Onkyo TX-NR808 7.2-Channel Network Home Theater Receiver (Black)

by Onkyo

Product Features

• 135 Watts per Channel at 8 ohms, 20 Hz?20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 Channels Driven, FTC
• HDMI (Version 1.4a to Support 3D and Audio Return Channel)
• HDMI Video Upscaling to 1080p with Faroudja DCDi Cinema
• Certified with Windows 7 and DLNA Version 1.5
• Front-Panel USB Input for Memory Devices and iPhone/ iPod Models (Enables Display of Album Artwork)

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 17.1 x 17.1 x 7.8 inches ; 40.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 49 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B003N197EI
• Item model number: TX-NR808
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,732 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #62 in Electronics > Televisions & Video > AV Receivers & Amplifiers
  • #89 in Electronics > Home Audio & Theater > Stereo Components > Receivers & Amplifiers > Component Receivers
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 1, 2010

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Meet Onkyo’s midrange powerhouse. The TX-NR808 earns its prestigious THX® Select2 Plus™ certification by blending the latest connectivity and processing technology with Onkyo’s renowned amplification prowess. As a network-capable receiver, the TX-NR808 is your gateway to streaming audio from your PC or Internet radio. Other connection highlights include seven HDMI® 1.4a inputs with 3D and Audio Return Channel capability; 7.1-multichannel analog inputs for legacy components; a Universal port for Onkyo peripherals; a USB port for iPod® models and flash memory devices; and an analog RGB video input for your PC. Employing two advanced 32-bit DSP chips and low-jitter 24-bit Burr-Brown DACs, the TX-NR808 effortlessly handles your audio-processing needs. Whether it’s lossless Dolby and DTs formats on Blu-ray Disc, or new-dimension surround formats from Audyssey and Dolby, your audio signals retain every lifelike nuance. All things considered, the TX-NR808 is a serious challenger for the middleweight crown. Mid-ranged home entertainment with a pop-open front panel and SIRIUS Satellite and Internet Radio support with the Onkyo TX-NR808 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver. View larger. HDMI® 1.4a Support for 3D Video and Audio Return The seven HDMI 1.4a inputs on the TX-NR808 let you simultaneously connect high-def sources such as a Blu-ray player, a gaming console, and a cable/satellite tuner. A single output then sends a pristine signal to your connected high-resolution display. As the latest version of this connector, HDMI 1.4a adds the exciting possibilities of 3D video and an Audio Return Channel. 3D video is the next big thing in home entertainment, with movie, game, and broadcast content on the increase and 3D-compatible TVs coming to market. The TX-NR808 also offers the convenience of an Audio Return Channel via HDMI. Audio content received directly by your HDTV’s tuner can be sent "upstream" to your A/V receiver, without the need for a separate S/PDIF audio cable. Windows® 7 Compatible PC Audio and Internet Radio As one of Onkyo’s new breed of receivers that can link directly to the Internet or to your home PC via a local network, the TX-NR808 takes streaming audio and Internet radio to a whole new level. MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, and LPCM audio files—whether on your PC or from the Internet—can now be played back through your main system with unprecedented power and fidelity. The TX-NR808 brings to life a huge array of Internet radio channels from Pandora®, SIRIUS Internet Radio®, vTuner, and more*. As well as being compatible with earlier platforms, the receiver is compatible with Microsoft’s new Windows 7 platform, which includes the DLNA 1.5-specified "Play To" media-streaming feature. Another benefit of having the TX-NR808 connected to the Internet is that you can then easily update its firmware. Audyssey DSX™ and Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz Surround Sound The TX-NR808 handles two new surround-sound technologies from Audyssey and Dolby that offer exciting new ways to set up the speakers in your home theater system. Audyssey DSX lets you incorporate "front wide" speakers, in place of the usual surround back speakers, to expand the width of the soundstage. Set up at a recommended 60° off center, these channels help to produce a more realistic soundstage and a more immersive listening experience. Alternatively, Audyssey DSX can reconfigure the TX-NR808’s surround back channels to deliver "front height" channels. These channels carry ambient, non-directional audio that adds a new vertical dimension to your movies and games. Dolby Pro Logic IIz provides a similar front height speaker option that likewise works to create a more enveloping home theater experience. A RI remote with 4 macro presets. View larger. THX® Select2 Plus™ Certified THX Select2 Plus certification is specified for rooms where the screen-to-seat viewing distance is 10 to 12 feet and the room volume is around 2000 cubic feet. To achieve THX Select2 Plus certification, the TX-NR808 had to meet the world’s most demanding standards for home theater audio quality and performance, and play at reference volume levels with minimal distortion HDMI Video Upscaling to 1080p with Faroudja Dcdi Cinema™ When it comes to video processing, Faroudja Dcdi Cinema offers several advantages. This processor can accept any video signal, regardless of the source resolution, and upscale it to 1080p to match the native resolution of your high-definition display. What’s more, Dcdi Cinema effectively removes video artifacts such as jagged edges during the video signal deinterlacing process. You get to enjoy smooth progressive scan video images, even for fast-moving sports and action scenes. PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Jitter-Cleaning Circuit Technology Jitter is an unwanted side-effect of the digital-to-analog conversion process. Caused by fluctuations in the time domain of a digital signal, jitter has a detrimental impact on perceived audio quality. PLL jitter-cleaning circuit technology reduces jitter by comparing the input and output phases of the digital signal and creating an accurate clock waveform. This enhances the precision of digital signal processing and noticeably improves audio quality. Jitter-cleaning technology works both for digital signals input via HDMI and for digital signals converted from analog signals inside the receiver itself. Playback of Different Audio Sources in Up to Three Rooms With Powered Zone 2, you can enjoy surround sound entertainment in the main room, while playing back a different stereo source in a second zone equipped with a pair of speakers. Alternatively, you can use the Zone 2 and Zone 3 pre-outs to send separate, unamplified audio signals to amplifiers (and speakers) in a second and third room. Naturally, you also have the option of distributing the same audio source to two or three zones simultaneously. 