Onkyo TX-NR797 (Asian version)

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Overview
Onkyo TX-NR797 was introduced in 2019. It is equipped with 9 channel amplifier and is capable of 9.1 maximum channel processing.
We evaluated the Receiver and gave 90 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-NR797.
PROS |
---|
👍 Dynamic Audio Amplification |
👍 THX™ Certification |
👍 Certified 4 Ω Performance |
👍 Bi-amp Capability |
👍 Many Channel Processing |
👍 Dolby Atmos |
👍 Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization |
👍 Dolby TrueHD |
👍 Dolby Digital Plus |
👍 Dolby Surround Upmixer |
👍 THX Listening Modes |
👍 DTS:X |
👍 DTS Neural:X |
👍 DTS Virtual:X |
👍 DTS-HD Master Audio |
👍 DTS-HD High Resolution Audio |
👍 DTS 96/24 |
👍 DTS Express |
👍 DTS-ES |
👍 IMAX Enhanced |
👍 High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network |
👍 Gapless Playback |
👍 DSD via HDMI |
👍 DSD via USB |
👍 DTS Dialog Control |
👍 Dialog Normalization |
👍 Compressed Music Enhancer |
👍 THX Processing Mode |
👍 Phase-Matching Bass Boost |
👍 Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. |
👍 HDR10 |
👍 BT.2020 color space |
👍 Dolby Vision |
👍 HLG |
👍 3-D Ready |
👍 4K or 8K Video Passthrough |
👍 4K or 8K Signal Upscaling |
👍 Analog To HDMI Upconversion |
👍 FlareConnect |
👍 Chromecast Built-In |
👍 DTS Play-Fi |
👍 Works with SONOS |
👍 Ethernet |
👍 Wi-Fi |
👍 Bluetooth |
👍 New HDCP Version |
👍 Many HDMI Inputs |
👍 USB Input |
👍 Many Analog Audio Line Inputs |
👍 Phono Input |
👍 Composite Video Inputs |
👍 Component Video Inputs |
👍 Zones |
👍 Detachable Power Cord |
👍 Analog Tuner |
👍 Spotify |
👍 Tidal |
👍 Deezer |
👍 H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) |
👍 New Bluetooth Version |
CONS |
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👎 No Front Wide Channel Support |
👎 No Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer |
👎 No High-resolution Music Enhancer |
👎 No HDR10+ |
👎 Does not Work with Amazon Alexa |
👎 No eARC |
👎 No Multi-Channel Input |
👎 No Analog Pre-Outs |
👎 No Pandora |
👎 No Napster |
👎 No SiriusXM Internet Radio |
Major Changes from its predecessor
Here we are comparing Onkyo TX-NR797 to its predecessor TX-NR787 and displaying the major changes.
UPGRADES | Onkyo TX-NR797 | vs | Onkyo TX-NR787 |
---|---|---|---|
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | vs | ||
DTS Virtual:X | via future firmware update | vs | |
IMAX Enhanced | via future firmware update | vs | |
Video Signal Upscaling | 1080p to 4K | vs | |
Newer HDCP Version | 2.3 (via future firmware update) | vs | 2.2 |
More HDMI Outputs | 2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2) | vs | 2 (simultaneous) |
Analog Tuner | FM/AM with RDS | vs | FM/AM |
Bigger Power Supply | 760 W | vs | 750 W |
Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB | 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 MHz | vs | 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz |
Newer Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | vs | 4.1 + LE |
DOWNGRADES | Onkyo TX-NR797 | vs | Onkyo TX-NR787 |
---|---|---|---|
Less Optical Inputs | 1 | vs | 2 |
Less Component Video Inputs | 1 | vs | 2 |
Pandora | vs |
For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Onkyo TX-NR797 vs Onkyo TX-NR787.
Amplifier
Onkyo TX-NR797 has 9 channel amplifier and delivers 100 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. It can bypass HDR10, Dolby Vision.
HDR10
High-dynamic-range (HDR) video has greater dynamic range than standard-dynamic-range (SDR) video with brigter whites and deeper blacks. HDR10 was announced on August 27, 2015, by the Consumer Technology Association and uses the wide-gamut Rec. 2020 color space. It sends static metadata via video stream to the TV which calibrates its screen brightness and color according to that. HDR10 supports up to 1000 nits of brightness and 10-bit color which corresponds to 1024 shades of the primary RGB colors.
Dolby Vision
Dolby Vision is an update to HDR10 by adding dynamic metadata that can be used to more accurately adjust brightness levels up to 10,000 nits maximum brightness on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis and supports up to 12-bit color depth (4096 shades of RGB) and 8K resolution.
