EQUIPMENT HISTORY:
Everything I am describing below is IMPORTANT, READ EVERYTHING please!
This amplifier is part of my "collection" of all things audio from our audio post production days, actually this was one of the last audio amplifiers we were "checking out" prior to my retirement and selling off the business operations after 30 years - I got to keep all the gear though, yeah!
We were not really interested in the multi-channel aspect of this ONKYO and quite frankly the "bells and whistles" along with all those extra channels (more than two!) were a waste for us - we just wanted to hear both analog and digital signals through the amplifier and see how the technology had developed since our early analog gear dated from the 1970's!
We liked to listen to all types of audio equipment in those days, take a look around inside and see the build quality and just appreciate the engineering skills (or lack of) of the audio equipment we were looking at.
My sound engineer wanted some multi-channel gear to have around one of the studios and this was one system we tried out for a short while but we were not really into multi-channel audio so after the novelty of all these channels wore off, this SR507 went into the backroom, along with tons of other audio gear which I am slowly dragging out, checking and then finding new homes for.
For our purposes, this SR507 was a waste of time because we didn't need those extra channels, the extra speaker zone and definitely we were not into the HDMI video side of things although the digital inputs (coaxial and optical) came in handy as our professional CD players output SPIDF & AES which we could shoot straight into this amplifer. But alas, NO Phono inputs at all - we loved our vinyl equipment (archival work) and this AV Receiver is definitely not aimed at the analog vinyl listener (unless you use an external analog preamplifier or in the case of digital input, an ADC)
So read up online about these SR507's - they are quite well considered but not startling in their performance - they do the job!
ONKYO - AV Receiver
Model: TX-SR507
5.1 Channel with facilities to be used as a 7.1 Channel using preamp outputs to a separate amplifier
Extensive DSP processing built in
Designed in Japan
Assembled in Malaysia
230 ~ 240V model
Standard Australian plug fitted.
Released to the Australian market around 2009
Original RRP approximately A$799 at the time of release
BRIEF TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
As a BRIEF guide, you can expect around 80 ~ 100W RMS per channel (every channel)
This sort of power output will vary on the number of channels you are driving, the impedance load presented at the outputs (nominally 6 Ohm but can go up to 16 Ohm with a lower output power) and the amount of distortion you are prepared to accept!
ONYKO's own "optimistic" technical figures indicate that at around 100+W output you could have 0.7% distortion - that is getting a bit high but their tech information quotes just 0.07% THD at just 1 Watt - nobody but nobody would run this AV Receiver at 1W output on the channels. This does not mean it sounds terrible but always always treat those tech figures from the manufacturer with suspicion, look carefully at what they are really saying.
Total Harmonic Distortion (Full Output into 8 Ohms): 0.7%
Signal To Noise ratio: 106dB (LINE)
User controlled crossover functions
Analog line level inputs
Digital inputs (coaxial and optical)
Sub Woofer output
Two channel preamp outputs so you can achieve 7.1 Channels
Zone speaker control - so you can send output to another set of two speakers under the user control
Here I will stop listing all the features/abilities - there are many many more and these can easily be looked up online anyway.
One feature that might interest someone is the cutely named Audyssey system which is built in and measures the system audio performance and makes adjustments automatically (as required) - HOWEVER for this Audyssey system to work you need the Audyssey microphone (the system needs to "hear" the audio it is producing) which I am NOT supplying. For us this feature was not necessary and in the last 12+ years the Audyssey microphone has been lost! NO microphone supplied but I see you can easily get these online from various sources.
Originally we also had the ONKYO remote but that has also gone missing but in fact for the testing I have made over the last couple of weeks, I didn't need it anyway! So NO remote is supplied either
I am offering the SR507 system ONLY, without the microphone or remote
I can however offer the USER MANUAL (100 pages) on a CD, you will definitely need this if you are going to start playing around with the multi-channel system, room effects and a general understanding of what the system can do for you. If you click on the highlighted link, you should also be able to preview the user manual to get a better idea of what this equipment could do for you.
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Very good condition.
Case is NOT dented (it has not been dropped!)
