Onkyo Keeps Hi Fi Alive & Well With New Stereo Receiver...

[PearlcorderS701]

As Anamorphic, I and others have been discussing in the H/K stereo receiver thread in this section of the forum, it seems Onkyo has stepped up to the plate and gone beyond their latest offerings in the expensive hi fi stereo sector -- as their recently launched stereo amp, preamp and CD player were gorgeous looking but heavy on the wallets -- to offer those with realistic means and budgets (i.e. you and I) a solution for getting back into stereo listening and the great hobby associated with it. Thus, enter the TX-8050 Stereo Network Receiver:

http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=TX-8050&class=Receiver&p=i

Modeled after the aforementioned high end preamp they recently announced launch of, this unit looks rock solid, as is usual Onkyo approach, and offers a nice integrated solution for those wanting their amp, tuner and preamp in one chassis. Apparently, they have also announced that they plan to launch a companion CD player which is their usual approach when launching stereo electronics -- they did the same thing when the A-9555 integrated hit the market as well as the trio of higher end components recently announced.

Some notes: The TX-8050 finds itself in a strange positioning in the company's lineup, as the TX-8555 (which I own) is seemingly more powerful at 100 watts x 2 with apparently the same kinds of features, basically, save for digital input implementation (which I haven't confirmed yet) and aesthetics on the front panel. Speaking of the front panel, the unit is following in Onkyo's new faceplate design characteristic, first seen on the TX-SR609 surround receiver, and which has now spread to the aforementioned hi fi separates range; the preamp in that trio, in particular, looks just like the TX-8050 from the front with the same types of knobs and buttons. Speaking of knobs and buttons, there is still no Loudness control (as the A-9555 integrated has; a nice touch for stereo gear) and the input buttons have been replaced by a small rotating knob (not for the better, in my opinion)...

But it sure is good to see Onkyo keeping the hi-fi sector alive -- specifically the affordable stereo receiver market! I don't know much about the companion CD player, but it isn't as upmarket as the players which accompanied the A-9555 integrated amp or the new hi fi separates; I wish they would make a companion changer for these receivers, as I would be all over that!

Let's hear your thoughts on the upcoming Onkyo TX-8050 and its positioning in today's electronics market!

 

[bikemig]

(somewhat) new category for stereo receivers

I'd put the new Onkyo stereo receiver in a category with new receivers from Denon, the RCD-N7 Wi-Fi, and Marantz, the M-CR603. They are more expensive than the new Onkyo (the Denon is around $600, the Marantz around $700). There are a number of differences between them but all are set up for networking and streaming digital music files. I use a computer as a source for all my music as I use a mac mini both as a server and to stream Netflix on my home theater so I am interested in these receivers. Based on specs (and price), I'm leaning towards the Onkyo TX-8050.

 

[anamorphic96]

The TX-8255 and TX-8555 are being discontinued and this looks to be there only 2 channel receiver.

 

[TLS Guy]

It was a really dumb move on Onkyo's part not to give it HDMI connectivity and the ability to drive an HD TV.

A lot of rooms are not suitable for multichannel audio. And there is a great need for good two channel AVRs.

 

[its phillip]

Agreed 100%, TLS. Not including hdmi on a new product is foolish and shortsighted. It could easily be used in a small room or with a computer where most people have 2.1 ch systems and pretty much all modern video cards and monitors have hdmi.

 

[sholling]

I looks like it's still missing bass management which to me makes it an epic fail. IMO an AVR is still the best choice for most 2 channel listening needs.

 

[bikemig]

I started a thread earlier asking why about the pros and cons of AV receivers versus stereo receivers. A lot of good reasons were given why an AV receiver is the better choice even for a 2 or a 2.1 set-up (HDMI inputs, bass management, etc). That said, I do not think that the lack of an HDMI input is a failure on Onkyo's part. It would have added to the cost (esp. the licensing from Dolby). A stereo can be integrated into an entertainment center that is anchored either on a TV or a computer. I currently have a 2.1 set-up for music and movies; I have no complaints about how my movies sound.

 

[TLS Guy]

I started a thread earlier asking why about the pros and cons of AV receivers versus stereo receivers. A lot of good reasons were given why an AV receiver is the better choice even for a 2 or a 2.1 set-up (HDMI inputs, bass management, etc). That said, I do not think that the lack of an HDMI input is a failure on Onkyo's part. It would have added to the cost (esp. the licensing from Dolby). A stereo can be integrated into an entertainment center that is anchored either on a TV or a computer. I currently have a 2.1 set-up for music and movies; I have no complaints about how my movies sound.

First of all Dolby do not license HDMI. This crowd do.

Lack of HDMI, makes the hookup for most not handy. You are into a work around from the beginning.

The lack of bass management is another failure. This types of units are likely to be used in smaller rooms with bookshelf speakers.