135 Watts of power available on each channel. View larger. Sleek, classic styling along with the functionality of seven HDMI inputs, network capability for streaming audio files and much more. View larger. RI Remote with On-Screen Setup and 4 Presets The TX-NR808’s remote controller offers the convenience of controlling a wide range of other devices connected to the receiver. You can select your connected devices from an on-screen list and preprogram your desired settings for each device. The receiver itself can then send these settings automatically to the remote controller. Furthermore, the TX-NR808 lets you set up macro presets for up to four activity modes, which you can control via mode-key LEDs on the remote controller. A single button-press of "My Movie," for example, can simultaneously turn on the receiver, display, and Blu-ray player to your preprogrammed settings and start playing a disc automatically. Key Features Advanced Features THX® Select2 Plus™ certified HDMI® (Version 1.4a to support 3D and Audio Return channel) with Deep Color™, x.v.Color™, LipSync, Dolby® TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio™, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, multichannel PCM, and CEC 7 HDMI inputs (1 front/6 rear) and 1 output Audyssey DSX™ and Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz for new surround channels PLL Jitter-Cleaning circuit technology Audyssey MultEQ® for room acoustic correction Network capability for streaming audio files (MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, and LPCM) Internet radio connectivity (Pandora®, Rhapsody®, SIRIUS Internet Radio®, Napster, Mediafly™, Slacker, and vTuner)* Certified with Windows® 7 and DLNA version 1.5 Firmware updates via Ethernet and USB Pop open front-panel USB input for memory devices and iPhone®:/iPod® models (enables display of album artwork) Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2/3 pre-outs for distributed audio playback in multiple rooms Amplifier Features 135 Watts per Channel at 8 Ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 Channels Driven, FTC WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) Three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) Massive High Power Transformer Linear optimum gain volume circuitry Processing Features Burr-Brown 192 kHz/24-Bit DACs (PCM1690) for all channels Two 32-Bit processing DSP chips (DA830 and CS49834) Dolby® TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio™, Dolby® Digital Plus, DTS-HD High-Resolution Audio™ decoding HDMI video upscaling to 1080p with Faroudja Dcdi Cinema™ 4 DSP modes for gaming: rock, sports, action, and RPG Music Optimizer™ for compressed digital music files Direct mode and pure audio mode A-Form listening mode memory Connection Features Universal port for single-cable connection of optional Onkyo dock for iPhone®/iPod® or HD Radio™ tuner Component video switching (2 inputs and 1 output) 4 S-Video inputs and 2 outputs Analog RGB video input (D-sub, 15 pin) and audio input for PC 6 digital inputs (3 optical and 3 coaxial) 5 A/V Inputs (1 front/4 rear) and 1 output Color-coded, 7.1 multichannel inputs Video output (monitor) 1 audio input Phono input Color-coded, 7.2 multichannel pre outs RS232 port, IR (In/Out), and 12 V trigger outs (zone 2/3) Bi-amping capability Color-coded, Banana Plug-compatible speaker posts RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) for system control SIRIUS Satellite Radio® ready** and HD Radio ready Other Features Overlaid graphical on-screen display (OSD) via all video outputs Audyssey Dynamic Volume™ Audyssey Dynamic EQ® for loudness correction Crossover adjustment (40/50/60/70/80/90/100/120/150/200 Hz) A/V sync control function (up to 250 ms in 5 ms steps) 40 FM/AM/SIRIUS random presets Compatible with RI (Remote Interactive) dock for iPod Bi-Directional, preprogrammed, and customizable RI remote control with on-screen setup, Mode-Key LEDs, and macro presets for four activities What's in the Box Onkyo TX-NR808 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver, indoor FM antenna, AM loop antenna, speaker cable labels, speaker setup microphone, instruction manual, quick start guide, remote controller, AA (R6) batteries (2). Technical Specifications Amplifier Section Power Output Front L/R - 135 W/Ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC) Center - 135 W (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC) Surround L/R - 135 W/Ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC) Surround Back L/R, Front High L/R, Front Wide L/R, or Zone 2 L/R - 135 W/Ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08%, 2 channels driven, FTC) Dynamic power - 300 W (3 ohms, front), 250 W (4 ohms, front), 150 W (8 ohms, front) THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) - 0.08% (rated power) Damping factor - 60 (front, 1 kHz, 8 ohms) Input sensitivity and impedance - 200 mV/47 k-ohms (line), 2.5 mV/47 k-ohms (phono MM) Rated RCA output level and impedance - 200 mV/470 ohms (pre out) Maximum RCA output level and impedance - 4.6 V/470 ohms (pre out) Phono overload - 70 mV (MM, 1 kHz, 0.5%) Frequency response - 5 Hz-100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (DSP bypass) Tone control - ±10 dB, 50 Hz (bass), ±10 dB, 20 kHz (treble) Signal-to-noise ratio - 110 dB (Line, IHF-A), 80 dB (phono, IHF-A) Speaker impedance - 4 ohms-16 ohms or 6 ohms-16 ohms Video Section Input sensitivity/output level and impedance video 1.0 Vp-p/75 ohms (component and s-video Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 ohms (component PB/CB, PR/CR) 0.25 Vp-p/75 ohms (s-video C) 1.0 Vp-p/75 ohms (composite) Component video frequency response - 5 Hz-100 MHz/0 dB, -3 dB Tuner Section Tuning frequency range FM: 87.5 MHz-107.9 MHz AM: 530 kHz-1,710 kHz FM/AM/SIRIUS preset memory - 40 stations General Power supply - AC 120 V~, 60 Hz Power consumption - 7.5 A Dimensions (W x H x D) - 17 1/8" x 7 13/16" x 17 1/8" (435 x 198.5 x 435.5 mm) Weight - 40.3 lbs. (18.3 kg) Carton dimensions (W x H x D) - 23 1/8" x 13 1/4" x 21 3/4" (587 x 337 x 553 mm) Shipping weight - 49.6 lbs. (22.5 kg) *Availability of services depends on region. **SIRIUS Satellite Radio requires separate purchase of subscription, compatible tuner, and antenna.

