Onkyo TX-4500 MKII Images and opinion

[alexkerhead]

Finally, got me one of them there Onkyo receivers.
A Onkyo TX-4500 MKII

I bought this unit off that popular auction site, which shall remain nameless.

Anyway, I didn't do any research on this one, I just pulled the trigger and sent payment, five days after I sent a payment, the receiver shows up well packed, unlike most of my purchases.

My first impressions:

Specs:
60wpc into 8ohms - quite respectable.
3 tape inputs - wow, that was a shocking surprise
2 phono inputs - wow, that was an even bigger surprise
3 speaker set outputs - this was nice as well
21 inches wide - widest receiver under 100wpc I own

Before I even tested it, I knew this would be a great receiver for anyone with lots of sources.

Having a listen and comparison to other units of similar spec:

Of course I tested this unit with the same speakers as usual with all my bench specimens, pair of BB insignias, realistic nova-4s, and a set of original advents.

I listened to each set of speakers with the settings on the receiver's setting flat for about 30 minutes per set.

This receiver generally is respectably dynamic, but has a good sound stage with nice seperation as well.
The tuner is not on par with higher end receivers, but it does have an acceptable signal sensitivity.
This receiver looks much better in person, it has a solid glass front window, high quality rear panel connectors, and is generally built pretty well. I do not like the wood simulate metal case myself, but it is good if you don't want chipped wood if you are rough on receivers. The knobs metal shells are thinner than most receivers i have owned, but they feel quality nonetheless.

I personally like the sound of the Marantz 2265B and Yamaha R-900 a bit more than the Onkyo tx-4500 mkII's, but it is somewhat of a close call, but the onkyo does have more features than it's competition. Making it a wise choice for someone who needs something with flexibility and function and still wants great sound on a budget.

If you are ever in the neighborhood to buy one of these, I suggest you do so, because of the receiver's many functions and good sound quality.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask.

Here are the images as promised.:yes:

 

[alexkerhead]

Here is a size comparison image.
Top is a marantz 2216B(same width as the higher end marantzii), next down is a kenwood kr-5010, next down is a yamaha r-900, and the bottom is the onkyo.
Sorry about the fingerprints.

 

[zenith2134]

Very nice unit Alex - Reminds me of my old TX6500MKII (think it was a 6500) which was about 100wpc. I was in the process of parting it out due to a smoked transformer and my father took it! He was (is) determined to get it repaired

ANyways.... I agree that Onkyo made one of the finer audio products back then...supposedly they were a transformer maker initially. My favorite part of those receivers was the tight feel of the detented volume controls, along with those SWEET pushbuttons . Enjoy the 4500...wish I had one right about now

 

[alexkerhead]

I hope you can find a 6500 one day.

Yes, the volume control is cool feeling, all the controls are silky.

 

[retrokeeper]

She is a real beauty,would love to have the whole series in that line,they all look stunning,and the sound is really good from those recievers.I do have the "pocket" brochures for those.Will keep my eyes peeled for one...or two...or three!!:yes: Rob

 

[motorstereo]

I have one of those onkyos. I've had it for about 6 months and finally got around to testing it last weekend. Must say it's real purdy when it's all lit up. I didn't realize that it was pushing 60 watts. For some reason I was thinking 40. Alex you say yours has a solid glass window. Mine is plexi or some kind of plastic. Looks nice and looks original. I almost sold this unit last week for $30 but the lady opted for my pioneer qx747 for the same price. I'm thinking I may keep it now after seeing it lit up. Glad to hear you're enjoying yours and thanks for the review.

 

[tarior]

I like the sound of those Onkyos, I had a TX 2500 MKII, and I thought it slightly edged out my Sansui G 5500 in soundstage and detail. I ran them both through the same speakers (Genesis 1+). I did feel as if some sort of synergy had been achieved by the combo of the Onk with the Genesis.

BTW, I just picked up a TX 8500, I'll post pics when I get it on the bench.

 

[Sluggo]

middle of the pack!

great receiver,
I found the 4500mkII to have a great tuning section,
there is a switch on the back for radio sensitivity
I think its a four gang tuner.
my only bitch was at night it was really bright,well
lite up and stood out from the sources I had hooked up to it,so I sold it for $100 locally.
I dont know what happened to the site,Axel at
"thevintageknob" had a link to the"monster receiver
collection" and there were the specs and pic's for
the tx-8500mkII. enjoy-Sluggo

 

[alexkerhead]

great receiver,
I found the 4500mkII to have a great tuning section,
there is a switch on the back for radio sensitivity
I think its a four gang tuner.
my only bitch was at night it was really bright,well
lite up and stood out from the sources I had hooked up to it,so I sold it for $100 locally.
I dont know what happened to the site,Axel at
"thevintageknob" had a link to the"monster receiver
collection" and there were the specs and pic's for
the tx-8500mkII. enjoy-Sluggo

Humm, just saw that switch, really helped tuning out, now the tuner seems on par with my other units..Thanks.