I see little point in this unit, and you would probably be far better off with good vintage gear, or high quality British integrated amp.

 

[bikemig]

First of all Dolby do not license HDMI. This crowd do.

Lack of HDMI, makes the hookup for most not handy. You are into a work around from the beginning.

The lack of bass management is another failure. This types of units are likely to be used in smaller rooms with bookshelf speakers.

I see little point in this unit, and you would probably be far better off with good vintage gear, or high quality British integrated amp.

I don't know a heck of a lot about stereo gear but I do know something about bicycles. I love vintage bikes and they do somethings better than modern ones. That said, there are something that modern bikes do that older ones cannot. Maybe that's true with stereo gear as well. If what you want is stereo, the Onkyo receiver lets you stream musically digitally at a lower cost than vintage equipment I imagine. Certainly Onkyo can put together all the bits and pieces needed to make this happen for a lot less money than an individual could by buying whatever gear might be needed to make vintage gear play nicely with computer music files.

 

[Rickster71]

It was a really dumb move on Onkyo's part not to give it HDMI connectivity and the ability to drive an HD TV.

A lot of rooms are not suitable for multichannel audio. And there is a great need for good two channel AVRs.

That may very well be true.
I think we'd first have to find out what group of consumers this was marketed to. Knowing the nostalgia / vintage craze that's been going on, I have a feeling that group isn't interested in HDMI; (note the Phono Input). That, and many people have separate systems in different rooms, i.e. a stand alone 2.0, or an office. Edit: it does have sub preouts
Just a thought.

 

[anamorphic96]

I agree with some of the points above. Especially bass management. That feature would have really seperated this unit from the pack. Nothing at this price point offers that.

But I still think this is a fine receiver with good flexibility. The street price should be 300 to 350 which is a good value.

 

[TLS Guy]

I agree with some of the points above. Especially bass management. That feature would have really seperated this unit from the pack. Nothing at this price point offers that.

But I still think this is a fine receiver with good flexibility. The street price should be 300 to 350 which is a good value.

In the current environment, I think it is close to useless.

People in the market for this want a simple hookup.

Few wires. Just hook up peripherals to the receiver with one cable and one cable to the TV. Add streaming. The a nice set of bookshelves and a sub.

This is all a lot of homes and rooms are good for.

I can't see the generation of any excitement over an obtuse product like that.

 

[anamorphic96]

So an optical or coax digital cable makes things complicated. I don't get your logic.

The very person who buys this can have the same simple system with the few wires you describe.

 

[sholling]

Edit: it does have sub preouts
Just a thought.

Their older stereo receivers have subwoofer preouts but no bass management. But I do agree that the intended audience is unlikely to much care about HDMI (AVRs are just about as cheap ) but most of their customer are likely to care about bass management. It would have cost them very little to include that feature.

I see the target audience as those music only systems for secondary rooms or an office. 90% of those will be bookshelf systems.

 

[Rickster71]

Their older stereo receivers have subwoofer preouts but no bass management. But I do agree that the intended audience is unlikely to much care about HDMI (AVRs are just about as cheap ) but most of their customer are likely to care about bass management. It would have cost them very little to include that feature.

I see the target audience as those music only systems for secondary rooms or an office. 90% of those will be bookshelf systems.

I do see what you mean.
Just can't help but think that this target audience would (while not perfect) just turn a few knobs on the back of their sub.
I wonder if it's something Onkyo can fix with a later firmware upgrade?

 

[sholling]

I do see what you mean.
Just can't help but think that this target audience would (while not perfect) just turn a few knobs on the back of their sub.
I wonder if it's something Onkyo can fix with a later firmware upgrade?

Most people have neither the skills or desire to "just turn a few knobs on the back of their sub". That's serious hobbyist territory. I'd take a wild guess and say that 3/4 of their customers will plug in the speakers and sub and never get the crossover and balance right. The average Joe wants to sit back with the remote and dial in the sub's crossover and level-balance the speakers and sub from their armchair and not run back and forth from sub to armchair 20 times.

 

[TLS Guy]

So an optical or coax digital cable makes things complicated. I don't get your logic.

The very person who buys this can have the same simple system with the few wires you describe.

It is two cables instead of one all the way round. HDMI carries audio and video in one cable. That is what women want.

So you video links end up being analog and a birds nest compared to HDMI.

There is a need for a small two channel video receiver with four ohm capability and HDMI, that plays back the loss codecs, does streaming and has bass management.

Anything less is a poorly thought out product.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

That is what women want.

TLS Knows that women want! Fkuc Mel Gibson !!

 

[TLS Guy]

TLS Knows that women want! Fkuc Mel Gibson !!

Yes, and so do B & O. Their customers are primarily women.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

The TX-8255 and TX-8555 are being discontinued and this looks to be there only 2 channel receiver.

Where did you get the information that the other two are being discontinued?