Craigslist Integra M-504. Should I bite?

hagmanm2
hagmanm2 Posts: 205
edited July 2010 in Electronics
Onkyo Integra M-504 Amplifier (165wx2)

What do you guys think? He doesn't have a price listed either, what's a good price deal for that amp?.. usually the only point of reference I have is looking up ebay's completed listings. :\

Will these be a substantial improvement over my Denon (120WPC)? How do the Onkyo amps sound compared to their AVRs? I had an Onkyo SR504 and SR606 and definitely prefer the Denon's sound them (though they are lower models). Thanks guys! ;)

http://columbia.craigslist.org/ele/1624941290.html
Living Room: Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-25 | Turntable: Technics SL-B200 | CD Player: Rotel RCD-955AX | Fronts: Polk RTiA3 | Center: Polk CSi A4 | Rears: Polk FXi3 | Sub: Velodyne DPS-10 | Cables: AudioQuest Type4 & TypeA

Office: Carver HR-742 | Speakers: RTi6 | Turntable: Numark 1600
Post edited by hagmanm2 on
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,489
    edited March 2010
    In my dealings, I usually avoid sellers who don't list a price. That usually means they are holding out for 'bids' and generally have an inflated value in their heads. The fact that he thinks they are 'legends' probably supports this theory. The Onkyo gear from that era is respectable, but not legendary.

    A good dedicated 2-channel preamp and amplifier (including that Onkyo gear) will sound much better than your AVR, but I think you could do better for your money if you went with Adcom, Acurus, B&K, Rotel, Parasound, or a slew of others that I'm probably forgetting.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited March 2010
    hagmanm2 wrote: »
    Onkyo Integra M-504 Amplifier (165wx2)

    What do you guys think? He doesn't have a price listed either, what's a good price deal for that amp?.. usually the only point of reference I have is looking up ebay's completed listings. :\

    Will these be a substantial improvement over my Denon (120WPC)? How do the Onkyo amps sound compared to their AVRs? I had an Onkyo SR504 and SR606 and definitely prefer the Denon's sound them (though they are lower models). Thanks guys! ;)

    http://columbia.craigslist.org/ele/1624941290.html

    I think he's going to be very proud of his gear and not come down to a price that would be considered a deal.

    If it's really as minty as he says it is, i'd offer $200, and not let him talk you out of more than $250.

    These old Onkyo amps sound nothing like the SR504 and SR606. They're a full bodied, smooth, warm beast of an amp.

    At $200 again, assuming it's in great shape cosmetically and functionally, that'd be a nice deal. At $250, i would still personally pick it up.

    I'll even offer you a risk free scenario. If you go check it out, and it's in nice shape, and works perfectly, and you pay $200 for it, bring it home, and decide you don't like it, i'll take it off your hands. :D

    This will probably all be moot. I doubt he'll take $200 for it.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • hagmanm2
    hagmanm2 Posts: 205
    edited March 2010
    Thanks for the info. We'll see what happens after he responds to my emails.
    concealer404 wrote: »
    I'll even offer you a risk free scenario. If you go check it out, and it's in nice shape, and works perfectly, and you pay $200 for it, bring it home, and decide you don't like it, i'll take it off your hands. :D

    This will probably all be moot. I doubt he'll take $200 for it.

    Haha, you got yourself a deal. But I think you did too good a job convincing me about the amp's quality. If he lets it go for 200 it'll most likely be joining my audio family. ;)
    Living Room: Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-25 | Turntable: Technics SL-B200 | CD Player: Rotel RCD-955AX | Fronts: Polk RTiA3 | Center: Polk CSi A4 | Rears: Polk FXi3 | Sub: Velodyne DPS-10 | Cables: AudioQuest Type4 & TypeA

    Office: Carver HR-742 | Speakers: RTi6 | Turntable: Numark 1600
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited March 2010
    hagmanm2 wrote: »
    Thanks for the info. We'll see what happens after he responds to my emails.



