Reddit mentions of Onkyo TX-8050 Network Stereo Receiver (Black)

The Onkyo TX-8050 has all the features you're looking for. I have one pushing two speakers (no sub), and have been very pleased with it.

4 Channel Speaker Selector with Volume Control + Stereo Receiver with Optical Input.

Hi /r/audiophile! I've been researching heavily on your subreddit for a couple months now, and let me preface this comment by saying how much I've learned! And also, how confused I am. First question is...if I have an A+B (2 channel?) speaker set up, does it matter that one set of speakers is 50 feet away and vintage, and the other set of speakers is close and new? Second question is, can one receiver serve both for music and TV watching?

What is your budget?
$500

What are you looking for?
2 bookshelf speakers and a Receiver

How will you be using it?
Listening to vinyl, radio, iPhone (I have an Airport Express), computer, DVD player, AppleTV and cable box. I want the whole system in the bookcase in my living room (where the TV setup is). I have two vintage speakers in my sunroom that are wired through the attic and come down into the bookshelf so A+B speaker capability is necessary. I'd say it's about 50 feet of speaker wires to get from sunroom to living room if that matters.

What gear do you own?
Realistic Solo-1 speakers mounted in sunroom from previous owners and a vintage Technics turntable. Apple Airport Express. I also have a Sony STR-KS380 5.1 surround sound system I'm currently using but I don't think it's of any use to me (beyond JUST surround sound for the TV) so I'm going to sell it to fund this new consolidated project.

What do you intend on using for a source?
Vinyl, radio, iPhone, MacBook, DVD player, AppleTV and cable box.

What material will you be using your gear for?
Music and Movies

Are you willing to buy used?
Of course!

Last question is how do I tell which speaker wire coming down from my attic is for the left speaker and which is for the right (and which is red/black for each speaker)? Thanks in advance for any and all help! I can't believe how long I've been trying to figure this out. It's time to pull the trigger and buy stuff.

Edit: I am considering the Onkyo TX-8050 and Micca MB42X Bookshelf Speakers.

Shopping in Canada is stupid. I haven't bought anything over $100 in Canada in years (Excluding things I can't export out of the USA like guns). I order everything from the USA. I do it two ways:

• Order to my house if the package is small and/or less than $50-60. In this case the shipping is usually not expensive (unless it's a very heavy item obviously), and you're least likely to pay duties/taxes on such a inexpensive item.
  
  
• Order to my mailbox in Blaine, WA then drive across the border and pick it up. I pay $12 per year for the mailbox, and about $3-$4 for each parcel that arrives there. This is a private run business with an actual address, not a PO box which a lot of sellers refuse to ship to. It's a pretty large business with a lot of Canadians using it ... well those that live close to the border at least.
  
  
  The prices in Canada are just insane compared to what you can buy in USA. A lot of the times if the item is $300 or less you will not be required to pay taxes on it. I declare everything and in my experience only if it's $300+ will they make you go pay taxes. I now have Nexus and they let me through with even up to $500!! Here's an example of some of the things i've purchased:
  
  
• Winch for my Jeep: $800+ CAD - $500 USD
  
• Diff lock for my Jeep (ARB): $1000+ CAD, $750 USD
  
• Onkyo receiver TX-8050: $430 CAD, $240 USD
  
  
  The list is endless as i've been doing it for years, those are just a few that come to mind where I know both the Canadian and USA prices.
  
  Here's an example using the Onkyo TX-8050 that I have. You'd seriously have to be an IDIOT to order off .ca. I was also able to find Polk Monitor 40 series ii speakers on eBay out of USA for $150, BRAND NEW ... so speakers and receiver came out to what the receiver would cost me if i bought it in Canada. Yeah, i'll stick to shopping in the USA.
  
  Important: Get a credit card that does NOT charge you extra for foreign currency exchange to save even more money. A credit card such as this: https://www.chase.com/online/canada/amazon-ca-home.htm
  
  $400 on Amazon.ca:
  http://www.amazon.ca/Onkyo-TX-8050-Network-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B004UR486G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1420482363&sr=1-1&keywords=onkyo+tx-8050
  
  $250 on Amazon.com:
  http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8050-Network-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B004UR486G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1420482377&sr=1-1&keywords=onkyo+tx-8050

this is my speaker recommendation. dont think a sub or anything like that will be necessary.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YWCT4/

he can use the spidf connection from the CD player into a DAC if it has one.

basically hes going to want several functions

• radio tuner
  
• a good CD player OR a DAC
  
• ability to stream or play digital files.
  
