Onkyo TX-NR525 (USA version)

•   Overview
•   Pros and Cons
•   Predecessor
•   Audio Section
•   Video Section
•   Multi-zone Playback
•   Inputs and Outputs
•   Specifications
•   Successor

Onkyo TX-NR525 was introduced in 2013. It is equipped with 5 channel amplifier with 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 5.1 maximum channel processing. It passes 4K/30Hz video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 69 overall score out of 100. Our ranking system is based on the amplifier specifications, audio and video features, connectivity, multizone capabilities, radio and many other details.

In this section we present pros and cons of Onkyo TX-NR525.

Here we are comparing Onkyo TX-NR525 to its predecessor TX-NR515 and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR525	vs	Onkyo TX-NR515
Music Playback via USB	FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, WMA, WMA Lossless, Ogg, MP3, DSD, AAC, LPCM, Dolby TruHD	vs	FLAC, WAV, WMA, WMA Lossless, Ogg, MP3, LPCM, AAC
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, DSD, AAC, LPCM	vs	FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, LPCM, AAC
DSD via USB	2-ch Input	vs
Phase-Matching Bass Boost		vs
More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	Audyssey MultEQ	vs	Audyssey 2EQ
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/30p	vs	up to 1080p
Bluetooth	via Front USB (optional UBT-1 adapter sold separately)	vs
More RCA Line Inputs	6 (1 front)	vs	5
More Component Video Inputs	2	vs	1
Smart Grid-Ready		vs

DOWNGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR525	vs	Onkyo TX-NR515
Less Channels	5.2	vs	7.2
Bi-amp capability		vs
Less Channel Processing	5.1	vs	7.1
Dolby Pro Logic	PLII	vs	PLIIz
Dolby Digital EX		vs
DTS-ES		vs	Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
Video Signal Upscaling		vs	up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo)
Analog To HDMI Upconversion		vs	Component**, Composite
MHL Input		vs	Front HDMI
Less HDMI Inputs	6	vs	8 (1 front)
Less HDMI Outputs	1	vs	2 (simultaneous)
Less Optical Outputs		vs
Front A/V Inputs	L/R Audio, Composite, USB	vs	HDMI/MHL, USB, Composite Video
Less Powered Zones		vs	2
On-Screen Display		vs	Advanced "Home" GUI
On Screen Remote Programming		vs
More Speaker Terminals	5	vs	9
More Large Speaker Terminals	5	vs	7
Smaller Power Supply	4.2 A	vs	5 A
Lower Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	100 W (0.7% THD)	vs	125 W (0.1% THD)
Higher THD	0.7% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, Half power)	vs	0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, half power)

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Onkyo TX-NR525 vs Onkyo TX-NR515.

5 channel Amplifier

Onkyo TX-NR525 features 5 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 80 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven).

• WRAT (Wide Range Amp Technology): Onkyo TX-NR525 features Onkyo’s Wide Range Amp Technology (WRAT) circuit layout that prevents phase shifting by pushing the roll-off point higher than the listening-level frequency. Amplifying sound without phase shift creates an uncommonly well-focused and realistic audio image. If phase shift occurs and signal timing is not accurate, then neither is the resulting audio image.

Speaker Configurations

Onkyo TX-NR525's 5 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

• Configurations: Available configurations are:
5.2 with internal amplifier.

Sound Processing

• Audyssey: Onkyo TX-NR525 comes with Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume.
Dynamic EQ: selects the best possible frequency response and surround volume levels moment-by-moment. This ensures that the bass response, tonal balance and surround impression remain constant despite changes in volume. This is the first technology that carefully combines information from incoming source levels with actual output sound levels in the room, a pre-requisite for delivering a dynamic volume solution.
Dynamic Volume: Your Listening experience can be greatly diminished when there are significant shifts in volume between television programs, commercials and within the program material itself. When this happens you must constantly adjust the volume to maintain your desired listening level. Audyssey Dynamic Volume monitors the volume of program material moment-by-moment and automatically adjusts it, maintaining the desired listening level for all content while optimizing the dynamic range to preserve impact.
• Advanced Music Optimizer: Compressed music enhancement in Onkyo TX-NR525 is done by Onkyo’s Advanced Music Optimizer. While MP3 or AAC files may sound fine through the headphones of your portable digital player, the limitations of these files can be exposed when played back through a quality home entertainment system. This is because a significant amount of high-frequency bit information is lost during the file-compression process. To counter this, Onkyo has designed the Advanced Music Optimizer to compensate for lost bit information and improve the quality of compressed audio signals. This results in a clearer and more expansive sound. Also included in this technology is a loudness correction feature that further improves the audio character of compressed files.

