The Official Onkyo TX-NR509 Receiver Spot!

[solarrdadd]

Keeping in line with releasing new A/V technology, feature packed, affordable for the masses, Onkyo has released some of it's newest models for 2011. Included in this line is the TX-NR509 A/V Receiver. Yes, you guessed it, that "N" in the model is for networking as this receiver is network ready for home network music streaming, internet radio, network firmware updates, DLNA, just about anything network--this will do it!

here is a shot of the front & back of the receiver:





very nice. here is a link to the official Onkyo TX-NR509 model page

it's available at lots of places including amazon & newegg. i purchased mine at newegg and got it for $343.99 with free 3 day shipping. this is beyond just simple entry level, Onkyo has stepped up entry level means by giving you a receiver that supports iOS devices with direct USB plug & play, iOS control app ready, HDMI 1.4a 3D ready, internet radio, home network ready, SACD/DSD support, Audyssey 2EQ & Dynamic Volume, Dynamic EQ, Zone 2, Windows 7 support and more...and they call this entry level, huh!

i sold my TX-SR308 receiver which i loved but more than anything, wanted network support so i could listen to my hi-rez FLAC files and WMALL music on my NAS with or without my tv on. when i saw this was released and at the price, i had to jump on it.

it pumps out 80wpc and that's more than enough for my small basement offices secondary HT setup. i'm powering 3 Axiom M2v3's for fronts and a pair of ceiling mounted QS4v3's for surrounds (on brackets) and an Emotiva Ultra Sub 10 to round out my 5.1 system in my office (my small secret hiding place). the supporting cast are an Oppo 83 & a HD Cable DVR; everything video is HDMI.

i have not done the actual calibration program through Audyssey yet (i will later) as i just wanted to make sure the most important features work, you know, like it powered up, sound came out of the proper speakers, video showed up on the tv like it was supposed to, you know, stuff like that!

the first thing i did after checking for sound and picture output was to do a firmware update that i knew was available for the receiver. i selected update in the setup menu and away it went. i didn't have to do a thing except wait for it to say it was complete and do a power restart by pushing the power button on the receiver and it was done in less than 5 minutes.

i did test an SACD/DSD 5.1 and it worked fine, sounded great too (Steely Dan: Gaucho), HBO on HD Cable in 5.1, The Fith Element blu-ray Lossless audio & streamed music from my NAS--Elton John, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 96khz/24bit & Rush, Moving Pictures 96khz/24bit and everything looked and sounded as incredible as it should have.

the front USB is where you plug your iOS device in and listen to music from it. it's a very basic overlay and like the networking feature, it does not give album art but does give info like artist name, song name and album name on your tv & on the screen of the receiver which having it show up on the receiver face is nice so you don't actually have to have your tv on to listen to music either from your iOS device, your network or internet radio. everything can be navigated and operated from the receiver screen; this is a plus! oh yeah, yes it does charge your iOS device while it's plugged into the receiver--whether the receiver is powered on or in standby mode...sweet!

another nice feature is 7 channel audio. now, while the amp section inside the unit doesn't support more than 5 channels it does offer pre-outs for the surround back l&r channels so you can get an external amp and drive those two back channels should you ever want them so your not necessarily paying for the amp power now and not using it; get the amp when you want or need it...cause you just might not!

then again, you just might!

for anyone that has a small to small-medium area, wants lots of the newest features listed and not want to spend a lot of money, i do highly recommend this receiver. and hey, who made up the rule that you have to spend a lot of money go get great, modern features; i'm here to break that and a few other rules with the Onkyo TX-NR 509 Receiver.

Thus far, no regrets, everything works! i'll keep you all posted as i move along with it. you all know i'm a big Onkyo fan owning the 5507 pre-amp and recently selling the TX-SR308 receiver and before the pre-amp i had the incredible, TX-SR 805 (in a class by itself) receiver so yes, I do love me some Onkyo. they have always done right by me.

Ok, excuse me while i go and register this great receiver with Onkyo. I'll ieep you all posted.