Onkyo TX-NR838 (USA version)

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

Onkyo TX-NR838 was introduced in 2014. It is equipped with 7 channel amplifier with 130 W (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz and 2 channel driven) power per channel and is capable of 7.1 maximum channel processing. It supports Dolby Atmos, passes 4K/60Hz and upscales up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo) video signal.

We evaluated the a/v receiver and gave 85 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-NR838.

Here we are comparing Onkyo TX-NR838 to its predecessor TX-NR828 and displaying the major changes.

UPGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR838	vs	Onkyo TX-NR828
Dolby Atmos		vs
Dolby Surround Upmixer		vs
Gapless Playback		vs
Pure Direct Analog Path Mode		vs
Video Signal Passthrough	up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:2:0)	vs	up to 4K/30p
More HDMI Outputs	2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)	vs	2 (simultaneous)
Zone 2 Outs	HDMI, RCA Pre/Line Out	vs	RCA Line Out
Zone 3 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out	vs	RCA Line Out
Smart Grid-Ready		vs
Higher DSD Sampling Rate via HDMI	2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz	vs	2.8 MHz

DOWNGRADES	Onkyo TX-NR838	vs	Onkyo TX-NR828
Dolby Pro Logic		vs	PLIIz
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
Audyssey DSX		vs
isf Certified Calibration Control		vs
Less HDMI Inputs	7 (1 front)	vs	8 (1 front)
Less Composite Video Inputs	4 (1 front)	vs	5 (1 front)
Less Component Video Inputs	1	vs	2
Less Powered Zones	2	vs	2 and 3
Bi-directional Remote Setup via GUI		vs
Activity Based Remote		vs

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Onkyo TX-NR838 vs Onkyo TX-NR828.

7 channel Amplifier

Onkyo TX-NR838 features 7 channel power amplifier. It is rated at 130 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-NR838 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 Select™2 Plus certified

Onkyo TX-NR838 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.

Speaker Configurations

Onkyo TX-NR838's 7 channel amplifier can be assigned for different speaker configurations.

• Dolby Atmos Configurations: The following speaker configurations are supported for Dolby Atmos:
5.2.2 with internal amplifier.
• Configurations without height channels: There are also other speaker configurations available which do not include height channels:
5.2, 7.2 with internal amplifier.
• Front Wide Channel support: Onkyo TX-NR838 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.
• Bi-Amp: You can bi-amp front left and right speakers. 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.

Dolby Atmos

Onkyo TX-NR838 supports Dolby Atmos. It is a cinematic audio format in which sounds exist as individual entities, called audio objects. In Dolby Atmos, any sound 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. 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.

• Dolby Surround Upmixer: 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.

Sound Processing

• Advanced Music Optimizer: Compressed music enhancement in Onkyo TX-NR838 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-NR838 comes with AccuEQ room correction system and includes the calibration microphone.

• AccuEQ: First, AccuEQ detects the presence of speakers and evaluates the impedance of each. Next, it pinpoints their distance relative to the main listening position using the mic and sets suitable sound-pressure levels. Then it selects the optimal crossover frequency so that deeper bass rolls smoothly off to the subwoofer. Finally, AccuEQ performs frequency response equalization based on room-acoustic and speaker data collected via microphone. The sound-field is now tailored around the listening position, resulting in a more immersive and realistic in-film experience.

HDMI

Onkyo TX-NR838 features 7 HDMI inputs. It has 2 outputs: 1 Main and 1 Sub/Zone2.

• 4K/60Hz Passthrough: All inputs pass up to 4K/60p (YCbCr 4:2:0) video signal.
• 4K Upscaling: Onkyo TX-NR838 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 video sources and Onkyo TX-NR838 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-NR838 is able to pass 3D video through HDMI.

Onkyo TX-NR838 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.
• HDMI Output: Onkyo TX-NR838 offers HDMI output for Zone 2. This means that it can send two different HDMI signals to two displays.
• 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.
• Analog Pre-Outs: Onkyo TX-NR838 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 7 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: 7 (1 front)   Outputs: 2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
8K Inputs: 0
• Composite Video: Connect you VCR, Laserdisc player and other old video equipment with composite video cables.
Inputs: 4   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-NR838 supports up to 1080i resolution on Component video connectors.
Inputs: 1   Outputs: 1

Here we list all the available features and specifications of Onkyo TX-NR838.

