The operation of the receiver is straightforward and easy, as is usual with Onkyo. Both the first set-up and the daily “working” with the device, upgrades, change settings, select and assign sources, etc. go easily from the hand. An excellent tool for this is the clear and well-designed remote control. The keys have the correct position and size, the transmitter feels good and is sleek in the hand.
Operation, external feeders / devices, sound
It would be nice, however, if the remote control was illuminated, which would make an even easier use in the darkened home cinema. But with time, the command center is also known as "blind". Alternatively, you can of course use the Onkyo Remote App for the smartphone, which is also good to trade and, of course, is "lit."
The screen menu is logical and clear, navigating with the remote and the device buttons works fine. The display on the device display itself is felt spartan, but shows the same functions and steps as the on-screen menu, which can be seen via a TV or beamer. But what the device display does not show unfortunately is the number of fired speakers, as I was used to from my old receiver.
To the receiver I have connected various analog and digital sources. The analogue fraction consists of a disc player and a DVD player used as a CD player, which are connected via RCA cables to the corresponding analog connection sockets. The player is grounded by means of a marked cross-slotted screw, which is also located on the back. The digital sources BD player, SAT receiver, PS3 and WiiU I have connected via HDMI to the receiver, the Minidisc player with an optical cable.
Into the WWW, the Onkyo via LAN. Both the beamer, which throws its picture on a screen with 3 meters of width and 1.60 meters of height, as well as the TV (which I actually only use for measuring), are connected by HDMI with the receiver. In this price class, two HDMI outputs are not self-evident, Onkyo was, among other things, always a pioneer and role model!
Records and CDs, which I like analogue, have a pleasant "warm" and full sound, exactly as some recordings need. If you want to give more volume, you can add more bass or treble to the front panel, or you can use the remote control to activate the "Music Optimizer" function, which will take me to the good old Loudness keys from previous device generations.
The two functions can also be applied to the digital sources. Also, there are other ways to quickly make changes in the Quick Setup menu (Q key on the remote control).
Digital music, eg via the BD player, is incredibly clear, pure and powerful with the listener, but without "clinical" effect. As an example I would like to mention the double DVD of Kraftwerk "Minimum - Maximum". This DTS mix is my duty to assess the sound quality and performance of a system. And the Onkyo makes a point landing at the top of the podium!
The film sound is the same: Whether it's a concert bluray from Depeche Mode, AC / DC or the B-52's, the sensational (jazz) movie "Whiplash" or the "normal" films with surround Sound, it sounds very good and just right. Although I have dismounted from 7.1 to 5.1, I miss the two rear channels at all. Voices, effects, music, background noise, etc., come from the right "corners", and for Atmos films with a 5.1.2 configuration (two ceiling speakers) also from the right height. "The Expendables 3," "Jupiter Ascending," "Mockingjay" Part 1, "Transformers - Era of the Downfall": no Dolby Atmos is missing.
Only now the films sound completely for me, before Atmos was only half the rent. Too bad that there are only so few films with this soundtrack on Bluray, hopefully this changes soon. The TX-NR 646 also provides an excellent picture of the common audio formats of Dolby and DTS. Again, I think this is due to the improved AccuEQ space calibration. I am excited about the announced update for DTS: X, even though there will probably be a lot of time going on until the first movie, probably "EX_Machina", will be released.
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