calling all 875 owners - opinions and experiences needed

[tommyb]

Hi guys,

posted this:http://whathifi.com/forums/t/150028.aspx on the HI-Fi forums, but I suppose most of the 875 owners read this forum more frequently?

What are you thoughts / experiences?

I need to make a decision soon.

Cheers

 

[Big Chris]

I've been using my 875 since about Feb this year when I moved home.

If you're looking for specifics about the phono stage, I'm afraid I can't help (No record player, you see.)

Otherwise, I can say i've had very little to complain about. Biggest issue I had was finding a unit that would allow it to breathe. I found a perfect unit in Ikea, and have had no issues with the heat at all. Only other problem I had was when the display died a month or so back, but the service was second to none. The came and collected it the very afternoon of the day I contacted them about the problem, and had it for about 10 days or so. It was returned in perfect working order and had been fine since.

Now. Performance wise, I can say I have nothing but praise for it. It's powerful and clear, and the surround steers very cleanly. (If you can accomodate 7.1, I'd recommend it. 7.1 is a bit weird at first. Coming from 5.1, my first impression was that there was less surround sound occuring, but I realised after a little while that it was because it was more immersive and didn't have that 'hole between the fronts and the surrounds.

All this was before I bought my Blu-Ray. Once I'd hooked up the Blu-Ray, my opinions were blown away yet again! HD Master-Audio is AMAZING!! I watched 'Master & Commander: Far Side of the World' last night. It's a particular fave of mine, and I've had it on DVD for years, so (usually) know what's coming!

When it's all quiet as 'Lucky Jim' spots the cannon flashes in the fog bank, the following cannonballs ripping into the Surprise scared the s**t out of me! My god! Talk about power!!

Took me about 5 minutes to get the grin off my face!

Right. I'll wrap this up. Yes. I'm a fan. I paid £1k and have no regrets. If you can get it for the new knock-down prices, I'd say jump on it. Newer stuff may have pushed the Onkyos out of the limelight, but i don't think you'll be disappointed in any way with an 875.

 

[Anonymous]

Ditto, have had mine since 04/08, it has great presence on music as well. Effortless delivery, never sounds stressed at any volume levels, great detail so it doesn't sound painfully loud.
Others have caught it up now it appears, and they do deserve some time in the limelight, (Onkyo has had it for so long)

I bet that fed with a normal mains feed they have an edge (due probably to better internal mains filtering) but level the field again with a Tacima block etc I doubt it would remain so.

The sheer weight of the 875 gives a idea of the size/quality of its transformer. You are talking 'high end' here, and it shows.

 

[Oldenbroke]

I haven't had mine for long, but the difference in clarity and power was even obvious to my wife!

I only have Kef 2005.1 set up, but improved performance with standard dvd has made me struggle to

justify an upgrade. I have it on a glass shelved Optimum rack, with only a ~10cm air gap on top.

It felt really hot after a couple of hours use, but I put a 22cm pc case fan on top and that made a

huge difference.

Buy with confidence if you can find one.

 

[milesc]

Big Chris- What unit did you get from IKEA?ÿ

Thanks

Milesÿ

 

[Lost Angeles]

The Phono stage is not as good as my Audiolab 8000A

Onkyo 875 is superb for films etc

Mine has packed up last week-smoke coming out the top, so I hope the repair service is as good as Big Chris got.

 

[Anonymous]

Lost Angeles:

Mine has packed up last week-smoke coming out the top, so I hope the repair service is as good as Big Chris got.

Another one bites the dust!

 

[Big Chris]

milesc:
Big Chris- What unit did you get from IKEA?ÿ

Thanks

Milesÿ

It's a white unit called 'Tobo'. They do 2 different versions. I bought the larger version. It has shelves for kit each side of what is supposed to be a couple of drawers, but I didn't bother with the drawers and stuck my 875 in the gap instead.

 

[milesc]

Big Chrisÿ

Thanks for the info (and for the photo!). Seems a very good solution. I used one of their BENNO TV benchs. But had to remove the middle shelf to give the 875 room to breathe. Yours is a far more elegant solution.

ÿCheersÿ

Milesÿ

ÿ

 

[Big Chris]

I was just glad I found a unit deep enough!

The back is closed in, but it's typical Ikea grade board, so I just cut out behind the 875 to allow for all the connections.

The remotes work through the glass too, which is handy.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with all the above. I have had mine a good 6 months nearly and at the prices it is going for today is one heck of a bargain basement deal.
I have to say that i regret getting reid of my NAD PP2 phono as the '875' one is not as good, it will play vinyl but you may want to upgrade asap if you buy one.
A barnstomer for movies this 875, i love it! But, i agree with 'Big Chris' about the 7.1 as it does take a bit of getting used to but he is right about it making the presentation sound more whole. Final note: Go buy one son!

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Big Chris,

What legs did you use on your Ikea Tobo? They look much, much better than the taller spindly legs that come with the unit, and you've support in the middle to avoid sag at the same time. I'd love to do that to mine as well.

Thanks!

Mina

 

[Big Chris]

miname:

Hi Big Chris,

What legs did you use on your Ikea Tobo? They look much, much better than the taller spindly legs that come with the unit, and you've support in the middle to avoid sag at the same time. I'd love to do that to mine as well.

Thanks!

Mina

They're just general Ikea kitchen unit legs. You'll see them when you wander around Ikea.

 

[Anonymous]

Holy thread revival batman.

 

[margetti]

Paulthefilmfan:Holy thread revival batman.

Brilliant!

 

[Andrew Everard]

Forum search clearly working nicely ATM then...