Onkyo TX-NR809

Onkyo TX-NR809 was introduced in 2011. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 135 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 80 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.

For more details about the ranking please go to    Evaluation section.

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

You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Onkyo TX-RZ840 vs TX-RZ830 vs TX-RZ820 vs TX-RZ810 vs TX-RZ800 vs TX-NR838.

In this section we present pros and cons of Onkyo TX-NR809.

In 2011 Onkyo released 8 new receivers. Here is the lineup:

You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Onkyo TX-NR5009 vs TX-NR3009 vs TX-NR1009 vs TX-NR809 vs TX-NR709 vs TX-NR609.

Onkyo TX-NR809'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-NR809 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-NR809 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.

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

Onkyo TX-NR809 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-NR809 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 S-Video and PC video sources and Onkyo TX-NR809 will output them via HDMI. This means that you will need only one HDMI cable to connect to your TV.
• 3D Ready: Onkyo TX-NR809 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

VIDEO FEATURES
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
HDBaseT Compatible
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
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 1080p
Video Signal Upscaling	up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo)

Onkyo TX-NR809 comes with Audyssey MultEQ XT 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.

Onkyo TX-NR809 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 Pre/Line Output: If you have a dedicated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via pre/line outs and use "pre out" option to control volume from the a/v receiver or use "line out" option - send fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 2 amplifier.

Zone 3

• Audio Pre/Line Output: If you have a dedicated amplifier for Zone 2 you can connect it to the a/v receiver via pre/line outs and use "pre out" option to control volume from the a/v receiver or use "line out" option - send fixed signal and then control volume on the Zone 3 amplifier.

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.
• 7.1 Multichannel Input: In case you have a high quality Blu-Ray or a DVD player with multichannel analog outputs you may connect it to a 7.1 multichannel analog inputs of the a/v receiver and use high quality DACs of the player instead of the ones in the a/v receiver.
• Analog Pre-Outs: Onkyo TX-NR809 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 and Outputs: There are 6 line inputs and 1 line output for analog audio connection.
• Digital Inputs: 3 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: 2
• S-Video:
Inputs: 4   Outputs: 2
• 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-NR809 supports up to 1080p resolution on Component video connectors.
Inputs: 2   Outputs: 1

Front A/V Inputs

• HDMI, USB, Composite Video, RCA Audio, Optical

In 2012 Onkyo TX-NR809 was replaced by Onkyo TX-NR818. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Onkyo TX-NR809 and its successor.

UPGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR818	vs	Onkyo TX-NR809
Independent Block Construction (Amp/Preprocessor)		vs
Digital Processing Crossover Network		vs
More Channel Processing	9.1	vs	7.1
DTS Neo	Neo:X	vs	Neo:6
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
Dialogue Lift	Screen Centered Dialog	vs
More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	Audyssey MultEQ XT32	vs	Audyssey MultEQ XT
MHL Input	Front HDMI	vs
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue		vs
More RCA Line Inputs	7 (1 front)	vs	6 (1 front)
More RCA Pre-Outs	9.2	vs	7.2
More Powered Zones	2 and 3	vs	2
Bigger Power Supply	8.1 A	vs	7.5 A

DOWNGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR818	vs	Onkyo TX-NR809
PUSH-PULL Design		vs
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
Zone 2 Outs	RCA Line Out	vs	RCA Pre/Line Out
Zone 3 Outs	RCA Line Out	vs	RCA Pre/Line Out
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	160 W (0.1% THD)

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Onkyo TX-NR809 vs TX-NR818.

