Onkyo TX-NR609 vs TX-NR609B - is there any difference?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Onkyo TX-NR609 vs TX-NR609B - is there any difference?

Parksienz

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#87527 31-Jul-2011 10:30

As my subject line says I am looking to purchase a receiver for the first time and found that the Onkyo TX-NR609 was a receiver that had been mentioned for a good value receiver. So looking around the only place in Wellington I found with the receiver was JB Hifi - http://www.jbhifi.co.nz/jb-hi-fi-home-audio/receiver/onkyo/7-2-channel-home-theatre-network-receiver-sku-21457/

But the model here is quoted with a b at the end - does anyone know if this is a different model? better or worst?

Any comments on the receiver itself? Looking for a 2 zone receiver that provide the abiltiy with 3D and has all the standard functions you would like without spending too much.

grolschie

911 posts

Ultimate Geek

#499971 31-Jul-2011 11:20

B = black?

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B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#499976 31-Jul-2011 11:32

I think you'll find that in NZ a B or S gets added to the model number to indicate Black or Silver.
The rest of the world doesn't seem to do so.

k14

623 posts

Ultimate Geek

#499985 31-Jul-2011 12:37

I've had the NR609 for about a month now. Really liking it although there are a few quirks that I'm not sure is me or the unit. Occasionally it will cut out for 1-2s (picture and sound) and then come back on. Totally random and not sure why. Secondly if I am streaming music from my computer (through tversity) it will always stop after 10-12 songs. Again have no idea why and it is quite annoying having to restart it every time. I haven't looked into what is causing it so it could be something in my setup.

As far as features go it is pretty jam packed for the price. The Pioneer and Yamaha receivers in the same price bracket have a lot less features, although maybe sound quality is better. I'm not sure cause I haven't listened to either and am not an audiophile. This is my first HT setup and I am pretty happy with it.

Oh and other annoyance is as of yet I am unable to get the Onkyo remote to work mysky. If anyone knows what the code for that is I'm all ears.

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#500043 31-Jul-2011 17:51

k14: Occasionally it will cut out for 1-2s (picture and sound) and then come back on. Totally random and not sure why. Secondly if I am streaming music from my computer (through tversity) it will always stop after 10-12 songs. Again have no idea why and it is quite annoying having to restart it every time. I haven't looked into what is causing it so it could be something in my setup.

I can't imagine any misconfiguration that would give the symptoms you are seeing. It's a consumer electronics item - you should be able to hook it up and have it work as described. In my opinion, what you have there is a faulty unit. I suggest that you return it for repair or replacement.

If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say there was a problem with over-heating and actuation of a thermal cut-off. I've heard of, and seen, similar faults on other Onkyo units. It's a shame really - I have my eye on a 609 too - just as soon as the prices drop about another 40%.

Parksienz

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#500065 31-Jul-2011 19:45

B1GGLZ: I think you'll find that in NZ a B or S gets added to the model number to indicate Black or Silver.
The rest of the world doesn't seem to do so.

Thanks that makes sense as there is no reference to this otherwise.

wreck90

780 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#500090 31-Jul-2011 20:57

i bought this for about $850 from jb hifi when they were doing 15% off.

Good unit, and it even does pretty good upscaling which used to be rare for budget receivers.

After first installing, there were some horizontal lines showing at the very top only on the mysky source. Upgraded the firmware (they release frequent updates ) and all was fixed.

I haven't had the problems mentioned by k14.

timmmay

19622 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#500094 31-Jul-2011 21:03

I have a year old Onkyo receiver, 508 or something like that, should I check/upgrade the firmware? I don't know how... it works so I don't tend to mess with it.

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek

#500097 31-Jul-2011 21:26

timmmay: it works so I don't tend to mess with it.

That's a sound philosophy. Unless a firmware update fixes a problem you are actually experiencing, a) why bother; b) why take the risk that a new problem will be introduced?

Talkiet

4685 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#500110 31-Jul-2011 22:25

xarqi:
k14: Occasionally it will cut out for 1-2s (picture and sound) and then come back on. Totally random and not sure why. Secondly if I am streaming music from my computer (through tversity) it will always stop after 10-12 songs. Again have no idea why and it is quite annoying having to restart it every time. I haven't looked into what is causing it so it could be something in my setup.

I can't imagine any misconfiguration that would give the symptoms you are seeing. It's a consumer electronics item - you should be able to hook it up and have it work as described. In my opinion, what you have there is a faulty unit. I suggest that you return it for repair or replacement.

If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say there was a problem with over-heating and actuation of a thermal cut-off. I've heard of, and seen, similar faults on other Onkyo units. It's a shame really - I have my eye on a 609 too - just as soon as the prices drop about another 40%.

I've got exactly the same problem with my SR608... occasional 1-2 second complete HDMI dropouts. I've replaced all cables and confirmed it happens in the simplest possible case - it also happens regardless of source (PS3, ATV2 or Sky HD) or display (TV or projector).

Thoroughly annoying. I wonder when I actually bought it...

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are the product of my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

timmmay

19622 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#500113 31-Jul-2011 22:40

My SR-508 is pretty solid, nothing like that happens. Mine's pretty well cooled, in a cabinet but with a 140mm case fan in the back.

Dunnersfella

4063 posts

Uber Geek

#500115 31-Jul-2011 22:44

Onkyo have been renowned for HDMI board issues in the past...
Not so sure they seem to be able to fix this.
Kinda like rolling the dice I guess?

Talkiet

4685 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#500116 31-Jul-2011 22:45

timmmay: My SR-508 is pretty solid, nothing like that happens. Mine's pretty well cooled, in a cabinet but with a 140mm case fan in the back.

Mine's got no heat issues... Heaps of space around it, nothing on top - heck - nothing even to the sides... It also doesn't seem to do it with any changing frequency based on temperature of the room or how long it's been on...

It's a horrible intermittent fault though... Although I have read of a LOT of people with this problem on Onkyo amps I still don't believe Onkyo/JB could do anything but take it, test it and return it with no fault found. Kinda sucky situation all round.

I did buy it in November 2010, so I have a few months warranty left... I should probably kick off the process - even though I think I'll end up without an amp for months. :-(

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are the product of my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Dingbatt

6416 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#500156 1-Aug-2011 08:34

Same intermittant fault with my 608 (screen blanks for 1-2 seconds). One month to go on 12 month warranty so it is getting packed up to go to 'hospital'. It additionally has a fault where it doesn't change cleanly between hdmi sources leaving partial images from both. Starting to consider Onkyo 6 series as a great idea badly executed.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Dunnersfella

4063 posts

Uber Geek

#500208 1-Aug-2011 10:09

Dingbatt: Same intermittant fault with my 608 (screen blanks for 1-2 seconds). One month to go on 12 month warranty so it is getting packed up to go to 'hospital'. It additionally has a fault where it doesn't change cleanly between hdmi sources leaving partial images from both. Starting to consider Onkyo 6 series as a great idea badly executed.

That has been a constant comment - best for everyone involved to get their amps back to the retailer and make them fight the battle for you. Ask for a loan amp, JB's will have plenty no doubt.

maccasparks

39 posts

Geek

#502938 7-Aug-2011 11:17

Ive had 609 for 4 months now no problems at all.Replaced an old Yamaha and sound quality as good.DNLA works great and Android App finally works!

Very happy - especially for the price.