Comparison Onkyo TX-8250 vs Onkyo TX-8150

The nominal sound power output by the audio receiver per channel when operating with a load having a dynamic resistance (impedance) of 8 ohms. In our catalog, this parameter is indicated for the mode when both channels of the receiver work under load; when working on one channel, the rated power may be slightly higher, but this mode cannot be called standard.

Rated power can be simply described as the highest average output signal power at which the amplifier is able to operate stably for a long time (at least an hour) without negative consequences. These are average figures, because in fact, an audio signal is, by definition, unstable, and individual jumps in its level can significantly exceed the average value. However, the key parameter is still the nominal (average) power — it is on it that the overall sound volume directly depends.

This indicator also determines which speakers can be connected to the device: their rated power should not be lower than that of the receiver.

According to the laws of electrodynamics, with different dynamic load resistance, the output power of the amplifier will also be different. In modern speakers, values of 8, 6, 4 and 2 ohms are standard; the latter option, however, is rare, therefore, in audio receivers, the power for it, usually, is not indicated at all. As for the specific values for 8 ohms, the indicator up to 50 W is considered relatively low, 50 – 100 W is average, and with more than 100 W we can talk about high power.

The nominal sound power output by the audio receiver per channel when a load with a dynamic resistance (impedance) of 4 ohms is connected to it. It is customary to specify this parameter when the receiver is operating in two-channel mode (stereo); when using only one channel, the power may be slightly higher, but this mode cannot be called standard.

Rated power is the highest average (rms) output signal power at which the receiver is able to work for a long time without failures or malfunctions. The average power is taken because the audio signal is, by definition, unstable, and individual jumps in its level can significantly exceed the average value. However, the key parameter is still the rated (average) power. It determines two points — the overall volume of the sound and compatibility with one or another passive acoustics. The higher the power of the receiver, the louder the sound it can provide; at the same time, this power should not exceed the rated power of the speakers — otherwise, overloads and even damage to the equipment are possible.

According to the laws of electrodynamics, with a different load impedance, the output power of the amplifier will also be different. In modern speakers, values of 8, 6, 4 and 2 ohms are standard; the latter option, however, is rare, therefore, in audio receivers, the power for it, usually, is not indicated at all. As for specific power indicators at a 4-ohm load, values up to 100 W...are considered relatively small for modern receivers, more than 100 W — respectively, high.

The sampling rate of the digital-to-analogue audio signal converter provided in the design of the audio receiver.

A digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) is an indispensable element of any system designed to reproduce digital sound. The DAC is an electronic module that translates sound information into pulses that are sent to the speakers. The technical features of such a conversion are such that the higher the sampling rate, the better the signal at the output of the DAC, the less it is distorted during conversion. The most popular option in receivers today is 192 kHz — it corresponds to a very high sound quality (DVD-Audio) and at the same time avoids unnecessary increase in the cost of devices.

Audio file formats that the receiver is capable of working with. Among those, there may be lossy compressed (MP3, WMA, etc.), lossless compressed Lossless(FLAC, APE, etc.) and Uncompressed uncompressed formats (DSD, DXD, etc.).

In general, compression is used to reduce the volume of audio files. Lossy compression (the most common option) cuts off some of the audio frequencies (mainly those that are poorly perceived by the ear), making such files take up the least amount of space. Lossless compression preserves all original frequencies; this format is preferred by many lovers of high-quality sound, however, such files take up a lot of space, and the difference between normal compression and lossless compression becomes clearly noticeable only on high-quality equipment. Uncompressed formats, in turn, are intended primarily for professional audio work; their full reproduction requires Hi-End audio equipment, and the volumes of such materials are very large. However, these standards are quite popular among sophisticated audiophiles.

Separately, it is worth touching on the uncompressed DSD format. This standard and its direct derivatives DSF and DFF use coding using the so-called pulse density modulation. It is considered more advanced than traditional pulse-frequency modulation, and allows you to achieve more accurate sound, a higher signal-to-noise ratio...and less interference with a relatively simple element base.

— Airplay. A technology for transmitting multimedia data over a wireless connection ( Wi-Fi). Developed by Apple, it is intended mainly for broadcasting content from various Apple technology (primarily portable gadgets) to compatible external devices. Allows you to transfer audio files (in the audio streaming mode, see "Tuner and Playback" for details), as well as images, text data and even video. The presence of AirPlay in the audio receiver will allow you to connect Apple devices with support for this technology to it — for direct playback.

— Airplay 2. The second version of the AirPlay technology described above, released in 2018. One of the main innovations introduced in this update is multi-room support, the ability to simultaneously stream multiple separate audio signals to different compatible devices installed in different locations. Thus, for example, you can turn on the acoustics in the living room for training music from the iPhone, in the kitchen — a relaxing melody from the iPod, etc. In addition, AirPlay 2 received a number of other improvements — better buffering, the ability to stream to stereo speakers, as well as support for voice control via Siri.

