Home > Consumer Reviews > Onkyo TX-8522 100 Watt Stereo Receiver

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.

The fad today is for multi-channel audio/video receivers. But most people stiill listen to music with just two speakers and, consequently, only need a good stereo receiver. In fact, a sound stereo system featuring a good stereo receiver, such as this Onkyo, and an excellent pair of speakers will sound better than a typical multi-channel system which usually features several mediocre speakers. Unless you can afford a good multi-channel receiver and several good speakers you will get better sound by sticking with good stereo equipment. The Onkyo TX-8522 is a very good stereo receiver with a wide range of inputs and controls, including a remote control. With 100 watts per channel power it is capable of driving virtually any speakers to deafening levels (which is NOT good for your ears) even if you are inclined to apply significant bass boost. Although the TX-8522 is very reasonably priced, if you would prefer a less expensive receiver, consider the 50 watts per channel Onkyo TX-8211.

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.

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!