The Official Onkyo TX-NR509 Receiver Spot!

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by jsr

Hello all...new to the forum (been browsing a couple of months) and new to HT also.

I picked up a 509 from Fry's last night (it was the last day of the sale) also. I auditioned it and the pricier 709 model and didn't notice a difference in sound. Haven't opened it yet as I'm wondering whether the HT-RC360 would be better. Last month, they were on sale at Fry's for $299. The main difference I see between them is the 7.2 vs 5.1 and the 360 can do upconversion and upscaling, which is what I would like. However, I've read the previous 608/260 models had problems with stuttering/jitter with the video processing, and I've read a couple of reports about the 360 also having that.

Can anyone comment on the current mid-range Onkyos on video processing issues and whether the 360 is a worthwhile upgrade from the 509 for $100 more (assuming it goes back on sale)? I don't plan on going 7.1 or 7.2.

Thanks.

i think you have answered your own question. if upconversion is what you want (as you stated it is) and if the 360 can provide you with that important feature and the 509 cannot they i think it's clear you would be headed towards the 360. mind you there is nothing wrong with the 509 either; it apparently doesn't have the feature you want that's available in the 360.

of course having someone to chime in question (of course that would be someone who owns or owned both the 360 & the 509) would be a great help to you in the choice you make.

i've had no problems with mine but i am not in need of the upconversion feature as you mentioned the 360 has so i'm very happy with my 509 running my HD Cable box & a Oppo 83 both via HDMI. it works perfect and with the Axioms i have connected to it they sound great.

best of luck please let us know what you think and decide to go with.

Oh yeah, that's really cruel of you leaving that brand new 509 in the box, out in the cold, dark, non connnected-lonely world like that!

[safin]

I'm a new visitor to the forum, and I just got the TX-NR509 after seeing your review. Set it all up, but unfortunately there are problems with it. I was hoping you could tell me if you have heard of these problems, or if I just got a defective (built on Monday/Friday) model. First problem, there is no video out from the receiver with the rca-type connection: only hdmi works for video out. Second, on the networking, it 'sees' the songs on my computer, but every time I try to play one it says "cannot Play" (mp3's, wmv, etc nothing works). I have to first use 'play-to' in windows media player before I can use the receiver to access and play a song on the computer. Final problem. When I hook up an ipod to the usb port there is a intermittent clicking noise similar to clicking on a record. The sound comes through the speakers, scales with the volume, and occurs maybe a 1/2 dozen times per minute. I'd hate to exchange the receiver at the store only to bring home another model with similar problems.
Yes firmware is updated. All cables are plugged in securely. Networking settings are set appropriately.

Thanks for your time and thought. -Safin

[jsr]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

i've had no problems with mine but i am not in need of the upconversion feature as you mentioned the 360 has so i'm very happy with my 509 running my HD Cable box & a Oppo 83 both via HDMI. it works perfect and with the Axioms i have connected to it they sound great.

best of luck please let us know what you think and decide to go with.

Oh yeah, that's really cruel of you leaving that brand new 509 in the box, out in the cold, dark, non connnected-lonely world like that!

solar -

Do you run only 1 HDMI cable to the TV to play both Cable box and DVD sources? Or do you have to run 2 cables?
My Cable box has both HD and non-HD channels, so I'm not sure if I would have to run 2 separate HDMI cables. I would presume so.

BTW, I will likely be taking the 509 out of the box this weekend or next finally! I got my Polk fronts and center speakers so I want to try them out.


safin -

Hope you get your issues resolved soon. I'm looking forward to the responses also in case I have similar issues. Good luck.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by jsr

solar -

Do you run only 1 HDMI cable to the TV to play both Cable box and DVD sources? Or do you have to run 2 cables?
My Cable box has both HD and non-HD channels, so I'm not sure if I would have to run 2 separate HDMI cables. I would presume so.