  I Like this onkyo reciever for him:
  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004UR486G
  
  so its got:
  
  
• amp
  
• radio
  
• streaming from home network/internet radio
  
• streaming from USB hard drives.
  
• SPIDF Inputs/DAC
  
  
  if his current CD player does not have spidf connections he can use his current CD player in analog or he can get a modern DVD player for around $50-$60.
  
  you may also want some stands for the speakers. ex:
  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001286F6M/
  

Hello,

I'm building a home stereo/5.1 setup from "scratch." I've decided on my speakers. Seen here.

Now what I'm left figuring out is my receiver. And deciding if I'm in need of an amplifier on top of it..

Looking for: Receiver/Amplifier

Budget: Around $500CAN

Source: Computer - Soundcloud, Netflix, etc.

Material: Movies/TV. House, Breakbeat, Drum&Bass, and Trance music

I'm trying to decide between these currently, but am open to suggestions;

Pioneer VSX-830-K

Onkyo TX-NR646

Denon AVR-S510BT

Marantz NR1504 Which has refurb units up for $350, vs $800 for new units. Leaning towards this one but I'm unsure.

Thank you,

I'm not an audiophile person, but I'm hoping that the knowledge base here can help me find an amp/receiver.

Criteria:

• Phono input
  
  
• Stereo only (I don't want video inputs either)
  
  
• I don't have speakers right now (not for this purchase anyway), but I want this purchase to last a long time, like the rest of my life. So in terms of power, I'm looking for versatile, adequate for powering speakers for an apartment, or a large room. With that said, I don't really want lots of power nor need lots. Quality over loudness is my preference. But I do want to be able to turn it up at times without distorting the music.
  
  
• I plan to hookup a turntable, CD player, and some sort of streaming device (bluetooth DAC of some sort), and MAYBE my TV, but I don't won't surround.
  
  
• I know there is bluetooth receivers out there, but I think I would prefer an external device because it is one less thing that could go wrong with the receiver.
  
  
• A remote would be nice, but not mandatory.
  
  
• If it matters, I listen to virtually EVERYTHING. Very few genres are not in my collection.
  
  
• Most of the time, vinyl is my preferred way of listening while at home.
  
  
• Ideally a built in tuner.
  
  I have looked at amps like the Onyko TX-8050 which matches most of what I want, but I'm not entirely sold on it. I'm not too big on the built in network features. I'd rather just have an external BT device that I can stream stuff to from my tablets/phone/laptop/etc.
  
  To sum it up, I want a long lasting stereo amp with adequate inputs for my needs.
  
  My plan is to purchase a Pro-ject Carbon Debut turntable (no particular reason other than they are clean looking and get the job done) to go with this setup. Budget wise... I'm willing to spend within reason to get what I want; maybe up to 1K? Outside of the turntable which I don't think is a big factor, I'm building my system around this purchase.
  
  I'd also consider buying used/vintage equipment, but not looking forward to having to track it down. Options are limited where I live and I want to be able to test what I buy so shipping is not an option. In terms of buying new, as long as it can be shipped to me, no restrictions.
  
  Thanks in advance and I appreciate any input you can share.

Ok. So you don't need to push a ton of wattage through your mains and a decent, but not insane, sub will do.

My, personal opinion, recommendations.

Receiver(In no order. These are just brands I respect with good enough features and wattage):

1. Harmon Kardon. $329.00 . http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-AVR-1700-Network-Connected/dp/B009HB2USI/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1383147455&sr=1-5&keywords=harmon+kardon
   
   
2. Denon. $259.00. http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-1613-Channel-Receiver-Networking/dp/B007R8U5QW/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1383164105&sr=1-3&keywords=denon
   
   
3. Onkyo. $259.00. http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8050-Network-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B004UR486G/ref=sr_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1383163556&sr=1-9&keywords=onkyo
   
   I have always had good to great experiences with the above brands. If looking stylish is at all important, do the Harmon Kardon. Also, in my experience, HK power is very very clean. All of these include wireless networking and HDMI switching. I would buy the denon personally. But, I'm biased towards denon.
   
