Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've been an audio/video enthusiast from the days when "transistor" meant cheap and "tubes" meant quality. Indeed, I've worked in motion pictures and as a musician. I share the above because almost every review one reads rates every product as either great or terrible. Few reviewers, it seems, have much background to aid in making useful comparisons.
My own view - developed over the years - is that the best amps have 'a sound,' but most amps remain (and should remain) free of the any sound of their own. This, I thought, was especially true for mid-priced mass audio, and arena where Onkyo is close to the top because of its superior build quality.
The TX-8522 has somewhat changed that long held point of view. Here is why:
I bought the TX-8522 to replace a less powerful, but very high quality, receiver used in a secondary system made up of on-hand componants in a very large, catherdral-ceilinged, room.That older receiver was a Nakamicci and its sound was always, to my experienced ears, quite excellent.
But used in this setting, driving small and inefficient speakers, it didn't have the power output needed, and the temptation was often to turn it up too high and risk clipping.
I chose the TX-8522 for Onkyo's reputation for excellent build quality, its 100 watt RMS output with good momentary peak power, simple, straight-forward faceplate, and reasonale price. Soundwise I expected nothing beyond what I had before with the Nakamicci except with adaquate volume without strain. In this expectation I was mistaken.
The sound of the Onkyo, at similar (unmeasured) volume, was richer and fuller. The sound stage is wider. How can explain this? Simple: I can't.
But the difference is not subtle.
Feature-wise the receiver is basic. Treble and bass tone controls (both kept at the neutral setting as they were on the Nakamicci), balance, input selectors, typical FM receiver tuner controls, speaker selectors, and several 'optional' settings said to insure purity (turning off video and display) and neutrality (bipassing the tone controls). The later two had no noticable sonic effect with my system.
This receiver could be said to be everything I hoped for. Its physical quality is excellent, the controls simple and effective, the appearance unobtrusive but fine. But the sound is much more. It is excellent.
The entire system: Onkyo TX-8522 receiver, Nakamicci OMS 1 Series 2 CD player, Roku Soundbridge M1000 (for accessing my computer's 'mp3' libray), Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble 2 sub-sat system, and a Carver/Sunfire Dominator D10 (1000 watt) subwoofer.
This system - origanlly planned for just background music - is now, with the substitution os the Onkyo TX-8522, worthy of serious listening.
Highly recommended.
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Product Description:
Onkyo 100 Watt Stereo Receiver TX8522
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