Onkyo TX-8522 100 Watt Stereo Receiver

My husband and I bought this receiver for my son for X-mas. He said that the sound was really great. He could hear his music so much better and could distinguish instruments better. Loves it.

This receiver is everything it was reported to be and more. I am thoroughly enjoying it.........it's great!!!!

I'll start off by saying that I am NOT a video/home theater guy. I'm an audio guide. A basic, two-channel, stereo audio guy. So when my beloved 25-year-old Yamaha stereo receiver died not too long ago, I was heartbroken. In this day of receivers with mega bells and whistles and video inputs and outputs, I feared that I wouldn't be able to find a basic two-channel receiver to replace my Yamaha. I was wrong. After doing several hours of research online, I discovered that the Onkyo TX-8522 was the receiver for me. And I was thrilled to find out that I could get it from Amazon.com. When the receiver was delivered, I was still a bit fearful that the new receiver wouldn't come close to the quality of my old receiver. But I was wrong again. From the moment I took the Onkyo out of the box, I could tell it was a quality built product. After hooking it up to my classic JBL speakers, Harman Kardon equalizer, and Sony CD player, I was excited to power it up. And when I did? Wow...was I pleased! The sound of the Onkyo is great, whether I'm listening to CDs, the radio, or piping music through it from my computer's iTunes library via my Airport Express/AirTunes hookup. The power it kicks out is impressive, too. I like to listen to my music pretty loud, and I have yet to have the volume knob anywhere near the halfway point. I should note, too, that the TX-8522's radio reception is fabulous. Both FM and AM stations come in loud and clear. This was a pleasant surprise, considering my Yamaha's radio reception was lousy. All in all, this receiver is top-notch. It has just enough features to satisfy me, the diehard audio guy. And none of the over-the-top bells and whistles that I just don't need. The remote is pretty handy, too. If you're looking for a basic two-channel stereo receiver that sounds great, I highly recommend the Onkyo TX-8522. It really is a nice piece of audio equipment!

Several months ago I replaced a top-of-the-line 25-year-old Marantz tube amp (2265) with the Onkyo TX-8222. It lacks some of the features of the Marantz, including mid-range equalizer, lo and hi filters, monitor buttons, separate loudness and volume controls, extra phone-plug inputs, antenna meter (but includes the ubiquitous remote control--useful because of the indistinguishable controls on the amp, tho I'd swap the remote for LEDs); nevertheless, I'm happy with the purchase and don't regret passing up the hassle and prohibitive costs of sending the Marantz out for repair. The Onkyo tuner's sensitivity and selectivity (with single indoor wire) are no better but probably no worse than the tuners being made in the '70s. My latest need for a replacement came about because a solid-state Technics receiver literally fell apart on me just short of 30 years of service (the internals are all good--it's the springs and rubber pads that stop working, making it impossible to use the controls--no knobs), and I picked up the Onkyo TX-8522 this time if only to be able to tell the difference between the two Onkyos. It's not easy. They're the identical size (unfortunate--I would have preferred something along the lines of my Technics, which is half the size and weight, a far more convenient metal object to accommodate if your desk space is as cramped as mine), and the Onkyo 8522 is only a couple of pounds heavier than the 8222. (There's a lot of empty space inside both of these amps--to keep them cool and running for the next 50 years?)

The 8522 has several added frills: the ability to "name" your FM stations, to bypass all effects during a recording, and to dim the display lights; and for audiophiles who plan to run a studio-full of equipment, the rear panel has an extra monitor out jack along with two additional sets of in-out jacks. Otherwise, I frankly hear no difference between the two Onkyos. If you're a V-8 guy (I'll admit all my cars have had 8 cylinders), go with the 8522 (or maybe you're driving some super-low efficiency speakers like the old AR3's that can justify the the extra energy consumption. Otherwise, the only meaningful difference is the number (222 vs. 522) and about fifty bucks--a dollar per watt. Since there's no longer a huge demand for "old-fashioned" stereo receivers (unbelievably, Sony sells them without a phono output), you may find some special deals if you're willing and able to hang around for a while. Some of the internet merchandisers, including Amazon, are prone to offer both models at a 50% discount from time to time (my 222 was under a hundred). Still, a receiver like this would have gone for $400-$500 thirty years ago, equivalent to a couple of grand in today's dollars.

If you're converting vinyl and are tempted to drop the receiver in favor of a USB turntable with preamp, check out the reviews first. Even a non-audiophile magazine like Consumers Reports trashes all of the USB turntables. They may be out of favor in the age of "virtual reality," where sound has little to do with nature, but there's still a lot to be said on behalf of the old component stereos assembled piece by quality piece (if you've got a Shure VR-Type 2 or 3 cartridge, treat this endangered, irreplaceable species with lots of TLC--and pray that your kid isn't a "turntablist"--i.e. the "musician" who scratches records behind rap, uh, music).

CAUTIONARY: The designers do the user no favor by combining the 2nd tape deck control and the monitor control into a single switch. It's very easy to activate the monitor setting inadvertently, resulting in a complete shut-down of the entire system. Best to avoid any use of that set of jacks and to check Tape 2 switch first before any further troubleshooting.

A NOTE on ONKYO CUSTOMER SUPPORT (1-17-08): I misplaced the remote switch for the Onkyo, looked it up on their website, and ordered it. Onkyo charged me a marginal, wholesale price for the switch and shipped it out immediately---no shipping and handling charge, no sales tax, and practically overnight delivery. As good as Amazon Prime.

After receiving an offer last month for my Sansui 9090 receiver and my Pioneer CS-911 floor speakers that I purchased in 1975 that I could not refuse, I found that I needed a replacement 2-channel receiver to use on my TEAC A-6300 reel-to-reel and my JVC Dolby HX-Pro cassette recorder. Thank goodness Onkyo had the TX-8522 receiver on the market. Although it lacks the finess of the Sansui, it is nevertheless a good 2-channel receiver. It allows me to continue to make cassettes and reel-to-reel recordings from my LP and CD library. I find the Onkyo easy to use with simple controls. The sound produced is clear and I don't hear any hum or feedback when using my turntable. Having the extra capability to plug in a CD player, Tape 1 & 2, DVD, AM/FM, Phono and Satellite Radio are a plus. I use the receiver in my office with all my other recording gear, so I haven't had a need ot crank it up to ful output. I presume it will handle larger speakers than the Bose 301's I am now using. Not being a 7, 8, 9, or 10 channel surround person, I find that left and right sound is absolutely sufficient for me. This Onkyo does exactly what it is advertised to do, provide good 2-channel power and output. Having the XM capability is a good extra. A good product at a great price!