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Onkyo integra M-Series Amp Owners; Current and Former

tybrad

tybrad

Lunatic Member
Banned
Hi all,
I have recently acquired an M-504 and am impressed with it's looks (BIG VU's give me goosebumps!) even though it is not in a bright n' shiny envelope :no:. I am wondering about something though... it seems to be thin in it's low end and not as punchy/dynamic as the amp in my G9000 :tears:. I was a little disappointed in this performance but have found that if I EQ it, I can get it all back :banana:.

Anyone else have these complaints?

Also, the previous owner replaced the VU bulbs with white ones and I want to get it back to its original red-then-green bi-colors. Ideas on sourcing and access?

M-504.jpg



Best,
Tyler
 
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Well, I've got it's little brother. The M-5030. (100 WPC)
Yes, it's got some of the Biggest Meters

I don't find it lacking in Bass, but tastes are different.

The original pig-tailed fuse lamps are white in colour, and have a rubber blue/green sleeve. (And in your case, one set would be red, I assume)

I can tell you that I tried to replace them with blue LEDs, however it didn't quite work out. While the meter background looked awesome, the needles themselves were barely visible.

I bought these instead, just had to solder some leads.

Just search that auction site for " Blue Fuse Lamp", pick the 12V ones. There's also a seller selling LED replacements in a fuse lamp body, and while they look like a good idea, the blue is too strong and the needle becomes hard to see.

As long as they are 12v, should be fine. Length is not super critical, as there is room on the circuit board.

One other word of advise, do not remove or unseal the top of the individual meters, if you do, you will have a ton of dust, ruin the nice clean glass inside, and it will require complete removal and disassembly to get it clean again.y
 
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The Onkyo Integra M series amps are generally well regarded. Of course, the M-508 is the big kahuna. But for those not needing so much amplification, the M-504 is supposed to be really good.

Don't forget that experiences can vary depending upon the example unit. I assume you bought yours used... there's no telling what the true state is of all on-board components, unless the seller attests to having tested or replaced them. A few capacitors out of tolerance can affect the musicality. But, it would be a good idea to comb through AK for reviews/comments about the M-504. I think there are a few threads in the archives.
 
I have the 504 and no issues with bass...suspect you may have a cap issue? I had a receiver with a very similar issue, and my tech correctly diagnosed it as a bad cap. Would be worth getting checked out if you have someone in your area.
 
tybrad said:
Hi all,
I have recently acquired an M-504 and am impressed with it's looks (BIG VU's give me goosebumps!) even though it is not in a bright n' shiny envelope :no:. I am wondering about something though... it seems to be thin in it's low end and not as punchy/dynamic as the amp in my G9000 :tears:. I was a little disappointed in this performance but have found that if I EQ it, I can get it all back :banana:.

Anyone else have these complaints?

Also, the previous owner replaced the VU bulbs with white ones and I want to get it back to its original red-then-green bi-colors. Ideas on sourcing and access?

M-504.jpg



Best,
Tyler
Click to expand...

Thought this would be a Fun Thread to Bring Back from the DEAD....:idea:

I Have 2 M506RS Amps(150w)I Would Love to Have Two more :cool:........I Love Bi-Amping My KLF 30's with My M506RS Amps Running the LF and My Heathkit AA-121's(x2 Mono 80w)Running the HF :)

Post Up Those Big Metered Onkyo Integras. :D:D

,Mike. :smoke:
 
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Never had a problem with bass from my M-504, preamp choice is important though. Plenty of dynamic range with the 504. I never used tone controls, EQ or loudness either and the bass will shake your heart

Either your internal preamp is the issue or you just like the house sound of the G9000 integrated which has a 10dB boost in the bass and treble AND a Loudness control which I bet your using at times


M-504

Power output: 165 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo) and this will do 4ohms also

Frequency response: 1Hz to 100kHz

Total harmonic distortion at rated output: 0.003%

Signal to noise ratio: 120dB

Damping factor: 140

G9000

Continuous power 8Ω: 175 + 175 (1 kHz); 160 + 160 (20-20,000 Hz) Watts (notice it was only tested at 1kHz!)

Frequency Response: DC-200,000 HZ but internal preamp is 30-15,000 HZ

Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.025% at rated output

Signal/Noise High Level: 95 db

They don't publish a Damping Factor but I bet it's less then 100

Don't sell the M-504 short because it's a better amplifier IMO and reliable as hell, they also don't run as warm unless your really kicking her in the ass. When you start putting the boots to the Onkyo, that's where she shines and again, preamp choice makes all the difference

EDIT: I have had the pleasure to own a few of the old Sansui's including the AU-11000 (my fave), I know what you mean, that old Sansui sound is intoxicating so I think you have two great amps to use so enjoy the ride and just think what the future holds and lands in your life. That's what's great about this hobby
 
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Anybody needs working 504 meters and faceplate, I have extras to trade. Also have the unobtanium power switch
 
Soon as I can get these pictures transferred over! I'm running a 504 and a 506RS. I may be taking them both out though. I'm always digging the fat a$$ meters at night and they blow people away! The sound is pretty fantastic but I think my speakers might be limiting so maybe I need to start switching around some equipment to see if I have better suited match. I
 
tybrad said:
Hi all,
I have recently acquired an M-504 and am impressed with it's looks (BIG VU's give me goosebumps!) even though it is not in a bright n' shiny envelope :no:. I am wondering about something though... it seems to be thin in it's low end and not as punchy/dynamic as the amp in my G9000 :tears:. I was a little disappointed in this performance but have found that if I EQ it, I can get it all back :banana:.

Anyone else have these complaints?

Also, the previous owner replaced the VU bulbs with white ones and I want to get it back to its original red-then-green bi-colors. Ideas on sourcing and access?

M-504.jpg



Best,
Tyler
Click to expand...
This is what I did on M-504:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/onkyo-m-504-recap.422094/

I also had the Main Caps replaced. With all this Recap work....I would agree the sound did not improve enough for me
to keep her.
 
Onkyo Caps.jpg I removed information about the 4-pin Mundorf caps because I found a picture of the pins on the original Onkyo M-504 caps and they aren't the same as the Mundorf caps as the Onkyo don't have four separate pins like the Mundorf does put have two positive pins that are connected together and two negative pins that are connected together so you actually need to buy a 2-pin cap to replace them not a 4-pin cap like the Mundorf. I think the easiest way to replace the caps on the M-504 would be just lengthen the leads on a 2 pin cap so they can be soldered into the original holes on the M-504 circuit board and then solder jumpers between the two positive and two negative terminals on the solder side of the circuit board.
 
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Rise, thread!

I have a pawn shop M-5030 paired with a pawn shop Audio Research LS2 Preamp and Craigslist Vandersteen 2ci speakers. My source is a (pawn shop ;>) Pioneer Elite DV-46AV DVD player.

It is a very sweet, great sounding arrangement, but could be better as the Onkyo and the AR Pre probably need a recap.

The Vandy tweeters are also showing some age.

Tried an experiment this morning, swapping out the Onkyo for an Odyssey Stratos with the Kismet upgrade. The Odyssey (with at least 2x the power) sounded powerful, but stiff and sterile compared to the 100W Onkyo. Honestly, i haven't found a speaker/pre/room combo that sounds good with the Stratos. Maybe it just reveals the failings if the other components. Eventually I want to try it with a pair of KEF Ref 107s once they are properly upgraded, or with a pair of KEF 105/3 or Vandy 3A Sigs when procured.

Anyone have experience recapping an M-5030?
 
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