BTW, I will likely be taking the 509 out of the box this weekend or next finally! I got my Polk fronts and center speakers so I want to try them out.


safin -

Hope you get your issues resolved soon. I'm looking forward to the responses also in case I have similar issues. Good luck.

i only have 1 HDMI cable from my 509 out to my TV. everything is connected to the receiver via their own individual HDMI cable. i don't watch DVD's only blu-ray's and both my Oppo 83 & my HD-Cable DVR are connected to the receiver with HDMI cables. you can play all of your cables programs HD or SD on that one HDMI cable out to the receiver.

hope that helps!

[jsr]

So regardless of what you plug into the AVR, the one HDMI output to the TV will send them all? Or does that only work if both inputs are HDMI (regardless of definition type)?
So both the 509 and 360 only needs 1 HDMI connection from AVR to TV, but the difference is that a SD source would go to the TV (via HDMI) in SD with the 509, but go to the TV in HD with the 360 (using the upconversion/upscaling)?

I didn't know that. I thought if I plugged in my PS2 (no PS3 sadly) with RCAs, I would have to run RCAs from the AVR to TV to send that signal.

[jsr]

One other question...

Can the 509 (and other mid-level Onkyos) handle 4-ohm loads? The manual says 6ohm+, but Onkyo's site has a 1-ch driven spec for 4ohm.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by jsr

So regardless of what you plug into the AVR, the one HDMI output to the TV will send them all? Or does that only work if both inputs are HDMI (regardless of definition type)?
So both the 509 and 360 only needs 1 HDMI connection from AVR to TV, but the difference is that a SD source would go to the TV (via HDMI) in SD with the 509, but go to the TV in HD with the 360 (using the upconversion/upscaling)?

I didn't know that. I thought if I plugged in my PS2 (no PS3 sadly) with RCAs, I would have to run RCAs from the AVR to TV to send that signal.

I really can't answer that question as i have nothing using RCA video inputs connected to my 509, only HDMI connections are usied for mine; I can only refer you to whatever the manual says.

Originally Posted by jsr

One other question...

Can the 509 (and other mid-level Onkyos) handle 4-ohm loads? The manual says 6ohm+, but Onkyo's site has a 1-ch driven spec for 4ohm.

the book answer is no, the practical answer is if you don't listen to movies at high levels, it's probable. should you dare try it and no i don't recommend you do then make sure the receiver has plenty of open space for air cooling and if it gets warm try a cooling fan and if it gets hot then stop using 4 ohm speakers.

again, if it says it's not rated for it then i'd of course tell you don't chance it. if you wan't to run 4 ohm speakers you should really be using a receiver rated for it. don't take chances with the thought of saving money.

the 509 is a good receiver, use it as per the instructions and you should be fine!

[jsr]

Thanks solarrdadd. I still have to go through the 509 manual in detail. Haven't had much of a chance yet.

That's odd that most AVRs seem not to be rated for 4-ohm loads, but there's a decent amount of 4-ohm rated home speakers as I peruse what's out there. Seems a bit of a disconnect, unless the higher end AVRs support it and that's a way to get the consumer to go for the pricier model.

[edrollins]

Just received 509 set it up (so i think) then adjusted speakers (+ -) volume.
My problem music from blue ray disc movie comes in all speakers sounds great speical effects not so good as bullets fly you hear them for a second from all speakers then seems to only come from the front speakers.Have not set it up
or not assigned something? the movie was expendables (soso) the receiver when watching the movie read DTS hope some one can help.The only thing i miss is a switched outlet on the back would love my sub to turnoff with the receiver . Any suggestion on this i always forget to turn off the sub power is it bad to leave it on just wasting electricity . Thanks again

[jsr]

My 509 seems to have a problem reading my ipod. I tried a couple of usb cables and it keeps trying rti connect without success. I haven't done any firmware updates yet. Does anyone know if that would resolve it or might my unit be defective with ipod compatibility?

