Onkyo TX-RZ50 9.2-Channel THX Certified AV Receive (Open Box)

I’ve finally replaced 14 year-old audio/video receiver, Denon AVR-790, with this Onkyo TX-RZ50. The Denon one was a budget ($460 in 2009) 7 channel processing unit, which has served my entertainment room with 7.1 sound. Overall the old Denon was ok after Audyssey MultED calibrated speakers for the room, yet the center channel and voice left always something to be improved. I thought that it is attributed in part to the speakers. I’ve been looking for an upgrade which can process 7.1.4 surround to provide an object based sound such as ATMOS or DTS:X. This TX-RZ50 came to my search radar to meet all the requirement with great reviews from so many critics at an affordable price tag ($1,199 from Amazon or $1,599 from Onkyo). As for the ATMOS set up, I’ve added 4 satellite speakers identical with the original set (Onkyo SKS-HT540). This is a budget speaker system; but shows pretty decent frequency response, sensitivity, and drivers manufactured by Onkyo back then. I’ve installed them as two front height and two middle height speakers. ATMOS has been debatable regarding its 3D sound effect - but I became to love the front height speakers most in a way that they provided a larger screen effect more than just two front left/right speakers. There are clearly sound movements following objects between heights and ear-level speakers, but I wished I could feel more than currently what they are from streaming ATMOS contents of NETFLIX, Max (HBO), Disney+, and Apple TV+ [please read my update below]. So far, I could not test DTS:X or IMAX Enhanced properly due to the lack of sources available. This will be something I can continue to explore in the future. In this price tag, Auro-3D is not available, but that’s ok. It is true that the sound quality is steps of upgrade compared to the old Denon. Onkyo’s legacy software has been AcuuEQ. However, recent Onkyo receivers are bundled with Dirac Live software (for free!). This AcuuEQ did an ok job upon my testing; however, Dirac Live made much improved sound quality and crossover clarity with flexible controls. The mobile “Onkyo Controller” app (I have an iOS one) could perform the Dirac Live calibration in an easy but limited manner; however, I like the full software better installed to my Mac. I realized that my old speaker sets could have been this good after Dirac Live calibration with my personal touches on the volume and crossover set. During the calibration, I used the puck type microphone provided, which worked just fine - in the future, I’d like to test the calibrated mic such as UMIK. The mobile Controller app can work literally as a replacement of the remote. It’s fun to test speaker outputs in various ways from pure stereo to 7.1.4. Only I wish I can choose the output mode directly, instead of through a rotary mode. Hope that a future firmware can upgrade it. TX-RZ50 can process 9 channels (and 2 identical subwoofers) - so I needed an amp to power 2 extra channels for 11 (7.1.4) setup. I’m recycling the retiring Denon unit as an stereo amp for surround back left/right speakers - it appears that the preamp of TX-RZ50 to support 11 channels should be always from surround back left/right and that the speaker outputs from surround back left/right should go to rear height two channels, per the manual. This is a bit confusing why it should be like that. I have a funny experience with the Apple TV 4K (2nd gen), which is the main streaming box directly connected to TX-RZ50. When I assigned the Apple TV in the HomeKit to “Family Room”, the default audio output was set as TV Speakers - I had to change it to Receiver Speakers every time. However, after I reset the Apple TV in HomeKit to “Home Theater”, the default audio is now set as “Receiver Speakers”. I did not experiment carefully, but the Receiver Speakers setup gave me a better sound for some reason, especially from the height channels. TV (Samsung 75” QLED Smart 4K, 2019 model) works as a hub for ARC and HDMI-CEC to control the audio return, volume, and power for TV, receiver, and Apple TV all at once. Some consumers appear to have issue for HDMI and ARC connection, but my unit has been a charm without any. It takes about 15 sec to show the Apple TV content on screen after I turn on the Apple TV remote. Switching between connected gears such as playstation and blurry player takes about 12 sec. It is ok, but feels like a bit lagging. Overall, I’m very satisfied with this AVR at its 3 weeks possession. It is one of the best mid-range 9 channel ATMOS receivers out there in terms of sound quality. I truly welcome Onkyo back in the business after its acquisition by Premium Audio Company. I’ve contacted the service provider (11 Trading Company) during the registration, and they seem to be very responsive. The unit comes in 3 years manufacture warranty once you confirm that you purchase it from an authorized dealer. Amazon is one of them. [Update 09/08/2023] For last a month or so, I’ve tested basically multiple Blu-Ray discs of both FHD (1080p) and UHD (4K). Usually FHD Blu-Rays have 5.1 channel surround recordings of either Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio (MA). More recent 4K UHD discs usually have Dolby ATMOS (TrueHD based) or DTS:X (DTS-HD MA based). All these 4 lossless audios from physical discs sounded much better than lossy audios of streaming contents, in terms of dynamic range, loudness, details and clarity. In particular, both ATMOS (Midway, Spiderman: Across The Spider-Verse and Into The Spider-Verse) and DTS:X (Bourne 5 movie collection) sounded AMAZING! They demonstrated the “3D sound dome” where I could feel immersive and object-base effects VERY well. The same ATMOS contents from streaming services like Netflix, Max, Disney+, or Apple TV+ did not match. The last time I bought Blu-ray discs was 2015 (The Matrix Trilogy) and ever since then I was all in for the streaming. But now I bought a 4K UHD player (Panasonic UB 820P-K) and am trying to get more reference quality 4K discs. In addition, > 10 years old blu-rays were being tested and rediscovered for their excellent sound recordings through upmixing their original 5.1 into 7.1.4 by the TX-RZ50. Even “The Eagles - Hell Freezes Over (DVD, 1994)” sounds amazing with its DTS mastering! 
This TX-RZ50 is a fantastic upgrade for my entertainment room presenting me a new joy of watching masterpiece collection!