Onkyo TX-8511 2 Channels Receiver

Pros: Excellent sound quality, phono input, switching versatility
Cons: Speaker selector doesn't work from remote control

I purchased the TX-8511 to replace a 10 year old, 150W per channel Carver receiver that was starting to fail. I have a very inefficient speaker setup, an old pair of Magnapan MG-II's and a big RH Labs subwoofer, relics from the days before the power...

Pros: perfectly adequate
Cons: none

This is a review of the Harmon Kardon 3480, the Denin 395, and the Onkyo TX8511 for those of us who are busy and mainly listen to music while we are doing something else (getting ready for work, cooking, etc) Summary: All 3 are adequate for ...

Pros: Sound quality, reliability, value
Cons: single tape monitor loop, average FM reception

I have been happily using the Onkyo TX-8511 nearly every day since 1997. I concur with nofuschu's review "Top-line purist stereo" written Jul 06 '00. Since so much is stated so well in that review, I'll keep this short. I chose the Onkyo TX-8511 because ...

Pros: perfectly adequate
Cons: none serious

This is a review of the Harmon Kardon 3480, the Denin 395, and the Onkyo TX8511 for those of us who are busy and mainly listen to music while we are doing something else (getting ready for work, cooking, etc) Summary: All 3 are adequate for ...

Pros: Clean,powerful unit- with no bells or whistles.
Cons: No lighted switches i.e. for cd/turner ect...

I purchase this receiver on E-bay approximately 6 months ago. I bought this unit after reviewing many receivers/and testing them out at local stereo stores.
I purchased this receiver to play pure simple Stereo music, CD's, and internet radio...

Pros: the "perfect receiver" upon first look.
Cons: equalizer, radio tuner, sound quality.

Desperately Searching For A Real Receiver

i thought this might be it, but NOT !

first i should say that this review is for the TX-8511 which is the same receiver with more watts (100w per channel).

option-wise this is the receiver i was looking for. it has six inputs, two outputs (cd burner and cassette deck for me), the SRC which works as Loudness (to me), bass and treble knobs, direct-in tuner programming (yaaaay).

now the bad news.

sound: it sounds like the Montgomery Wards stereo i had as a kid. not exactly bass-less, but a kinda lightweight trebley sound. no ummph.

radio tuner: doesn't pick up many stations. picks up strong signals ok, but many stations that should have been picked up were not.

equalizer: YOUR EQUALIZER WILL NOT WORK WITH THIS UNIT although the manufacturers say it will. (booooo !)

conclusion: i've been looking high and low for a real receiver. feature-wise it is perfect for me. however my problems with sound, tuner and equalizer make it less than desirable. sadly it may be the best thing in existence today.

Pros: Graphic EQ jacks, nice asthetics and numerous features.
Cons: No banana clip jacks and THD could be down around .05%.

I've owned this model for over three years now and have been pleased with it all along. Very well constructed and as has been said, it has massive internals components. I've had units in the past with lower THD (this one's pegged as .08%), but I've never noticed any sound anomalies with it. Stereo separation is adequate but not awesome. FM and AM tuner performance is quite good in my area. Hook up a quality graphic equalizer through the Video Monitor 2 jack and this makes you remember why you elected to forego the new surround sound receivers. Tight bass through my old Realistic Mach 2 15" woofers and good treble. While there have been nicer units in the past, for the price Onkyo is asking for this unit it's a great bargain. I liked it enough to buy a second TX-8511 for my bedroom.

Pros: Powerful, no audible distortion. Excellent fidelity. Ease of use. Dynamic range. Phono input. "Loudness" control.
Cons: No "Sonic Hologram" like my old Carver. No Midrange control.

The Onkyo replaces a beloved, but over the hill, Carver HR-772 that I bought in 1988. The TX-8511, purchased 11/'05, has superb fidelity and dynamic range, partly due to it's massive power supply and excellent construction. I'm a musician (guitarist) and have a background in electronics so I'm very, very "picky" about specs and actual performance. It's been mated to a pair of new Infinity speakers. The clarity and transparency of the receiver exceeds my old Carver. I find the FM reception very good. It's easy to operate, although I didn't bother with some of the more advanced options (like "naming" stations.)Bottom line: having owned it for almost 5 months I would buy it again.

Pros: Sound quality, price, size.
Cons: FM tuner could be better.

I purchased this receiver to replace a Pioneer that was about 15 years old. I was very pleasantly surprised by the sound quality of the Onkyo. It is superb. Even my wife, who generally doesn't pay attention to such things, mentioned how great it sounded.

I was looking for a unit without lots of 'bells and whistles' and the Onkyo fits the bill perfectly. It was easy to install and I like the relatively compact size of the unit.

The FM tuner is not as good as I would like it to be. The tuning capability is 'weak'.

Overall, I'm extremely satisfied with the receiver. It is a very good value.

Pros: Sounds great, plenty of power, looks nice, feels solid, low heat, excellent value
Cons: No subwoofer output (run cable to the subwoofer, then to speakers, but extra cable)

My criteria for purchasing a receiver was 100W/channel, decent quality in the $200-3xx price range in excess of 15 lbs (not cheap crap), with phono inputs and other basic I/O. I was about to buy the HK3480, but was advised against it by a musician friend who'd see three HK units fail amongst his friends in recent years. Onkyo has solid reputation for quality and reliability. The HK seemed prettier, so it was kind of like choosing between a Rover and a Toyota :)

When I got it, I was pleasantly surprised with its appearance, which does not translate well in little pictures on a computer monitor. It's a basic unit with some advanced features that I'll likely never use. The unit has plenty of power, but now I need to upgrade my speakers to match it. Very happy with this purchase so far.