Onkyo TX-NR717

    79
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    Highlights

    • 7.2 Channels
    • 7.1 Channel Processing
    • 110 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
    • THX™Select™2 Plus Certified
    • 4K/30Hz Upscaling
    • Ethernet
    • Phono Input
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Onkyo TX-NR717 was introduced in 2012. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 110 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It passes 1080/60p and upscales up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo) video signal.

    We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 79 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.


    Here is a history of the series, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the receivers.

    Evolution of the series
    Model Year Chann. Power Dolby Atmos DTS:X HDR10 HDR10+ Dolby Vision Pass. Price
    TX-NR797 Image cannot be found 2019 9.2 100 W 4K
    TX-NR787 Image cannot be found 2018 9.2 100 W 4K
    TX-NR777 Image cannot be found 2017 7.2 110 W 4K
    TX-NR757 Image cannot be found 2016 7.2 110 W 4K
    TX-NR747 Image cannot be found 2015 7.2 110 W 4K
    TX-NR737 Image cannot be found 2014 7.2 110 W 4K
    TX-NR727 Image cannot be found 2013 7.2 110 W 4K
    TX-NR717 Image cannot be found 2012 7.2 110 W 1080p
    TX-NR709 Image cannot be found 2011 7.2 110 W 1080p

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Onkyo TX-NR797 vs TX-NR787 vs TX-NR777 vs TX-NR757 vs TX-NR747 vs TX-NR737.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Onkyo TX-NR717.

    PROs

    •   High Power Output - 110 W
    •   Front Wide Channel Support
    •   THX™ Certification
    •   DSD via HDMI
    •   Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.
    •   New HDCP Version
    •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion
    •   8 HDMI Inputs
    •   USB Input
    •   Many RCA Line Inputs
    •   Phono Input
    •   RCA Pre-Outs
    •   Composite Video Inputs
    •   Component Video Inputs
    •   Ethernet
    •   3 Zones
    •   Analog Tuner
    •   Pandora
    •   Spotify

    CONs

    •   No Dolby Atmos
    •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
    •   No DTS:X
    •   No IMAX Enhanced
    •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
    •   No HDR10
    •   No HDR10+
    •   No Dolby Vision
    •   No eARC
    •   No 8K Passthrough
    •   No Bluetooth
    •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
    •   0 8K Input
    •   No Digital Radio
    •   No Tidal

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   7.2 Channels
    •   7.1 Channel Processing
    •   Wi-Fi
    •   2 HDMI Outputs

    Onkyo 2012 Lineup

    In 2012 Onkyo released 9 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

    Onkyo 2012 Lineup
    ModelChannelsPowerMax. Ch. Proc.Pre OutsRoom Corr.Zones Price
    TX-NR5010 Image cannot be found 9.2145 W11.111.4 Audyssey MultEQ XT323
    TX-NR3010 Image cannot be found 9.2140 W11.111.4 Audyssey MultEQ XT323
    TX-NR1010 Image cannot be found 7.2140 W9.19.2 Audyssey MultEQ XT323
    TX-NR818 Image cannot be found 7.2135 W9.19.2 Audyssey MultEQ XT323
    TX-NR717 Image cannot be found 7.2110 W7.17.2 Audyssey 2EQ3
    TX-NR616 Image cannot be found 7.2100 W7.1 Audyssey 2EQ3
    TX-NR515 Image cannot be found 7.280 W7.1 Audyssey 2EQ2
    TX-NR414 Image cannot be found 5.180 W5.12
    TX-SR313 Image cannot be found 5.165 W5.11

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Onkyo TX-NR5010 vs TX-NR3010 vs TX-NR1010 vs TX-NR818 vs TX-NR717 vs TX-NR616.

