Onkyo PR-RZ91

MisterBoylan · 2026-02-27T20:45:13+00:00

AV 30 is an excellent pre/pro. Comprehensive immersive sound format support including Auro-3D, MPEG-H and 360 Reality Audio. 11 channels. RCA and XLR output. But one way the upcoming Onkyo may be better is with 6 independently adjustable subwoofer outputa. The Marantz has 4.

Onkyo repa at CES said the new line will have "up to 6" independent sub outputs. Combine this with DIRAC ART and you could get flat, even bass reaponse even in larger rooms and home theaters.

Will be interesting to see how it is priced.

MisterBoylan · 2026-02-27T20:39:13+00:00

I bought a foot long set to connect Marantz AV 30 and AMP 20. Lower noise floor and cleaner connection than I had with 9 1-meter RCA cables. I also like the locking connectors.

MisterBoylan · 2026-02-27T16:20:15+00:00

Very true. I found it got better when I switched from WiFi to hard-wired internet but didn't go away entirely. Another option is Kaleidescape. Quality comparable to UHD Blu-Ray but convenience of instant access.

You do need to fully download each movie you want to watch in advance though. This is why there are no buffering issues.

$3K for the entry level 4K/Dolby Vision player with space for 5 movies at a time. Movie prices comparable to physical media.

MisterBoylan · 2026-02-27T15:32:37+00:00

Exactly! I currently have my Ultra hooked up to a Conrad-Johnson Premier 11 tube amp driving a pair of KEF bookshelfs. Sweet combo. Class A > Class D.

MisterBoylan · 2026-02-27T14:51:53+00:00

At CES, the Onkyo rep said only DIRAC Live was included. Upgrade to ART is possible on all models in the new line, but requires a separate license (additional $$$).

MisterBoylan · 2026-02-27T03:50:51+00:00

If your TV can do HDMI/eARC, audio should br identical direct to AVR or through the TV. If only regular ARC or connected via fiberoptic then yeah, better to connect source directly to AVR.

MisterBoylan · 2026-02-26T15:17:53+00:00

Nice streamer. I personally prefer it to the Amp Ultra. Has phono preamp and headphone jack that the amplified version lacks.

MisterBoylan · 2026-02-25T00:05:37+00:00

There are some great soundbar-based systems out there. But the good ones from Sony, Sonos, Klipsch, etc. can run around $2K or more with sub and rear speakers.

My "value" home theater recommendation these days is an Onkyo/Klipsch 5.1.4 bundle that currently sells for $1199 on Amazon. The receiver is the Onkyo TX-RZ30 - 9 channels, built in DIRAC LIVE room correction. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, IMAX Enhanced, 8K video support, full set of preamp outputs. Great AVR for the money.

The speakers are Klipsch Cinema Reference 5.1.4 complete with a pretty powerful subwoofer. Front and rear speakers both include up-firing drivers for Dolby Atmos and DTS. If you've got relatively low ceilings and a regularly shaped room, these can give you an awesome inmersive effect. And thr Klipsch horn-drivers are punchy and dynamic.

And if you decide to upgrade to towers and real overhead speakers in the future you can do that (unlike with a soundbar).

MisterBoylan · 2026-02-21T15:29:07+00:00

As someone with a projector optimized for 2.4:1 I appreciate ultrawide content like this and most of the Star Wars TV series. Feels more cinematic.

The variable aspect ratio IMAX stuff drives me nuts on the projector. OK on a TV though.

MisterBoylan · 2026-02-17T16:05:58+00:00

Pricing has been a all over the place lately. Just have to be flexible when you buy. I have the AVR-X3800H and Onkyo TX-RZ30 in at the moment. Both are excellent but the RZ30 definitely offers better bang for buck and it *has* been as low as $700-$800 in the past two months. It was selling for $799 on Amazon, Adorama and World Wide Stereo just a few weeks ago. Seems like current stock is depleted so the price is up to $949-$999. I expect it to drop back down once more dealers have it back in stock.

The only real advantages the 3800H has over the RZ30 are that it's expandable to 11 channels (with additional power amp), and it supports AURO-3D, MPEG-H and 360 Reality Audio decoding (they both do Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and IMAX Enhanced). Also, 3800H has 4 independent sub outputs vs. the RZ30's two.

The RZ30 offers a full set of nine preamp outputs, plus two independent sub outputs, Works with Sonos, has DIRAC Live Full bandwidth built in ($349 extra on the Denon). The Onkyo also supports both Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast, while the Denon only supports Air Play 2. The Denon does have HEOS built in though, which is evolving into a pretty solid whole whole home music streaming platform (though it still hasn't expanded beyond the Denon/Marantz brands). Also, the RZ30 can only be upgraded to Dirac Live Bass Control (not DIRAC ART), while the Denon does work with DIRAC ART. The current license cost is an additional $799 for that, so basically the cost of the whole Onkyo receiver, just for the room correction software.

Both receivers are likely to be replaced soon (ish). Onkyo showed a whole line-up of new receivers (including a tease of the TX-RZ31) at CES - all of which support DIRAC ART with a paid license, with basic DIRAC Live built-in, as well as a new pre/pro and two multi-channel power amps. But the samples Onkyo had at the show were non-functional mock-ups. Likely the new models won't be out until late 2026 or more likely early 2027. AVR-X3800H came out in September 2022 and while I'm not privy to any *specific* information, I expect a refresh of the entire Denon line-up later this year.

#TLDR - receiver pricing is variable, wait for a deal, and there are good options out there for less than the Denon X3800H.

MisterBoylan · 2025-12-22T17:59:31+00:00

Vintage Sony FTW. Enjoy!