Room Calibration

Onkyo TX-NR525 comes with Audyssey MultEQ room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

• Audyssey Room Calibration: Audyssey is an acoustic measurement technology which automatically restores the acoustic distortion caused by the acoustic behaviour of a room with only a push on a button. Audyssey equalization provides an clear, accurate, natural sound with voices and dialog that become focused and intelligible, restoring the musical balance. Musical instruments and sound effects become precisely localized and the surround soundstage is made seamless and enveloping.

HDMI

Onkyo TX-NR525 features 6 HDMI inputs. It has 1 output.

• 4K/30Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/30p video signal.
• HDCP 2.2 Copy Protection: All inputs and outputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant which is a requirement for 4K/HDR copy-protected content transmission.
• 3D Ready: Onkyo TX-NR525 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

Onkyo TX-NR525 offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 2 different rooms.

Zone 2

• Audio Line Output: If you have a dedicated integrated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via line outs by sending fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 2 amplifier.

Audio

• Analog Line Inputs: There are 6 line inputs for analog audio connection.
• Digital Inputs and Outputs: 0 optical input, 1 optical output and 2 coaxial inputs are available for digital audio connection.
• Headphone Output: There is a 6.3 mm (1/4") headphone output jack on the front panel.

Video

• HDMI:
Inputs: 6   Outputs: 1
8K Inputs: 0
• Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
Inputs: 5   Outputs: 1
• Component Video: Component video connection gives you the higher quality video compared to the composite video connection. So in case your old DVD player and other equipment do not have an HDMI output but have Component video output use this connection over the composite one.
Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Onkyo TX-NR525.

BASICS
Brand	Onkyo
Model	TX-NR525
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
Release Year	2013

AMPLIFIER
Channels	5.2
WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry)
Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry
THX™ Certification
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Discrete Output Stage Circuitry
3-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry
PUSH-PULL Design
Independent Block Construction (Amp/Preprocessor)
Bi-amp Capability
BTL (Bridged Transless or Bridging)

AUDIO
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	Advanced 32-Bit Processing DSP Chip
DAC	Burr-Brown
DAC Specs	192 kHz/24 Bit
Maximum Channel Processing	5.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic	PLII
Dolby Digital EX
Surround EX
DTS:X
DTS Neural:X
DTS Virtual:X
DTS Neo	Neo:6
DTS-HD Master Audio
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio
DTS 96/24
DTS Express
DTS-ES
IMAX Enhanced
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, WMA, WMA Lossless, Ogg, MP3, DSD, AAC, LPCM, Dolby TruHD
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	up to 192 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, DSD, AAC, LPCM
Gapless Playback
DSD via HDMI	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB	2-ch Input
DSD to PCM Converter
USB DAC
Jitter Reduction	PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Jitter-Cleaning Circuit Technology for S/PDIF Audio
DTS Dialog Control
Dialog Enhancement
Dialog Level Adjustment
Dialog Normalization
Dialogue Lift
Tone Control	Front L/R Channels
Compressed Music Enhancer	Advanced Music Optimizer
High-resolution Music Enhancer
THX Processing Mode
Audyssey Dynamic EQ
Audyssey Dynamic Volume
Audyssey LFC
Audyssey Sub EQ HT
Audyssey DSX
Phase-Matching Bass Boost
Direct Mode
Pure Audio Mode
Pure Direct Analog Path Mode
Virtual Speakers	T-D (Theater-Dimensional)
Independent Subwoofer Outputs

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	Audyssey MultEQ
Audyssey App Support

VIDEO
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.2
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
BT.2020 color space
QMS (Quick Media Switching)
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
QFT (Quick Frame transport)
3-D Ready
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/30p
Video Signal Upscaling
Analog To HDMI Upconversion
Component Video Upscaling
Analog to Analog Video conversion
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
MHL Input
DLNA 1.5
FireConnect
FlareConnect
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Works with SONOS
AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	iPod and iPhone via front USB
Remote App	iPod touch/iPhone and Android-Powered Devices
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
Wi-Fi	via Front USB (optional UWF-1 sold separately)
Bluetooth	via Front USB (optional UBT-1 adapter sold separately)
HDBaseT Compatible
HDMI Inputs	6
HDMI Outputs	1
8K Inputs
USB Input	1 Front (for iPod/iPhone) and 1 Rear
USB DC Out Port
RCA Line Input	6 (1 front)
RCA Line Output
XLR Line Inputs
Phono Input
Optical Inputs	1
Optical Outputs
Coaxial Inputs	2
Composite Video Input	5 (1 front)
Composite Video Output	1
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input	2
Component Video Output	1
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
RCA Pre-Outs	0.2
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	L/R Audio, Composite, USB
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm (1/4")

