The new TXNR609 now comes with network compatibility. It wasn’t so long ago that this feature was reserved for the £1000 plus models but now you can get all the benefits for far less. Simply connect to your home network using an Ethernet connection and you can access Internet radio sites such as last.fm and stream music via DLNA from other sources such as your laptop or NAS drive. Furthermore, the TXNR609 is also the first Onkyo receiver to feature the popular Spotify music streamer built-in (premium account required). The new TX-NR609 also adds 4K video upscaling by Marvell Qdeo, an iPhone/iPod compatible USB port at the front and sleek new styling.

In other respects, the new TX-NR609 mirrors its class-leading predecessor. As before, no fewer than 6 HDMI inputs are on hand, with one being front-mounted for occasionally connected sources such as HD camcorders or games consoles. Not only are these sockets more than capable of handling the most complex of home cinema systems, they are also fully compatible with 3D TV. A still highly unusual feature but welcomed by many is the VGA PC input. This means that you can easily route your PC’s video signal through your home cinema system. You’ll also find twin optical and twin coaxial digital inputs and the full complement of component, composite and RCA phono sockets that you’d expect. New to the TX-NR609 is a front-mounted USB socket. It might not look much, but this little socket will transform the sound quality from your iPod or iPhone. By connecting to the USB, you’ll benefit from a digital connection. This gives a direct signal and, hence, purer sound quality than using a conventional dock or analogue input. If you don’t have an iPod or iPhone, the USB socket will also accept music signals from other MP3 players or multi-media devices. Finally, TXNR609 features a universal port at the back for Onkyo iPod dock connection or DAB+ tuner upgrade module.

Then there’s the processing power to consider. As you’d expect, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Pro Logic IIz are all standard. In addition to this, the latest Onkyo AV receiver comes with Marvell Qdeo 4K video upscaling. Going one stage further than conventional 1080p upscaling, the processor has the power to upscale to twice that level! Known as 4K because of the horizontal pixel count of 1080p TV increasing from 1920 to around 4000 (there are several formats all offering slight variations). Currently 4k TVs and monitors are specialist items but, watch this space; prices are coming down all the time. At the moment there are already 4K videos available over the internet but with the TX-NR609 the upscaling ensures, whatever the format, you’re all set for the future of 4K. In recognition of the Onkyo’s outstanding ability, it has been awarded THX Select2 Plus Certification, meaning it meets exacting standards set by the Lucas Film studios - again, that’s highly impressive given the price.

When it comes to setting the TXNR609 up, the standard Audyssey 2EQ system is there to help out. This not only automatically calibrates speakers, but also corrects room acoustic issues. The upshot of this hi-tech processing is ideal sound quality, whatever the room.

Finally, there’s the sound quality. There’s little doubt here that the TXNR609 is still one of the best in its class. If you were wondering what the "7.2" channel output meant, that’s explained by the TXNR609’s twin subwoofer outputs. When used in this way you get a better spread of bass and can use two smaller, but "faster" sounding subwoofers for a tighter, better controlled bass. The powerful sound of this amplifier is helped still further by the three-stage inverted Darlington circuitry, jitter-cleaning technology, WRAT (Wide Range Amplifier Technology) Pure Audio and Double Bass Function - not to mention the impressive 120 watts available to each speaker.