— Chromecast. The original name is Google Cast. A technology for broadcasting content to external devices developed by Google. Allows you to transmit an au...dio signal from a PC or mobile device to the receiver, broadcasting is standardly carried out via Wi-Fi, while the receiver and signal source must be in the same Wi-Fi network (Chromecast media players are an exception). Chromecast technology supports two modes — the actual broadcast through special applications (available for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS) and "mirroring" content opened in the Google Chrome browser. However, the second option for audio receivers is not relevant, given the specifics of their application.

— Wi-Fi. A wireless interface originally used to build computer networks, but more recently, it also supports a direct connection between devices. It can be used in audio receivers in different formats: for network functions (streaming audio, Internet radio, DLNA, etc.), for broadcasting content via AirPlay or Chromecast (see above), and for connecting a smartphone as a remote control. An alternative option for connecting to networks is a wired LAN interface (see below), but Wi-Fi is more convenient due to the lack of wires and the ability to work through obstacles, including walls. In addition, the mentioned AirPlay and Chromecast work as standard through a wireless channel.

— LAN. Connector for wired connection to computer networks — "LAN" and/or the Internet. By itself, such a connection is less convenient than Wi-Fi (see above) due to the need to pull wires, but LAN support is somewhat cheaper, and the connection is faster and more reliable (especially when Wi-Fi channels are heavily loaded).

— Bluetooth. The technology of direct wireless communication between different devices at a distance of several metres. It can be used for a variety of purposes, but the main use of Bluetooth in audio receivers is to transmit an audio signal. At the same time, depending on the model, the sound can be transmitted both to the receiver (from a smartphone, tablet, etc.), and from the receiver to wireless speakers or Bluetooth headphones. It is believed that wireless transmission degrades sound quality, but this point is corrected in many devices using various advanced technologies such as aptX. Other uses for Bluetooth include remote control from an external gadget and file sharing between that gadget and the audio receiver's built-in memory.

— NFC chip. NFC technology is used for wireless communication over short distances (up to 10 cm). Potentially, it has many applications, but in audio receivers it is most often used as an auxiliary, to simplify the connection via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. If there is NFC in a smartphone or other gadget, it is enough to bring it to the NFC chip of the receiver — and the devices will automatically “recognize” each other; then, depending on the settings, they will connect either automatically or after confirmation from the user. In addition, additional "chips" may be provided — for example, if music was playing on the smartphone at that moment, it will start broadcasting it to the receiver.

— DLNA. A technology used to connect various electronic devices into a single digital network with the ability to directly exchange content. Devices for which support for this standard is claimed are able to effectively interact regardless of the manufacturer. An audio receiver with DLNA is capable, for example, of playing music directly from a computer hard drive in the next room or from a smartphone in the user's hands. Connection to the Network can be carried out both wired (LAN) and wireless (Wi-Fi) way.

— USB A. The classic USB connector, familiar to most users from computers and laptops. In audio receivers, it is mainly used as an input for direct playback of music from flash drives and other drives, sometimes also for updating firmware and exchanging files between an external drive and built-in memory. Other application formats are also possible: for example, some models have a Type A output for transmitting a digital signal to an external DAC.

— USB B. This type of USB connector has an almost square shape, noticeably different from the popular USB A. The most common way to use it is to connect it to a computer as a peripheral device to control the audio receiver from a PC. However, there are other options — in particular, the use of this connector as an input for a digital audio signal.

— Card reader. A device for reading memory cards — most often various types of SD, although it's ok to clarify the specific types of compatible cards separately, as well as the possibilities for working with them. In general, this function is similar to USB Type A (see "Inputs"). Most often it is used for direct playback from memory cards, but other uses are possible — for example, copying music from a laptop to the receiver's built-in storage via a memory card.

— Internet radio. The ability to "receive" Internet radio stations using the receiver. Such transmissions are similar to conventional radio broadcasting, but are carried out not on the air, but through the World Wide Web; such broadcasting is carried out by many large radio stations, and there are also many specialized network channels. One of the key advantages of Internet radio is the lack of range restrictions, which allows you to listen to broadcasts from almost anywhere in the world and provides a wide range of choices. And for additional convenience, tools for searching and sorting Internet stations (by genres, languages, popularity, etc.) can be provided.

The number of outputs to the recording deviceprovided in the design of the audio receiver.

Technically, the REC output is most often a traditional line interface, with a pair of RCA connectors (for left and right stereo channels — that's why such outputs are counted in pairs). The main specificity of this interface (and the difference from "ordinary" line outputs) is that the signal level on it is unchanged — this simplifies the control of recording parameters on an external device.