Onkyo M-5010 2-Channel Amplifier (Black)

Let me start of my review by saying this: this is a rather long review, but that's why you're here, isn't it???My Pioneer Sc-81 receiver, unfortunately, is unable to grant me the ability to play both the front height/front wide channels and also the surround back channels, at the same time, in a 9.2 setup. Either I lose the surround back channels or the front height/front wide channels. It's either one or the other...but I wanted both of these to be able to play, which I feel, will give me more of a surrounding enveloping sound.Since my Pioneer receiver can only amplify 7 channels, it does However, have the ability to add another 2 channels in another zone(listening area) or to main listening zone, with the added front height/front wide channels. This is done via connecting another amplifier. And luckily my Pioneer receiver has the pre-out option, for adding another amplifier. This way I won't lose my surround back channels, and have my full 9.1 or 9.2 setup, which is what I was so desperately seeking...insert this Onkyo amp up to the mix!I chose this Onkyo mainly because of the price point. Which seemed reasonable enough for adding yet another amplifier to my home theatre. And guess what...?! It does just fine!I have it powering a set of Polk Rti A7 as my front wide channels in my 9.2 setup...and it's pure awesomeness! It's a modest setup, but it is very much appreciated, by me, everyday! For music listening (mostly from the Pandora app on my X1 cable box, and just good old fashion over the air radio stations) and also for cable on-demand shows(binge watching much), movies, football games, and Blu Ray movies!This amp really changed the Polk speakers dynamics, imagery, and if I dare say it, gave it a little bit of a Hi-fi sound!There's plenty of power on tap, for my fairly large living room, which isn't closed off from the kitchen, nor from the hallway, which also leads to the bedrooms...and pretty long hallways at that...plus 10 foot ceilings(open Floorplan)Basically what I'm getting at is it has more than enough power. If you need anymore power than this amp can deliver, you must have strong intentions of throwing many block parties in the foreseeable future...now back to this amp...I did get a little fed up trying to figure out how to make it shut on and off with the trigger cable(not included) option...so I placed the switch over to "audio" option instead. It will automatically turn on and off when set to this option and detects an audio signal...and that works 100 times out of a 100 times for turning on(with a very short delay as a precaution measure), and 99.9 times out a 100 for turning off.There's no remote included, so it's going to have to be either 1 of those 2 options mentioned above...or...you're going to have to turn the switch to "manual" to manually turn it off and on, if that's you're preference, of course.There's also an impedance switch for switching it to 4-8 ohms or 8-16 ohms to match with your speakers abilities.And lastly there's a volume nob. And let me also suggest that if you're connecting this amp to a receiver, turn the volume nob to the max setting, then let your receiver have the ability to fully control the amount of power feeding your speakers, and if you need more power, you'll have it on tap. Also to note, if your receiver or pre-amp comes with the software and microphone to adjust equalizer and symmetry settings, I would run the software and let it balance everything with the volume set to "max"...unless you are a professional with a golden ear and have the ability to measure everything meticulously, then by all means, knock yourself out with that!All the nobs are on the back to give a streamlined design on the front, as shown in the picture (please disregard the dust). And speaking of the design, let me touch on that quickly...it comes with a nice medal finish and a welcoming blue light to signal if it's sending power or if it's on standby mode(on or off).This amp runs very cool and it arrived double-boxed with plenty of impact absorbing material! 2 day shipping is another plus!Happy listening!

Bought for onkyo a9150 - great match! Sounds incredible and really nice addition to a9150 giving the system a lot more power...

While the amplifier performs well, I have is stored in an enclosed cabinet. The heat builds up and has caused a failure. My work about is to install small fan resting on top of the unit.

No knock on Onkyo as they make amazing equipment . This amp just seemed to be a dud! Once hooked up was receiving loud speaker hum. Checked all connections and still had a loud hum. Going to go with the Marantz M7025.

The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is that "in my opinion" a trigger wire should be included with the Amp by Onkyo.As for the sound clarity produced, I don't think anyone can do better for the money spent, especially on a new unit.I'm using it to power a set of Bozak Symphony B-4000's dedicated to Front R&L channels on my Yamaha RX A-3040 & the sound is very, very clean.This gives my Yamaha AV system the ability to use all 11 channels & the ATMOS this combination produces is incredible ... other speakers being used are KEF's & Bose.with a large Sony Sub... all of this carefully placed into a 20' X 24' living room. Yeah I know it's nothing close to an audiophiles dream room but it literally have any unsuspecting guest saying things like WOW, did ya hear that, MAN gotta build me a system like this .... so yeah this little Onkyo amp has earned it's spot to live here among the rest on my favorites.Make SURE to use a trigger wire for standby ON/OFF because it works perfectly set up that way, whereas if you use the just audio signal to turn the amp ON ... it works but it will NOT turn it OFF automatically.

Will work GREAT for bi-amping your center channel if it's not too power hungry! Will work excellent for rear surrounds and also front high wides, but only nominally better than the receiver for powering front towers/mains.Having two of these babies or three, is a treat because the 12v trigger can be daisy chained using MONO 3.5 mm cables- however if all you have are stereo 3.5s... Simply pull out one click at all terminals and will still work fine. The size is nice- not tall but do NOT stack. The coolest thing about having two or more of these is the startup procedure! The blue power on lights flash with a cascading flash effect so make sure the top most 5010 is the first 12v to be triggered by the receiver, and daisy chain the lower ones to make a cool turn on sequence effect. Sound wise, they are not dead sounding or flat, simply neutral! Even running the towers did make a difference over the receiver, however, when I bi-amped my center channel using a quality rca splitter, and using the left and right channels to feed the center... WOW! Outstanding clarity, enough juice, and amazing dialogue- even the most subtle dialogue and tiny nuance. seems as though at 16 ohms, the power drop is not half but maybe 1/3 or so drop- which is quite strange- but makes sense since 4ohms actually drops per channel wattage by 10 (65 watts vs 75 @8ohms). Must say, the center channel was the greatest increase in sq/utility over receiver's real world 35 watts maybe at all channels driven and I have a Denon 3806. Overall, the frequency range of this amp really does do what it claims and will make you run your audyssey again. You will notice a much flatter equalizer graph in your OSD, since frequencies your receiver's power supply screws up at all channels driven are beautifully kept intact by using an external amp. Also!!!!! QUIET! No hiss, no hum. Absolutely quiet operation when power is on and there is no signal. So if you do experience hiss... Change ur cables or change your preamplifier because this little baby isn't the weak link.