FEATURES:

• THX select 2 plus certified
• 110 watts per channel
• 8 in/2 out HDMI ports
• Wifi and bluetooth capable with separate purchase of LAN adapters
• 2 USB ports
• 4K upscaling
• Multi-room connectivity
• Instaprevue technology

REMOTE: RC-836M

RATING: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Welcome to a review of the Onkyo TX-NR717 7.2-Ch THX Certified Network A/V Receiver. Onkyo’s TX-NR717 is a powerhouse receiver, sure to create the home theater system of your dreams. The first thing to note is that it has been through much rigorous testing and deemed to deliver the finest in sound and picture quality, as the THX select 2 plus certification can attest to. With 110 watts per channel, the powerful sound that it can deliver is exceptional. It comes with a microphone that gives you the option to automatically calibrate your speakers so the sound is evenly distributed to optimize surround sound. You also have the option of manually calibrating the speakers yourself. The setup screen is very easy to navigate and understand. With the separate purchase of a LAN adapter, you can have access to WiFi or Bluetooth. Internet access can also be obtained connecting your computer, via the USB port. With a 40 preset station capacity, you can easily set your favorite radio channels for easy access. Housing 8 input and 2 output HDMI ports gives you the freedom and capacity to connect many devices that will be part of your system including a blu-ray player, laptop, gaming console, cable/satellite box, etc.

The part number for the remote control is RC-836M. The remote supplied by Onkyo is a multi-brand remote. The remote is pre-programmed to operate Onkyo components, and other popular brands of equipment as well.

The TX-NR717 is a multi-zone receiver, allowing an audio/video system in the main room and a stereo audio only system in 2 other rooms. If you want to have a party, by selecting whole house mode, all zones will play automatically so you can rock the house. You can assign a custom name for each individual input selector and radio preset, making it very easy to identify the different sources available which will appear on the screen. Another nice feature is that you can be using one source, for example playing a game, while at the same time listening to the audio source from the TV. The list of features is long, making this a highly sought after receiver. One drawback noted by a user is that the firmware upgrades take a long time, upwards of 1 hour. However it is time well spent to fix the glitches that sometimes occur with new technology. Overall however, this receiver delivers clear, crisp sound, and deep, rich bass, without distortion, is 4K ready and is surprisingly not overpriced.

PROS:
• Exceptional sound quality
• 4K upscaling
• Wifi and bluetooth capable
• Multi-zone

CONS:
• Firmware updates take a long time
• GUI could be more modern and intuitive

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