Two new high-end receivers from Onkyo feature HQV-video processing

While the main reason to buy a receiver is still to setup up a surround-sound system, it's not unusual for buyers to make their final decision based on video options, such as upconversion or HDMI switching. With that in mind, Onkyo has released two new AV receivers, the TX-SR876 and TX-NR906, that put the focus on video thanks to built-in HQV-video processing chips. They both include several high-end features, such as dual HDMI outputs and HD Radio tuners, so it's no surprise their price tags skew toward the high-end. Let's see what you get for your money:

Onkyo TX-SR876

Key features of the Onkyo TX-SR876:

• Four HDMI inputs, two HDMI outputs
• Three component-video inputs, six standard AV inputs with S-Video
• Onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding
• HQV Reon video processing
• THX Ultra2 Plus certified, including THX Loudness Plus
• HD Radio tuner
• XM and Sirius ready
• Available now with a list price of $1,800

Onkyo TX-NR906

Key step-up features of the Onkyo TX-NR906:

• Front panel USB port
• Ethernet jack
• Capable of streaming a wide variety of digital music formats, including MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, FLAC, and Ogg Vorbis
• Can playback Internet radio
• Available now with a list price of $2,300

The major difference between the two receivers is the network functionality available on the TX-NR906. Via its Ethernet or USB port, it can playback digital music, plus it can use the Ethernet connection to stream Internet radio off the internet. It's certainly a convenient feature--and we applaud Onkyo for offering lossless file formats like FLAC and WAV--but we're not sure it's worth the $500 price premium over the TX-SR876. Instead, we'd rather add a dedicated music streamer, like the Squeezebox Classic, which can work with any AV receiver.

The TX-SR876, on the other hand, looks to offer an attractive feature set for high-end receiver buyers. The main draw is the onboard HQV processing, which has a solid reputation for image quality in the enthusiast community, and for good reason--we've found that products with HQV processing consistently have excellent image quality. If you're wondering why anyone would want two HDMI outputs, it's mostly likely for those that have both a projector and flat-panel TV in the same room.

One feature that's curiously missing from these high-end receivers is a high-definition, graphical, user interface, as seen on receivers from Sony and Denon. From the screenshots we've seen, the receivers are upgraded over the old white-text-on-a-black-screen menus that we've seen on receivers for years, but their still a step behind the more advanced menu systems found on high-end competitors.

[swiggins]

okay, . . will there be a review soon?. . .you guys have been kind of panning the video picture quality on even the high end Onkyo's in favor of the Sony, Dennon and Yamaha the past couple years. .

How does the video hold up on these?...Is it any better?

[kcar27]

Swiggins, I hope you're kidding. Cnet hasn't reviewed or even covered A/V receivers for ages. They should be embarrassed. If you know of a site that consistently reports on and reviews receivers, please post it here.

[swiggins]

kcar27, . . .ya know your guess is as good as mine. All of the reviews I usually see end up being paid for "fluff" pieces put out by the companies disguised as a review. If I do see or her of something, I will report back here! If you promise to do the same.
I'm more concerned about dropping 1500 bucks and getting back $1550 worth of crappy video processing. lol

[valvesnvinyl]

Hi--just a note to point out that there is one major difference between the 906 and 876; the 906 features a toroidal power transformer, the 876 does not. Also, the 906 has four independent power supplies, the 876 has 3. Both nice features which should contribute to better sound.