Onkyo TX-NR636 (European version)

Overview

Onkyo TX-NR636 was introduced in 2014. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing.

We evaluated the Receiver and gave 82 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.

Amplifier score is based on power ratings, minimum impedance load, power supply, transformer type, total harmonic distortion, damping factor, signal to noise ratio and other small details. Audio score depends on the number of channels, front wide channel support, maximum channel processing, support of audio formats, DAC specifications, room calibration algorithm... Video score is based on HDR, Dolby Vision and video signal passthrough and upscaling, analog to HDMI upconversion. Connectivity score is defined from all wired and wireless inputs and outputs, internet and bluetooth connections, HEOS, SONOS and others. Multizone score depends on the number of zones with their outputs. Radio score is evaluated form digital radio support and analog tuner with its frequency range, signal to noise ratio, harmonic distortion...

Pros and Cons

In this section we present pros and cons of Onkyo TX-NR636.

Major Changes from its predecessor

Here we are comparing Onkyo TX-NR636 to its predecessor TX-NR626 and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR636	vs	Onkyo TX-NR626
Dolby Atmos	up to with firmware update	vs
Surround EX	also known as Dolby Digital Surround EX	vs
Gapless Playback		vs
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:2:0)	vs	up to 4K/30p
MHL Input	Front HDMI	vs
More HDMI Inputs	7 (1 front)	vs	6
Bigger Power Supply	630 W	vs	600 W

DOWNGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR636	vs	Onkyo TX-NR626
High Resolution Music Playback via USB	up to 96 kHz	vs	up to 192 kHz
Audyssey Dynamic EQ		vs
Audyssey Dynamic Volume		vs
Less Composite Video Inputs	3	vs	5 (1 front)

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Onkyo TX-NR636 vs Onkyo TX-NR626.

Amplifier

Onkyo TX-NR636 has 7 channel amplifier and delivers 95 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and also has a stable performance at 4 Ω load.

Video Features

The Receiver has 4K passthrough up to 60p and 4K upscaling up to 30p.

Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround upmixer

Onkyo TX-NR636 supports Dolby Atmos. It can be configured upto 5.1.2 channels using internal amplifiers.

Dolby Atmos is the first cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound - the helicopter, a car screeching around a corner, a melodic bird call - can exist as an independent audio object, free of channel restrictions. They can be precisely placed and moved anywhere in your room, including overhead, to flow above and around you in three-dimensional space. Through the use of audio objects, overhead sound, and all the richness, clarity, and power of Dolby sound, Dolby Atmos turns your room into an amazing place for entertainment. You'll feel like you're inside the action, in ways you've never experienced before.

Dolby Atmos for the home represents every sound in the original cinema mix as an audio object. Extensions to the Dolby Audio™ codecs, along with an advanced scalable algorithm, allow Dolby Atmos to be delivered via Blu-ray Disc and streaming media. A spatially-coded substream is added to Dolby TrueHD or Dolby Digital Plus. A Dolby Atmos audio/video receiver (AVR) adapts the cinema experience to your home theater from seven speakers to as many as 34 in 24.1.10 configuration, recreating the original artistic concept. The format supports up to 128 simultaneous independent audio objects in a mix for rich, realistic, and breathtaking sound. It recreates the director's original concept through descriptive metadata to provide customized playback for home theater and delivers sounds above you through overhead speakers, special upward-firing Dolby Atmos speakers, or a Dolby Atmos enabled sound bar.

If the content is not mixed in Dolby Atmos then the Dolby surround upmixer will expand the audio to all channels including ceiling speakers. The upmixer has replaced the Dolby Pro Logic II family with improved upmixing algorithms.

WRAT

Onkyo TX-NR636 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.

Advanced Music Optimizer

Compressed music enhancement in Onkyo TX-NR636 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.

Phase-Matching Bass Boost

Onkyo TX-NR636 features Phase-Matching Bass Boost. The negative effects of phase-shift or the timing difference between sound waves of different frequencies can sometimes be heard in audio players when corners are cut in order to increase bass response. While most audio systems have some form of low-frequency enhancement system, often a bigger bass sound comes at the expense of mid-range clarity, and results in a smeared or muddy sound. Onkyo’s Phase-Matching Bass Boost technology avoids this problem by improving the phase timing to preserve the natural clarity of the mid-range allowing vocals and strings to shine while maintaining a smooth, powerful bass response at all volume levels.

Room Correction

Onkyo TX-NR636 comes with AccuEQ room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

Connectivity

Onkyo TX-NR636 can be connected to internet using ethernet cable or built-in wi-fi adapter. It can also connect to bluetooth devices via built-in bluetooth adapter. The Receiver supports AirPlay via optional Onkyo RI Dock DS-A5 (sold separately). It has 7 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2 copy protection. There is a phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the cartridge output of the turntable directly to the Receiver.

Front panel has HDMI/MHL and USB inputs.

Specifications

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Onkyo TX-NR636.

