Power, sound quality, build quality, price, capable of 2 sets of speakers to truly fill the room with sound.

Clip-type speaker connection, lacks some handy extras.

Wow, what can I say? I'm EXTREMELY happy with this receiver! Especially since I picked up yesterday for $100!! The person who sold this to me must've been desperate for cash or something. Anyways, first off, this receiver is powerful, which can make it hard to adjust to the volume to your liking since tapping the volume makes it much louder, but hey, I'm not complaining. I had two 100WPC JVC receivers and they did not have nearly as much power. The sound quality put out by this unit is really great! Everything, even mp3s, sound warm, smooth, tight, rich, and precise. Not so much as full as high end separates I've heard from names like Classe, but that's just comparing apples and oranges. This is the best sound I've heard from a receiver (but then again I haven't listened to the expensive $2K+ units). All I know is that my speakers have never sounded like this before. I've always heard very good things about B&W Rock Solid monitors, but I was never impressed with mine... until now. I've just been using crappy amps. I just found a matching Solid twinfire subwoofer to match my satellites, but it hasn't arrived yet, so when I brought home this amp I wasn't even going to connnect my speakers because I thought it just wouldn't be listenable without a sub. This receiver really brought out the bass from my speakers! I never knew they were capable of such bass, and now I don't even think I need the subwoofer! As for features... well, there are definitely some handy things that Onkyo could've included like some sort of volume display/light or glow in the dark buttons on the remote (I like to fall asleep to music in bed at night, but kudos for the sleep timer), but that's just all fluff. They kept it pretty simple (I'm used to A/V receivers with a million plugs and buttons that take some hours to learn) and that's fine. I do definitely agree that binding posts should have been implemented, but at least these are the types of clips that lock into place instead of clamping with a spring, which can be real trouble if you have very thick and heavy wire with fat reduction pins. In conclusion, if you're a music lover and don't care for all this trendy THX DTS 7.1 channel mumbo jumbo that's commonly, and quite sadly, considered the highest in audio quality by the masses, and you're on a tight budget, I would highly recommend this receiver!

Good, clean power! Built solid! Never get''s hot if given proper ventilation! I used this for DJ''ing a few small gigs, and it never let me down.

FM tuner, even with an FM antenna tends to be weak.

Can''t see how anyone can talk bad about this receiver. I''ve had Sony''s, Kenwood and some higher end Denon''s, nothing compares to this receiver for the price. Naturally, if I wanted to pay upwards to $600, there would be an unfair comparison. This amp I''ve owned for over 5 years, it simply pumps clean shear power to each of my Infinity''s. This amp is measured at 100w/channel, but I will tell you it definitely surpasses that, and it''s clean. Put a pair of good speakers on this, and you''re rockin''. Granted it doesn''t have all the bells and whistles of some of the A/V amps today, but it pumps clean power if that''s what you want in an amp. Also, be sure to use good wiring.

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Kenwood, JVC, Sony.

100 watts per channel is not something you get everyday! Striking simple finish. Ability to enter the name of the station in the display. A/B speaker switching. Multi-room capability.

Generic-looking remote control. Relay noises when switching on. (No relay noises after that though) No digital in. No pre out or main in. Can''t be used as alarm clock.

WOW! This receiver is GREAT!! I initially had reservations about buying it, but at the price i got ($ 150 delivered), i couldn''t be happier. The unit is a factory refurb, and was in new condition. Let me tell you - it ROCKS! I have speakers with 92 dB efficiency, and i''ve never gone above 1 o clock on the volume dial. The tuner section is also quite strong, but you need to use the eye-sore antenna wire.

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Generic minisystems from JVC, Aiwa, Philips, Sony etc. This blows them all away, for similar money!

very easy to use. very easy to hook up

no lights!!! but hey... that''s why we have electrical outlet stores. I''m going to hook up a small night light on the stereo cabinet.