Thanks for the replies everyone, glad ya'll are enjoying some Onkyos.:yes:

 

[thedelihaus]

Onkyos rock!

I put them into the "special" category, like Denon, Nikko, HK, and a few others.

I've no vintage Onkyo, tho' I'd love a big amp or integrated from them. Lovely gear.

I've got two Nikko pieces, and just added a nice Denon unit to my collection.

Glad to see the less popular brands are getting some attention.

 

[yrly]

If you like the Onkyos, for comparisons sake if you give me a few days I'll see if I can get a nudie of the TX-8500.

 

[Brian]

I have been an admirer of Onkyo from the time it came into the country, particularly the early TXxxx sereis that predates the 4 digit series. Interest to see the interior of your unit. Does anyone notice that the tuning flywheel looks suspiciously like the flywheel on a Yamaha CT610II. Is it similar to the flywheels on other Yamaha units?

 

[bully]

Yes, I believe Onkyo gear is on a par with the Yamaha, Kyocera, and Denon as a step up in class from our favorites Pioneer, Kenwood & Sansui. That may not be true, but was my perception say about 30 years ago.
I have had the big dog TX-8500MkII, the excellent 90 wpc TX-7000, and the mighty fine 65 wpc TX-5000 (nearly mint--just not mint because it was used).
BTW, they all had glass (and the bummer was that the 8500MkII & 7000 arrived with broken glass).
As good as the TX-8500MkII (160 wpc) sounded, there is a fellow that insists the TX-8500 (110 wpc) sounds superior. That was back in alt.rec.audio days and I also believe he held that position in a thread years & years ago at AA.
I doubt any vintage receiver fan would not love an Onkyo.

 

[herbman1975]

I have one of these in need of repair. I would love to listen to it one day.

 

[hakaplan]

Yes, I believe Onkyo gear is on a par with the Yamaha, Kyocera, and Denon as a step up in class from our favorites Pioneer, Kenwood & Sansui. That may not be true, but was my perception say about 30 years ago.
I have had the big dog TX-8500MkII, the excellent 90 wpc TX-7000, and the mighty fine 65 wpc TX-5000 (nearly mint--just not mint because it was used).
BTW, they all had glass (and the bummer was that the 8500MkII & 7000 arrived with broken glass).
As good as the TX-8500MkII (160 wpc) sounded, there is a fellow that insists the TX-8500 (110 wpc) sounds superior. That was back in alt.rec.audio days and I also believe he held that position in a thread years & years ago at AA.
I doubt any vintage receiver fan would not love an Onkyo.

Yes, I have heard many times that the original non-MKII series sounded better and was of higher quality. Nevertheless, I have been very satisfied with my TX-4500MKII.

 

[Bone Yard]

Very nice, I love the look of these, here's my two, the TX-6000, it's around 25 lbs, 21" wide and the TX-3000. The 6000 needs a new door and antenna (does anybody have a photo of what the door looks like?) and has LEDs instead of the cool meters that the 3000 has. I've had the 3000 in rotation for a couple weeks, sounds really good, it locks into FM stations and doesn't let go, it has a very upscale appearance, kind of stands out from the other equipment. Here's a website with some info on these, haven't been able to translate it yet.... http://www.hnny.nl/archief_onkyo.html

 

[RastaFish]

Here's a couple of pics of my 8500 mkII, I really like the big Onkyo's. I am currently running it with a pair of Mach Two's, they don't sound as good as the Polk 7b's but they are definitely much louder. Makes for an interesting pairing, anyways!

Currently blasting out some excellent RL Burnside at excessive volume, you may feel the earth shaking occasionally, do not panic, no cause for alarm...

 

[alexkerhead]

Wow, that TX-8500MKII is SAWEET!

 

[Sluggo]

Right On Rastafish!!!

greetings and good blues,
I forgot the 8500 has the analog and digital tuning.
Im trying to remember the site where they had the
brochure of the whole line up starting with the 1500.
I used to use it as a screensaver,if I can find it I'll
post the link,awprint: Sluggo.

 

[vintagestereo]

My friend and Tech, Tom Ishimoto, was an Audio Engineer at Onkyo before he went on to become Manager of Product Development for Marantz. He was responsible for some of the design work on the TX-4500 and the TX-4500 MkII and was responsible for developing Onkyo's industry-leading Servo Lock and Quartz Lock systems. He is the Onkyo expert, since he designed the stuff. His personal opinion is that the TX-4500 is the better unit as it is built to a higher standard than the MkIIs.

He also likes the TX-8500, which was Onkyo's vintage high water mark. I haven't owned a TX-8500, but I have owned that more powerful TX-8500 MkII but was somewhat disappointed with it. It sure looks impressive. However, it has a "claw" for locking onto the FM presets which deteriorates with time and once it's gone, it's gone. A real Achilles heel.

I hope to get a TX-8500 at some point, but there is other stuff ahead of it on my list at the moment. Very SOLID Receiver.