Dolby Atmos and Dolby Surround upmixer
Onkyo TX-NR797 supports Dolby Atmos with its Dolby Surround upmixer. It can be configured upto 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 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.
DTS:X and Neural:X upmixer
Onkyo TX-NR797 supports DTS:X with its Neural:X upmixer. It can be configured upto 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 channels using internal amplifiers.
A technique used in DTS:X is similar to the one used in Dolby Atmos. Instead of a fixed number of channels, DTS:X defines object locations from the listener in polar coordinates. An a/v receiver then dynamically renders sound according to the current speaker configuration. The speaker layout employed by DTS:X is the sum of Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D. It has standard 7.1 channel base layer, a 5 channel height layer above the base layer on the front and side walls, and 3 rows of speakers on the ceiling.
DTS Neural:X is a new upmixer that can take non DTS:X content and upmix it to the DTS:X speaker layout. It has replaced the DTS Neo family with improved flexibility.
Dynamic Audio Amplification
Onkyo TX-NR797 features Dynamic Audio Amplification which is Onkyo’s amplification philosophy that focuses on capturing the energy and dynamism contained in the audio signal and reproducing it without loss. Audio signals are not static like a test tone, but rather a countless collection of constantly moving waves. While static measurements such as S/N ratio and Total Harmonic Distortion are important, Onkyo believes that excellent dynamic and transient response is the key to emotionally involving sound. Dynamism - the “life” in music - is achieved when the amp can respond to changes in the signal instantaneously, so notes start and stop naturally and the nuances in attack, decay, sustain, and release are voiced with conviction. Onkyo home theater receivers represent the culmination of almost 70 years’ experience in amplifier design. The unique elements of their amplification system comprise high-current, low-impedance architecture to accurately control large speaker cones while enabling instantaneous response to dynamic changes, and discrete wide-range amplifier circuit topology to eliminate phase shift for clear and accurate audio imaging.
WRAT
Onkyo TX-NR797 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.
THX™ Certification
Onkyo TX-NR797 is THX™ certified which 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 RE-EQ, timbre matching, boundary gain compensation and THX Loudness Plus. The current model has Select™ (previously known as Select2) class performance. This means that it is for medium sized rooms, up to 2,000 cubic feet in size, with a 10-12 foot viewing distance from the screen.
Advanced Music Optimizer
Compressed music enhancement in Onkyo TX-NR797 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-NR797 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-NR797 comes with AccuEQ Advance with AccuReflex™ room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.
Connectivity
Onkyo TX-NR797 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 works with SONOS and supports AirPlay 2 after firmware update. It has 7 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.3 (via future firmware update) 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 and Mini-Jack inputs.


Specifications
Here we list all the available features and specifications of Onkyo TX-NR797.
BASICS | |
---|---|
Brand | Onkyo |
Model | TX-NR797 |
Type | A/V Receiver |
Country | Asia |
Release Year | 2019 |
AMPLIFIER | |
---|---|
Channels | 9.2 |
Front Wide Channel Support | |
Amplifier Design | Linear Class A/B |
Dynamic Audio Amplification | |
Non-Phase Shift Amplifier | |
VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) | Front L/R channels |
Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry | |
THX™ Certification | Select™ (previously known as Select2) |
Continuous 6 Ω Rated | |
Certified 4 Ω Performance | |
Discrete Output Stage Circuitry | |
Independent Block Construction (Amp/Preprocessor) | |
Bi-amp Capability | |
BTL (Bridged Transless or Bridging) |
AUDIO | |
---|---|
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine | 32-bit Digital Signal Processing Engines |
DAC | AKM AK4458 |
Maximum Channel Processing | 9.1 |
Air Studios Monitor Certification | |
Dolby Atmos | |
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization | |
Dolby TrueHD | |
Dolby Digital Plus | |
Dolby Surround Upmixer | |
Dolby Pro Logic | |
Dolby Digital EX | |
THX Listening Modes | |
DTS:X | |
DTS Neural:X | |
DTS Virtual:X | via future firmware update |
DTS Neo | |
DTS-HD Master Audio | |
DTS-HD High Resolution Audio | |
DTS 96/24 | |
DTS Express | |