I looked at a ''boatload'' of receivers/tuners. The Onkyo TX8511 really impressed me. I''m not a full-time music listener. However, when I do listen to music, I prefer it be simple and with an above acceptable level of sound. I''m very satisfied with the TX8511. I bought mine at CIRCUIT CITY for $210.99 as part of a amp/receiver/speakers package.

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Pioneer, JVC

Accurate and very solid, controlled bass. Good FM tuner section, and fully high-current discrete output stage, I think 100wpc is cutting it off short. Build quaality and definately not an eye sore.

Bass and Treb setting do nothing with STC on past the 12 o'' clock position. No light on the volume control. No main pre-outs or sub pre-out.

Another SOLID, built like a tank receiver from ONKYO. I have really been impressed with this receiver, It effortlessly drives two AR-318PS monitors with no sweat, doen''t ever even get hot nor really warm, 4 ohm stable running 4 spkrs and bery clean! A very audiophile receiver for the money. One owrd of advice for this receiver, USE GOOD CABLES AND INTERCONNECTS! It will make or break this one. Sound is very clean and natural, If you are like me and just cannot leave anything alone, I suggest a fairly nice EQ to doctor up the sound , and the STC (Selective Tone Control) really doesn''t need to be used, it kinda modifies the sound a little too much (for my spkrs anyway) I highly recommend this receiver to anyone that doesn''t need Dolby or any frills. Another true rocker! -Thanks for reading my review. -JD.

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JVC RX-6010V KENWOOD KR-A4040 and 5030 KENWOOD VR-305 and 5010 AKAI AA-v435, HK AVR-40 PIONEER QX-646

Build quality, smoothness of controls, for a little receiver this unit performs extremely well.

MR light stays lit all the time (what if it burns out?, there is not way of telling if this feature is on). Two tape deck inputs (most people don''''t even have tape decks anymmore). No digital input (this pertains to almost all stereo receivers, I have no need for surround but a more direct line would be nice). No indicator light on the volume nob. The remote will not run Onkyo DVD players. No Preout/Main in jacks. Yes, the speaker connections. I don''''t believe it affects sound quality but if you have wire that is bigger than 14 guage you''''ll have to be creative or get plugs.

After purchasing this unit it had plenty of high end sound but not much low end. So I decided to give it a week or so of listening before making a definite decision on it''''s performance. I am sure glad I did! The bass has opened up full stream and the high end is more comfortable now. Does this receiver perform? In short, YES! I run, for speakers, Polk Audio RTA-8t''''s rated from 20-250 watts/speaker, 6 ohm impedance. While this is not the most power I''''ve had hooked up to them this receiver handles these beautifully. At low volume this unit runs very cool. Even at the higher volumes the receiver doesn''''t get hot and when you turn it back down it cools right away. There is no hissing, scratch, or noise at all in any of the controls. Everything is very smooth. As for the STC (selective tone control), I use it for some music, mainly classical, jazz, and big band with the tone controls set at zero. For rock, especially the older stuff I turn STC off and mess with the tone controls just a tad, mainly because these recordings aren''''t the best. This brings me to a very important point. Sound reproduction doesn''''t all come from the amplification of a sound system. More often than not the recording plays the biggest part with speakers coming at a close second. All components work together so don''''t blame amplification (receiver, integrated, or power) by itself if a system doesn''''t sound good to you. Most CD''''s don''''t tell you how they''''re recorded so you have no way of knowing but some, especially Telarc, will tell you. One thing that really struck me was the use of computer type cables for connecting the internal components. This really cleans up the inside of the unit and to me is a better way of doing things rather than having stray wires running all over the place. I have never purchased an Onkyo product which I didn''''t like for performance, value, and build quality. This receiver is no exception. I have no doubt this unit will be trouble free for many years to come. Also, in this price range, it''''s worth every penny you''''ll spend on it! Weaknesses below are just OPINIONS remember.