BASICS
Brand	Onkyo
Model	TX-NR838
Type	A/V Receiver
Country	USA
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	Select™2 Plus
Continuous 6 Ω Rated
Certified 4 Ω Performance
Discrete Output Stage Circuitry
3-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry	All 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
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
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 Subwoofer Outputs

CALIBRATION
Auto Speaker Calibration System with Mic.	AccuEQ

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/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	1080i
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
HDMI Inputs	7 (1 front)
HDMI Outputs	2 (1 Main, 1 Sub/Zone2)
8K Inputs
USB Input	1 (Front)
USB DC Out Port
Analog Audio Line Input	7 (1 front)
Analog Audio Line Output
Phono Input
Optical Inputs	2
Optical Outputs
Coaxial Inputs	3
Composite Video Input	4 (1 front)
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	7.2
XLR Inputs
XLR Pre-outs
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI/MHL, USB, Composite Video, RCA Audio
Speaker A/B
Headphone Out	6.3 mm (1/4")

ZONES
Zones	3
Powered Zones	2
Zone 2 Outs	HDMI, RCA Pre/Line Out
Zone 3 Outs	RCA Pre/Line Out
Whole House Mode
RS-232C Interface
+12V Trigger Output	1 (Zone2)
Remote (IR) Input/Output	1 / 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
Presets	40
Digital Radio
Internet Radio	TuneIn
Pandora
Spotify
Tidal
Deezer
Napster
SiriusXM Internet Radio

CONSTRUCTION
Solid Aluminum Front
Speaker Terminals	11
Large Speaker Terminals	11
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	2
H.C.P.S. (High Current Power Supply)	Massive High Power Transformer
Toroidal Transformer
Power Consumption	8.1 A
No Sound Power	90 W
Standby Power	0.1 W
Capacitor Bank	15,000 µF

GENERAL
ECO Mode / Hybrid Standby Function
Dimensions (W x H x D)	435 mm x 198.5 mm x 400 mm 17-1/8" x 7-13/16" x 15-3/4"
Weight	15.5 kg (34.2 lbs)
Warranty	2 Years

SPECS
Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2	130 W (0.08% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	145 W (0.08% THD)
Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 2	160 W (0.7% THD)
Maximum Effective Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	215 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, 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 - 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 2015 Onkyo TX-NR838 was replaced by TX-RZ800. Let us now have a look at some important changes that the successor brought.

UPGRADES	Onkyo TX-RZ800	vs	Onkyo TX-NR838
VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry)	All Channels	vs
Independent Block Construction (Amp/Preprocessor)		vs
Higher DAC Specs	384 kHz/32 Bit	vs	192 kHz/24 Bit
DTS:X		vs
DTS Neural:X		vs
DTS Dialog Control		vs
More Advanced Auto Speaker Calibration System	AccuEQ Advance	vs	AccuEQ
HDR10		vs
BT.2020 color space		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	8	vs	7 (1 front)
More Analog Audio Line Outputs	1	vs
More Optical Inputs	3	vs	2
More Component Video Inputs	2	vs	1
Deezer		vs
Higher Power Output (8 Ω, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 2 channel driven, FTC)	135 W (0.08% THD)	vs	130 W (0.08% THD)
Higher Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, IEC)	185 W (1% THD)	vs	180 W (1% THD)
Higher Rated Preout Level	1 V/470 Ω	vs	200 mV/470 Ω
Higher DSD Sampling Rate via USB	2.8 MHz	vs	2.8 MHz

DOWNGRADES	Onkyo TX-RZ800	vs	Onkyo TX-NR838
Front Wide Channel Support		vs
DTS Neo		vs	Neo:6
Dialog Normalization		vs
Video Signal Upscaling		vs	up to 4K/30p (Marvell Qdeo)
Component Video Maximum Resolution	1080i	vs	1080i
MHL Input		vs	Front HDMI
Less Coaxial Inputs/Outputs	2	vs	3
Less Composite Video Inputs	3	vs	4 (1 front)
Front A/V Inputs	HDMI	vs	HDMI/MHL, USB, Composite Video, RCA Audio
Zone 3 Outs	RCA Line Out	vs	RCA Pre/Line Out
Smaller Power Supply	7.8 A	vs	8.1 A
Lower Power Output (6 Ω, 1 kHz, 1 channel driven, JEITA)	215 W	vs	215 W
Lower Damping Factor	40 (Front, 1 kHz, 8 Ω)	vs	60 (Front, 1 kHz, 8 Ω)

For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Onkyo TX-NR838 vs Onkyo TX-RZ800.