Onkyo TX-8522 100 Watt Stereo Receiver

The TX-8522 was purchased to replace my beloved Sansui AU-9500 which met an untimely end. I have the Onkyo connected to an Audio Control 10 band graphic equalizer and a pair of 3 way speakers which I built from Speaker Lab kits. The sound is sublime. Without the equalizer, the sound is a bit thin but, that is easily over come by kicking in the EQ. The Onkyo reputation for quality is legend and this unit only furthers that. If you are looking for a simple, high quality 2 channel reciever, I recommend the TX-8522 without hesitation.

This is a really nice receiver. A feature I like is that it is XM Radio ready. I bought the hook up package online for under $60 shipped, subscribed online and am enjoying the songs of the 50s and Old Time Radio. Those, and over 170 other stations for only $12.95/mo. "Such a deal!" I don't think you can find a nicer receiver for the price.

I've been an audio/video enthusiast from the days when "transistor" meant cheap and "tubes" meant quality. Indeed, I've worked in motion pictures and as a musician. I share the above because almost every review one reads rates every product as either great or terrible. Few reviewers, it seems, have much background to aid in making useful comparisons.

My own view - developed over the years - is that the best amps have 'a sound,' but most amps remain (and should remain) free of the any sound of their own. This, I thought, was especially true for mid-priced mass audio, and arena where Onkyo is close to the top because of its superior build quality.

The TX-8522 has somewhat changed that long held point of view. Here is why:

I bought the TX-8522 to replace a less powerful, but very high quality, receiver used in a secondary system made up of on-hand componants in a very large, catherdral-ceilinged, room. That older receiver was a Nakamicci and its sound was always, to my experienced ears, quite excellent.

But used in this setting, driving small and inefficient speakers, it didn't have the power output needed, and the temptation was often to turn it up too high and risk clipping.

I chose the TX-8522 for Onkyo's reputation for excellent build quality, its 100 watt RMS output with good momentary peak power, simple, straight-forward faceplate, and reasonale price. Soundwise I expected nothing beyond what I had before with the Nakamicci except with adaquate volume without strain. In this expectation I was mistaken.

The sound of the Onkyo, at similar (unmeasured) volume, was richer and fuller. The sound stage is wider. How can explain this? Simple: I can't.
But the difference is not subtle.

Feature-wise the receiver is basic. Treble and bass tone controls (both kept at the neutral setting as they were on the Nakamicci), balance, input selectors, typical FM receiver tuner controls, speaker selectors, and several 'optional' settings said to insure purity (turning off video and display) and neutrality (bipassing the tone controls). The later two had no noticable sonic effect with my system.

This receiver could be said to be everything I hoped for. Its physical quality is excellent, the controls simple and effective, the appearance unobtrusive but fine. But the sound is much more. It is excellent.

The entire system: Onkyo TX-8522 receiver, Nakamicci OMS 1 Series 2 CD player, Roku Soundbridge M1000 (for accessing my computer's 'mp3' libray), Cambridge Soundworks Ensemble 2 sub-sat system, and a Carver/Sunfire Dominator D10 (1000 watt) subwoofer.

This system - origanlly planned for just background music - is now, with the substitution os the Onkyo TX-8522, worthy of serious listening.

Highly recommended.

I am an avid music lover who has no interest in home theater. As a result, I bought this receiver and am extremely well-pleased with it. Not only does it provide a very realistic and wide soundstage with most well-recorded, well-masterd CDs...its ability to reveal subtle musical detail is nothing short of remarkable. The Onkyo TX-8522 is a rare brand of receiver in that it boasts enormous and very impressive power-handling capability while being able to reproduce the entire audible spectrum realistically. Very highly recommended.

This receiver replaces an ONKYO TX-V940 bought in 1995 or so.

The protection relays on the old one had gone bad, and it didn't seem worthwhile to replace them on a unit this old.

It has the same rated power output, and even looks the same. It is much different, however.

It is narrower than the older ONKYOs, and now fits in most audio racks! (major annoyance with the older pieces.)

It is deathly quiet when nothing is playing, even with the volume cranked. The old unit was never this quiet. I also appear to be getting better highs and mids than ever before, with better separation. I'm very pleased.

The TX-8522 also adds:

Bannana-plug capable binding posts, replacing spring-loaded pincers. These can also be cranked down tight, giving you a good connection to plain stripped wire. A bit of a pain to thread the wire in though. It would be worthwhile to solder on some bananna plugs.

Speaker impedance switch controlled by the remote.

Tone-control and front panel display defeat switches. (cuts noise)

XM compatibility.

Ipod compatibilty, provided you purchase the RI dock.

Recommended accessories: Sony RM-VL600 remote control.