AliceAvailable in May for £599.99 in a choice of black or silver, Onkyo’s latest 7.2-channel network A/V receiver – the TX-NR676E – uses AccuReflex, which aligns the phase of directional and non-directional sounds when used with compatible elevation speakers, meaning Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-based soundtracks are reproduced through 5.2.2 channels.
Onkyo confirmed to CE Pro Europe that Auro-3D won’t be coming to the TX-NR676E, commenting: “Onkyo has a proud track record of being the first to support emerging AV technologies that it believes have a credible chance of gaining traction in the consumer space. Dolby Atmos is now, categorically, the de facto standard for object-oriented audio and will remain so for the forseeable future. Onkyo, which played an instrumental part in the original consumer launch of Dolby Atmos in the UK, is very happy to confirm that it will continue its support for Atmos going forward.”
Key to its appeal are six rear HDCP 2.2-compliant HDMI inputs supporting pass-through of Dolby Vision, HDR10, BT.2020 and 4K/60p video, while front HDMI input and HDMI Sub Out terminals are added for video camera and projector connection.
The 160W/Ch TX-NR676E features Dynamic Audio Amplification to produce high current through low impedance, while Dolby Surround and DTS Neural:X upmixing solutions recreate an object-based experience from legacy multi-channel formats in environments where height channels are employed.
Not stopping there, music lovers are also catered for, able to listen to songs anywhere, any time with Onkyo Controller for iPad, iPhone, iPod touch and Android (although users are advised to check OS and device requirements at App Store or Google Play).
Meanwhile, the app manages multi-room distribution of streaming services, internet radio and network files, as well as music from CD players and turntables connected via analogue audio inputs, from the receiver to Onkyo NCP-302 wireless speakers over FireConnect powered by Blackfire.
With regards to FireConnect, sharing audio from external analogue inputs depends on the model and is enabled with a future firmware update. Sampling rates of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz are supported.
The AV receiver also comes with Chromecast built-in (which will become enabled following a firmware update) a platform that lets users stream any music from Chromecast-enabled apps on iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, Mac or Windows laptop, or Chromebook. Furthermore, DTS Play-Fi (also due along with the next firmware update) enables quick casting from supported apps and devices for playback on the TX-NR676E.
On-demand music and internet radio services include Spotify, TIDAL, Deezer and TuneIn, as well as all network streaming and control functions including AirPlay. Music streaming capabilities are further bolstered with built-in Bluetooth wireless technology.
Onkyo Controller also allows users to select albums and songs from network-attached music libraries, play music stored on USB memory devices, or select a source to share to speakers in another room via Powered Zone 2 speaker outputs.
Combined with a 32-bit DSP chipset, 384 kHz/32-bit DAC and proprietary VLSC high-frequency noise removal technology, the receiver exploits Hi-Res Audio formats including DSD 5.6 MHz/2.8 MHz (although playback of DSD is not supported over wireless LAN) and 192 kHz/24-bit WAV, FLAC, AIFF and ALAC to fullest potential for high-fidelity stereo listening.
Other practical inclusions are pairs of composite and component video inputs, a phono input, three digital audio inputs (two optical/one coaxial) and six analogue audio inputs.