ZONES
Zones	2
Powered Zones
Zone 2 Outs	RCA Line Out
Whole House Mode
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output	0
Remote (IR) Input/Output	0 / 0

MISC
On-Screen Display
Detachable Power Cord
uport
ONKYO-RI System Control
RIHD (Remote Interactive Over HDMI)
Pre-Pro/Learning Remote	/
On Screen Remote Programming
Bi-directional Remote Setup via GUI
Activity Based Remote
Smart Grid-Ready

RADIO
Analog Tuner	FM/AM
Presets	40
Digital Radio
Internet Radio	TuneIn
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

CONSTRUCTION
Solid Aluminum Front
Speaker Terminals	5
Large Speaker Terminals	5
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals
18mm Pitch High Grade Pre-outs
19mm-Pitch Audio Inputs
Gold plated RCA terminals

POWER
Power Supply	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Independent Power Supply
H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply)	Massive High Power Transformer
Toroidal Transformer
Power Consumption	4.2 A
No Sound Power	60 W
Standby Power	0.15 W

GENERAL
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 173.5 mm x 328 mm 17-1/8" x 6-13/16" x 12-15/16"
Weight	8.5 kg (18.7 lbs)
Warranty	2 Years

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	80 W (0.7% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	100 W (0.7% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	160 W
Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	130 W (1% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (3 Ω, Front)	180 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front)	160 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front)	100 W
THD	0.7% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, Half power)
Damping Factor	60 (Front, 1 kHz, 8 Ω)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ (Line)
Rated Lineout Level and Impedance	200 mV/2.2 kΩ
Maximum Lineout Level and Impedance	2 V/2.2 kΩ
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	100 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	5 Hz - 100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (DSP bypass)
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz
DSD Sampling Rates via USB	2.8 MHz
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite)
Video Frequency Response	5 Hz - 100 MHz/+0 dB, -3 dB (Component)
Ethernet Standard	100BASE-TX
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 107.9 MHz
AM Frequency	522/530 kHz - 1611/1710 kHz

* - 480i/576i and 480p/576p only
** - 480i/576i only
*** - no 1080p/24 upconversion
**** - 1080p signal is not converted

In 2014 Onkyo TX-NR525 was replaced by TX-NR535. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR535	vs	Onkyo TX-NR525
Gapless Playback		vs
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:2:0)	vs	up to 4K/30p
AirPlay	AirPlay via optional Onkyo RI Dock DS-A5 (sold separately)	vs
Wi-Fi		vs	via Front USB (optional UWF-1 sold separately)
Bluetooth		vs	via Front USB (optional UBT-1 adapter sold separately)
More RCA Line Inputs	7 (1 front)	vs	6 (1 front)
More RCA Line Outputs	1	vs
Independent Power Supply	2	vs
Higher DSD Sampling Rate via HDMI	2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz	vs	2.8 MHz

DOWNGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR535	vs	Onkyo TX-NR525
Music Playback via USB	FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, WMA, WMA Lossless, Ogg, MP3, DSD, AAC, LPCM	vs	FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, WMA, WMA Lossless, Ogg, MP3, DSD, AAC, LPCM, Dolby TruHD
High Resolution Music Playback via USB	up to 96 kHz	vs	up to 192 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, DSD, AAC	vs	FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, DSD, AAC, LPCM
Audyssey Dynamic EQ		vs
Audyssey Dynamic Volume		vs
Phase-Matching Bass Boost		vs
USB Input	1 (Front)	vs	1 Front (for iPod/iPhone) and 1 Rear
Less Composite Video Inputs	4 (1 front)	vs	5 (1 front)
Less Component Video Inputs	1	vs	2
Smaller Power Supply	3.2 A	vs	4.2 A
Lower Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	65 W (0.7% THD)	vs	80 W (0.7% THD)
Lower Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	90 W (0.7% THD)	vs	100 W (0.7% THD)
Lower Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	120 W	vs	160 W
Lower Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	115 W (0.9% THD)	vs	130 W (1% THD)
Lower Dynamic Power per Channel, 3 Ω, Front)	160 W	vs	180 W
Lower Dynamic Power per Channel, 4 Ω, Front)	125 W	vs	160 W
Lower Dynamic Power per Channel, 8 Ω, Front)	85 W	vs	100 W

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Onkyo TX-NR525 vs Onkyo TX-NR535.