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Philips (the old nice 80''''s stuff), Nakamichi.

Great price, very good sound

Scratchy volume control

I bought this receiver to mate with new NHT SuperOne speakers and a Marantz cd67se. I wanted an integrated amp rather than a receiver, but I couldn't find one with nearly as much power as the Onkyo receiver for close to the same money. The NHTs are great speakers but they need plenty of power to sound their best. In any event, I am very glad I bought the Onkyo. The unit has excellent clarity, and it has oodles of power and polish. One drawback was a scratchy volume control, which I had replaced under warranty. The unit now performs perfectly. One nice comment from the tech who put in the new volume control: he said that the amp modules in the Onkyo looked very well designed and robust, he thought the receiver would be reliable, and the output tested out very clean.

Wide soundstage, accurate detailed sound

can sound harsh depending on recording and equipment

There is little to say that hasn't already been said about this near audiophile receiver. Speaker terminals suck, volume conrol is a bit noisey, though I haven't heard any static, no gold plated RCA jacks. This is just nit picking though. If Onkyo put in better quality connectors and other little things that wouldn't make much difference in sound quality, then its price would go up. Many would not consider purchasing this little gem. The soundstage is wide and deep with little grain. Bass drum doesn't boom,FM announcers don't sound chesty, midrange is "right", though a little laidback. Highs are very clear but can be harsh when a recording is tilted in the treble region.Sound is very detailed. I compared this receiver with others in my collection and always go back to it. Other receivers sound constrained,lifeless and edgy with a flat soundstage. This receiver sounds ALMOST as good as my Adcom amp.

Equipment:
Onkyo Grand Integra CD Player
Dynaudio Twynn Speakers

Similar Products Used:

Optimus AV3150, Adcom GFA1, older Pioneer and Sansui receivers

low distorsion, good power, high current capability, build quality, company reputation

spring clips

I researched this receiver at several online and inperson
dealers and read all the reports about it before buying.
It has lived up to all I expected of it so far. The spring clips are a nusance, but I solved this by buying angled monster connectors for my 12 guage 512 strand speaker wires.
The angled connectors take some of the strain off the wire and clips. I also bought Pinnace Classic Gold Aerogel Tower
Speakers and am very impressed with these also. This set up is close to audiophile quality at a very reasonable price.
My brother has an original Macintosh 275 power amp with Mac
preamp and separate receiver in perfect conditon along with
very expensive Infinity tower speakers, and my set up sounds very comparable maybe even better in the bass range.
I don't beleive you could beat this Onkyo and Pinnacle set up at anywhere near the price I paid for it. Check out the Pinnacle Aerogel reviews at this website and you will see that every reviewer gives them a 5 star rating. I would like to add my 5 stars to that also. Thanks

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old sansui 2000

Tuner, High Current Amp, Sound

Spring clip speaker terminals

I am a newcommer to audio and made a wonder decision in buying my Onkyo a couple years ago. At $299.00 it sits in a class by itself. It has a excellent FM tuner (optional antennae recommended), it can drive 2,4,6 or 8 ohm speakers with its high current power supply and 100 watts of relitively pristine uncolored sound. I also purchased a Onkyo DX C340 CD player. The best thing I have done with this system is installing Kimber Silver Streak interconnects between the CD player and the reciever. This improved the top and bottom end markedly. I paid $130.00 at a local shop for them (1/2 meter). Then I purchased Kimber 4TC speaker cables ($140.00) for 10' pair. Now I can hear what this thing really sounds like. I was ripping myself off by using the wire that came in the box. I reccomend spending at least $125.00 on each application. By a brand and model to suit your speakers and taste. Now I am going to add NHT 1.5's and a NHT Sub 2. When this is done I am putting this in the bedroom and building a higher end system based on what I have learned from this experience. This is really a wonderfull hobby I have found and the Onkyo let me get started without getting burnt.

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Yahama