Review - Onkyo SC5509 pre-amp for home theater
BlueFox
Posts: 15,251
I recently purchased an Onkyo SC5509 pre-amp for my home theater. Before, I had been using a Sony DA7100ES AVR as a pre-amp, and it worked fine over the last 5-7 years. However, I wanted to bring the sound quality of the HT up a notch after replacing my front LSi15 speakers with PSB Synchrony One towers. Along with the PSB Synchrony One center, and the LSi15 rears, the HT is fine now with speakers, and the Onkyo is bringing out the best in the speakers.
First, the Onkyo allows a much better sound calibration than did the Sony. You can adjust speaker distance by inches versus feet for the Sony. Plus you can set the DB level of each speaker. With the Sony, you could only adjust the balance of the front speakers, and adjust the level on the center and rears.
Anyway, the sound is much better with the Onkyo. It is clearer, more precise, better defined, and is great for both movies and music. My reference disk is Terminator 3, and all the scenes I use have better audio. For example, when the Terminatrix arrives the sound of her bare feet on the sidewalk is more distinct and audible. When John Conner drops the beer bottle off the bridge, the sound of it bouncing off the bridge, and landing on the skull is very clear and distinct. The chase scene and graveyard shootout is much improved.
As I said, this also applies to music. I have my iPod Classic and Wadia 171 iTransport attached to the digital in, via an MIT Magnum cable, and the music is great. It lets me use my HT as an escape when the neighbors in the front are making noise that interferes with using the two-channel system in the living room.
It has plenty of HDMI inputs, but I only need two at this time; one for the Oppo 95, and the other for the Xbox.
Now I expected the audio to be better since the Sony new was around $1700, and the Onkyo is $2600. Plus the Onkyo is just a pre-amp, and money is not wasted on amps compared to an AVR. However, I was not expecting this to occur.
The Blu-ray picture is a lot better!! I just had the video pass through the Sony, and it just passes through the Onkyo, but now it is clearer, and brighter. I had to turn the brightness and contrast down, and I certainly was not expecting that.
I had my TV calibrated using the Sony, and now I will be getting it recalibrated once the Onkyo burns in, and I modify the TV to accept power cables. I bought a Furman audiophile IEC connector, and once I install it on the TV, and add a Shunyata power cable, it will be ready to recalibrate. But for now, the picture looks great.
Speaking of Shunyata, a few months ago I had two dedicated 20 amp lines added. One for the two-channel, and one for the HT. After the Onkyo had been in use for a week, I replaced the Pangea AC9 cable going from the dedicated line to the Panamax with a Shunyata Ztron Cobra. The Onkyo is using a Shunyata Venom cable. Anyway, I know some people hate hearing the truth, but adding the Shunyata Cobra bought the picture and sound up another notch. I cannot put in words how good this thing now looks and sounds.
For example, I am watching the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival on BR, and it looks and sounds fantastic. The picture is so clear and detailed while the sound is so pristine, I just start laughing because the video and audio is making me so happy.
After my recent experience with two bad NAD T187 HT pre-amps, the Onkyo is a blessing, and it is $400 dollars less expensive. Where the NADs had a buzz from every speaker, the Onkyo is dead silent. In my mind, unnecessary noise from a preamp is a deal breaker, and the Onkyo is a keeper.
While I would like to try the Bryston SP3 for its audio, at $9K it will be a while before I go there. This Onkyo is going to keep me happy for a long time.
HT Gear
Electronics:
Hitachi 57" digital monitor
Onkyo SC5509 pre-amp
Sunfire TGA-5400 amp
Oppo 95 Blu-ray
Sony 5400ES SACD
Wadia 171 iTransport
iPod Classic
Xbox 360
Panamax M5300-PM power conditioner
Speakers:
PSB Synchrony One towers front
PSB Synchrony One Center
LSi15s rear (surround)
Cables:
MIT CVT Terminator 1 (5) interconnect between Onkyo and Sunfire
MIT Magnum digital
Shunyata Venom on all electronics, except TV
Shunyata Ztron Cobra on Panamax
Mapleshade Clearview Golden Helix with Plus option for all speakers
First, the Onkyo allows a much better sound calibration than did the Sony. You can adjust speaker distance by inches versus feet for the Sony. Plus you can set the DB level of each speaker. With the Sony, you could only adjust the balance of the front speakers, and adjust the level on the center and rears.
