I missed an Onkyo Integra M-504 locally a couple of weeks back and have been looking around for one elsewhere ever since. Maybe the more powerful M-508 too. Large, dedicated two channel amps (with A/B speaker switches and binding posts) and some of the prettiest meters I've seen this side of McIntosh.

Anyone have any personal experience with this line that might be able to reflect on build quality and overall performance?

An image I borrowed from the web:

Impressive looking stuff but have never owned one. I've seen the M-504 and also the monster 125 pound model (M-508?).

theres a 508 on audiogon right now.

Yeah, I see a 504 on there too. Asking prices are a bit rich for my budget but I guess they take offers...

Sam the M-510 might weigh 125 pounds, but the M-508 is about 65 pounds or so. I have a M-508 and it is one of my better sounding amplifiers

Here are some specs on the M-508.



Onkyo M-508

LOL!

Dumping factor 140 (8 ohms, 50Hz)

Very pleasant sounding Amps.

However, I run across a lot that need servicing. I don't know if it's do to a certain inadequate component or due to heat stress of a component or something else.


Not knocking the Onkyo kit- great sounding stuff and quite impressive in performance.

And issues like this are not exclusive to Onkyo- I know of reliability issues with Sansui BA-5000s (but not 2000s or 3000s), certain Phillips pre-Amps, some Sony ES amps and pres, etc.


So, not picking on Onkyo gear, but many I come across have issues needing to be addressed.

I imagine once sorted everything should be okey dokey and you'd have one nice piece of gear.

Thanks for the feedback guys! Another audiophile friend of mine mentioned he had an M-506RS when I told him of my search. After a day or so of consideration he decided that he needed to keep it! I told him that in itself was significant as he knows his amps and if it wasn't something special in some way he would have let me talk him out of it (as I have with other hardware in the past).

Sooo.... I punched the ticket on the M-508 from audiogon. He was asking $590 but made the mistake of supplying a phone number I talked him into $590 "out the door" including tax, packing, shipping, and $700 worth of insurance. Best part is the "seller" is actually a brick and mortar store in Minnesota! The seller said they had taken it in on trade and had ran it through the paces on their bench before even considering taking possession themselves.

A bit more than I wanted to spend for an Onkyo but at least it's not coming from some private seller who doesn't know what he's doing with it.

Time to put some of my other stuff on clearance to refortify the "fun fund". Anyone want a deal on a Phase Linear PL400 or Adcom GFA 5400? Magnepan MG-IIs anyone?

sounds like you got a good deal in the end John, the added security of knowing the unit is in operational condition is worth it.

Congrats! Hope the Oinker arrives safely at your door.

you are a mad man

Why do you say that?

Anything like your beautiful Yamaha or the Mac that is still yet to be (but WILL be, one day, for sure!) would have cost me at least twice that.

Pics and listening impressions as soon as I get it, hopefully by the weekend

Congrats!

I did a similar purchase when I bought my B&K EX-442 Sonata. Grabbed it from a Chicago brick & mortar that got it in trade and ran it through it's tests and paces.

Nice to buy an amp and not be "suprised"....

Yay! UPS managed to get it to my doorstep no worse for wear! Unpacked, case opened and inspected ( ), replaced the smaller Phase Linear 400, powered up and ran. Very smooth, maybe a bit brighter than the Phase but not as boomy on the bottom end either... and the meter needles are very fast and accurate! And damn, so pretty

(click for larger images)