Product Description

Meet Onkyo’s mid-range powerhouse. The TX-NR808 earns its prestigious THX Select2 Plus certification by blending the latest connectivity and processing technology with Onkyo’s renowned amplification prowess. As a network-capable receiver, the TX-NR808 is your gateway to streaming audio from your PC or internet radio. Other connection highlights include seven HDMI 1.4a inputs with 3D and Audio Return Channel capability; 7.1-multichannel analog inputs for legacy components; a Universal port for Onkyo peripherals; a USB port for iPod models and flash memory devices; and an analog RGB video input for your PC. Employing two advanced 32-bit DSP chips and low-jitter 24-bit Burr-Brown DACs, the TX-NR808 effortlessly handles your audio-processing needs. Whether it’s lossless Dolby and DTS formats on Blu-ray Disc, or new-dimension surround formats from Audyssey and Dolby, your audio signals retain every lifelike nuance.All things considered, the TX-NR808 is a serious challenger for the middleweight crown.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Receiver at this price range November 4, 2010

By KD

Amazon Verified Purchase

I previously bought a 1120k receiver and returned it for this one. Please see my companion 1120k review and the LSI15 review (right speaker even though I bought both) if you're curious.

I used this amplifier to drive 4 ohms speakers. Most audiophiles will tell you to get external amplification to drive them. I am usually skeptical of these claims.

