Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Onkyo TX-8222 Receiver by robber

Model:	TX-8222
Category:	Receiver
Suggested Retail Price:	$199
Description:	50wpc 2ch recevier
Manufacturer URL:	Onkyo
Model Picture:	View

Review by robber on May 13, 2008 at 21:38:52
IP Address: 66.176.140.152 Add Your Review
for the TX-8222

This is going to be a short review but I wanted to make sure I expressed my feelings on this unit before my memory fades. This unit pinch hit in my system driving a pair of Quad 21L2s over the weekend.

This is a simple 2ch receiver that offers 50wpc, 6 inputs, 2 outputs, a decent tuner, tone controls, and a full function remote control. It is well built and solid feeling overall with real binding posts.

This is a great sounding little box that really suprised me with its neutral character soundstaging abilities. It did nothing to draw attention to itself and had plenty of drive. It threw a well defined and tall image that extended far above and behind the speakers. Never once did I wince at its HF presentation which was a very pleasent suprise.

The built in phono stage is pretty good, but not great- not as good as the rest of the unit in itself. This was the first time in a while that I have had a remote control which was a nice treat. Volume and source selection from the couch was delightful. Also- ipod fans with Onkyos dock can also control their little wonders via the standard Onkyo remote.

The full bodied and well behaved nature of this low priced unit really suprised and impressed me. I cant say that the performers were "there" with me but I did enjoy the music very much and had a good time with it. I have not heard a mass produced big box audio compnonent in a long while and what can be had for a couple hundred bucks these days is quite nice which is great for our hobby and the music lover.

Product Weakness:	Phono stage is not up to par with the rest of the unit. There should be a led on the volume control so you can see its position in a dark room. Remote should at least glow.
Product Strengths:	I doesn't beat itself- i.e.try to hard to shimmer or slam. Natural and well behaved overall. As rediculous as it sounds it was quite refined.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Onkyo Tx-8222
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): see profile
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Sony 999 ES
Speakers: Quad 21L2
Cables/Interconnects: Ioxis Gamma Reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections): 80s pop, jazz, vocals, metal, rap, country, instrumental
Room Size (LxWxH): 12 x 14 x slope
Room Comments/Treatments: area rug, first reflection dampening
Time Period/Length of Audition: 5 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Chang Lightspeed
Type of Audition/Review: Home Audition
Your System (if other than home audition): See my profile

Amplifier:	Onkyo Tx-8222
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	see profile
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Sony 999 ES
Speakers:	Quad 21L2
Cables/Interconnects:	Ioxis Gamma Reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	80s pop, jazz, vocals, metal, rap, country, instrumental
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 14 x slope
Room Comments/Treatments:	area rug, first reflection dampening
Time Period/Length of Audition:	5 days
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Chang Lightspeed
Type of Audition/Review:	Home Audition
Your System (if other than home audition):	See my profile