ONKYO

[mrewster]

<font color='#000000'>Hi, everybody-sorry my first post is a bit long, but I'm on a quest for advice.

I own an Onkyo TX-82 stereo receiver that is about 20 years old. I used it with a Yamaha DSP, and use the receiver only to power the front speakers (6-ohm Cerwin-Vega 240 SE's). My problem is that after 2 decades of marvelous sound, my Onkyo has finally decided to die.  The clean power and punch of this 45 watt unit is what drew me to buy it in the first place, and, after listening to a few surround receivers that didn't stack up to it, I was driven to buy the Yamaha DSP and keep the Onkyo for the quality power.

Are the new model Onkyos endowed with the same kind of components that make the one I have now sound better than other brands? I am speaking of the TX-8211 or the TX-8511 in particular. How do these new-generation units compare to my now non-functional one?

I'm kind of on a tight budget, but right now I am looking into at least these options:

1.A local pawn shop has an Adccom GFP-710 pre-amp, still in box for 200 bucks. Coupled with a new power amp, for another 3 or 4 hundred, I could have what I really want, but my budget is shot.

2. Buy a new Onkyo for around $300 &amp; hope I get the performance of the old model.

3. try to find someone to fix the receiver I have and cross my fingers for another 20 years.

So, any help as to which direction I should go? Any alternate choices? Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Mike</font>

 

[steve]

<font color='#000000'>Mike,

Firstly, I'd like to know what you are trying to accomplish. &nbsp;Are you only interested in two channel stereo, or are you looking to jump up to the 21st Century with some of the new Formats?

Secondly, I'd like to know what speakers you are using. &nbsp;Pushing clean power through an amplifier is only worthwhile if the speakers on the other end are capable of handling the power and repoducing the sound in a clean and tight response.

Thirdly, you need to decide an overall budget and what components you wish to acquire. &nbsp;You do not have to build Rome in a day. &nbsp;If you go for a Receiver now, perhaps next year you can go for a DVD Player and grow your system in time. &nbsp;If that is indeed your goal, than you want to consider the new formats as well as good amplification.

Let me know your thoughts.

Regards,
Stevie D
Audioholics</font>

 

[mrewster]

<font color='#000000'>Stevie D,

I run all my inputs (DVD, CD, TV) through a Yamaha E-492 Digital Surround Processor. This powers my center and rear speakers. I run the signal out for the front L &amp; R to the Onkyo receiver. As I stated above, my front speakers are 6-ohm impedance Cerwin-Vega 240 SE models.  They are nearly twenty years old as well, but are on their third set of woofers and still sound awesome. The rear speakers are small Yamahas and are not that great, but will suffice for the time being. Although the DSP is only Pro-Logic, my DVD player has Dolby Digital output so I get Dolby Digital sound at least for my DVDs.

A few years ago, hen I first wanted to get into surround, I went out and purchased a Kenwood Dolby Digital receiver rated at 125 watts X 5 channels ($800). I brought it home with the small Yamaha speakers, and donated the Onkyo to my son. After hooking it up, I noticed a severe disparity in the sound as opposed to my Onkyo.  It simply would not drive the speakers the way I was used to hearing them-way less bass, and no real punch to the bass that was there. I took it back, bought the Yamaha DSP, and a low end Kenwood to give my son in exchange for my Onkyo back. Although I have no real EQ control over the rear speakers, I was able to keep the sound I wanted for music CDs plus still have the surround. I'm also not real keen on the &quot;satellite speaker&quot; concept; I like my big Vegas, and with my old receiver pushing them, there was no need for a separate sub-woofer.

So, for now, yes it seems that I am looking to replace the Onkyo with another 2-channel recceiver. What I heard 2 years ago from what was at the time a top of the line surround receiver did not impress me in the least. When I asked an older fellow working at Tweeter why this was, he told me &quot;They just don't make 'em like they used to.&quot;

I know Rome wasn't built in a day, I've been putting this system together for half my life. Most recently purchased were a 36&quot; Sony Wega and the Toshiba DVD.

As for my budget, the Onkyo TX-8511 looks to be a fairly direct replacement for around 300 beans. I could go higher if that won't give me the performance I'm used to. What's the consensus regarding the Adcom Equipment I was speaking of? I could go that route for around 600, as long as I get the sound I'm after, but that's about the ceiling of my funds right now.


In regards to the Onkyo-I took the top off and blew the dust out to discover a blown 4-amp fuse. I replaced it and it promptly blew again. I took it to a local repair shop, and the little Japanese fellow that owns it said &quot;Oh, this Onkyo, this very good piece. You can no buy like this no more.&quot; He sai it was a speaker driver, whatever that is, that was blowiing the fuse. So at an estimated 75 dollar repair bill, at least I'll have it back while I make a decision on what else I might need to do later on.

Thanks again, and any further advice you can give is still welcome.
Mike</font>

 

[RLA]

<font color='#000000'>Hi Mike

Welcome to the forum

My advice to you would be very careful when looking at receiver amp power specs. Most all manufacturers overrate their amps. Onkyo just got caught with their hand in the power amp &quot;cookie jar&quot; by marketing there SR600 at a rated spec of 80 watts X 5 - all channels driven. The actual bench spec ended up being 34 watts X 5. There were several manufacturers tested and Harmon Kardon was the most accurate with their receivers amp rating.

Sony ES was among the top as well &nbsp;and if you can believe it Panasonic.

My recommendation would be a HK AVR320 - not a lot of bells and whistles but it is a decent high-current receiver for the $$ Cheers

- Ray</font>

 

[Beasley1951]

We have a Nice Onkyo TX-82

Hi Mike,

We have a nice Onkyo TX-82 that we are no longer using due to equipment upgrades. If you'd like it, send us an e-mail and we can work something out that's fair and affordable to you. We also have some other Onkyo equipment from this era (20 years ago) that were well maintained and work perfectly well including a Onkyo DX-C310 Compact disc Automatic changer player (5 CD's) and a Onkyo Cassette Player TA-R240.

Steve
Beasley1951@aol.com

 

[NGL_BrSH]

I've been selling retail audio for over 8 years now and have also seen alot of the old stuff and it seems that after onkyo aquired Integra it's been nothing but downhill for onkyo. They are not reliable any more AT ALL and they sound like tin cans. I sell it.. but not on purpose haha. It feels like to me that to further the reputation of Integra (which looks almost identical to their onkyo counterparts) they made the onkyo worse and the integra just kinda snuck in qualitywise where onkyo used to be.

My store carries many lines of electronics and speakers.. and i would put onkyo at the bottom of the line. Even the Jvc stuff sounds better this year..
I feel bad for the people that buy Bose acoustimass systems and match them up with onkyo recievers could possible be the worst sounding system to date.