A new generation of stereo receivers is coming our way and this is one of the first heralds: the Onkyo TX-8270 Stereo Receiver. This new genre combines the features of modern AV receivers with the classic virtues and the familiar simplicity of traditional stereo receivers.
Scoffers could say it was a surround receiver stripped down to stereo. Conversely, it becomes a shoe: It is a version of the stereo receiver that has unjustly gone out of fashion – with an extra portion of features.
Even the classic stereo receivers were THE central interface for all sources, even if in the 1970s and 1990s it was mainly about tape and phono. And they contained their own “streaming” source with their more or less complex tuner.
The Onkyo TX-8270 does the same today. At its core, it is a classic analog stereo amplifier with an FM receiver, phono, two high-level inputs plus two fairly powerful output stages.
The brave new world is reflected in a modern DAB+ tuner and in the digital circuit board with digital audio inputs, HDMI inputs of the latest standards, and a digital streaming player for practically all common services and standards.
It is precisely this part of the signal processing that the stereo colleague inherits from its AV receiver siblings. And that’s a good thing because the digital part is fully equipped due to its mass production, is state-of-the-art, and is well supplied with updates in terms of firmware.
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Also cool: Unlike most other DACs and pure streaming players, this board also decodes the high-resolution audio formats from the video corner, such as DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD, such as those found on Blu-ray discs from concerts and high-res providers such as 2L find use.
In addition to the integration of other codecs, the legacy from the AV receiver brings other benefits. A far-reaching, simply designed, and therefore clear on-screen display is one of the pleasant side effects.
During the initial installation, the menu guides the user through the complete setup and configuration of the machine – with clear text and clear graphics.
Even those who do not use a video source will quickly learn to appreciate the video output for its clear and quick operation of integrated streaming and media services.
The integrated player is also good. He navigated almost without delay even with large amounts of files on the server and played everything up to 192kHz and DSD128 without any problems. WAV, FLAC, and DSD also ran without a break between the tracks – gapless – and thus suitable for classic, live, and concept albums.
Only, the TX-8270 did not allow a search with the remote control. But this was possible with the Onkyo Control App by scrolling on the timeline directly below the cover image.
Onkyo TX-8270 Stereo Receiver: Multiple controls with services and apps
Speaking of the app: this Onkyo receiver can be controlled, monitored, and, above all, supplied with music using practically all common protocols. Connections may land via LAN cable or WiFi at standard (2.4GHz) or high speed (5GHz).
Added to this is Bluetooth for direct loading of music from mobile devices. The receiver understands instructions and programs from Apple’s AirPlay, DTS Play-Fi, and Google Chromecast via the local network via DLAN/UPnP and organizes its multi-room capabilities via Blackfire’s FireConnect.
Built-in streaming services include TuneIn internet radio and smart music subscription services from Tidal, Spotify, Pandora, and Deezer.
Oh yes, of course, mobile devices, memory sticks or entire hard drives with music can be plugged in directly via USB at the front and rear. Together with FM and DAB+, there is certainly no lack of program variety.
Connections: vintage meets modern
The combination of analog and digital technology in the Onkyo TX-8270 mixes the worlds of traditional and modern connections accordingly on the back.
On the far left you will find optical and coaxial digital inputs for pure digital/analog conversion, the antennas for WLAN and Bluetooth are striking, which should be vertical for the best reception and can otherwise be folded down inconspicuously.
The tuner connects to an antenna for FM and DAB+. The digital radio part was also impressive, in contrast to the very noisy FM reception. Four HDMI inputs are routed to an ARC-capable output that accepts the sound from TVs digitally.
It also masters the all-important auto-lipsync function, with which the display communicates its latency and creates a corresponding delay to restore the synchronicity of image and sound. If it still doesn’t fit, you can manually correct it extensively.
The combination of analog and digital technology in the Onkyo TX-8270 mixes the worlds of traditional and modern connections accordingly on the back.
On the far left you will find optical and coaxial digital inputs for pure digital/analog conversion, the antennas for WLAN and Bluetooth are striking, which should be vertical for the best reception and can otherwise be folded down inconspicuously.
The tuner connects to an antenna for FM and DAB+. The digital radio part was also impressive, in contrast to the very noisy FM reception. Four HDMI inputs are routed to an ARC-capable output that accepts the sound from TVs digitally.
It also masters the all-important auto-lipsync function, with which the display communicates its latency and creates a corresponding delay to restore the synchronicity of image and sound. If it still doesn’t fit, you can manually correct it extensively.
The Onkyo TX-8270 Stereo Receiver sounds a bit bright but powerful
So we’re already in the listening test. In terms of character, the Onkyo TX-8270 tends to play on the bright side of the spectrum. This is not to say that he appears thin or powerless – quite the opposite. The power amplifiers have real power and a lot of party endurance without running hot. Tonally, however, the Japanese sounds more shiny than velvety.
The three-dimensional image does not appear very deep but is extremely sharply staggered in the panorama. This somewhat relief-like thing seemed so striking to me that I asked product manager Jürgen Timm, who confirmed A.) the shallower spatial depth and B.) underlined that the Japanese developers deliberately wanted this manageable depth staggering as a character. One would rather have an exact, clear panorama image than an impressively exaggerated one. It’s not exactly mainstream at the moment. But it’s legit and it works because it’s believable.
The presentation, which tends to be transparent, does not work at the expense of musicality, because the Onkyo sounds anything but flat. I still wished for a larger palette of rich and dark tones.
What’s fun about the Onkyo TX-8270 is always the power reserves, which, regardless of whether it’s pop, jazz, or classical music, always make a tutti seem authentic and drums with a good recording also absolutely authentic – namely with the full dynamics and “speed” – can reproduce.
Conclusion: Onkyo TX-8270 offers huge equipment, power, and transparency
The Onkyo TX-8270 for 679 euros is a worthy early representative of the new genre of mixed analog/digital stereo receivers.
It gets along with practically all signal sources of the last half century, from phono to FM, from stereo-analog to HDMI, and offers so many services and interfaces on the digital side that everyone can use their current tablets, smartphones with a wide variety of operating systems and subscriptions to streaming services.
The integrated media player for data from USB and local network is also good, navigates quickly, plays high-resolution data, and is even gapless. The Onkyo offers complete bass management for perfect subwoofer integration and pushes powerful power even for parties and speakers with low efficiency. In terms of character, it appears very transparent with a crisp, sharp stage panorama. A fat total package!
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