Home > Consumer Reviews > Onkyo MC35TECH Executive Shelf System with 3 CD Changer

The receiver and CD player are wonderful. The speakers, unfortunatelly not. They lack bass response and the imaging is just not there. The built quality of the speakers is cheap -- particle board, bear in the back! It's obvious they just don't match the rest of the system.

It used to be different - before there was PS-509 system (which I have been using for 4 years). It has the same receiver and CD changer units (just black, not silver, however later they introduced PS-510 which was silver). PS-509/PS-510 shipped with Polk RT-105 speakers that were quite good (actually, according to Polk Audio, they were made by Onkyo, Polk just helped them with the design and allowed to use Polk name for marketing). Apparently in order to cut costs they ended the joint-venture and started to bundle the system with their medicore speakers. PS-509 originally cost $500, MC35TECH is one hundred less (or even less than that).

My advice -- get the receiver and CD player (you can get refurbished ones cheaply) and get some better speakers. For less money you'll get a better system. That's what I am doing now as I want to get another set.

What else?

The remote is hard to use. But at least it lets you adjust bass & treble settings (not possible without remote; some other functions are also available only thru the remote).

The wake-up timer is very lame. It just turns the unit on without adjusting volume, so if you use the sleep timer to fall asleep with the music, you can't really use the wake-up timer. Also if you use CD for the timer, it will just play the last CD that was played with track 1. The bottom line is the wake-up timer is pretty much useless.

Also, there is no balance adjustment, but the acoustic presence makes up for that reasonably well.

Bottom line: the sound quality is unbeliveable. Speakers are medicore at best, but still much better than typical consumer stereos. This is much better value (and sound quality) than comparable offerings from Denon & Yamaha.

I cannot imagine there is a better sounding component system on the market today in the $400 price range. Excellent sound, quality and looks in a small package. Not powerful enough to compete with my home audio system, but plenty of power for the office. And while I agree with the other reviewers on sound and quality, the main selling point for me was all the extra audio input and output options. This was the one area I found lacking on every other unit I researched. Besides having a very nice FM radio and the extra playing time of a 3 CD changer, I have attached the audio outputs of my notebook (for internet radio streams) and Nomad JB3 MP3 player to 2 of the 5 possible audio inputs and my headphone amplifier to the tape output. That is pretty darn flexible for a micro system!

I purchased this after comparing to the comperably priced Denon and Yamaha systems ($399). The Onkyo had better sound, more inputs and outputs, and a 3 disc changer (as opposed to single), plus it looked sharp. The sound is great across many music types (classical, jazz, electronica) and has the power to fill a good sized living room with rich music. If you are partial to low end bass, get a subwoofer (I did) since the system includes a sub output. For such a small component system, I am very impressed.

I bought this system refurbished because of the bad reviews on the CD changer, hoping the problem would be fixed. So far no problems, CD changer and everything else works perfectly. Initially, my first choice was the Marantz Duetto system but I was unable to find one. Next was the Denon D-M33s but the sound quality was lacking and it was too expensive for a mini system anyways. I settled on the Onkyo MC35TECH which I am very happy with now, it has nice smooth and warm sound. Also I really like the 3 disc changer and receiver, sort of a mini separates system. The CD changer though is quite loud, you will notice it especially during night use. I wanted to mention I am using thicker, lower gauge speaker wire and a Monster HTS850 Powercenter (both left over from my last audio system). To me there is a noticeable improvement in the sound versus using the stock cables and a cheap $10 surge protector.

4/3/2008
Update - After two years both the CD changer and receiver are still working great, though the changer is starting to act up a bit. Right after I eject the tray to pop in a CD it would at random times close by itself before I can put the disc in.

Ive upgraded the speakers to a pair of Mordaunt-Short 902. The clarity, stereo imaging and bass have all improved ten fold! The power and performance from this little Onkyo receiver is very impressive, it can really hold its own against $500 integrated amps ie. Cambridge Audio and Marantz. Compared to the big boys it lacks only slightly in separation of detail and power. However overall "warmth" of the sound makes it very enjoyable for casual listening. Unless you need the power of the bigger amps the Onkyo will do fine for moderate to loud volumes. Makes a great bedroom or apartment setup.