Myth: You will need external amplifiers to drive 4 ohm speakers. False. I pushed these with an Onkyo 808 135 watts at 8ohms, not sure about the 4 ohms spec as Onkyo doesn't advertise it. There was absolutely no clipping at ear blistering level. No harshness whatsoever from the LSI15 that I heard from the C-5. At high volume, the Energy C-5 gave me a headache. However, the LSI were still extremely smooth. Those speakers (LSI15) are 89db efficiency at 1 watt, so if I push it to 110db, it would require only 128 watts to push. 110db is far louder than comfortable for most living rooms. I guess if you like listen to it louder, then external amplification would be needed. Most normal people wouldn't. Tip: Don't set the receiver to 4 ohm mode. Leave it at 8 ohms. The 4 ohm mode only serve to cut the power output to protect the receiver. My receiver has two fans that I never noticed turning on. Onkyo got smart by inserting fans. Previously, they were hot enough to cook eggs. Would external amplification improve sound quality? I have my doubts. I am a firm believer in amplifiers used for extreme volume only. Normal listening level does not require an amplifier to improve quality (relative to this receiver, lesser receiver may have issues). However, if anyone has an amplifier and wants to prove me wrong, I'm ready to be a believer.

The Onkyo 808 is a huge beast with a very hefty heat sink with dual fans.... It has every single high-end adjustable settings you can think of. The only thing I discovered is that the noise correction caused my Netflix stream to ghost. However, that may be due to the noise correction algorithm coupled with the 120hz mode on my TV. Turning off the noise correction fixed the ghosting for me. The quality of the up conversion is good but perhaps a little soft for SD. I do not have an A to B comparison with the Pioneer so I can't be sure which is better. If the Marvell is better, I didn't notice it. However, I would not suggest buying an audio receiver for the video processing chip. Most SD look bad regardless of up conversion, and most high def source look best at native resolution of your TV. I've been reading on the Internet that the Marvell chip is so much better than the Faroudja. There is definitely an improvement on up conversion for either chips, but you can't make SD look HD no matter how hard you try. At least for me, DVD's looked like crap (in comparison to HD) on both the Pioneer and the Onkyo receivers. Therefore, I chalk up conversion as tie for both = equally crappy.

The HDMI is good. My PC picked up the receiver as an output source quickly.

PROS:
135 Watts
Drive 4ohms speakers well
OSD for volume
Excellent Internet radio functionality
Regular cable for IPOD
Dual fans to cool heat sink
Per input level gain
Per speakers cross-over
Dual subwoofer output
Trigger
Firmware upgradeable (make sure you update right away)

CONS:
Warmer than the Pioneer
Update 12/10/10: No dialogue enhancement
No Iphone App

This receiver is actually very good. I returned the Pioneer even though I got an extremely good deal for it. If you don't need the 135 watts, I recommend the 708 instead. However, at the current $70 online price difference between the 708 and 808, I would get the 808 for insurance. Who knows, you may want to buy 4ohm speakers later on =) and you'll save yourself the upgradeitis agony. The Pioneer 1120k is currently about $100 cheaper than the 708 street price. It's an excellent receiver if you only need 110 watts and no trigger. However, if you want Internet radio functionality, volume OSD, and per input volume gain, per speaker cross-over, pick the 708 or 808 instead.

Update (11/15/10): After having used it a few weeks, I have not discovered anything wrong with it since I updated the firmware immediately when I received it. The firmware updated pretty easily over the Internet (make sure its in USB mode first or you'll get an error). The Internet radio is very cool and works flawlessly. You do not need conventional radio with this option since most radios networks have an Internet versions online. I found some online Internet radio with 256k quality as well as radios from around the world.

I had to adjust my input to +6db to my UVerse box and +3 to my HTPC to make it the same level as the PS3 (which is always louder for some reason). I don't suggest anyone purchase any receiver that lack this feature. My old Denon had it and this one has it. I missed it immediately when I bought the Pioneer. The online display shows both volume level as well as the input label as well so I don't have to look at the receiver through the glass door which is a plus. I have not heard the fan come on yet so I believe the dual fans may be installed as a precaution rather than a necessity (then again, it's not Summer right now).

All in all, I'm very happy with this receiver. I originally wanted a Denon 3111 as a replacement but Denon is not budging on MSRP right now which means it would have cost me almost twice as much as this one. There are currently no other receivers on the market that has the comparable features as this one at this price range.

