John
Japanese specialist Onkyo, acquired by PAC in 2021, has this week announced a new flagship AV receiver. The TX-RZ70 is an 11.2 AVR promising 140wpc of Class A/B drive (into 8 Ohms) from each of its eleven main channels, four of which are height channels for Dolby Atmos content. Those eleven main channels are augmented by two independently-driven subwoofer outputs. So get ready for a whopping thirteen pairs of loudspeaker binding posts whilst noting that six of them can be deployed as three separate stereo zones.
The TX-RZ70 supports 8K and 4K resolutions via HDMI 2.1 with 40GPS throughput speeds with “full bandwidth functionality for the fastest refresh to keep up with the newest gaming consoles.” Also on the menu is Dirac Live room correction – the full bandwidth version – with the option to upgrade to Dirac Live Bass Control which, according to the press release, “uses machine learning and AI to quickly determine ideal settings for any layout”. The internal D/A conversion comes from “32bit ESS chips” but the press release doesn’t say how many and of which model.
On streaming, the TX-RZ70 gives us access to Spotify Connect, Apple Music via AirPlay 2 plus Tidal, Amazon Music, Pandora and Deezer (all via DTS-PlayFi) with Roon Readiness due to be added by an over-the-air firmware update landing in September. Sonos system integration is also on the streaming feature list.
An aptX Bluetooth transmitter can forward content arriving at the Onkyo receiver to a pair of Bluetooth headphones. And rounding out the TX-RZ70’s feature set is THX Certification, IMAX® Enhanced, DTS:X, Auro-3D and Klipsch Optimised Mode which promises better integration of PAC sister brand Klipsch’s Reference Premier loudspeakers.
Voice control comes via Alexa Built-in, Google Assistant or Siri.
Pricing? £3099 or €3299. Shipping begins in June.
Further information: Onkyo
