ONKYO

M-510
AMPLIFIER
Company Address: 200 Williams
Dr., Ramsey, N.J. 07446.
For literature, circle No. 94

Top-quality power amplifiers have

gotten harder to review in recent years.
The classic power -amplifier prob-
lems-a lack of drive capability in the
deep bass, a lack of sweetness in the
upper midrange, and an inability to
handle the loudest and lowest pas-
sages-are still around, but few new
designs have serious flaws in these
areas. Virtually all contemporary power
amplifiers are at least listenable, and
most are quite good. Sonic differences
are still important, but they now tend to
be differences in nuance and in the
ability to deliver power into the ex-
tremely demanding loads presented
by some top-quality speakers.
This capability to drive diverse loads
is particularly important. As amplifiers
have gotten better, it has become choice of speaker. They also make it ohms, 1,300 watts into 2 ohms, and
clearer and clearer that amplifiers form almost mandatory that you find a good 2,100 watts into 1 ohm. Harmonic and
a "system" with the speakers they dealer who will actually pay attention to IM distortion are specified as below
drive. Many of the audible differences the sound of what he sells and work 0.005% for a bandwidth of 5 Hz to 100
between amplifiers change when the with you to get a proper "system bal- kHz. The rated damping factor at 50
speaker is changed, often in unpre- ance." You cannot buy a high -end am- Hz into 8 ohms exceeds 300.
dictable ways: An amplifier with a lean plifier "off the rack" and expect to get
lower midrange on one speaker can be the sound you pay for. Dealer support Onkyo is known for its
just right on another. A transparent is critical.
midrange can suddenly become a bit The best amplifiers can, however, good basic electronics, but
hard and analytic. Tight bass can be- minimize these problems and risks by this amplifier is definitely
come too full, and vice versa. Imaging providing the capability to drive almost high -end, beautifully made
can shift from realistic to overetched any load. The Onkyo M-510 is a partic-
and dramatic. ularly good case in point. Though On- and styled, and offering
The causes of such interactions are kyo is known largely for more basic exceptional features.
far from clear in spite of ongoing tech- electronics, along with some excep
nical research in this area. When one tional FM tuners, the M-510 is very def- Big power means a big amplifier,
changes amplifiers, speakers that pre- initely a high -end product. It is one of and trie M-510 comes in a package
sent seemingly simple resistive loads those flagship designs-created with- that weighs about 150 pounds and
behave as differently as do ribbon out regard to cost and market size- measures 20 inches wide x 10% inch-
speakers, which often show a load un- that rarely leave Japan, but command es high x 201/8 inches deep. The amp
der 2 ohms, or electrostatics, which worldwide recognition when they do. is beautifully made and styled, with ex-
generally are a complex reactive load. The M-510 lists for $4,200, but its ceptional features. It comes in silver
Sound character also changes as performance justifies its cost. It deliv- trimmed with the champagne gold that
much at low and moderate levels as it ers an incredible amount of power into is currently fashionable with Japanese
does at the high levels, where clipping even the most demanding loads. It is high -end audiophiles, and it has rose-
might become a problem. conservatively rated at 300 watts per wood side panels. The M-510 has
These problems are a good reason channel into 8 ohms, 500 watts into 4 peak -reading meters with switchable
to take any amplifier or speaker review ohms, and 800 watts into 2 ohms. Its gain and individual power supplies.
with a large grain of salt, and to insist dynamic power rating is greater than There is a choice of direct inputs or
on auditioning any amplifier with your 400 watts into 8 ohms, 750 watts into 4 inputs with variable gain. Switchable

AUDIO/AUGUST 1986 69
 Rogers The bass is tight and deep,
the midrange is natural
LEGENDARY ACCLAIM and balanced, and the
treble is very smooth and
clear, with outstanding air
and detail.