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Onkyo TX-NR717 to its predecessor TX-NR709 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Onkyo TX-NR717 vs Onkyo TX-NR709
    Music Playback via USB FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, WMA, WMA Lossless, Ogg, MP3, DSD, Dolby TruHD, LPCM, AAC vs FLAC, WAV, WMA, WMA Lossless, Ogg, MP3, LPCM, AAC
    Higher Resolution Music Playback via USB up to 192 kHz vs up to 96 kHz
    High Resolution Audio Formats via USB FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, DSD, WMA Lossless, LPCM, AAC, Dolby TrueHD vs FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, LPCM, AAC
    DSD via USB 2-ch Input vs
    Dialog Normalization vs
    MHL Input Front HDMI vs
    InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue vs
    USB Input 1 Front (for iPod/iPhone) and 1 Rear vs 1 Front
    More RCA Line Inputs 6 vs 5
    More Zones 3 vs 2
    More Powered Zones 2 and 3 vs 2
    Whole House Mode vs
    Bi-directional Remote Setup via GUI vs
    DOWNGRADES Onkyo TX-NR717 vs Onkyo TX-NR709
    Less Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System Audyssey 2EQ vs Audyssey MultEQ XT
    Less RCA Line Outputs vs 1
    Multi-Channel Input vs 7.1
    Less Composite Video Outputs 1 vs 2
    Less S-Video Inputs vs 4
    Less S-Video Outputs vs 2
    uport vs
    RS-232C Interface vs
    Pre-Pro/Learning Remote / vs /
    Activity Based Remote vs
    Digital Radio vs HD Radio via optional UP-HT1 Tuner (sold separately)
    Napster vs
    Lower Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC) 125 W (0.7% THD) vs 130 W (0.1% THD)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Onkyo TX-NR717 vs TX-NR709.

    Successor

    In 2013 Onkyo TX-NR717 was replaced by Onkyo TX-NR727. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Onkyo TX-NR717 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Onkyo TX-NR727 vs Onkyo TX-NR717
    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
    Wi-Fi vs via Front USB (optional UWF-1 sold separately)
    Bluetooth vs
    AirPlay AirPlay via optional Onkyo RI Dock DS-A5 (sold separately) vs
    Smart Grid-Ready vs
    Independent Power Supply 2 vs
    Bigger Power Supply 6.9 A vs 6.8 A
    DOWNGRADES Onkyo TX-NR727 vs Onkyo TX-NR717
    Front Wide Channel Support vs
    High Resolution Audio Formats via USB FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, DSD, AAC, LPCM vs FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, DSD, WMA Lossless, LPCM, AAC, Dolby TrueHD
    USB Input 1 (Front) vs 1 Front (for iPod/iPhone) and 1 Rear
    Less Optical Inputs 1 vs 2
    Less Coaxial Inputs/Outputs 2 vs 3
    Less RCA Pre-Outs 0.2 vs 7.2
    Less Composite Video Inputs 4 vs 5 (1 front)
    Less Component Video Inputs 1 vs 2
    PC In vs
    Front A/V Inputs HDMI/MHL, USB vs HDMI/MHL, USB, Composite Video
    Less Powered Zones 2 vs 2 and 3
    Whole House Mode vs
    +12V Trigger Output 0 vs 1 (Zone2)
    Remote (IR) Input/Output 0 / 0 vs 1 / 0
    Bi-directional Remote Setup via GUI vs
    Less Speaker Terminals 9 vs 11
    Less Large Speaker Terminals 9 vs 11

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Onkyo TX-NR717 vs TX-NR727.

    Audio Section

    7 channel Amplifier

    Onkyo TX-NR717 features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 110 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven) and is able to drive 4 ohm speakers.

    • WRAT (Wide Range Amp Technology): Onkyo TX-NR717 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.
    • 3-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry: Onkyo TX-NR717 features 3-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry. Standard amplifiers employ a negative feedback (NFB) design that counters distortion by feeding back the opposite phase of the output signal into the input stage. Unfortunately, NFB is easily affected by inverse electromotive forces from the speakers, leading to an increase in circuit noise. Three-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry is a core Onkyo technology incorporating a low-NFB design that makes the sound more natural. Sensitive to oscillations, this circuitry requires very advanced control technology in order to be incorporated into the amplifier.

    THX Select™2 Plus certified

    Onkyo TX-NR717 is THX Select™2 Plus certified. This means that it is ideally suited for a room where the screen-to-seat viewing distance is approximately 3 to 4 meters, and the room size is approximately 56 cubic meters.

