Onkyo TX-8255 Stereo Receiver

• 50W/ch x 2ch
• Speaker A/B
• 6 Audio inputs, including Phono input
• Discrete circuit for High-current drive
• iPod compatible

This receiver replaced a Sony STR 397 that had a continuous static problem that was never fixed. I gave up on the Sony and bought the Onkyo. I use it to power two Polk tower speakers hooked up to my HDTV and DVD player.

The receiver is basic, no frills. Bass, treble and balance controls are on the front panel. There is no loudness control. There are multiple memory settings for music stations. All the standard connections are in the back including an input for an iPod (docking station extra). The tuner works well and has standard scanning for stations.

The receiver is rated at 50W per channel. It is plenty adequate for the Polks. The sound is clear and unvarnished. It produces a crisper, cleaner sound than the Sony.

For sound reproduction without lots of frills and buttons, this has proved an excellent choice. I am very pleased with the item.

Once again, I have to complement Amazon for having excellent pricing and incredible free shipping that is fast.

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I bought this receiver to replace a fine amp, preamp combo that was 25 years old and had served me well (a NAD). So this one has a tuner built in oh well. I'll almost never play the radio. But this unit is just amazing. It impresses me as being totally transparent. There is no noise, no hum, no nothing to let me know that I'm listening to a cd, unless the signal is on the cd or other audio source. Either stuff has gotten a lot better in the last 25 years, or my hearing has deteriorated. Heh heh both are true. I've only had it two days, so I know nothing of durability. It's driving a couple of IMF speakers which are quite power hungry no sweat, they just sing beautifully.

Update: Well, it's been over four years and this beast has been terrific. The only way I know it's on is because there is that led display. It gets left on overnight because I forget it's there. Just what I was looking for in an amp.

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I would like to offer my own personal opinion regarding my purchase and use of the Onkyo Receiver model TX 8255. Right off the top I must admit that I am more pleased with this receiver than I have ever been with any other receiver I have owned. I go back to the days of tube type components and I have owned a couple of the old style Marantz receivers, a Yamaha and a Harmon Kardon as well as Mackintosh components over the years and all have performed to varying degrees of satisfaction. Each unit had it's pro and cons as they should. Recently I had an issue with my last receiver and had the problem repaired on a number of occasions but the repair only lasted maybe a year and then I was back to the same problem. I decided that it was time for something else and basically what I wanted was a simple two channel stereo receiver that would power my Paradigm tower speakers and sound decent with no performance issues as well as have a very acceptable AM/FM receiver section. After doing some homework I decided to try the Onkyo Model model TX 8255. In a nut shell the Onkyo exceeds all my expectations. It has more than enough power to drive the 8 ohm Paradigm speakers even above normal listening levels with no noticeable clipping. The receiver section draws in many stations although I must admit I reside in a medium city environment so I would assume that there would be no problems. The unit and remote are very user friendly and cleanly laid out. The only thing that I miss and would have like to have had was a midrange control. Other than that I have no problem saying that I really, really like this unit and expect to stay with it for many years to come.

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I was glad to see that there are still some two-channel stereo receivers that aren't home theater setups. Having 40 radio presets is also nice, and a large volume KNOB, not volume buttons, is fantastic. I just wish the controls had bigger buttons and much bigger labels with more contrast. I had to get a flashlight out to read all the controls. The buttons are black on a black faceplate and the printed labels, though white, are washed out and in about 8 point type. I wish designers would pay more attention to the ergonomics of electronics.

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I got this for my parents for xmas, to replace their old Sansui that finally gave up the ghost. I hooked it up New Years day, and was amazed with the sound/power this unit puts out. I have a DE898 Sony stereo that cost about 2x last year, and with the same speakers does not sound anywhere near as clear or crisp. I tried both Polk monitor, and Bose InterAudio series and the results were the same; this receiver puts out plenty of power, and sounds very crisp. The highs are not tinny, and the base is not boomy, just very clear. Wow. Mom and Dad are very happy to listen to their reel to reel, cassette, cd, record player, and tv through the speakers, and hear detail they have not heard in years. I am wondering why I bought surround sound for me now, I forgot how good just plain stereo can sound. The remote is very easy to see, and understand. Nothing fancy, just basic.

There is some math issue here.

Onkyo says 50 watts per channel rms

Sony says 100 watts per channel rms

The Sony sounds like it is lower power, and has to be run at half volume to get much sound. Both units with the same speakers. I suspect Marketing departments are involved here, with marketing math.