I've had this system for the last 5 years, so I think I'm in a good position to evaluate it. I bought this as a demo unit, while I'm still waiting for the time to come for a bigger full size system.
First, The Good:
The Receiver: Built like a tank. even with the speakers that come with the set, the sound quality is remarkable, esp considering the size of the receiver...I have heard many full size separate components with floor standing speakers of major brand names (I'm not speaking pure hi-end here), which sound worse, and had a bigger price tag running into 1k-2k $ range. I'm VERY picky about sound quality, and voice reproduction of this system is just great! Just listen to Fiona Apple's "slow like Honey", with vol level @ about 10-11 o'clock...hard to believe it's a mini system. The similar mini systems from Yamaha and Denon don't come close...and this receiver has banana type speaker terminals...now that's pretty hi-level thing do have in a "mini" system.
I have a pioneer dvd player's audio out connected directly to this system, and with the "presence control" of the Onkyo at position 3, and tweaking of the dvd player's sound mode settings, the sound of dvd's are amazing...it's loud, but @ the same time, clear crisp, and the bass is not lacking at all...it's deep, but never "muddy".
now: the speakers: I agree; they're below the level of the receiver, but think again: the freq response is 60Hz-35kHz, and that's actually pretty good...the freq above 20 kHz are not heard by humans, but they assure you have max clarity of that range. so the additional 35kHz is not a waste.
again when I watch dvds I sometimes wonder @ the sound coming from them...one can only imagine the sound with better speakers. and they have pin-connectors on the back. Yuck! but still...the sound, even with them is remarkable...I've surprised many picky people with this set up.

Convenience: inputs galore for such a small system; it has a SUB pre out! (look at how many full size a/v receivers have a line level sub-out). I know one person who has this system connected to a powered Yamaha sub, and he says it's wonderful (imagine the explosions then!). Best to buy a sub with variable cross-over adjustment, so that you can match/tune the freq exactly to the main speakers. This is my next move: a sub!
(audiophiles believe that a good 2.1 system with bookshelves and a sub gives better sound quality-more accurate-than 2 big floorstanding speakers..i guess you can control the bass better)
I sometimes connect my ipod to this system, and it also sounds great!
Now those "processor-in-out" jacks...another rarity in this class: i guess one can add some kind of surround processor and make it more HT oriented...i might do it someday, but I doubt it...I think 2.1 is the max for me...I value music more than multi-channel movie-stuff.

The tuner is VERY sensitive, and great that one can name stations.

what one can do to make it better:
1) replace all cables...I replaced all audio/video cables with either monster or cables-to-go with better cables/shielding and connectors. made a difference. if you're picky, you'll hear it.
Right now, i'm still (amazingly) using the 16-gauge speaker wire that came in the box! been too lazy. I'm getting some bluejeanscable 12-gauge wire with banana connectors soon...
2) get a sub..I really do think it makes a difference.
3) get better speakers if this is sort of a "main" system...and believe me it can be a very powerful 2.1 or 2.0 main system for a small-mid sized room. be careful of the min load the new speakers can take...don't overdrive the amp/underdrive speakers. it's a good one, but it's also a small one. (underloading speakers cause a lot more damage than overloading them, in other words)

CD palyer: This is the part which took out a star.
not very good build-qaulity of the tray loading mechanism/transport, but audio quality is still very good, and has digital out again, pretty special for a mini player. the cd player still works well. had eject/lock-up prob's like other reviewers once or twice last year, but never had any after that...this is probably the worst part of this system. I don't think it's the speakers...for their size, they have a great range. they could be better, but they're not that bad. and think of the price again.

All in all, a truly versatile, well made system. I will keep it as long as I can, and when I get a bigger main system, this will still have its place somewhere, and it won't be in some hidden place.

UPDATE Oct/07:
Updated speakers to Onix x-ls speakers, and a Onix X-sub: NOw it sounds like an almost hi-end system...more low extention, and the sound quality is unbelievable, probably able to beat most $1000 systems that I know of...The clarity/imaging is top notch with the better speakers, and they bring out what this receiver is truly capable of...It truly is very good; invest in better speakers and a sub...truns this into a truly audiophile grade system.