Our research indicates that this deal is $350.99 less (32% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting at $1099.99 at the time of this posting.
About this Product:
Onkyo 2 Year Limited Warranty
Additional Notes:
Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.
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Our research indicates that this deal is $350.99 less (32% savings) than the next best available price from a reputable merchant with prices starting at $1099.99 at the time of this posting.
About this Product:
Onkyo 2 Year Limited Warranty
Additional Notes:
Please see the original post for additional details & give the WIKI and additional forum comments a read for helpful discussion.
Model: Onkyo TX-RZ30 9.2-Channel AV Receiver - 100 Watts Per Channel, Dirac Live Out of Box, Works with Sonos Certified, THX Certified and More
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To the experts here, how does this compare to Integra DRX 3.4? I am looking for a boomy amp for the home theater and 170w/channel is looking attractive compared to the 100w on Integra. There is also 2 year vs 5 year warranty which is important. Thanks in advance.
Hardware-wise, the RZ30 is just about 95% identical to the 2021 clones (that includes the DRX 3.4) based on pics of internals. Don't be fooled by the "advertised wattage" as the amp in the RZ30 and the DRX 3.4 are very comparable and should only be compared under 8 ohms, 2CH driven, 20Hz-20kHz per FTC guidelines. Having said that, I would still choose the newer RZ30 over the DRX 3.4 for the following reasons:
1) The 5 year warranty on the Integra is over-rated. SD members who own the DRX 3.4 have commented that shipping is on you for any repair work. How often will you be shipping it back and forth in that 5 year period? The HDMI board appears to be not a matter of "if it will fail" but "when".
2) The HDMI board on the RZ30 is newer and I believe it also has heatsinks (see comment #1 for why this would be important).
3) DLBC works on the RZ30 but doesn't on the 2021 clones (7100, DRX 3.4, Pioneer 305) despite nearly identical hardware (especially the DSP which determines capability). This was a segmentation move by PAC. I think being DLBC-capable makes the RZ30 far more attractive, whether you can make use of it today or not!
If it was my money, I'd get the RZ30 over the DRX 3.4. I can understand if the $200 difference can be a burden for some folks so do w/the above info as you will!
Last edited by shaddai August 9, 2025 at 06:30 AM.
I've been considering this RZ30 vs Integra 3.4 for my new basement home theater. RZ30 seems better and this is best price (it has been 750 or 800 many times though). But the basement won't be finished for about 6 months which means, no return policy, and 1/4 of the warranty gone before I can use it. Go for it, wait for black friday, or just go with integra? Integra 5 year warranty is pretty convincing! Are price increases expected due to trump terrifs, are these deals going to keep coming? Big questions..
Yes this is the lowest this has been.
Tough call on waiting nowadays, prices could easily go up(have in some cases) in all this turmoil going on right now(& next 4 years).
Assuming a main reason you're considering this and the Integra is Dirac.
This is the easy choice in my experience.
It's much newer, access to DLBC, 2 independent sub outs and less likely to add/need external power.
Direc is a reason but also its just a good price point. I could also spend twice as much on a Denon (I could, but don't want to spend that much). I've never owned Onkyo / Pioneer and thought I should give it a try. RZ30 is the way to go. I don't love looks of the integra, it just looks dated, but the price is right. The last time I bought a receiver was a cheap yamaha in about 2012!
i actually could use the onkyo to replace the yamaha temporarily (main floor 5.1, for tv) so I could get some use out of it right away.
edit: ordered it
Yes having experience with both and someone wanting Dirac, this is the best way to go imo.
Especially if you're being budget conscious.
It's the least expensive way to get access to DLBC, imo is the only reason to go with Dirac.
One main reason to go with anything higher would be if you needed 11 channels of processing.
Denon/Marantz has a few other features on top of that but most people either don't need them or believe they aren't much benefit for the cost.
They also have access to A1EVO which pretty much negates needing Dirac especially since you have to purchase their not included subwoofer/bass correction/integration RC.
Choose the RZ50 only if you need 11 channels of processing AND have an external amp for 2 surrounds. These Onkyos unfortunately don't allow you to isolate any of the front channels for outputting to external amps so your best bet are the final 2 surround channels.
You're not going to hear any difference b/w the RZ50 and the RZ30 as they use the same DACs and the power output difference is minimal. Besides, the 2 SW outputs on the RZ30 are discrete while they're not on the RZ50. You can still run DLBC on the RZ50 for 2 subs but it would require additional investment in miniDSP and EQ outside of Dirac.