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by jsr

My 509 seems to have a problem reading my ipod. I tried a couple of usb cables and it keeps trying rti connect without success. I haven't done any firmware updates yet. Does anyone know if that would resolve it or might my unit be defective with ipod compatibility?

when i got my 509 i knew there was a firmware available so i did it via the network and it went through fine. i believe they said one of the things was for better connectivity with ipods and other iOS devices. i would tell you before jumping to the thinking that it's a bad receiver that you should do the update of the firmware and see if that resolves your issue.

i didn't try my iPhone4 until after the firmware was updated so i can't tell you if the issue existed before i updated the firmware.

if your firmware is already up to date then you might consider contacting onkyo. best of luck and keep us posted.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by edrollins

Just received 509 set it up (so i think) then adjusted speakers (+ -) volume.
My problem music from blue ray disc movie comes in all speakers sounds great speical effects not so good as bullets fly you hear them for a second from all speakers then seems to only come from the front speakers.Have not set it up
or not assigned something? the movie was expendables (soso) the receiver when watching the movie read DTS hope some one can help.The only thing i miss is a switched outlet on the back would love my sub to turnoff with the receiver . Any suggestion on this i always forget to turn off the sub power is it bad to leave it on just wasting electricity . Thanks again

are you sure you don't have it set to all speakers stereo? it will still light up to say it's a DTS source but it's being piped out stereo to all channels. if set to a normal 5.1 you should hear discrete sounds from each channel unless the source is mixed to give the same sound from all speakers. i'd start of with checking the settings. it might be a simple fix.

as for the sub, i don't know what brand your using but, most subs have either an on (as in all the time on) and a auto position on their switches. auto means that unless it's getting info (signal) from the receiver/pre-pro it goes to standby/sleep until it gets such a signal and in the stanby mode a minimum of power is being used. make sure (if you have that option) it's in the auto and the sub will sleep until it gets the signal from the source that some .1 channel info is available or the crossover levels of your speakers has been reached and the bass is being diverted over to the sub.

hope this helped and please keep us posted.

[Hillside Trece]

Rollins,

Have you balanced all your channels and "calibrated" them? What are your trim level settings for the surrounds?

Have you set your listening mode presets?

[edrollins]

solarrdadd thanks sub turns off goes to sleep mode when not used NHT sub 10.
my config i set it to music dolby plIIx i'll have to check this today have been busy.again thanks

[edrollins]

Hillside Trece,have balanced speakers did Q than adjusted for my listening.But
listening mode presets will have to look into this have no idea about it just set
tv to dolby.may need some help on that one. I will post my settings you guys can tell me where i went wrong ..

[blindside217]

The HT-RC360 is on sale at Frys this week for $249!!! I have been looking into one of these so I think I have to jump on that deal!

[jsr]

I updated the firmware in my 509 and it still doesn't recognize my iPod. On top of that, I destroyed my other iPod today (tried replacing the battery and the stupid tiny battery connector pulled out and the poor design of the board instantly damages the tiny contacts). Frustrating day today for iPods.

OMG!!! I have to go to Frys!!! I want that 360!!!

Dangit...just called Frys and the 360 is normal priced...$550. Where did you see it say for $250?...or is that on July 4th?

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by jsr

I updated the firmware in my 509 and it still doesn't recognize my iPod. On top of that, I destroyed my other iPod today (tried replacing the battery and the stupid tiny battery connector pulled out and the poor design of the board instantly damages the tiny contacts). Frustrating day today for iPods.

OMG!!! I have to go to Frys!!! I want that 360!!!

Dangit...just called Frys and the 360 is normal priced...$550. Where did you see it say for $250?...or is that on July 4th?

sorry to hear that, my iPhone4 and iPad2 are recognized instantly and plays music from either device. sorry that you are having such problems with yours. i don't own an iPod, but would gather that if it's listed as being supported (you'd have to check the manual against the model iPod you have) it should have worked.

[jsr]

It definitely says its supported. if I can find the 360 for $250 though, I'll move the 509 upstairs where ipod connectivity is less important. Hopefully the 360 goes on sale and it works with my ipod. I'm starting to hate apple devices.

[solarrdadd]

again, sorry, i haven't had one problem with mine.

best of luck with the 360