Onkyo TX-NR797? - Blu-ray Forum

trevrox · 05-29-2020, 02:21 PM

Wondering if anyone has this receiver and what their thoughts are? I've had a Pioneer Elite VSX-90 for years but I want one that supports 4 Atmos speakers instead of 2 now. More for the future as I can't really fit all four right now anyway, but I'm possibly moving next year so upgrading in advance.

I came across an open box in excellent condition of the TX-NR797 for $550 and pulled the trigger so I didn't miss out on the deal. But wanted to see what people thought while I still had e a return window. Is this a worthy upgrade from the Pioneer?

I was looking at a Marantz model too but it was $1500 whereas this one was nearly $1000 less... of course it supported 7.2.4 but I'm not sure I would utilize the back speakers anyway...

I like that it has Dolby Vision too. But does anyone think there is a better option for me than the Onkyo that I should have looked in to instead? I pulled the trigger doing minimal research mainly because I didn't want to miss that open box deal. Seems like a great price for that receiver.

Also, anyone have experience with Geek Squad protection? I got the 4 year plan for $99 since I was saving a good deal on the receiver

SPIDERone · 06-03-2020, 08:09 AM

This is the one I was planning to get (upgrading from 7.2), but it's always selling full price now ($679) despite being a 2019 model. I think any 2020 models are on hold due to COVID-19. It's tough to spend that much when it was on sale multiple times for $499 last year. $550 sounds like a good price and I definitely recommend the geek squad protection. Depending what type it's (if it's repair or replace). If it's a Product Replacement Plan, if anything is wrong with it.. they'll give you your full refund in credit on the spot. If it's a repair plan, they'll send it out and try to fix it (typically a few weeks) before offering other options.

trevrox · 06-03-2020, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPIDERone

This is the one I was planning to get (upgrading from 7.2), but it's always selling full price now ($679) despite being a 2019 model. I think any 2020 models are on hold due to COVID-19. It's tough to spend that much when it was on sale multiple times for $499 last year. $550 sounds like a good price and I definitely recommend the geek squad protection. Depending what type it's (if it's repair or replace). If it's a Product Replacement Plan, if anything is wrong with it.. they'll give you your full refund in credit on the spot. If it's a repair plan, they'll send it out and try to fix it (typically a few weeks) before offering other options.

It came in the mail two days ago. It's a good receiver I'm just not sure if I'll keep it. I'm starting to think I should wait and see if there's any good deals on Black Friday and maybe get a better one with pre-outs if I ever decide I want 7.2.4

As it is right now anyway I won't be moving until at least next year and I don't have the space to utilize the extra channels on the Onkyo so aside from some extra features I'm not gaining much over my VSX-90

I don't know. I like it a lot so part of me wants to keep it but I'm starting to think it might be smarter to hold off for an even better one.

I will say the one thing I absolutely hate is that you can't turn the display on the receiver off like on the Pioneer. You can only dim it. When I'm watching movies I like it completely off

SPIDERone · 06-03-2020, 09:20 PM

The 7.2.4 is the real reason I've held off on it. Anything pushing that seems to be about 3x the price though.

At $550, it's not a bad price. If this is the Used - Excellent one for $570 that was on bestbuy about a week ago, I was planning to buy that same one but noticed it wasn't available as of a few days ago. I can't justify the $679 price when that's last years model with last years' pricing (and it's been as low as $499 new earlier this year).

If you wait a bit, I'm sure we'll see a 2020 or 2021 model coming in at a similar price with more features

crutzulee · 06-03-2020, 10:37 PM

I purchased the previous years model (787) of this amp for about $420 CAD to go from 7.1 to 7.3.2.
The jump to ATMOS/DTSX processing is an enormous improvement, but if you can't take advantage of the new channels yet then there is no need to upgrade.
My only wishlist feature would have been preouts to use my old amp to drive 7.2.4 but, as someone noted, the price differential doesn't currently make sense.
For what I paid, I've already got my money's worth using 2 overhead channels. In a couple of years I'll upgrade to an amp that has pre outs or 11 amplified channels depending on price point.

trevrox · 06-05-2020, 04:28 PM

Yes, it was the one from Best Buy from a week ago. I definitely like having Dolby Vision and DTS:X, but I'm beginning to be swayed towards returning it and waiting to see if there are better deals for a different receiver in the future. I just worry that I might regret it if I don't find one that does this much for that price.

