Onkyo Europe - Imaginative Sight & Sound

TX-NR801E

Testreports


	HomeVision, Germany 07/2004
	Test Winner
	“It’s a different world: Even though the 801 is an AV-receiver it can still be connected to a PC via its network interface... „The great thing about the Onkyo is that it just takes all the MP3 and other sound files from your computer and transfers them into your living room. The magic formula is called “network”, which brings everything together that belongs together: PC and entertainment electronics… „This concept is a step in the right direction and a clear indicator for what is awaiting us in the future.“ Homevision Test winner 07/04 Evaluation: Very good; 89 Points



	What Video and Widescreen TV, United Kingdom 05/2004
	5 from 5 Stars
	„The NR801 is the last link in sophisticated distributed audio system, with either a dedicated music server or a PC sacting as server stroring hundreds or even thousands of recordings. Thanks to Onkyo’s colour coded loudspeaker terminals, it’s easier to set up than most AV amps and receivers, where the terminals are all the same red and black colour. There’s a strong, typically Onkyo sound to the performance. It’s big, powerful and surprisingly musical. It is clean and striking, but not in the bright and forward manner to many Japanese receivers. This makes it well suited to tame the brightness of metal dome tweeters found in many mid- to high-end speakers, exactly the sort of speakers Onkyo will often be partnered with. Sounds are large and impressive, but not so much to make them unwieldy or overblown. It’s one of the best music makers of the Japanese manufactures. Onkyo is first to recognise there are other sources unrelated to home cinema. Highly recommended, for net-aware future-proofers everywhere.” What good: Net-Tune facility; excellent sound control; well suited to home cinema Sound: 4 from 5 Stars Features: 5 from 5 Stars Ease of use: 4 from 5 Stars Value: 5 from 5 Stars Overall verdict: An interessting combination of THX receiver and internet audio client that works very well 5 from 5 Stars



	Essential Hi-Fi & Home Cinema, United Kingdom 05/2004
	5 from 5 Stars
	“Onkyo’s second Net-Tune compatible receiver opens up a whole new era of convenience for internet music fans. This is exciting and innovative, but it is only part of the story with the Onkyo TX-NR801E, which is also a full-blown THX Select certified 7.1 AV receiver. This beast is seriously specified, with 7x 135W of muscle, all the formats you could wish for (including THX Surround EX) and an AM/FM RDS tuner for radio broadcasts. The fact is that this Onkyo is a very impressive receiver indeed. Judged solely as a home cinema provider it delivers an authoritative performance. Add to this the unusual (for an AV receiver) musicality and you have a winner. The Net-Tune capability is the cherry on top. It is fun, easy to use (once set up) and opens up a huge new source of material.” Ease of use: 3 from 5 Stars Looks: 4 from 5 Stars Features: 5 from 5 Stars Sound: 4 from 5 Stars Value: 5 from 5 Stars Overall: 5 from 5 Stars Verdict: A terrific receiver with a cutting edge feature – the Net-Tune function is innovative and timely; a real magnet for techno enthusiasts.



	Audio, Germany 03/2004
	Audio Verdict: Top Quality
	"The best feature of this Onkyo is ..… its net tune, via which the 801 can access MP3 files stored on linked-up computers. Those who have high-speed internet access will find that their music extravaganza does not stop at the limits of their local network – via its DSL router the 801 can even play back net radio stations from the world wide web.” “Even though the Onkyo’s performance in sending Dolby sounds to the listening room was not particularly warm, it was still very dimensionally accurate, transparent and extremely clean. It even managed to handle the most demanding passages well. After having watched several films it became clear that what the testers first thought to be very sober and distant was actually the 801’s strength: an almost perfect mix of calmness and discipline, which does not deprive a film of its uniqueness but enhances it with a certain effect.” Summary: The Onkyo may be 400 Euro more expensive than the Harman, however, it is not only its features that justify the high price but also its superior stereo sound and surround sound.



	HiFi Test, Germany 02/2004
	Top Class
	„Onkyo presents its new THX Select certified top model from its successful A/V-receiver range, which is known for its fantastic quality. The TX-NR801E has everything that makes the heart of a home cinema fan beat faster. The selection of coding formats is very extensive and features Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro-Logic II, Dolby Digital EX, DTS 96/24, DTS ES-Discrete/Matrix 6.1 and DTS Neo: 6 … Many details such as the anti-vibrant construction of the case as well as Onkyo’s famous Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry-Technology (VLSC) show that the manufacturer follows its original philosophy of constructing naturally sounding stereo systems, which is good as the Japanese name of the company actually means “harmony”. “When it comes to radio reception the Onkyo also shows its contemporary and comfortable side: Apart from the conventional way of receiving radio stations via cable and aerial, the TX-NR801E also contacts a fixed internet radio portal via a router. Via the display in the receiver the user can choose a station from hundreds of radio stations from all over the world. Once a station has been chosen it will be saved in a big station database, which makes it easier to tune in again at a later date. Of course the surround receiver needs an internet connection for this interesting option, however, this is not a problem thanks to the Ethernet connection at the back of the system.” Evaluation: + very good sound quality + very well manufactured + extensive and innovative equipment



	Audiovision, Germany 02/2004
	Price Tip
	“The MP3 cineaste. Other companies talk about it - Onkyo gets on with it: it has managed to link a computer to a home cinema. Verdict: Sound quality: very good; AV verdict: very good. The Onkyo TX-NR801E can play music from your PC and from the Internet, and the sound is good.” “Onkyo brings important elements together - endless MP3 and a home cinema in one unit. When it comes to home cinema the new Onkyo offers a fantastic package, which does not lack anything important and has all the modern conveniences. Its connection facilities seem almost luxurious as it offers numerous link-up points to other digital or analogue units.” “The test results have made it official: the TX-NR801 is a first-class performer. The Onkyo’s sound in the listening room was very clean, airy and musical. Considering its price its performance is simply amazing.” “With the new 801 Onkyo has once again built a bridge between home cinema and computer technology. The whole concept also convinced with its ability to connect the network routes in the house without cables. With this technology the MP3 PC does not have to be in the living room or near the home cinema system in order to access a huge MP3 archive. Considering all its features the price of the receiver is amazingly reasonable.”