    • THX™ Certification: THX™ Certification offers optimal performance, superior quality and seamless integration. THX works with partners from the ground up, so that certified products deliver professional quality audio-visual experiences right out of the box. They only certify the very best products with uncompromised quality, performance and consistency. They ensure that THX certified devices play well with lower performing devices and components. THX listening modes make the receiver to have one speaker set up for movies, music and games. They are tested for power output, bass management, signal-to-noise ratio and feature THX Loudness Plus, Boundary Gain Compensation, Timbre Matching and RE-EQ.
    • Power Output: Power output is tested to ensure the receiver accurately plays source material at THX Reference Level in every input and mode and at every sampling rate for all possible playback combinations selected by the listener.
    • Frequency Response: THX has strict requirements for frequency response to ensure that you hear all the details in high-resolution tracks, ensures dialog in movies, and vocals in music are clear while maintaining deep, impactful bass output that doesn’t overpower the listening experience.
    • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: THX tests the signal-to-noise ratio to ensure the unit is designed to have low noise performance with very little to no audible hiss from the speakers.
    • Bass Management: THX requires an 80Hz crossover point in the setup menu to ensure proper bass management in every THX Certified AVR. This setting confirms that the subwoofer handles low frequencies, freeing up the loudspeakers to handle mids and highs.
    • THX Loudness Plus™: THX Loudness Plus™ is a volume control technology featured in THX Certified Dominus, THX Certified Ultra and THX Certified Select AV Receivers, and preamplifiers that automatically adjusts the front-to-back speaker level relationship as you turn the volume down. With THX Loudness Plus, home theater audiences can now experience the rich details of surround sound at any volume level.
    • Boundary Gain Compensation: Sitting near a wall may result in increased acoustic levels at the lower frequencies. BGC corrects the way low frequency sound is perceived when seated near a wall. This results in a more accurate bass response.
    • Timbre Matching: Your ears hear different tonal qualities in sounds coming from different directions. Timbre Matching restores the frequency balance between your front and surround speakers ensuring seamless and smooth panning between the front to back of the room.
    • RE-EQ: Many movie soundtracks are mixed in studios for playback in large cinema auditoriums with an array of speakers. When played on home systems, they may appear abrasive and edgy. Re-EQ establishes a more accurate tonal balance when enjoying movies in your home.
    AMPLIFIER
    Channels7.2
    Power Output110 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven)
    Front Wide Channel Support
    WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology)
    VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry)
    Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry Linear
    THX™ Certification Select™2 Plus
    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)

    Speaker Configurations

    Onkyo TX-NR717's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

    • Configurations: Available configurations are:
    • 5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
    • Front Wide Channel support: Onkyo TX-NR717 supports front wide channels. With the presence of two front wide speakers you can enhance the front surround stage. The following speaker configurations are available for front wide channels - 7.2.
    • 2-ch Bi-Amp: Onkyo TX-NR717 allows you to bi-amp up to 2 main channels simultaneously. During bi-amplification two amplifiers are used for one speaker. One amplifier powers the midrange and tweeter section of the speaker and another amplifier powers the low frequency woofers. Each amplifier is less loaded and performs better. In order to use this feature speakers must have 2 pairs of connectors.
    Onkyo TX-NR717

    Audyssey DSX

    Audyssey DSX allows you to augment a standard five-channel home theater with either two Front Wide or two Front High speakers. The Wide channels create an expansive soundstage and bring out convincing directional effects. Alternatively, Height channels can add a vertical dimension to movie and game soundtracks.


    DECODING
    Dolby Atmos
    Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
    Dolby Atmos Music
    Dolby TrueHD
    Dolby Digital Plus
    Dolby Surround Upmixer
    Dolby Pro Logic PLIIz
    Dolby Digital EX
    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

    Sound Processing

    • Audyssey: Onkyo TX-NR717 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-NR717 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-NR717 comes with Audyssey 2EQ 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.

    Video Section

    HDMI

    Onkyo TX-NR717 features 8 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs which work parallelly and output the same signal.

    • 1080/60p Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 1080p video signal.
    • 4K Upscaling: Onkyo TX-NR717 can upscale up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo) from HDMI and analog sources.
    • Analog To HDMI Upconversion: The a/v receiver supports video upconversion, so you can connect your analog Component and Composite and PC video sources and Onkyo TX-NR717 will output them via HDMI. This means that you will need only one HDMI cable to connect to your TV.
    • 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-NR717 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.
    Onkyo TX-NR717
    VIDEO FEATURES
    HDR10
    HDR10+
    Dynamic HDR
    BT.2020 color space
    Dolby Vision
    HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
    HDBaseT Compatible
    Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
    HDCP Version2.2
    QMS (Quick Media Switching)
    ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
    VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
    QFT (Quick Frame transport)
    3-D Ready
    Video Signal Passthroughup to 1080p
    Video Signal Upscaling up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo)

    Multi-zone Playback

    Onkyo TX-NR717 offers multi-zone playback which allows you to play different input sources in 3 different rooms.