    Haha, you got yourself a deal. But I think you did too good a job convincing me about the amp's quality. If he lets it go for 200 it'll most likely be joining my audio family. ;)


    It's a very underrated amp. Most of the older Onkyos are, for that matter. I've tried quite a few amps in an effort to move forward from mine, but it still stays. Granted, i haven't tried much in the $750-$1000 range, but from what you read on the big bad internet, pretty much any of the amps i tried should have blown this thing out of the water.

    No such luck.

    Disclaimer: As always, my ears are not your ears, nor anyone else's. I like an extremely warm sound, even if it means sacrificing a little detail at times. ;)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited March 2010
    concealer404 wrote: »
    It's a very underrated amp. Most of the older Onkyos are, for that matter. I've tried quite a few amps in an effort to move forward from mine, but it still stays. Granted, i haven't tried much in the $750-$1000 range, but from what you read on the big bad internet, pretty much any of the amps i tried should have blown this thing out of the water.

    No such luck.

    Disclaimer: As always, my ears are not your ears, nor anyone else's. I like an extremely warm sound, even if it means sacrificing a little detail at times. ;)

    If you like it warm tubes might be the route to take.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited March 2010
    Definitely! That's why i'm taking your advice and going for a tubed CDP. I've already got the warmth i desire with the setup i'm running now, but i'm interested to see if going to a tubed source will eliminate the "need" for the buffer. :)
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,630
    edited March 2010
    I own an M504, and would love to have that pre he has! I have seen that amp go on eBay for around $500 before. So $200 would be a steal but I doubt he'll go for that. I can't remember now but I think that amp was in the $900 range when new.

    It's a nice amp for sure. Those big VU meters look really cool in a dim lit room too! :cool:
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited March 2010
    Yeah... your average decent condition M504 on Ebay goes between $200-$300. A nice cherry minty example would be worth a bit more.

    This guy has it listed on Craigslist likely because he's either 1) unaware of what he could get or 2) doesn't want to deal with Ebay/shipping. Either way, he should be taking a hit on it.

    If you're really hung up on the cosmetic condition, then paying more than $250 would very well be worth it, but i wouldn't pay $500 for one of these under any circumstances, personally. Even though i love them. Simply because i'm not hung up on wanting every piece in my setup to look like it's brand new.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,590
    edited March 2010
    He wants 800. for amp and pre. combined...
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.

    “Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
    --Mark Twain.

    “If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.” - Steven Wright
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited March 2010
    I think he's off his rocker anywhere $800, and somebody should ask him if he understands ANY of the techno-drivel he stated. Sounds like it is right of the owners manual to me. "Creative mastery" my zorch.
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  • concealer404
    concealer404 Posts: 7,440
    edited March 2010
    tony millard wrote: »
    He wants 800. for amp and pre. combined...

    Ew. I'd consider maybe $500 if it was in minty fresh shape, and still smelled like the factory.

    Otherwise... $400 for both. Take it or leave it.
    I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.

    Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii

    Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999

    Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3

    HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,489
    edited March 2010
    Just as I predicted. I wouldn't even bother with the guy. Just move on. There are plenty of nice pieces out there that can be had at realistic prices.
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,630
    edited March 2010
    This would be a helluva lot better deal for $675.

    http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ele/1623490311.html

    3ka3p93l75O05Pc5R7a31b0bc579d41621c94.jpg
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • kjm531
    kjm531 Posts: 14
    edited March 2010
    Judging by the above posts, I figure I got a good deal on these recently purchased Integra pieces at $400:

    M 506rs Amp
    M 304 pre
    T4087 Tuner

    I also just scored the rare matching rosewood sided DX 7500 R1 CD player for $200