I was actually originally planning on upgrading my subs before my receiver but the ones I am dead set on getting, either the HSU VTF-2 or 3, are simply too big for the space I have now. So that will have to wait until a move too.

Perhaps later this year I will find something better than the 797.

05-29-2020, 02:21 PM	#1
trevrox Special Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2012 Location:New Hampshire 4K collection:706 Blu-ray collection:1762 DVD collection:169 Trading Score:11	Onkyo TX-NR797? Wondering if anyone has this receiver and what their thoughts are? I've had a Pioneer Elite VSX-90 for years but I want one that supports 4 Atmos speakers instead of 2 now. More for the future as I can't really fit all four right now anyway, but I'm possibly moving next year so upgrading in advance. I came across an open box in excellent condition of the TX-NR797 for $550 and pulled the trigger so I didn't miss out on the deal. But wanted to see what people thought while I still had e a return window. Is this a worthy upgrade from the Pioneer? I was looking at a Marantz model too but it was $1500 whereas this one was nearly $1000 less... of course it supported 7.2.4 but I'm not sure I would utilize the back speakers anyway... I like that it has Dolby Vision too. But does anyone think there is a better option for me than the Onkyo that I should have looked in to instead? I pulled the trigger doing minimal research mainly because I didn't want to miss that open box deal. Seems like a great price for that receiver. Also, anyone have experience with Geek Squad protection? I got the 4 year plan for $99 since I was saving a good deal on the receiver Last edited by trevrox; 05-29-2020 at 05:30 PM.

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06-03-2020, 08:09 AM	#2
SPIDERone Blu-ray Guru Member since:Nov 2009 Location:San Diego, CA Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:108	This is the one I was planning to get (upgrading from 7.2), but it's always selling full price now ($679) despite being a 2019 model. I think any 2020 models are on hold due to COVID-19. It's tough to spend that much when it was on sale multiple times for $499 last year. $550 sounds like a good price and I definitely recommend the geek squad protection. Depending what type it's (if it's repair or replace). If it's a Product Replacement Plan, if anything is wrong with it.. they'll give you your full refund in credit on the spot. If it's a repair plan, they'll send it out and try to fix it (typically a few weeks) before offering other options.

06-03-2020, 09:20 PM	#4
SPIDERone Blu-ray Guru Member since:Nov 2009 Location:San Diego, CA Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:108	The 7.2.4 is the real reason I've held off on it. Anything pushing that seems to be about 3x the price though. At $550, it's not a bad price. If this is the Used - Excellent one for $570 that was on bestbuy about a week ago, I was planning to buy that same one but noticed it wasn't available as of a few days ago. I can't justify the $679 price when that's last years model with last years' pricing (and it's been as low as $499 new earlier this year). If you wait a bit, I'm sure we'll see a 2020 or 2021 model coming in at a similar price with more features

06-03-2020, 10:37 PM	#5
crutzulee Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Sep 2014 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:18	I purchased the previous years model (787) of this amp for about $420 CAD to go from 7.1 to 7.3.2. The jump to ATMOS/DTSX processing is an enormous improvement, but if you can't take advantage of the new channels yet then there is no need to upgrade. My only wishlist feature would have been preouts to use my old amp to drive 7.2.4 but, as someone noted, the price differential doesn't currently make sense. For what I paid, I've already got my money's worth using 2 overhead channels. In a couple of years I'll upgrade to an amp that has pre outs or 11 amplified channels depending on price point.

06-05-2020, 04:28 PM	#6
trevrox Special Member Top contributor Member since:Feb 2012 Location:New Hampshire 4K collection:706 Blu-ray collection:1762 DVD collection:169 Trading Score:11	Yes, it was the one from Best Buy from a week ago. I definitely like having Dolby Vision and DTS:X, but I'm beginning to be swayed towards returning it and waiting to see if there are better deals for a different receiver in the future. I just worry that I might regret it if I don't find one that does this much for that price. I was actually originally planning on upgrading my subs before my receiver but the ones I am dead set on getting, either the HSU VTF-2 or 3, are simply too big for the space I have now. So that will have to wait until a move too. Perhaps later this year I will find something better than the 797.

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