   Subs:
   
   
4. Velodyne. $399.00 http://www.amazon.com/Velodyne-Impact-10-10-Inch-Powered-Subwoofer/dp/B001GON5AG/ref=sr_1_4?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1383163718&sr=1-4&keywords=subwoofer
   
   
5. Klipsch. $399.95. http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-Synergy-Sub-10-Subwoofer-Black/dp/B00D65QYMO/ref=sr_1_23?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1383163849&sr=1-23&keywords=subwoofer
   
   When it comes to these two subs, it's a crap shoot deciding which to get. Velodyne and Klipsch subs are both fantastic. I'm leaning, personally, towards the Velodyne. But that's just me.
   
   So, in conclusion, you had a budget of $800 dollars. If you did the Denon or Onkyo and one of these subs that puts you at 650. As a bonus, here's a used KEF center channel for 150 bucks on Ebay. It would give you 3.1 channel.
   
   http://www.ebay.com/itm/KEF-HTS3001-Piano-gloss-Black-2-Way-Uni-Q-3000-Series-center-channel-Speaker-/281195898826?pt=Speakers_Subwoofers&hash=item417894e7ca
   
   Also, do yourself a favor and get something similiar to this:
   http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Remote-Control-Silver/dp/B004OVECU0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383164516&sr=8-1&keywords=harmony+remote
   
   It will replace all the remotes in your system and make switching from TV->Games->DVD much easier with Macros.

Just to be sure, the term receiver has been badly abused in some of the comments -- suggesting that the term receiver implies home theater equipment. However there are stereo receivers too. A stereo receiver is a stereo amplifier with an built in radio tuner.

Low cost AV Receivers (home theater stuff) often have optical digital inputs.

It is harder to find optical digital inputs on stereo receivers and integrated amplifiers -- and they tend to be more expensive.

However the Onkyo TX-8050 is available for about $240 right now:

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8050-Network-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B004UR486G

Onkyo has an integrate stereo amp with a DAC

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-A-9050-Integrated-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B009JBZFVK

I have an HK 3490 with an optical input. The HK 3490's price fluctuates wildly. It ranges from $300 - $450 from month to month.

I can't say that the built in DACs in any of those units is better than the DAC in the Macbook. You might be better off using the analog output and choosing from a wider selection of Amps/Receivers. But a built in DAC is nice if you should get something like an Apple TV which does not have an analog output.

Noticed that too. What a difference 24 hours makes, haha.

This one doesn't look like a bad second choice. 80 watts RMS per channel will be plenty for the Pioneer speakers. It has optical and coaxial digital inputs, and a pre-out so that you can add a separate power amp down the road.

http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8050-Network-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B004UR486G/ref=pd_cp_e_2

I think the Onkyo TX-8050 would be a good one stop solution

It's a full blown 5.1 AVR, but it should have plenty of power, had USB input and a phono pre amp all for $250

Here's a system for you, also from Amazon. It will accept analog inputs, coax/optical inputs, digital iPod inputs, and network connectivity (pandora/spotify). About the only think it won't do is decode HDMI audio.

Integrated Digital/Network Amplifier - $250 - Onkyo TX-8050

2X Floorstanding Speakers - $400 - JBL ES80BK

Subwoofer - $350 - Klipsch RW12D


http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8050-Network-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B004UR486G/ref=sr_1_20?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1372773958&sr=1-20&keywords=integrated+amplifier

http://www.amazon.com/JBL-ES80BK-3-Way-Floorstanding-Speaker/dp/B00166ZFXO/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1372773553&sr=8-10&keywords=floorstanding+speaker

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-RW12D-12-inch-Reference-Subwoofer/dp/B000UVWIO0/ref=sr_1_19?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1372774285&sr=1-19&keywords=velodyne+subwoofer

Building on what /u/unfoundable said, this inexpensive Onkyo receiver has a built-in phono pre-amp as well as an onboard DAC with 4 digital inputs. You get an AM/FM and internet tuner as well. It will read FLAC files from an attached USB drive and if you join it to your network, you can cast music to it from a PC.

I paired my carbon with this amp and these speakers. I bought my girlfriend the same set up but got [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Onkyo-TX-8050-Network-Stereo-Receiver/dp/B004UR486G/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1395520405&sr=8-6&keywords=Onkyo+tx) amp instead. They both sound pretty awesome. The only time I wish I'd bought full range speakers is when I'm listening to something like aphex twin with crazy deep bass and even most of those tracks sound pretty good. Their are some audiophile forums for buying used gear where you might be able to find some stuff cheap like Audiogon.