This should drive those speakers just fine unless you're trying to fill a concert hall.
If you're worried about power don't invest in internal power.
Buy external power and you never have to worry or pay for it again.
That's the whole point of paying for pre outs after all.
You also end up having much better power compared to these higher priced AVRs with so called higher power.
It really depends how long the dips are, officially most receivers in this price range support down to 4ohm, if you are using speakers that are routinely in the two ohm range (magnepan for example) then you really are going to want to go external amplification.
what are some good options for external amplification
This should drive those speakers just fine unless you're trying to fill a concert hall.
If you're worried about power don't invest in internal power.
Buy external power and you never have to worry or pay for it again.
That's the whole point of paying for pre outs after all.
You also end up having much better power compared to these higher priced AVRs with so called higher power.
what do you think would be good for external power
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Choose the RZ50 only if you need 11 channels of processing AND have an external amp for 2 surrounds. These Onkyos unfortunately don't allow you to isolate any of the front channels for outputting to external amps so your best bet are the final 2 surround channels.
You're not going to hear any difference b/w the RZ50 and the RZ30 as they use the same DACs and the power output difference is minimal. Besides, the 2 SW outputs on the RZ30 are discrete while they're not on the RZ50. You can still run DLBC on the RZ50 for 2 subs but it would require additional investment in miniDSP and EQ outside of Dirac.
A little clarification for people.
The RZ50 lets you power your fronts with external power.
What it won't let you do is assign those internal amps to power channels 10 & 11.
Which is what is often preferred.
Last edited by supermanrob August 9, 2025 at 09:43 PM.
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1) The 5 year warranty on the Integra is over-rated. SD members who own the DRX 3.4 have commented that shipping is on you for any repair work. How often will you be shipping it back and forth in that 5 year period? The HDMI board appears to be not a matter of "if it will fail" but "when".
2) The HDMI board on the RZ30 is newer and I believe it also has heatsinks (see comment #1 for why this would be important).
3) DLBC works on the RZ30 but doesn't on the 2021 clones (7100, DRX 3.4, Pioneer 305) despite nearly identical hardware (especially the DSP which determines capability). This was a segmentation move by PAC. I think being DLBC-capable makes the RZ30 far more attractive, whether you can make use of it today or not!
If it was my money, I'd get the RZ30 over the DRX 3.4. I can understand if the $200 difference can be a burden for some folks so do w/the above info as you will!
Tough call on waiting nowadays, prices could easily go up(have in some cases) in all this turmoil going on right now(& next 4 years).
Assuming a main reason you're considering this and the Integra is Dirac.
This is the easy choice in my experience.
It's much newer, access to DLBC, 2 independent sub outs and less likely to add/need external power.
didn't this company go out of business or was bought out a couple of years ago?
i actually could use the onkyo to replace the yamaha temporarily (main floor 5.1, for tv) so I could get some use out of it right away.
edit: ordered it
Especially if you're being budget conscious.
It's the least expensive way to get access to DLBC, imo is the only reason to go with Dirac.
One main reason to go with anything higher would be if you needed 11 channels of processing.
Denon/Marantz has a few other features on top of that but most people either don't need them or believe they aren't much benefit for the cost.
They also have access to A1EVO which pretty much negates needing Dirac especially since you have to purchase their not included subwoofer/bass correction/integration RC.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
The only real advantage to the RZ50 is the extra two channels.
You're not going to hear any difference b/w the RZ50 and the RZ30 as they use the same DACs and the power output difference is minimal. Besides, the 2 SW outputs on the RZ30 are discrete while they're not on the RZ50. You can still run DLBC on the RZ50 for 2 subs but it would require additional investment in miniDSP and EQ outside of Dirac.
If you're worried about power don't invest in internal power.
Buy external power and you never have to worry or pay for it again.
That's the whole point of paying for pre outs after all.
You also end up having much better power compared to these higher priced AVRs with so called higher power.
If you're worried about power don't invest in internal power.
Buy external power and you never have to worry or pay for it again.
That's the whole point of paying for pre outs after all.
You also end up having much better power compared to these higher priced AVRs with so called higher power.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
You're not going to hear any difference b/w the RZ50 and the RZ30 as they use the same DACs and the power output difference is minimal. Besides, the 2 SW outputs on the RZ30 are discrete while they're not on the RZ50. You can still run DLBC on the RZ50 for 2 subs but it would require additional investment in miniDSP and EQ outside of Dirac.
The RZ50 lets you power your fronts with external power.
What it won't let you do is assign those internal amps to power channels 10 & 11.
Which is what is often preferred.
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