GENERAL
Brand	Onkyo
Model	TX-NR809
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
Release Year	2011
Successor	Onkyo TX-NR818

AMPLIFIER
Channels	7.2
Power Output	135 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)

AUDIO FEATURES
Digital Processing Crossover Network
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Engine	Advanced 32-Bit Processing DSP Chip
DAC	Burr-Brown
DAC Specs	192 kHz/24 Bit
Maximum Channel Processing	7.1
Air Studios Monitor Certification
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization
Dolby Atmos Music
Dolby TrueHD
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Surround Upmixer
Dolby Pro Logic	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
PCM	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
Music Playback via USB	FLAC, WAV, WMA, WMA Lossless, Ogg, MP3, LPCM, AAC
High Resolution Music Playback via USB and/or Network	up to 96 kHz
High Resolution Audio Formats via USB	FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, LPCM, AAC
Gapless Playback
DSD via HDMI	2-ch/Multi-ch Input
DSD via USB
DSD to PCM Converter
USB DAC
Jitter Reduction	PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Jitter-Cleaning Circuit Technology for All Audio Signals
DTS Dialogue 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 XT
Audyssey App Support

VIDEO FEATURES
HDR10
HDR10+
Dynamic HDR
BT.2020 color space
Dolby Vision
HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma)
HDBaseT Compatible
Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
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 1080p
Video Signal Upscaling	up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo)
Analog To HDMI Upconversion	Component, Composite, S-Video, PC
Component Video Upscaling
Analog to Analog Video conversion
Component Video Maximum Resolution	1080p
isf Certified Calibration Control

CONNECTIVITY
Wi-Fi	via Front USB (optional UWF-1 sold separately)
Bluetooth
Works with Amazon Alexa
Chromecast Built-In
Works with SonoS
DTS Play-Fi
MHL Input
DLNA 1.5
AirPlay
Apple Product Connection	iPod and iPhone via front USB or optional UP-A1 Dock (sold separately)
Remote App	iPod touch/iPhone
InstaPrevue Input Source Prevue

TERMINALS
HDMI Inputs	8 (1 front)
HDMI Outputs	2 (simultaneous)
8K Inputs
USB Input	1 Front (for iPod/iPhone) and 1 Rear
USB DC Out Port
Optical Inputs	3 (1 front)
Optical Outputs
Coaxial Inputs	3
RCA Line Inputs	6 (1 front)
RCA Line Outputs	1
XLR Line Inputs
Phono Input
Multi-Channel Input	7.1
RCA Pre-Outs	7.2
XLR Pre-outs
Composite Video Inputs	5 (1 front)
Composite Video Outputs	2
S-Video Inputs	4
S-Video Outputs	2
Component Video Inputs	2
Component Video Outputs	1
Ethernet
Ethernet Switch
PC In
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI, USB, Composite Video, RCA Audio, Optical
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm (1/4")
Detachable Power Cord
uport

ZONES
Number of Zones	3
Powered Zones	2
Zone 2 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out
Zone 3 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out
Whole House Mode
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output	2 (Zone2, Zone 3)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 1

MISCELLANEOUS
On-Screen Display	Advanced "Home" GUI
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	HD Radio via optional UP-HT1 Tuner (sold separately)
Internet Radio	vTuner
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM

CONSTRUCTION
Solid Aluminum Front
Speaker Terminals	11
Large Speaker Terminals	11
Color-Coded Speaker Terminals
Transparent High-Grade Speaker Terminals
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	7.5 A
No Sound Power	95 W
Standby Power	0.2 W

PHYSICAL
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 198.5 mm x 435.5 mm 17-1/8" x 7-13/16" x 18-1/8"
Weight	18.3 kg (40.3 lbs)

SPECIFICATIONS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	135 W (0.08% THD)
Power Output (8 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel Driven, FTC)	145 W (0.7% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	160 W (0.1% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA or IEC)	230 W
Rated Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	180 W (1% THD)
Dynamic Power per Channel (3 Ω, Front)	300 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (4 Ω, Front)	250 W
Dynamic Power per Channel (8 Ω, Front)	150 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 Preout Level and Impedance	200 mV/470 Ω
Maximum Preout Level and Impedance	4.6 V/470 Ω
Phono Overload	70 mV (MM 1 kHz 0.5%)
S/N Ratio (Line, IHF-A)	110 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
Video Input Sensitivity/Output Level and Impedance	1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component and S-Video Y) 0.7 Vp-p/75 Ω (Component PB/CB, PR/CR) 1 Vp-p/75 Ω (Composite) 0.25 Vp-p/75 Ω (S-Video C)
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
Warranty	2 Years

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