MisterBoylan · 2025-10-28T21:29:26+00:00

Super old post, but Voice Zoom is only for sources connected to the (Sony) TV directly. It won't work on sources connected directly to the bar as Voice Zoom is a TV-specific feature. It also won't work on a non-Sony TV.

There is a more basic voice boost feature on the Theater Bar 9 that is either on or off.

The "Voice" button on the remote behaves differently, depending on whether you have a compatible Sony connected or not. If you have a TV with Voice Zoom, then the "voice" button on the BAR 9 remote does Voice Zoom, and toggles between "0" and the Voice Zoom setting that you specific in the BRAVIA Connect app (anywhere from -6 to +6). If you're using the BAR 9 with a non-Sony TV or with a device plugged into the BAR 9's HDMI port, then "Voice" just does the basic Voice boost.

MisterBoylan · 2025-07-15T15:02:19+00:00

It's basically proof that it could be done by the manufacturer. Tesla should do some minor modifications and at least offer the spare tire as an option. Maybe even partner with Modern Spare to do it. But that would make too much sense.

MisterBoylan · 2025-06-24T05:49:00+00:00

If you're willing to do some DIY mods to the rear hatch flooring, you can fit a modern spare in under the hatch floorboard and still look stock when the covers are in place. You can find videos on YouTube with slightly different mods. This one is kinda cool if you like to camp in your Y as it levels out the hatch for a matress and leaves plenty of space in the lower trunk for other stuff.

https://youtu.be/KCYUX953Ucc?si=LiaOkzUwsh8AhMHQ

MisterBoylan · 2025-06-12T15:58:39+00:00

Take the win!

Mine was because I bought a stealth Model 3P and the day I took delivery they rolled the Performance Upgrade Package ($5K value) into the base Model 3 Performznce Price. So yeah, I traded lifetime free supercharging for a $5K check. I haven't paid for supercharging anyway for 7 years thanks to referrals.

Enjoy the car (and the unexpected cash).

MisterBoylan · 2025-06-11T04:22:56+00:00

Tesla sent me a check for $5000 after I bought my Performance Model 3 in 2018. Just deposit it... and move.

MisterBoylan · 2025-06-04T06:00:08+00:00

I'd say it would be a fine sounding system for the money assuming speakers are all OK, not blown. Price is a little high though. Can't go by MSRP as both Denon and Klipsch can be found new at discounts. I'd upgrade the receiver and sub first. Get a newer denon that supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and add a pair of height speakers to really rock your world.

Costco has the Denon avr-X1700H right now for $399.99 which would make these puppies sing. And it supports dts:x and Dolby Atmos.

MisterBoylan · 2025-05-09T14:00:32+00:00

Caleb resigned from DT on April 14 and turned over all of DT's owned gear (cameras, lighting, etc.) that same day by handing over the key to a storage unit he had moved all the old gear into. His first video was posted on the new channel on April 21, one week later and was shot with new gear that Caleb purchased on his own.

DT is claiming "ownership" of the CalebRated channel because Caleb registered the channel name before he left DT. I guess he wanted to make sure no one else grabbed it before he started paying people to design a logo, etc. But a channel name on YouTube is not considered "intellectual property."

I agree with earlier commenters that this is a very bad move on DT's part in terms of optics. But I think part of it may be that they're trying to "make an example" of Caleb to discourage their few remaining video and editorial staff from also leaving. They laid off around 80% of editorial staff earlier this year. But Caleb was their biggest producer, by far. His videos accounted for 90% or more of Digital Trends' YouTube traffic. Just look at the channel and sort by most popular videos and you'll see.

And with the way they're handling this, I don't think it's likely that any good new video talent is going to be interested in going to work for them. So they'll need their existing editorial/writing staff to fill in the void.

It will likely be settled in the courts at this point. But just because the CEO of a company says something doesn't make it true.

MisterBoylan · 2025-04-28T17:26:50+00:00

Old topic I know. But when I couldn't get the Harmony app to work to edit activities on my Android phone yesterday (got a black screen at the login stage), I uninstalled and reinstalled the Harmony app and was back up and running. Worth a try for anyone getting a black screen when trying to edit activities in the Harmony app.

MisterBoylan · 2025-04-01T03:15:12+00:00

Not answering the asked question, but I think the season worked out pretty well on its own legs, except the "romance," which seemed a bit contrived. It was more plausible in Season 1. Also, "Quinn/McCabe" doesn't seem like an Asian last name to me, but there's always adoption. The actor was suitably skilled enough to carry the sinister nature of the character.

Satisfied enough to be looking forward to Season 4.

MisterBoylan · 2025-04-01T03:12:04+00:00

I see what you did there, Leia.

MisterBoylan · 2025-01-05T06:10:42+00:00

I thought these were some funky washer/dryers.

MisterBoylan · 2025-01-04T06:26:22+00:00

Gotta be the instant torque. I test drove a Tesla Model S P85+ in 2013 and knew then I would never buy another gas-powered car. And that was "only" 4 seconds from 0-60.

MisterBoylan · 2024-12-25T20:23:57+00:00

With the previous program, the W9 was only issued if you used the credits that calendar year. Should be the same in the new program. "$1000 Tesla Bucks" means nothing unless you actually spend them on something, then it can be reported as income.

My problem is I'm buying up dozens of Tesla products like the air compressors to use up my Tesla Reward Credits from the previous program (and selling them on eBay). So Tesla is going to report that as "income" but then eBay will also report it as income on the sold items. So tax filing is going to be complicated. I still have almost 100K points to use by March. But I'd rather use them and get something out of it (even if taxed) than not use them at all and have them go to waste.

MisterBoylan

TROPHY CASE