    These Integra pieces are my first 'separate' components and so far I could not be happier with the sound... not to mention the coolness factor of the huge meters!
    I gotta think this setup is near the top of the 'diminishing returns' curve for $600. Highly recommended
    Rega Planar 2 with Denon DL-110
    Onkyo Integra M-506RS dual mono amp / P-306 pre
    Onkyo Integra DX-7500 CDP
    Polk Monitor 5A, PSB 400, Ascend Acoustics CBM-170
    PSB Subsonic II
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,489
    edited March 2010
    kjm531 wrote: »
    Judging by the above posts, I figure I got a good deal on these recently purchased Integra pieces at $400:

    M 506rs Amp
    M 304 pre
    T4087 Tuner

    I also just scored the rare matching rosewood sided DX 7500 R1 CD player for $200

    These Integra pieces are my first 'separate' components and so far I could not be happier with the sound... not to mention the coolness factor of the huge meters!
    I gotta think this setup is near the top of the 'diminishing returns' curve for $600. Highly recommended

    Nice deal on the amp/pre/tuner, although I'd probably not have bothered getting the matching CD player. Amps, pre-amps and tuners haven't really gotten much better since the 80's (in the case of tuners, they've gotten worse), but CD players sure have improved. I guess for nostalgia's sake, it is a nice addition. Maybe you can get a newer DAC and feed it from the CD player. That way you'd get modern DAC sound with the vintage transport.

    I'd advise you track down the service manuals for all that gear. They are good to have in case you have problems. Many of them can be found for free if you search hard enough on the internet.

    BTW, I have that same tuner. Its a nice one.
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  • kjm531
    kjm531 Posts: 14
    edited March 2010
    I'm sure there's a lot better CDP's out there, but I have a feeling it would cost alot more for a small improvement. Plus as you say it makes a matching set which is the main reason I bought it... most of my listening is vinyl anyway.
    My Rega TT will get VTAF, counterweight and re-wire before I spend anything on anything digital.
    I have the manual for the tuner and pre... the 506rs o/m is very hard to find!

    Sorry for getting of topic from the OP's thread... but thumbs up again on the Integra amp. If you like 'later' vintage stuff, its pretty cool AND sure does make a set of Monitor 7's sound great!
    Rega Planar 2 with Denon DL-110
    Onkyo Integra M-506RS dual mono amp / P-306 pre
    Onkyo Integra DX-7500 CDP
    Polk Monitor 5A, PSB 400, Ascend Acoustics CBM-170
    PSB Subsonic II
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  • mikey-polk
    mikey-polk Posts: 83
    edited April 2010
    What ever happened re the M-504 ? I could use one :)
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  • thdaudio
    thdaudio Posts: 2
    edited July 2010
    hagmanm2 wrote: »
    Onkyo Integra M-504 Amplifier (165wx2)
    What do you guys think? He doesn't have ..... Thanks guys! ;)
    http://columbia.craigslist.org/ele/1624941290.html

    hI 'hagmanm2',
    I am struggling to get hold of the SERVICE Manual for my Technics SL-B200 TT - In particular, the schematic and board layout diagrams. (My speed control is no longer working :(
    Can you help?
    many thanks,
    John
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  • thdaudio
    thdaudio Posts: 2
    edited July 2010
    Hi Hagmanm2,
    I am not able to reply to you from my inbox becuase of "insufficient posts" to this forum!

    In response to your reply (see below):
    My intention is to keep plugging away at it for a while (see if i can source the TECHNICS SL-B200 service manual). If I cannot repair the beast, I will probably put it up for sale. What would you be prepared to pay for it? (note that i am located in South Africa). thanks again, John.
    [QUOTE: "Sorry thdaudio, I don't have a manual for my TT. I do have a question/proposition for you though! Has the speed control made your turntable unusable?

    I recently went through a move to a new house and when I tried plugging my ICs back into the TT the female housing snapped off! So now the red/white input just wants to flop around inside the TT.

    Anyways, let me know if you might be interested in getting rid of it if it's at that point. If not, I hope you find a cost-effective way of fixing your problem - and if you do, I'd love to hear about it (just in case I run into the same issue!). Thanks!END QUOTE]
    ***************
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