Upper Saddle River, N.J. — Onkyo replaced its opening-price $199-suggested stereo receiver with the TX-8020, which joins a current $379 stereo receiver.
The TX-8020 lacks the step-up model’s access to Internet radio stations and music services through a networked broadband modem, but like the step-up model, the 8020 connects to an optional $199-suggested DS-A5 RI dock. The dock incorporates AirPlay, Wi-Fi, Made For iPod/iPhone/iPad 30-pin connector, and composite-video output.
The all-metal 8020, which is shipping, features AM/FM tuner with 40 station presets, 2×50-watt amp rated into 8-ohm loads from 20Hz to 20kHz with 0.08 percent THD, 4-ohm compatibility, five analog inputs plus moving-magnet phono-stage input, an analog-audio output, and bass, treble and balance controls.
Two sets of banana plug-compatible A/B speaker terminals enable the receiver to drive a single pair of 4- to 16-ohm speakers or two pairs of 8- to16-ohm speakers (A+B). A subwoofer pre-out is also included.
The internal amp uses Wide Range Amp Technology (WRAT), a high-current, low-impedance drive amp with low-negative-feedback circuit to deliver high instantaneous power, low distortion, and wide dynamic range, the company said.
The 8020 features new cosmetics compared to its predecessor.
Both the 8020 and the step-up $379 TX-8050 power up automatically when the DS-A5 dock is connected via proprietary RI port, and when the user selects content on an Apple mobile device and taps the device’s onscreen AirPlay icon. Users can also control playback of docked Apple devices from the receivers’ remote. The RI dock sends audio to receivers via analog or digital outputs.
Compared to the 8020, the 8050 adds 2×80-watt amp, Made For iPod/iPhone USB, vTuner Internet radio, Last.fm, SiriusXM Internet Radio and Spotify. It also adds four digital-audio inputs, four composite-video inputs, two video outputs and six audio inputs instead of five.
