Is the Onkyo TX -840 really vintage?

SuperjazzyJa

18 Wheel Member
I picked up one of these at a thrift store for $40 today. I tried looking online to find out when it was in production, but couldn't get an answer. In so doing, I found an AK thread about it in the vintage section. It's black with a digital tuner. Anyone know how old it might be? It's in mint condition. Very well cared for.
 
Based on my limited knowledge of Onkyo products, I would say that it was made sometime in the 90's. As such, I would consider it vintage. I think that any product that is decades old should be looked at in this manner. If I recall correctly Onkyo model numbers from the 80's had two numbers, rather than three. My first receiver was a TX-25 that I got for Christmas in 1985.
 
Thanks David. I have a hard time telling. It looks to me like it could be anywhere from 90s to just out of production. This unit is in excellent condition. If it is really that old, who ever owned it took really good care of it. I am not very familiar with Onkyo products other than that they seem to be well respected and I have always liked their sound. I never owned any of their gear though. When listening, I never paid much attention to model numbers. I probably should have. Silly me!
 
Onkyo TX-840 Can Sound Very Good in a Modest HiFi

I picked up a TX-840 about 10 years ago never intending to actually use it. I have a high end Carver amp for my big rig and use a old tube Dyna amp in the den. Well, I was shocked by the sound. It is not GREAT, but is is very good. I can listen for hours and everything just sounds remarkably accurate. The sound stage is small but precise. All-in-all for close, quiet listening to music such as The Persuasions Street Corner Symphony or combo Jazz or chamber music I enjoy this little receiver I got for $15 more than many that cost $1500. My ears do not get fatigued!

I have listened to many other similar Onkyo receivers with more power and features and have not been particularly impressed. There are advantages to some low power designs. I do not know when it was made, but since it has a remote control and inputs for a LP cartridge that narrows it down a good deal. Late 1980s or early 1990s, maybe--

Right now I am using Mirage SM-3 Speakers with it and a Shure V15III Improved and an Old Tank of a Technics turntable. SL-Q3, I think-- Anyway the sound is sometimes down right magic. No idea why.
 
I just found this old post and can add a bit. The Onkyo TX-840 is from around 1988 or a bit later. To my knowledge, its claim to fame is having discrete output transistors versus ICs, resulting in a noticeably warmer sound. I agree with your assessment that the unit sounded very good, if not quite great. It was one of the best options for a mid-range home stereo system at that time.

Sky
 
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Stumbled across this thread as I was researching a turntable & receiver purchase for my son who has been stockpiling vinyl albums.

I purchased my Onkyo TX-840 in Oct 1988 from the Wiz at 96th & Broadway (or perhaps 86th & Broadway) in Manhattan. It is the only component remaining of the system I bought that day, but it survived several apartment moves in the back of taxis or questionable moving trucks, up and down stairs, etc. It has been quietly sitting in an armoire for 15 years now, but works great.

The A & B speakers still operate (second set connected to kitchen ceiling speakers that were installed nearly 20 years ago) and the remote still operates the volume control.
 
I have one since 1990 that worked all this years. There was a problem wirh the speakers output that was fixed by a specialist. Now the speakers (Mission from the same year) are not good. What kind of speakers would you recomand? I use the Aux to connect Bluetooth - Tablet / Cellular source of music thogh I have a tape and cd player (onkyo that I bought in the same time) that are opperated by the same control.
 
I have one since 1990 that worked all this years. There was a problem wirh the speakers output that was fixed by a specialist. Now the speakers (Mission from the same year) are not good. What kind of speakers would you recomand? I use the Aux to connect Bluetooth - Tablet / Cellular source of music thogh I have a tape and cd player (onkyo that I bought in the same time) that are opperated by the same control.
ADS 470/2
 
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