Update 12/10/10: Added the two Cons. I do miss the dialogue enhancement and the Iphone app was very cool on the Pioneer. Read more ›

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with features October 27, 2010

By Sean T. Seely

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought the ONKYO TX-NR808 to replace my aging 10 year old Lexicon DC-2 pre-amp and Carver Professional amps. The Onkyo powering Miller and Kreisel THX 750 5.1 speaker system.
I figured that after 10 years I could use a audio update even though the Lexicon is still a amazing piece of equipment but I didn't want to spend $6500 this time around.

I wanted a receiver that had all of the newer DTS and Dolby surround formats and could power the 4 ohm M&K speakers (8 vs 4 ohm setting in the setup menus).

It sounds great I love the video switching and the great on screen display of settings.

I have a Netgear 9150 Digital entertainer Elite hooked to it with only one HDMI cable. Being able to use the HDMI really cleans up the cabling since it can also send the audio over the same cable. Same thing goes for my HD cable box, HDMI no seperate audio cable needed.

I haven't had any problems with the Ethernet not connecting, even though I did let it update via the internet. The streaming off connected networked computer is nice also, without any problems. Pandora works flawlessly.

For the price and features it cannot be beat.

Also Amazon has it for the lowest price.

UPDATE: 07-02-11
Still no problems. I now have a HTPC hooked up running WMC and Boxee.

Awesome product for the money.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Blown away by the sound quality and features! Amazon was $300 cheaper then crutchfield! October 7, 2010

By Beau Boyd

Amazon Verified Purchase

So I purchased the TX-NR808 to replace my Onkyo TX-SR800 mainly just for the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA decoding, but man was I blown away by the overall sound quality improvement with standard DD, DTS, and stereo as well! I am a very expianced home theater installer, and I am ashamed to say that I didn't realize how much of a difference 35 watts per channel would make. I have a 7.1 speaker setup featuring Polk Audio RTi10 tower speakers and a Velodyne 10" powered sub, which have always sounded great, but let me tell you that these speakers have never sounded so amazing as they do now with this receiver! WOW! Any source that i've run through it(CD, DVD, iPod, or Blu-ray) has resulted in a sonic explosion! Highs, mids and lows all are perfectly represented by the 808. So.... the real question most people want to know the answer to is.... "Does Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD sound better then standard DD and DTS?" The answer is ABSOLUTELY YES! I watched Kung Fu Panda to compare the difference and it was immediately obvious that the Dolby TrueHD trumped the DD track in every way. Then I put in "Crank 2" to hear what a DTS-MA HD 7.1 mix could do. Let me say that once the DTS logo started I was left absolutely speechless until the credits ended! Sonic power and clarity is all I can say. With either format you get improved ambiance, harder hitting bass, and amazing dynamic range which creates an unequalled movie watching experiance! No movie theater can even come close the the sound quality I now have in my home theater!

I will now list some of the other improvements that this receiver does that my old one didn't.
1. I now have the volume displayed on my screen via the HDMI out on the receiver. Very handy since my components are in the room behind my theater room!
2.... I can connect it to my home network and play all my music from my computer instantly!
3. The receiver programs the remote for you after you tell it what components you have. Awesome!
4. It takes any video input whether it's composite, s-video, or component and sends it to your TV, upconverted to HD through the HDMI out!

To summarize. . . with all the features that this receiver has for the low price that I paid through Amazon I couldn't be happier with the TX-NR808! This is bar none the best receiver that I have ever heard for under $1,500! Read more ›

39 of 45 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A free beta tester's report August 7, 2010

By Caleb

For a $1099 product, Onkyo needs to hire a bunch testers instead of taking advantage of consumers for testing.

1. Network connection issue - keep initializing forever
2. Not working with iPhone 3G OS4.0
3. Not working with iTune m4a files
4. Picky USB connection - ok with Seagate Freeagent Go 500gb drive, but not working with WD Element Portable 500gb drive

Above is my free bug report. For details, go to avsforum. (This is definitely my last time being a free beta tester for Onkyo. I quit.)

Edit: After 08/13/2010 firmware update, the network "Now Initializing" issue is NOT fixed. I have to unplug and replug my network cable each time to workaround the "Now Initializing... Forever" bug. However, the sound quality is improved after firmware update though. Better image, deeper sound stage and tighter bass in stereo. More detail and alive in movie.

Edit: After 10/27/2010 firmware update, the network "Now Initializing" issue is finally fixed for my old Netgear router. Moreover, the sound quality seems getting even better on network streaming after update. The treble is more detail and alive. Very happy with this product today and will give it 4 stars.

"With a USB drive and bunch high quality flac files (or streaming over network), the sound beats $1000+ CD players in the old days."