    Zone 2

    • Powered Zone 2: You can use the unit's 2 amplifier channels by connecting Zone 2 speakers directly to the speaker terminals. The remaining 5 channels will be left for main zone amplification.
    • 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.

    Zone 3

    • Powered Zone 3: You can use the unit's 2 amplifier channels by connecting Zone 3 speakers directly to the speaker terminals. The remaining 5 channels will be left for main zone amplification.
    • Audio Line Output: If you have a dedicated integrated amplifier for Zone 3 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.
    ZONES
    Number of Zones3
    Powered Zones 2 and 3
    Zone 2 OutsRCA Line Out
    Zone 3 OutsRCA Line Out
    Whole House Mode
    RS-232C Interface
    +12V Trigger Output1 (Zone2)
    Remote (IR) Input/Output1 / 0

    Check out the receivers which are frequently compared to Onkyo TX-NR717.

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    Inputs and Outputs

    Audio

    • Phono Input: There is an MM phono input with built-in phono stage for connecting the moving magnet cartridge output of the turntable directly to the a/v receiver.
    • Analog Pre-Outs: Onkyo TX-NR717 has 7.2 preamplifier outputs which allow you to connect the a/v receiver to the external power amplifier. You may want to use a high quality external amplifier for certain channels, usually for front L/R and center, and use the a/v receiver to power the rest.
    • Analog Line Inputs: There are 6 line inputs for analog audio connection.
    • Digital Inputs: 2 optical inputs and 3 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: 8 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (simultaneous)
      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. Onkyo TX-NR717 supports up to 1080p resolution on Component video connectors.
    • Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1

    Front A/V Inputs

    • HDMI/MHL, USB, Composite Video
    Image cannot be found
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    TERMINALS
    HDMI Inputs8 (1 front)
    HDMI Outputs2 (simultaneous)
    8K Inputs
    USB Input1 Front (for iPod/iPhone) and 1 Rear
    USB DC Out Port
    Optical Inputs2
    Optical Outputs
    Coaxial Inputs3
    RCA Line Inputs6
    RCA Line Outputs
    XLR Line Inputs
    Phono Input
    Multi-Channel Input
    RCA Pre-Outs7.2
    XLR Pre-outs
    Composite Video Inputs5 (1 front)
    Composite Video Outputs1
    S-Video Inputs
    S-Video Outputs
    Component Video Inputs2
    Component Video Outputs1

    Onkyo TX-NR717 Evaluation

    We evaluate Onkyo TX-NR717 and give score of 79 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 6 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new receiver is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    79

    Amplifier

    EXCELLENT
    90

    We give Onkyo TX-NR717 a score of 90 for Amplifier features.

    •   7.2 Channels
    •   High Power Output - 110 W
    •   THX™ Certification

    Audio Features

    GOOD
    78

    We give Onkyo TX-NR717 a score of 78 for Audio Features features.

    •   7.2 Channels
    •   Front Wide Channel Support
    •   7.1 Channel Processing
    •   No Dolby Atmos
    •   No Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
    •   No DTS:X
    •   No IMAX Enhanced
    •   No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer
    •   DSD via HDMI

    Video Features

    AVERAGE
    58

    We give Onkyo TX-NR717 a score of 58 for Video Features features.

    •   No HDR10
    •   No HDR10+
    •   No Dolby Vision
    •   No 8K Passthrough
    •   Analog To HDMI Upconversion

    Connectivity

    GOOD
    82

    We give Onkyo TX-NR717 a score of 82 for Connectivity features.

    •   No eARC
    •   New HDCP Version
    •   Wi-Fi
    •   No Bluetooth
    •   Does not Work with Amazon Alexa
    •   8 HDMI Inputs
    •   2 HDMI Outputs
    •   0 8K Input
    •   USB Input
    •   Many RCA Line Inputs
    •   Phono Input
    •   RCA Pre-Outs
    •   Composite Video Inputs
    •   Component Video Inputs
    •   Ethernet

    Zones

    EXCELLENT
    87

    We give Onkyo TX-NR717 a score of 87 for Zones features.

    •   3 Zones

    Radio

    EXCELLENT
    90

    We give Onkyo TX-NR717 a score of 90 for Radio features.

    •   Analog Tuner
    •   Pandora
    •   Spotify
    •   No Tidal


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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