Onkyo M-508 vs. Onkyo M-588F

[TOM1040]

Can someone explain the major differences between these two. I have the matching pre to both ( P-308 & P-388F) but only the M-508 amp. I would like to know if the search for the M-588F would be worth it. Thanks

 

[bolly]

if MSRP has anything todo with it...

M-508: 1986-91, 200wpc, $1200new
M-588F: 1993, 200wpc, $2100new

 

[TOM1040]

That is odd, my M-508 manual lists the power @ 220 wpc.

 

[Sound Dragon]

I would be very interested in forming a data base of all the large vu metered onkyo m amps. I think that between all the owners of onkyo m amps on ak we could get it done.

 

[Sound Dragon]

OH balanced inputs on the m588f i believe. slightly different stying and no side panels.

 

[TOM1040]

Okay. Thanks. But what about the sound? Is it typical Onkyo? Or perhaps, does it sound better? I would suspect, that it might sound quite a bit better thru the P-388F with the balanced connectors. I also have the DX-788F mathing cdp ( w/balance connectors ). If I only could find a matching amp...

 

[Sound Dragon]

What do you mean by typical Onkyo? Rather is there a specific sound your shooting for that onkyo does not deliver?

 

[theophile]

Can someone explain the major differences between these two. I have the matching pre to both ( P-308 & P-388F) but only the M-508 amp. I would like to know if the search for the M-588F would be worth it. Thanks

Tom,
While you are asking us about the 588f,could we ask you to describe the difference you hear between the 308 and the 388?
Thanks. :thmbsp:

 

[TOM1040]

I am sorry. The wording was wrong. I love the Onkyo sound. The difference in pre-amps is profound. The P-308 is older, has tone controls but does sound great w/the M-508. The 388F has a mutistage, fully balanced circuit topology from input to output to reduce noise and improve dynamic contrasts. It also has separate balanced and unbalanced input selectors for a pure, direct signal path, gold plated rca jacks, independant l/r-channel ouput attenuators and a lot more. I belive it was Onkyos statement pre-amp.
The 388F does not have tone controls-only a volume control, so the people who like to adjust thier music would have to use a eq.

I am curious as to how it would sound with the amp it was made for - The M588F.

 

[Sound Dragon]

I have not had the pleasure of such a fine comparison and would be greatfull for any insights derived from such a comparison.

 

[theophile]

TOM,
Thanks for the short description of the features of both preamps. :thmbsp:

Now,about the differences you hear between them........:scratch2:

I have read that the 588 sounds better than the 510.

 

[TOM1040]

I even have a shorter version of how they compare. Since the occurence of sudden onset deafness in one ear ( only for freq. above 4k ) in July of '07, my ability to compare two components is difficult to say the least. I am not an audiophile-I do not have the necessary quailfications. I belive that everyone has their own sense of what sounds good to them and therefore I am a skeptic of reviews until I hear the component being reviewed by my own ears.

These two components are currently not in use in my system right now. I have a Sansui G-8000 employed right now. I like the loudness feature on this receiver at lower volumes-it seems to create a little of what I am missing.

I do , however, plan on doing some more comparisons with the two Onkyo pre-amps with the Onkyo M-508 & a Yamaha MX-1000 amps. I will also throw a Yamaha CX-1000 into the mix. With a recent purchase of a Marantz SA-8001 cdp I will be curious to try various combos with my fairly new ( to me ) JBL S2600 speakers.

As soon as the dust settles, I will let you know the conclusions. Until then, a Onkyo M-588F would come in handy....

 

[theophile]

TOM,
I'm sorry to hear of your sudden-onset deafness.
Thanks for the reply,I look forward to your comments. :thmbsp:

 

[TOM1040]

Well, I bought the M-588F. I have not received it yet. I will hook it up with the matching Onkyo P-388F and DX-788F cdp via XLR balanced connections running the JBL S/2600 speakers. I hope it all sounds good.:scratch2:

 

[TOM1040]

Also, if anyone has any direct comparisons of the M-510 vs. M-588F I would like to hear about. I know about the differences in power but what about the sound?

 

[von.ah]

:drool:
Beefy.

 

[TOM1040]

Can anyone recommend a make for the balanced connector cables that this system could benefit from?

 

[Sound Dragon]

Were you the winner of the eBay auction for this unit the other day?

 

[TOM1040]

Yeah, that was me. I hope it will be the last amp I buy in a while.

 

[TOM1040]

The M-588F arrived. Wow. About the same size as the M-508 but around 10 pounds heavier. The thing weighs in at 65.3 pounds-hefty. Contruction seems top-notch, I can't wait to hook it up!