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I've been using the Onkyo TX-5000 for several days and I'm amazed at the overall performance. Let's start with what I'm comparing it to. I am A to B testing against a Marantz 2226b, 2230, 2270 and fully modified Dynaco ST-70 with PAS preamp (full Curcio modification). Speakers were A-25, modified A-25 three ways, Fostex high efficiency full range and Vifa monitors. The tuner section is tops. I can't believe the sensitivity and selectivity. A wonderful full FM sound packed with features to contour the FM signal. There is an analog dial as well as a quartz locked digital readout. Very cool and matches the tuning and speaker output meters. The tuner is far better than the 2230,2270 and on par or better than the 2226b.The overall sound is full, articulate with quick dynamics along the entire spectrum, which is well balance. This is more in line with my Dynaco (remember fully modded). Better balance and not as soft in the bass as the 2230,2270 but more like a blend of the crisper 2226b with a 50/50 mix of the tube like sound of the 2230,2270.
Speaker matching doesn't seem to be a big problem. It still shines no matter if you use a newer designed cone or one voiced for tube amps - VERY accommodating.
Construction - top notch in quality and parts. And tons of features and function buttons to play with.
The only draw back. This has to be the widest receiver I have ever seen.
Charles
Follow Ups:
My experience with Onkyo has always been very good. Used one of these in a small bar I set up years ago with great results using Cerwin Vega's. Lots of power for the dollar. I currently own an Onkyo T-4 tuner and its one of the best tuners I have ever had. Good sensitivety and great seperation. Forgive me for this, some of the better Marantz stuff is very good,but some of the lower end stuff is riding on their reputation with less than stellar results. Its overrated. Don't get me wrong, my Marantz 4070 has good sound through my JBL-L100's and Dynaco A35's. It has given me lots of hours of good sound. Companies like Onkyo are not as well known and their vintage stuff is really worth a listen, they are underated. Enjoy!
Charles,I posted a humorous reply to Pete's post, but in all seriousness, you now understand what the Onkyo afficionados have been raving about. I have a 1988-89 vintage TX-870, and the characteristic sound is still there, 20 years later. In receivers and integrated amps, they kind of lost the vintage sound after 1990 or so. The newer TX-8211 and 8511 are still pretty decent but don't sound the same, and don't have the low impedance power or the tuner performance the earlier models have.
Jerry
The current Onkyo TX-8211 is rated at 50 watts/channel at 8 ohm, 20 Hz-20 kHz, w/ 105 watts into 4 ohm. The TX-8511 is rated at 100 watts/channel at 8 ohm, 20 Hz-20 kHz, w/ 140 watts into 4 ohm. And the home theater model TX-SR500 is rated into 3 ohm at 160 watts/channel.
Cool! Where did you find the data? None of the brochures I have or their web site lists 4 ohm ratings for the TX-8211 or 8511.Also, please check the ratings for the TX-8211. It's not credible to have more than 2:1 ratio between 4 ohm and 8 ohm rating, unless the 4 ohm rating is for dynamic power.
I'm not familiar with the HT model.
Jerry
I checked again on the numbers I posted for the stereo TX-8211....they are correct. Click on the model, then "features" and "specs", you will see it there.A refurbished TX-8211 is available directly from Onkyo for under US$120.00 once you join Onkyo's club. And that's including a one year factory warranty and shipping.
I posted previously regarding the huge heatsinks in this receiver (and in the TX-8511); they are amazing looking aolid aluminum.
Yes, the figures are there, but the 105 W/ch for the TX-8211 is for dynamic power, as I suspected (check my post), the dynamic power for 8 ohms is 70 W/ch. on that basis, the continuous output into 4 ohms must be something around 70-75 W/ch.My 1988-89 vintage Onkyo Integra receiver specs didn't quote continuous output for 4 ohms, either; but it did quote dynamic power into 4 & 2 ohms. So the newer ones still don't have as much low impedance capability as the older models. Back then, most of the lower level (non-Integra) models quoted ratings for 4 & 3 or 4 & 2 ohms.
I am rather surprised, and gratified, to see the 3 ohm ratings for HT amps. That's something they have long needed. Now if they can come up with some specs that mean something for all or most channels driven simultaneously (as far as I know, this is still not how they are rated unless they specifically say so) we'll really have some decent HT stuff. Only the NAD specifically gives an "all channels driven" figure, as far as I know. One of the British magazines tested a half dozen HT receivers a couple of years ago. They measured output with front two channels and with all channels driven simultaneously and the figures for all driven for most were depressing. Some were as bad as 100 W/ch advertised, and 35 W/ch all driven. Obviously, the power supply just doesn't have the current capacity or the regulation under load.
Jerry
I understand what you are talking about regrading "all channel driven" power. Actually, quite a number of manufacturers quote a "all channel driven" figure for their HT receivers, whether the receiver can actually output that number is another question. I enclosed a link below that may answer some of your questions. I suspect there's only so much a manufacturer can do, given the limits of one single enclosure for a pre/pro.
All of the info are found on Onkyo's website. The figure for the HT model is only for the front L/R channels driven together. The TX-SR500 has just been replaced by a new 6 channel with a newer amp design. A refurbished version of the TX-SR500 is available at J&R (an authorized Onkyo dealer) for $150.00.
Shhhhh ... you'll let the cat out of the bag!
I agree with your comments. I have the TX-5000, and find it to be just as you say.
I also have the bigger TX-7000, the 90 wpc big brother. This is the best-sounding/performing 80-100 wpc receiver I have enjoyed hearing.
Extremely overbuilt for a 90 wpc piece.
I also have the 160 wpc TX-8500 Mk II. The 8500 Mk II's amplifier section is very similar to that in their M-504 amplifier. Two huge power supplies and four beer-can sized capacitors.
Oh no is right! Our secret is blown. Now we'll have to kill him.Do you remember the B.C. cartoon? The clams get up and start to walk on little stilt like legs. B.C. sees this and shouts "Clams got legs, I saw that, clams got legs." Whereupon one clam says to another, "Now we'll have to kill him."
If we work it right we can blame it on the clams.
Jerry
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