLS or other playlists). Excited, I tried entering one of the streams from DI.FM into the web link. I ran back into the family room, went to My Favorites, clicked on the link, and it immediately started buffering; within seconds, DI.FM was playing in simulated 5.1 surround (via the PLII Music setting). AWESOME!!! This could be my favorite thing about the receiver!One evening, about two weeks after setting it up, we were watching CSI. There was a scene in the morgue, and my wife out of nowhere said, "WOW...the sound is way better; it actually sounds like a big, echoey morgue." Hearing her comment without me asking made me realize for sure that I made a great purchase. :)DLNA on the 717 still isn't as simple as it seems like it should be, but it definitely does a way better job with DLNA than my LG TV. It also means I can listen to music via DLNA without turning on my TV. For ALL the network options, the display on the receiver is really nice. I just wish it could do video over DLNA, instead of just audio. :(I'm not a fan of the remote, especially compared to the 777's remote, which was truly programmable. I spent 10 minutes or so trying to get it to recognize my DVD player, CD player, TV, and DVR, but I think only one of them worked in the end since it's code-based "programming." So, we still use the 777 remote and only use the 717 remote to change the sources and audio settings. I may end up programming those buttons into the 777 remote and abandoning the 717 remote altogether. :)I've briefly played with the Android Remote app; it's decent, but not great. It's nice when listening to Pandora since it lets me see the song info no matter where I am in the house, although trying to use the virtual "rocker" to do thumbs-up/thumbs-down is impossible. For that matter, the virtual "rocker" is pointless for anything; it's just too tough to find the up/down/right/left sweet spots vs. "enter." When I get around to utilizing zone 2, I'll probably use the app a lot more. Having said that, it can't see the 717 if the unit is turned off, unless it's in hybrid standby, which uses more power (see below) and is a significant trade-off. However, it probably needs to be in hybrid stand-by to use zone 2 or 3 anyway, but I haven't tried or read about it yet to know for sure.I tried plugging a video camera into the USB slot, and nothing happened (or maybe I at least got audio). Like DLNA, I guess it doesn't support video; only audio.The last thing I'll point out is the power usage. I measured it with a Kill-A-Watt meter, compared it against my 12-yr old TX-DS777, and got the following results: * Standby: 0W (nice); my 777 used 1.5W * Hybrid standby: 2.1W (keeps the network connection & HDMI pass-through active) * On, but not doing anything: 65W initially, then 75W after using it for something; my 777 used 79WIt also has an auto-standby, which shuts off the unit after 30 mins of being idle; this is really nice in case someone accidentally leaves it on. If you don't like the auto-standby, you can shut it off.There are a couple things I haven't tried yet (when I do, I'll update): Zone 2 or 3; 2nd/sub HDMI out, USB direct connection for iPods, etc.PROS: See most of aboveCONS (some also mentioned above): * Remote is so-so; it should have been a programmable/learning remote * Only Audyssey 2EQ instead of Audyssey MultEQ XT (I suppose they needed a carrot to get people to buy the 818) * Subwoofer level via auto-setup is a little quiet for my tastes, although this could be the proximity of the setup mic to the back wall. The manual may have a way to permanently set it higher...I just haven't looked yet * Can't play video via USB or DLNA (probably a lot to ask for an AVR) * As someone else mentioned, HDMI initialization time is 10-15 seconds. It doesn't really bothered us, but it's definitely noticeable.All things considered, I'm SUPER happy with this unit!*** FEB 2, 2013 UPDATE: I finally got around to connecting my iPod directly to the USB port. The iPod music menus (Playlists, Albums, Genres, etc.) and functionality are all replicated on the TV screen (if you have it on), receiver display, and Android remote. I was able to easily find and play music via the receiver's display with the remote since it truly mirrors the iPod's menus. Having said that, the Network streaming and iPod USB connection is where the Android remote REALLY excels since the display is larger and you don't need a direct line of sight. It's nice to not have to reach for the iPod to change songs or playlists or the check song info. Of course, the sound is excellent since it's digital via the USB.Speaking of remotes, we almost never use the 717's remote; instead we still use the 777's remote, which is what I expected. The fact that the new one isn't a learning remote is the only reason.
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful.Onkyo 717
By B. Ortiz
This Onkyo is replacing a 10 year old H/K receiver, so the tech inside is a huge upgrade, even if the prices would have been about even. I used to really into home theater back when I did it for a paycheck and I sold Onkyo and really had respect for them, so I looked at the features of the TX-NR717 as well as the price and decided that this would be the centerpiece of my home theater. It does not disappoint. With the exception of one issue this receiver has done everything I've asked of it and more. I've got my HD digital cable, Xbox 360, PS3/Bluray, Wii, all running through it and everything is so much better than it was with the older receiver, but of course that goes without saying.Some things I really love about the 717:+ 8 HDMI inputs. I want this thing to be useful for the next 3-5 years or so.+ Network. For firmware upgrades, new internet radio options, etc.+ HD upscaling, so I can plug in my Wii or older equipment and it looks better than ever.+ Assignable inputs for audio and video, so you can just plug stuff in wherever and assign it afterwards. (ie the Wii goes on Component 2, the sound goes into CD. Assign it after and it's all taken care of.)+ Programmable input names, so my wife and kids can figure out what's what. No more trying to figure out if the cable box is Video 1, 2, or 3. The on screen display/front panel tell you what you need to know.+ Front USB for iPod or other personal music player (Though it did not work with my Zune or Samsung Galaxy S2 for whatever reason)A few negatives about the 717:- No coaxial/optical output. For those with 5.1 digital headphones, you'll be out of luck.- A pain to set up without your TV set.- A little slow to turn on and get all situated. Using my Logitech Harmony remote I hit 'Watch TV' and it takes 30 seconds to a minute before you're actually getting video. It's slightly annoying.As a side note, after connecting everything and giving it a test run, my USB ports were not working, nor was the unit detecting my network, which was hardwired. After a hard reset everything was perfect, network detected, firmware upgraded three times, I was ready to roll. I was worried about my unit being defective, but it was just a weird glitch.
49 of 53 people found the following review helpful.Great receiver
By S. B. Mael
I purchased a TX-NR709 from another big online company out of New York with a B and an H in their name. I had nothing but problems with that unit. I sent it in to a repair facility for repair and then back the factory for repair and each time it was returned it had more problems than when I sent it.Talia Garcia is the service manager at Onkyo and she is the consummate professional. I was so angry I don't know how she kept her cool. I had nothing good to say about Onkyo and yet Talia managed to always have a positive reply. Ultimately it was decided that the TX-NR709 needed to be replaced and an offer was made to replace that unit with the TX-NR717, which as of then had never yet been sold. I probably received one of the first receivers off the new production line and the difference between the 709 and the 717 was immediately noticeable. I have had zero problems with the 717. The sound is great, the functionality is great, the menus far exceed those of the 709 and to top it off an iPad/iPhone can wirelessly stream music to the receiver with the free app available through iTunes.I swore that I would never purchase another Onkyo product in my life after dealing with the 709, but because of Talia's professionalism I reconsidered and decided to purchase the Onkyo SKS-HT870 7.1 speaker system available here: Onkyo SKS-HT870 Home Theater Speaker SystemIf you have read bad reviews about Onkyo this new line seems to have remedied all of those previous issues, adding new enhancements and I believe that you will thoroughly enjoy this new receiver.
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