No significant scratching, a couple of light scratches on the top of the case and a couple on one side panel but NONE of these are heavy marks.
Front panel is substantially unmarked, just in a couple of spots I can see some superficial marks.
The display panel is clean and unmarked (extremely reflective in the photographs!)
The blue/green fluorescent display is easily to read, even in full sunlight and is sharp with reasonable brightness (user adjustable) - no missing characters!.
No physical issues with any knobs/buttons and none are missing!
Rear panel is very clean, all sockets are shiny and bright.
Speaker binding posts are the screw down type, they will NOT accept banana plugs.
Like the front, no rear connectors etc have any damage - very nice condition.
TESTING:
First up, let's take a look inside!
Well constructed in a logical fashion, multi-boards with easy access to each.
Clean inside, dust free
Nice large AC power transformer which ONKYO have called a H.C.P.S system - that's a marketing ploy! An amplifier with around 100W per channel 5x is going to need a pretty grunty power supply so in reality, the power supply is nothing too special, adequate for the amplifier needs.
Discrete "through hole" components, single sided boards except the DSP sub-board which is SMD based
Does not appear to have been any service work undertaken on the boards or output transistors.
No audio amplifier output modules used here! (Sanken for example) - the output pairs are complimentary 2SC5198/2SA1491 transistors, these are still readily available IF EVER they needed service work (which they do not at the moment)
I have not tested every single function & feature of this equipment but made some basic tests and evaluations to check the overall condition of the equipment.
My tests were focussed on the amplifiers (ALL channels) analog audio inputs, digital audio inputs, Zone 2 outputs and the receiver functioning. I did make a few adjustments using the DSP system (room type/sound changes) and made sure the tone system, direct input etc all worked as they should.
All functions were working 10 years ago! but over the last two weeks I have been using this system to "double check" that everything is fine.
NO REMOTE IS SUPPLIED (Missing in action) so all tests have been made manually - I actually didn't find this to be difficult at all, the remote is a convenience and not a necessity.
NO AUDYSSEY MICROPHONE IS SUPPLIED so I could not test the inbuilt "audio self adjustment system" You can buy these in a number of places online anyway (if you feel that the Audyssey System would be useful)
Here we go ...
Push the left hand side top button (touch control), a click and it comes to life! IT'S ALIVE!
The green LED comes on and the display lights up fine.
I connected speakers to ALL of the outputs (I hate multi-channel systems, cables all over the place!) and ALL channels are nice and quiet until audio is played through them.
First I checked the receiver, on both AM and FM.
Working fine, station search and then locking onto a strong signal.
Nice clean audio output
Next I moved onto the CD input, this is the one we used all the time previously (both analog and digital)
Nice clean audio and I also made tonal adjustments (+ or - 10% Bass and Treble) and made sure there was no noise when changing the Volume level.
All went well, again nice clean audio - NOTE: when you use the digital input for your signal source, the tone controls are disabled as the idea is you get 'pure" audio this way.
I had speakers (two) also connected to the Zone 2 spring loaded terminals at the rear - this worked well, controlled from the front panel.
I did NOT check out the AV side (HDMI connectors etc) nor the Sub Woofer or the extra two preamplifier outputs for 7.1 audio and so many other features, quite frankly just give me a nice solid 2 channel audio amplifier I am a happy little chicken! All those features and facilities just don't do it for me.
I have NO DOUBT those facilities are also working fine, but after a couple of weeks with this equipment I am over it! I like KISS equipment (Keep It Simple Stupid) but each to their own ...
SUMMARY:
So many bells and whistles but (for me) as a two channel system I didn't mind playing my music through this over the last few weeks - I play a LOT of music (before I list it online - about 16 hours per day worth) it's the sound that matters and this SR507 didn't give me "ear droop" at all - nice, if not startling - I still prefer my OLD NAD gear though!
While testing I also constantly checked for "funny smells" or higher than normal case temperature but nothing is amiss - it actually runs quite cool for all that amplifier inside!
Please don't forget, that when shipping via my website (this one) I will ship FREE anywhere around Australia
The free shipping (Australian buyers only) is automatically provided as an option in the checkout area of this website, just select the FREE SHIPPING option in the checkout area.