BASICS
Brand	Onkyo
Model	TX-NR636
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	Europe
Release Year	2014

AMPLIFIER
Channels	7.2
Front Wide Channel Support
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	Front & Center Channels
PUSH-PULL Design
Independent Block Construction (Amp/Preprocessor)
Bi-amp Capability
BTL (Bridged Transless or Bridging)

AUDIO
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	Dual 32-bit DSP for Powerful Advanced Processing
DAC	Burr-Brown
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos	up to with firmware update
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic	PLIIz
Surround EX	also known as Dolby Digital 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	Discrete 6.1, Matrix 6.1
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 96 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, DSD, AAC
Multi-Channel Music File Playback via USB
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 (bluetooth included)
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	for Deep Bass and Clear Mid-Range
Direct Mode
Pure Audio Mode
Pure Direct Analog Path Mode
Virtual Speakers	T-D (Theater-Dimensional)
Independent Dual Subwoofer Output

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	AccuEQ

VIDEO
HDR10
HDR10+
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
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/60p (YCbCr 4:2:0)
Video Signal Upscaling	up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo)
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component**, Composite
Component Video Upscaling
Analog to Analog Video conversion
Component Video Maximum Resolution	1080p
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
MHL Input	Front HDMI
DLNA 1.5
FireConnect
FlareConnect
Chromecast Built-In
DTS Play-Fi
Works with Amazon Alexa
Works with SONOS
AirPlay	AirPlay via optional Onkyo RI Dock DS-A5 (sold separately)
Apple Product Connection	iPod and iPhone via optional Onkyo RI Dock DS-A5 (sold separately)
Remote App	Onkyo Remote App for iPod touch/iPhone and Android-Powered Devices
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
HDBaseT Compatible
Enhanced ARC
HDCP Version	2.2
HDMI Input	7 (1 front)
HDMI Output	2 (simultaneous)
USB Input	1 (Front)
USB DC Out Port
Analog Audio Line Input	6
Analog Audio Line Output
Phono Input
Optical In	1
Optical Out
Coaxial In/Out	2 /
Composite Video Input	3
Composite Video Output	1
S-Video Input
S-Video Output
Component Video Input	1
Component Video Output	1
PC In
Multi-Channel Input
Analog Pre-Outs	0.2
XLR Inputs
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI/MHL, USB
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm

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

MISC
On-Screen Display	Advanced "Home" GUI
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 with RDS
Presets	40
Digital Radio
Internet Radio	TuneIn
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

CONSTRUCTION
Solid Aluminum Front
Speaker Terminals	9
Large Speaker Terminals	9
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 220-240 V, 50/60 Hz
Independent Power Supply	2
H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply)	Massive High Power Transformer
Toroidal Transformer
Power Consumption	630 W
No Sound Power	80 W
Standby Power	0.2 W
Capacitor Bank	8,200 µF

GENERAL
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 173.5 mm x 329 mm 17-1/8" x 6-13/16" x 12-15/16"
Weight	10.5 kg (23.1 lbs)
Warranty	2 Years

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	95 W (0.08% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	130 W (0.08% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	115 W (0.7% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	175 W
Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	160 W (1% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (3 Ω, Front)	240 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front)	210 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front)	120 W
THD	0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, Half power)
Damping Factor	60 (Front, 1 kHz, 8 Ω)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line)	200 mV/47 kΩ (Line)
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Phono MM)	2.5 mV/47 kΩ
Rated Lineout Level and Impedance	200 mV/2.2 kΩ
Maximum Lineout Level and Impedance	2 V/2.2 kΩ
Phono Overload	70 mV (MM, 1kHz, 0.5% Direct)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	106 dB
S/N Ratio (Phono MM, IHF-A)	80 dB
Frequency Response (Analog In)	5 Hz - 100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct Mode)
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI	2.8 MHz, 5.6 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	10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
Wi-Fi Standard	IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency	2.4 GHz
Bluetooth Version	2.1 + EDR
Bluetooth Frequency	2.4 GHz
FM Frequency	87.5 MHz - 108.0 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

Successor

In 2015 Onkyo TX-NR636 was replaced by TX-NR646. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR646	vs	Onkyo TX-NR636
Dolby Surround Upmixer		vs
DTS:X	up to 5.1.2 after firmware update	vs
DTS Dialog Control		vs
More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	AccuEQ Advance	vs	AccuEQ
HDR10		vs
AirPlay	AirPlay	vs	AirPlay via optional Onkyo RI Dock DS-A5 (sold separately)
More HDMI Inputs	8 (1 front)	vs	7 (1 front)
More Analog Audio Line Inputs	7	vs	6
More Analog Audio Line Outputs	1	vs
More Optical Inputs	2	vs	1
More Component Video Inputs	2	vs	1
Deezer		vs

DOWNGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR646	vs	Onkyo TX-NR636
Surround EX		vs	also known as Dolby Digital Surround EX
Video Signal Upscaling		vs	up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo)
MHL Input		vs	Front HDMI
Less Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	1 /	vs	2 /
Less Composite Video Outputs		vs	1
Less Component Video Outputs		vs	1

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Onkyo TX-NR646 vs Onkyo TX-NR636.