Onkyo TX-NR609 (photos)

by ZDNet Author | June 7, 2011 4:00pm PDT | Image 1 of 11

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Onkyo has a reputation for delivering tons of features and high-end performance at a budget price, and in many ways the TX-NR609 fits the bill.

It's packed with six HDMI inputs (including a front-panel input), built-in networking (plus an optional Wi-Fi dongle for a very affordable $40), and more streaming music services than even the Denon AVR-1912. Even better, the current street price is around $495, which is the cheapest we've seen a midrange receiver of this caliber.

But it's missing the one feature that many buyers will care about: AirPlay. We're definitely fans of Apple's wireless music standard, so it's hard to recommend the TX-NR609 over the AirPlay-compatible Denon AVR-1912 and Pioneer VSX-1021-K if you own an iOS device (iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad).

If you don't have an iOS device, the Onkyo is our top pick in terms of features, although if you're picky about sound quality, the Denon and Pioneer sounded better to us when we compared them. Ultimately, as much as we like the Onkyo TX-NR609, it's a step behind Denon or Pioneer, but it has plenty of unique features (and a cheaper price) that will make it the best pick for some buyers.

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RE: Onkyo TX-NR609 (photos)

Army Al Updated - 13th Aug

This is a great Mid Level AV Receiver for my purposes. I have absolutely no need for Airplay or pre-outs for external amp connections. I needed the NR609 in powering my 2 sub woofers, bi-amping my front Klipsch F3 speakers in my 5.2 system, connecting my PC via the VGA port, a much needed wireless USB (UWF-1) adapter for streaming for less than $30, and last but not least, a 4K upgrade video chip. This will be required when the newer HD 4K TVs start arriving at the end of the year. It meets my purpose on a Grand Scale. There's nothing like listening to Petrula Kupper - Once Upon a Time in the West on You Tube (3:24) at 75% of volume. I double dare you. Life is good and my closest neighbor lives 2 acres away. Perhaps I should turn it up to 85% of volume.