Value.

Binding posts suck.

In my opinion, this is the best mass market reciever you can buy (at Best Buy/Circuit City anyway). If you want a step up I would recommend listening to NAD.

remote control. solid and well built

difficult to read labels on controls

I purchased this receiver for my 14 year old son for Xmas.
This receiver has a lot of nice features: remote control,
FM pre-sets, power, and can be integrated with other Onkyo
products [cd player & tape deck]. Very reasonable priced: I
got this from a local dealer for $280. It has a lot of inputs, including phono, which seems to be disappearing. (I have lots of vinyl).

When we opened the box on Xmas morning, there was a small dent on the back of the case, but it doesn't seem to impair the receiver's performance.

For another application (other than a 14 year old's bedroom) I might have spent a little more for an AV receiver. I will follow up if any problems are incurred.

I give it 5 stars for value: money spent compared to competing products, and 4 stars for overall: features and quality of sound produced.

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fisher receiver from 1960's

Good sound for price.

Bang for the buck!! This receiver stretches my JBL studio series s312 speakers to the max! Yet the sound quality is unmatched when compared to other recievers!

I was looking for a solid stereo reciever to play my large collection of cds on and the tx8511 delivered on all counts. All I really needed to feel like I was listening to my music in right in the studio was a nice pair of speakers and a solid performing receiver. At 100 watts per channel this onkyo was all I needed!!
At $250, it only took one listen and I was sold!
I still enjoy it, and love to turn the volume up!

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sony (boo!) technics

FULLY discrete amplifier circuitry, HIGH current output. Quality of build.

Like everyone else...the speaker connects

Awesome product for price. I needed a receiver that had the capability for an external processor (e.q.) and a phono connection (remember those?). This unit has not even 'sweated' with the challanges that I've given it! I have not noticed the 'static' sound that others have complained about but have noticed that a common thread is a computer input, perhaps an input compatability issue! I highly reccommend monster angled conntects to alieve the frustration with the speaker outputs. I would highly reccommend this reciever without reservation for anyone looking for a SOLID no-frills receiver. Other components in my system:

Onkyo DX-C380 6 disc cd changer
Onkyo TA-RW244 casette deck
AudioSource EQ-ONE II spectrum analyzer / equalizer
Technics SL-10 linear tracking turntable (ancient but GREAT!)
Phillips DVD 701 player
DCM12A speakers (GREAT VALUE AND SOUND!!)

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Technics

Power, Clarity, Build quality

Spring clips, Occasional volume scratch

I've been using this receiver for almost 3 years now. It's a solid performer. It pumps out plenty of good, clean power for my NHT 1.5s which aren't all that efficient. I love my music loud and the 8511 just begs me to turn it up. The sound stage is nice and smooth with a slightly warm color which compliments the NHTs well. The only real problem (minor) I've encountered is the scratch while adjusting the volume on the TAPE-1 channel (hooked to my computer). I recommend this receiver to any buyer that is looking for a no-frills, solid receiver for a respectable price.

Onkyo 7211
Onkyo TX-8511
NHT 1.5s
NHT SubTwo
Acoustic Research speaker wire
Kimber PBJ & Monster Cable Interlink 400 MKII interconnects

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None.

Quality of power and sound

I can't believe I bought something from Circuit City!!!

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I BOUUGHT SOMETHING FROM CIRCUIT CITY!! But I needed a receiver replacement for my bedroom. I needed good quality to run my TV, VCR, and Digital Cable Box and push out good sound on my cheap Yamaha speakers. (I know,I know, don't give me any grief, I have B&W's in my HT set up in my living room) But for what it is worth, this little puppy does all it can and a lot more. Quality sound and pure sound mixed into a nice little $300 receiver, that only Circuit City had to offer. I could not find it any place else, except about $25 cheaper on the web, so I took the plunge. You should too, if you are looking for a back up receiver.

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Old Sony Pro-Logic receiver

The high power output, it sounds more powerful than 100 watts.

None in my opinion....

This is the best sounding and most powerful reciver I've owned. It don't matter if the speaker connectors are cheap, It's about the quality of the sound. With the power that this baby can push, there is no need for gold plated RCA plugs or any B.S. novelty things like that, those just make the plugs look more catchy. I have a pair of 15" Lanzar car audio sub-woofers @ 4 Ohms, when the volume is at half way, it's about to blow the 15"s out (Realy). Also the other good option is the switchable Ohms @ 4-5 and 8. I can say that this is the best stereo reciver I've owned. with the right midranges and highs this one realy rocks @ high volumes, and the bass is very controled.
"This is a true Rock reciver, a must get!"

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Nothing close or as good as this one!

Depth of sound. Built like a tank.

Very poor AM reception

I like everything about this receiver except the AM reception. If AM is a big concern for you, then avoid this receiver. Otherwise, enjoy the sound.

Note: I bought this receiver as an open box item (it looks new to me) from OneCall.com. It arrived three days after I place my order!! Considering that they are based out of Spokane, Washington and I live in Minnesota, their promptness was a welcome suprise.

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JVC

Excellent power reserve.

Noisy AM. Cheap speaker connections

I bought this receiver to replace my 20 year old Pioneer 120 watt per channel receiver in which I paid $600 for new. My first impression was the TX8511 weighs in at only half of what the old Pioneer did, so therefore it will not have the power reserve capacity like the old Pioneer did. However, once I hooked the TX8511 to my Polk RM 3000 sub - satellite speaker system and played some extremely demanding music at wall rattling levels, I was pleasantly surprised that this receiver can handle the lowest bass just as well and maybe even better than my old Pioneer did! The bass was solid with no hint of break-up or distortion and the highs are crisp, yet they are not harsh. All the controls work flawlessly. Onkyo must have solved the problem with the noisy volume control because I did not experience this problem. The only fault I could find is the AM band is noisier than what the Pioneer was. At $299 this receiver is a bargain for anyone who needs modest power at a reasonable price!

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Pioneer SX3900