dude8370

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $500.00 from one call

Summary:
This is one of the best recievers at its time. The greatest part of this reciever is the selective tone feature, it will allowe your speaker to sound 10x times better. I have had it for 11 years and it is still working flawlessly, powering Paradigm speakers as the mains and super Zero's as the rears, if you need something to power your speaker this is a good choice.

Strengths:
Bass delivery

Weaknesses:
Dolby Pro-Logic only, but what do you expect from an old reciever having pro-logic at this recievers time was amazing.

Similar Products Used:
Onkyo Tx-NR801
Denon DRA-275R (lets say not the best Denon)

sawdust 437

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $150.00 from local stereo shop

Summary:
I purchased this reciever about a year ago with the intension of powering some JBL E90s and E30s that I mounted in my garage. Its true that she lacks digital capibilities, yet she runs pretty good when shes cranked up for some Stevie Ray Vaughn. I had a couple of Carver M500ts lying around and decided to hook them up, mono blocked to the Onkyo and use her internal amp to power the surrounds. She cooks!

Strengths:
Like the fellow before me, the Onkyo is a Tank. Its got more balls the my Marantzs

Weaknesses:
No digital, but who needs it in a garage.

Price Paid:  $380.00 from J And R Music World,

Summary:
When I first purchased this onkyo (1996), I was very impressed with the higher end models (Intrgra THX) but due to my budget, I could only afford this model at the time. I purchased an NHT center and a JBL sub (don''t know the model numbers) and combined it with my old MCS fronts and sony surrounds. It sounded beautiful however I decided to add a Nikko equalizer just out of curiousity and I was absolutely amazed. I kept the same setup for the past 6 years until I decided that my fronts were to big, bulky, and out of style at this day and age, so I decided to purchase the NHT front pairs, cambridge soundworks surrounds and paradigm 250-300 watt subb (might as well go all out huh -). Put on my Gypsy Flamango cd. Oh my god!! Im in heaven. It feels like i''m actually in a sound recording studio. The speakers and equalizer added demension to the sound as well as enriched the sound quality. My next purchase will be the SV600 6.1. I want that 6th speaker (don''t need an amp or an equalizer becouse of its built in WRAT Wide Range Amplifier Tech)

Strengths:
Excellent sound quality particulary with and added EQ. Has Tape Monitor 2 option for EQ installation. Used it one time to drive a pair of 15 inch 300 watt giant club speakers without amp and it survived (turned off every now and them). This receiver has undergone alot of punishment and keeps ticking. Compared to my friends Sony Prologic, my other friends Technics and my sisters Marantz (all prologic). Onkyo (without EQ) still has a more clear, crisp sound and the the separates are better even for a pro logic model (you may think it''s a 5.1)

Weaknesses:
none whatsoever.

Similar Products Used:
Sony, Marantz, Technics pro logic receivers

Summary:
Bought this unit when it was new and have loveed it ever since. In stereo mode it has a bright soundstage and good seperation. In Dolby Pro Logic mode the sound I found was a little laid back and not as foward. The remote is fairly easy to use and the manual is understandable. The display is bright and large with dimmer option. The unit has a nice fit and finish. Overall, I am very happy with the performance (although, it lacks s-video switching and the new DD and DTS formats).

Strengths:
Powerful clean sound. Easy to setup and use. Nice front panel.

Weaknesses:
No DD and DTS processing.

Similar Products Used:
Denon, Marantz, Yamaha

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Used

Summary:
Great for Stereo Listening for the money they can be had for. Not bad for home theater either if you arent the latest technology chaser...It lacks alot of modern
home theater goodies that some people have to have and its not upgradeable to make it modern.It has Dolby Pro Logic and today people at least want Dolby Digital at least.
But for what it is and the prices they are going for
down from the original $800 new its hard to complain
about the sound you are getting here....Enuff said.

Strengths:
Very well built,Very nice sound in stereo or in theater mode.Onkyo just plain knows how to make this kind of equipment no matter if its 1996 or 1976.They are one class act when it comes to being a cutting edge leader in A/V equipment.This receiver is no exception.This is my 4th onkyo and my biggest and heaviest.This is my 1st home theater tuner/amp and for what it is,considering the year it was made,does the job delivering quality Onkyo sound.
It doesnt have all the goodies but for the year it was a great receiver especially if music listening is the main reason you may be buying it for.For home theater its lacking certain things for the year 2000 standards.
If you can live without these certain goodies that videophiles seem to need then its a great buy for less than $300 used and if youre in the market for a tuner/amp for stereo listening...this one will not disappoint with a good solid 100w per at .08%thd of pristine Onkyo power.
By the way I still have all of my Onkyo's.I gave my son my TX-830,Ive got the TX-860 hooked to my puter and when my daughter is ready she will get my other TX830 for her start into the component scene...I cant get rid of them!!!

Weaknesses:
I wish it had the selective tone button(loudness) on the remote and seeing that it doesnt why isnt it a variable slider like the older onkyo's had? Variable loudness is a nice feature. This receiver lacks alot in the home theater aspect of things...if thats the main reason one would be buying this,then theres others that have alot more to offer but if stereo listening is your thing this is a great tuner/amp to own for what you can get one for.

Similar Products Used:
Probably Denon,Harmon Kardon,or Marantz....Ive been an Onkyo user for so long I dont even audition anything else.
Not that Im narrow minded but when I find a good product I tend to stay with it...I grew up in an age when Pioneer
Sansui Onkyo and Marantz were building some tanks that would blow you away.To me Onkyo won the race to 2000.
I dont know what happened to pioneer but after the era of
the SX 1250 and SX 1280 they seemed to hit bottom for some reason with the black faced equipment...they were my 1970's choice...from mid 80's to present ive owned Onkyo.
My wifes best friend from High School is still listening to the Onkyo she bought in 1977 and to me thats a testiment to overall quality for the long run.