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Onkyo TX-8511 2 Channels ReceiverWhy save the best stuff for home theater? Every model in Onkyo's receiver line, starting with the TX-8511, utilizes high-current,...
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Why save the best stuff for home theater? Every model in Onkyo's receiver line, starting with the TX-8511, utilizes high-current, low-impedance amplifier design for superior performance. Humbly priced, but made for music fans who appreciate great sound, this is no ordinary stereo receiver. A look inside reveals Onkyo's attention to detail in every aspect of construction. The transformer: oversized and shielded for maximum power capacity and stability, and minimum hum. The filter capacitor is oversized for clean sound during your music's most demanding dynamic peaks. The cast aluminum heat sink is oversized for efficient heat dissipation, and thus longer life from your receiver. Discrete outputs are designed to run cooler, and to keep your music cleaner, under high-volume, low-impedance conditions. Anti-resonant chassis and aluminum front panel are highly rigid to fight distortion-causing resonance. So how does it sound? In a word: impressive. The TX-8511 drives 100 clean, muscular watts to each of your...
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10 Reviews from Shopping.com
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Sounds great
| Author's Rating: |
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Pros: Sound quality, reliability, value
Cons: single tape monitor loop, average FM reception
The Bottom Line:
Best sound quality for your dollar in its class!
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 I wanted to put my money into quality sound, not features like home theater or equalization pre-sets and it has not disappointed me!
I actually do use the Onkyo to watch an occasional movie and am very happy with it. In my mind good stereo sound is preferable to mediocre surround sound. I'd rather put my money into two good speakers than 5 half-baked ones. If you want good stereo sound for your movies, the Onkyo will deliver.
As nofuschu states, the speaker inputs are not designed for clips or plugs - which is an omission. However, they are quite sturdy and I have never had a problem with them.
I disagree that there is no loudness function - there is a "Selective Tone Control" function which does the same thing. Why they chose to give it that odd name I do not know.
With a decent signal, FM sound quality is good by FM standards. However it can be difficult to pull in weak stations.
Like its competition, it has only one tape monitor loop, which I find occasionally frustrating.
Update 2005-May: I'm still quite satisfied with the TX-8511 and use it as my main receiver on a daily basis. On a couple occasions I've used it to DJ parties and it has handled the abuse gracefully.
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