DTS-ES | |
IMAX Enhanced | via future firmware update |
Auro 3D with Auro-Matic Upmixer | |
PCM | 2-ch/Multi-ch Input |
Music Playback via USB | FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, WMA, MP3, DSD, AIFF, AAC, Dolby TrueHD |
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network | up to 192 kHz |
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB | FLAC, WAV, Apple Lossless, DSD, AIFF, AAC, Dolby TrueHD |
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 Normalization | |
Dialogue Lift | |
Tone Control | All 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 | |
Direct Mode | |
Pure Audio Mode | |
Pure Direct Analog Path Mode | |
Virtual Speakers | T-D (Theater-Dimensional) |
CALIBRATION | |
---|---|
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic. | AccuEQ Advance with AccuReflex™ |
VIDEO | |
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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 (RGB/YCbCr4:4:4) |
Video Signal Upscaling | 1080p to 4K |
Analog To HDMI Upconversion | Component**, Composite |
Component Video Upscaling | |
Analog to Analog Video conversion | |
Component Video Maximum Resolution | 480i/576i |
isf Certified Calibration Control |
CONNECTIVITY | |
---|---|
MHL Input | |
FireConnect | |
FlareConnect | |
Chromecast Built-In | |
DTS Play-Fi | via Onkyo Music Control app |
Works with Amazon Alexa | |
Works with SONOS | |
AirPlay | AirPlay 2 after firmware update |
Apple Product Connection | iPod, iPhone and iPad |
Remote App | Onkyo Controller and Music Control apps |
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue | |
Ethernet | |
Ethernet Switch | |
Wi-Fi | |
Bluetooth | SBC, AAC |
HDBaseT Compatible | |
Enhanced ARC | |
HDCP Version | 2.3 (via future firmware update) |
HDMI Input | 7 (1 front) |
HDMI Output | 2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2) |
USB Input | 1 (Rear) |
USB DC Out Port | |
Analog Audio Line Input | 7 (1 Front) |
Analog Audio Line Output | |
Phono Input | |
Optical In | 1 |
Optical Out | |
Coaxial In/Out | 1 / |
Composite Video Input | 2 |
Composite Video Output | |
S-Video Input | |
S-Video Output | |
Component Video Input | 1 |
Component Video Output | |
PC In | |
Multi-Channel Input | |
Analog Pre-Outs | 0.2 |
XLR Inputs | |
XLR Pre-outs | |
Front A/V Inputs | HDMI, Mini-Jack |
Speaker A/B | |
Headphone Out | 6.3 mm |
ZONES | |
---|---|
Zones | 3 |
Powered Zones | 2 and 3 |
Zone 2 | HDMI, RCA Line Out (shared with Zone B) |
Zone 3 Outs | |
Whole House Mode | |
RS-232 | |
+12V Trigger Output | 1 (MAIN, 100 mA) |
Remote (IR) Input/Output | 1 / 0 |
MISC | |
---|---|
On-Screen Display | Graphical User Interface with Overlaid On-Screen Display (OSD) via HDMI |
GUI Languages | 7 |
Detachable Power Cord | |
uport | |
ONKYO-RI System Control | |
RIHD (Remote Interactive Over HDMI) | |
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 |
H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply) | Customized Transformer |
Toroidal Transformer | |
Power Consumption | 760 W |
No Sound Power | 75 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 379.5 mm 17-1/8" x 6-13/16" x 14-15/16" |
Dimensions of Package (W x H x D) | 534 mm x 265 mm x 468 mm 21" x 10-7/16" x 18-7/16" |
Weight | 10.8 kg (23.8 lbs) |
Weight of Package | 13.5 kg (29.8 lbs) |
Warranty | 2 Years |
SPECS | |
---|---|
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA) | 185 W (10% THD) |
Dynamic Power per Channel (3 Ω, Front) | 250 W |
Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front) | 220 W |
Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front) | 130 W |
THD | 0.08% (20 Hz - 20 kHz, Half power) |
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Line) | 200 mV/47 kΩ (1 kHz, 100 W/8 Ω) |
Input Sensitivity and Impedance (Phono MM) | 3.5 mV/47 kΩ |
Rated Headphone Power Output | 85 mW (32 Ω, 1 kHz, 10% THD) |
Phono Overload | 70 mV (MM, 1 kHz 0.5%) |
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A) | 106 dB |
S/N Ratio (Phono MM, IHF-A) | 80 dB |
Frequency Response (Analog In) | 10 Hz - 100 kHz/+1 dB, -3 dB (Direct) |
DSD Sampling Rates via HDMI | 2.8 MHz |
DSD Sampling Rates via USB | 2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2 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) |
Ethernet Standard | 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX |
Wi-Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n |
Wi-Fi Terminal Frequency | 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz |
Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
Bluetooth Frequency | 2.4 GHz |
USB Terminal | Ver. 2.0, 5 V, 1 A |
FM Frequency | 87.5 MHz - 108.0 MHz |
FM 50 dB Quiet Sensitivity (IHF, 1 kHz, 100% MOD.) | Mono: 1.0 µV (11.2 dBf) |
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