relays allow the choice of either of two ward character. This amp slightly em-
speaker pairs, or both. The cabinetry is phasizes the upper midrange without
excellent, and the speaker connectors creating hardness or an aggressive
are massive binding posts that can sound character. The treble response
take virtually any speaker cable. is very smooth and clear, and there is
The M-510 has a number of other exceptional air and detail in the top
outstanding design features. A dual - octaves.
mono design, the amp has separate The handling of dynamic contrasts-
power supplies which use a complex rapid shifts from low to high levels, and
combination of a large toroidal trans- sudden transients-is uniformly excel-
former and a small "real phase" trans- lent. The M-510 is very detailed and
Year after year, in Audio journals and magazines
throughout the world, Rogers loudspeakers get former said to smooth out fluctuations transparent, and the imaging is clear
consistently positive reviews. To hear the in the charging current coming from and well spread. The sound seems to
Rogers sound reviewers have raved about, amplifier/speaker interactions. If you extend to the right and left of the
you'll need our Hi -Performance speaker stands.
Ultra rigid with removable spike feet, they are are a capacitor lover (someone must speakers without clustering around
designed to maximize the Rogers sound. be!), there are two 33,000-µF power - them or leaving an apparent hole in the
For a limited time only (June 15, 1986 to August supply capacitors per channel. All in- middle. Sound -stage height and width
31, 1986) buy any Rogers Loudspeakers and puts are direct -coupled, and a servo are very good indeed, and depth is
get our black oak finish Hi -Performance speaker
stands (reg. $50 - $65) for FREE. system is used to protect against d.c. good to very good. Unlike some other
See your Authorized Rogers dealer today! and against a.c. below 3 Hz. Speaker high -power amplifiers, the M-510 has a
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
protection is also exceptionally good, very live and dynamic character even
naiao
BOX 1840 BRANTFORD ONTARIO CANADA N3T 5W4
as suits an amplifier rated as capable
of surge powers of 2.5 kilowatts. While
at moderate listening levels. This adds
to the excitement in the music without
BOX 1250 FALLS STA NIAGARA FALLS NY USA 14303-0260 the owner's manual does not describe exaggerating it.
1519) 756-4E40
the circuit topology in detail, the M-510 The M-510 is a world -class product.
Enter No. 26 on Reader Service Card uses Class -A drive and Class -AB cir- Its sonic colorations are minor, and its
cuitry which is specially designed to overall performance compares favor-
reduce switching distortion, with 14 ably to some of the most expensive
BOUND VOLUMES output devices per channel. and most favorably reviewed Ameri-
Most important, the sound of the M- can -made transistor designs. In my
Audio BACK ISSUES
BINDERSISLIPCASES 510 lives up to its features and technol- opinion, the Onkyo is clearly superior
ogy and does so with a very wide to most of its high -end competition in
BOUND VOLUMES' range of speakers. The amp not only its ability to deliver a consistent sound
Great Reading, Great Price!
A ready reference for
works well with speakers which are character into a wide range of de-
audiophiles! A full year comparatively easy loads, such as manding loads. All its features would
of AUDIO is carefully Thiel CS2s and Magnepan MG-111Bs, be useful in any sophisticated, high -
hard -bound for easy reference. Complete
volumes for the years 1977 through 1984 are but delivers outstanding performance end system, and are a real pleasure for
available. Only $24.95 including shipping and with such far more demanding speak- anyone (such as a reviewer) who
handling.
TO ORDER: Indicate year(s) requested and send
ers as Infinity RS IB panels and Apo- wants to rapidly switch between
check or money order, NO CREDIT CARDS, to: AUDIO
Magazine, 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036,
gee Scintillas. Although the M -510's speakers, confirm power levels, or cor-
Attn: Bound Volume Dept. Allow 4 weeks for delivery. sound character does vary slightly ac- rect consistent small imbalances in
cording to the speaker being used. level.
BACK ISSUES performance is uniformly good. If I have any practical reservations
Single -copy back The bass is always tight, deep, and about the M-510, they concern the
issues of AUDIO from
1983 through current
realistic. The Onkyo's performance in need to pay attention to overall system
issue are available. this area is better than that of any tube balance. Like most top-ranking transis-
(Note: April, August, amplifier I have yet heard, and equals
and October 1983 are
tor power amplifiers, the Onkyo is
unavailable.) $5.00 that of any transistor amplifier I know of transparent and accurate to a de-
per issue postpaid. except the 200 -watt Krell mono amplifi- manding degree. It requires proper at-
BINDERSISLIPCASES ers-which cost $7,500 a pair. The dif- tention to system adjustment and bal-
Maintain your ficult transition from upper bass to low- ance, and is not the amplifier for any
AUDIO collection in er midrange is well handled, and there audiophile searching for a soft or for-
these top-quality
binders or slip- is only a slight trace of leanness-ex- giving design. Nevertheless, the M-
cases. Binders, cellent performance in this area for any 510 raises Onkyo to a whole new pla-
$9.00 each; 3/$26.00; 6/$50.00. Slipcases, transistor power amplifier.
$7.65 each; 3/$22.00; 6/$40.00. Include $2.50
teau of high -end sound quality. One
per order for postage and handling. The midrange is natural and well bal- has to hope that this same amplifier
TO ORDER: Indicate issue/binder/slipcase. Include
proper amount for postage and handling. California
anced, and the transition to the upper technology can be made available in a
residents must include 6% sales tax. Allow 4 weeks for midrange and upper octaves is also less costly version, and that Onkyo will
delivery. Make check/money orders payable to: Old Del
Mar Emporium (ODME), P.O. Box 1126, Redlands, CA exceptionally smooth. Timbre is con- develop an equally good preamp!
92373. DIRECT TOLL -FREE ORDER NUMBER: 1-800-
833-6363. In California, call: 1-800-331 .3$1. Call vincing, although with a slightly for- Anthony H. Cordesman
Monday -Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST. Use your Visa,
Mastercard, or American Express card. $15.00
MINIMUM CREDIT CARD ORDER.
72 AUDIO/AUGUST 1986