Anyway, the sound is much better with the Onkyo. It is clearer, more precise, better defined, and is great for both movies and music. My reference disk is Terminator 3, and all the scenes I use have better audio. For example, when the Terminatrix arrives the sound of her bare feet on the sidewalk is more distinct and audible. When John Conner drops the beer bottle off the bridge, the sound of it bouncing off the bridge, and landing on the skull is very clear and distinct. The chase scene and graveyard shootout is much improved.
As I said, this also applies to music. I have my iPod Classic and Wadia 171 iTransport attached to the digital in, via an MIT Magnum cable, and the music is great. It lets me use my HT as an escape when the neighbors in the front are making noise that interferes with using the two-channel system in the living room.
It has plenty of HDMI inputs, but I only need two at this time; one for the Oppo 95, and the other for the Xbox.
Now I expected the audio to be better since the Sony new was around $1700, and the Onkyo is $2600. Plus the Onkyo is just a pre-amp, and money is not wasted on amps compared to an AVR. However, I was not expecting this to occur.
The Blu-ray picture is a lot better!! I just had the video pass through the Sony, and it just passes through the Onkyo, but now it is clearer, and brighter. I had to turn the brightness and contrast down, and I certainly was not expecting that.
I had my TV calibrated using the Sony, and now I will be getting it recalibrated once the Onkyo burns in, and I modify the TV to accept power cables. I bought a Furman audiophile IEC connector, and once I install it on the TV, and add a Shunyata power cable, it will be ready to recalibrate. But for now, the picture looks great.
Speaking of Shunyata, a few months ago I had two dedicated 20 amp lines added. One for the two-channel, and one for the HT. After the Onkyo had been in use for a week, I replaced the Pangea AC9 cable going from the dedicated line to the Panamax with a Shunyata Ztron Cobra. The Onkyo is using a Shunyata Venom cable. Anyway, I know some people hate hearing the truth, but adding the Shunyata Cobra bought the picture and sound up another notch. I cannot put in words how good this thing now looks and sounds.
For example, I am watching the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival on BR, and it looks and sounds fantastic. The picture is so clear and detailed while the sound is so pristine, I just start laughing because the video and audio is making me so happy.
After my recent experience with two bad NAD T187 HT pre-amps, the Onkyo is a blessing, and it is $400 dollars less expensive. Where the NADs had a buzz from every speaker, the Onkyo is dead silent. In my mind, unnecessary noise from a preamp is a deal breaker, and the Onkyo is a keeper.
While I would like to try the Bryston SP3 for its audio, at $9K it will be a while before I go there. This Onkyo is going to keep me happy for a long time.
HT Gear
Electronics:
Hitachi 57" digital monitor
Onkyo SC5509 pre-amp
Sunfire TGA-5400 amp
Oppo 95 Blu-ray
Sony 5400ES SACD
Wadia 171 iTransport
iPod Classic
Xbox 360
Panamax M5300-PM power conditioner
Speakers:
PSB Synchrony One towers front
PSB Synchrony One Center
LSi15s rear (surround)
Cables:
MIT CVT Terminator 1 (5) interconnect between Onkyo and Sunfire
MIT Magnum digital
Shunyata Venom on all electronics, except TV
Shunyata Ztron Cobra on Panamax
Mapleshade Clearview Golden Helix with Plus option for all speakers
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Post edited by BlueFox on
Comments
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Congrats on your new purchase. A nearby HIFI shop has both the 5010 AVR and 5509 pre/pro on sale for $1699 which is a steal. Were you able to try out the XT32 sub eq?
Nice setup! -
Congrats on your new purchase. A nearby HIFI shop got both the 5010 AVR and 5509 pre/pro on sale for $1699 which is a steal. Were you able to try out the XT32 sub eq?
