Audio Video News

The consistent trickle of new receivers in recent weeks continues, this time with a stereo model from Onkyo that offers extensive connectivity and supports high-resolution audio playback and a host of wireless networking features.

The TX-8270, rated to deliver 2 x 100 watts (0.08% THD with both channels driven into 8 ohms), features discrete output transistors to minimize distortion and high current capability to “control large speakers” as well as quality touches such as a metal chassis, gold-plated audio inputs, binding post speaker terminals, and physical tone and balance controls.

The receiver will be available later this month for $599.

Digital signal conversion is handled by an AKM 384-kHz/32-bit DAC in a receiver optimized for hi-res audio, including DSD 5.6 MHz/2.8 MHz and PCM up to 192 kHz/24-bit in popular file formats.

In addition to supporting Dolby Vision signal passthrough, the receiver provides four 4K/high dynamic range (HDR)-capable HDMI inputs and an HDMI output with Audio Return Channel (ARC) to facilitate connection to media players and TVs. A rear-panel USB input (5V/500mA) supports HDMI dongles that require power. The receiver also has a powered USB input on its front panel for music playback from USB flash-memory devices.

Connectivity options also include a moving magnet (MM) phono input, three line inputs, three digital audio inputs (two optical and one coaxial), speaker A/B outputs, and second-zone line outputs with a separate DAC for distributed audio.

The receiver supports Apple’s AirPlay, Bluetooth streaming, and wireless audio “casting” from smartphones, tablets, and computers with built-in 5 GHz/2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; Chromecast and the DTS Play-Fi wireless multiroom protocol will be supported via a future firmware update.

Wireless multiroom distribution is supported by FireConnect, which mirrors network and external analog sources connected to the receiver on compatible speakers, such as Onkyo’s new NCP-302. The capability will be enabled via a future firmware update.

The Onkyo Controller app combines receiver control, streaming service selection, and multiroom control in one “simple” interface. Onboard streaming services include Tidal, Pandora, Deezer, Spotify, and TuneIn.

For more information, visit onkyousa.com.