That is a good price. I didn't even see that online. I manually adjusted the sound with my SPL meter. Maybe someday I will play with XT32.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
Blue, congrats! Usually when you run into problems things turn out better in the end. You'll have to owe Mantis a beer for the Onkyo recommendation and it saved you a couple of bucks. I know we're all crazy but there is a great satisfaction when you make a purchase, hook it up and it puts a smile on your face. Also, I love the Terminator series. Great selection for a nice HT set-up. Enjoy the system._____________________________________________________________________________________________
Ethernet Filter: GigaFOILv4 with Keces P3 LPS
Source: Roon via ethernet to DAC interface
DAC: Bricasti M1SE
Pre/Pro: Marantz AV8805
Tube Preamp Buffer: Tortuga TPB.V1
Amp1: Nord One NC1200DM Signature, Amp2: W4S MC-5, AMP3: W4S MMC-7
Front: Salk SoundScape 8's, Center: Salk SoundScape C7
Surround: Polk FXIA6, Surround Back: Polk RTIA9, Atmos: Polk 70-RT
Subs: 2 - Rythmik F25's
IC & Speaker Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, Signal Cable
Power Cables: Acoustic Zen, Wireworld, PS Audio
Room Treatments: GIK Acoustics -
You'll have to owe Mantis a beer for the Onkyo recommendation and it saved you a couple of bucks.
Yes. I bought him a 12 pack of Red Tail Ale yesterday. Unfortunately, I drank most of it last night, and the remainder tonight.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
Nice Write up , I enjoyed the read. I'm still beat on the NAD being broken. Wish I could have trouble shot it with you. I'm wondering if the cards where seated properly as that could have been one of the issues or a bent tab. Either way I know how good the Onkyo is as we have one on the floor and I really like it. it's currently connected to a B&K REf200.7 and Revel speakers.Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
Glad to hear you're enjoying it. It's a shame that the NAD never worked correctly & you never got to hear it's capabilities. The Onkyo you have is a killer piece & will serve you well for some time to come."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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Very good review! Thank you for taking the time to write it up and share your observations with all of us.
I have an Onkyo 3010, which I love and is a great receiver, but I'm sort of regretting not spending the additonal $400 to upgrade to the SC5509. Maybe a mistake on my part.Fronts:B&W 804 Diamonds, Center: B&W HTM2 Diamond, Surrounds: PolkAudio LSi F/X (4)
Subwoofer: HSU VTK3-MK3
Electronics: Onkyo TX-NR 3010 receiver, Parasound Halo A31 amp, NAD T975 amp -
SugarmillMan wrote: »Very good review! Thank you for taking the time to write it up and share your observations with all of us.
I have an Onkyo 3010, which I love and is a great receiver, but I'm sort of regretting not spending the additonal $400 to upgrade to the SC5509. Maybe a mistake on my part.
Does your 3010 run hot? -
Not too hot. However, I use a laptop cooler on top of it for additional security which runs off the rear USB.Fronts:B&W 804 Diamonds, Center: B&W HTM2 Diamond, Surrounds: PolkAudio LSi F/X (4)
Subwoofer: HSU VTK3-MK3
Electronics: Onkyo TX-NR 3010 receiver, Parasound Halo A31 amp, NAD T975 amp -
pearsall001 wrote: »Glad to hear you're enjoying it. It's a shame that the NAD never worked correctly & you never got to hear it's capabilities. The Onkyo you have is a killer piece & will serve you well for some time to come.
Thanks. The NAD business was bizarre, two bad pieces from two vendors. I wonder how they sound compared to the Onkyo? I can't imagine it being that much better.
There are two things I should have mentioned in the review. First, the Onkyo is massive compared to the NAD. It is bigger and much heavier than the NAD. Second, the Onkyo also supports balanced outputs to the amp. The NAD only has RCA.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
Thanks for the review. Enjoy!
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The NAD business was bizarre, two bad pieces from two vendors. I wonder how they sound compared to the Onkyo? I can't imagine it being that much better.
That all depends...which one would have had the Shunyata Power Cable attached to it?
