Richard Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Onkyo X-B8 | Hi-MD System (2005) Presenting my X-B8 bookshelf system. I may at some point include a review, but in the meantime please feel free to discuss and enjoy the pics! Thanks ;-) Note: The transformer pictured is not supplied with the unit, this is just the one I happen to use. All images © Copyright 2006 - Richard H. Remote Control | RC-603 Step-Down Transformer | Koden TA-200 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobt Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Wow, that's beautiful Rich, thanks for the post,Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishiyoshi Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Brilliant! That is one fabulous looking bookshelf. Thanks for taking the time to share this pictorial with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuge Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Wow!!!Beauty..Rich, does it play Hi-Md`s also ??thanks for sharing pictorial with us . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted May 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Wow!!!Beauty..Rich, does it play Hi-Md`s also ??thanks for sharing pictorial with us . Yes indeed this is a Hi-MD system as the title of the topic suggests Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuge Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Yes indeed this is a Hi-MD system as the title of the topic suggests Sorry ,I didn`t read the first two lines .as i was amazed to see this gadget ..I think it`s time to shut the pc off ..I`m tired now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted May 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Sorry ,I didn`t read the first two lines .as i was amazed to see this gadget ..I think it`s time to shut the pc off ..I`m tired now No problem - But to answer your question more fully it plays back Hi-MD's at all bitrates inc. 192 / 352 and LP2 on Hi-MD formatted discs and all the usual legacy modes to boot.It will record directly to MD at PCM / 256 / 64 in Hi-MD mode or SP / Mono / LP2 / LP4 in standard MD format. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaylen Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Very nice black. The piano finish on those speakers is wow. Did you buy this from Audiocubes? I'm kind of curious to see how the brown version looks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted May 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Very nice black. The piano finish on those speakers is wow. Did you buy this from Audiocubes? I'm kind of curious to see how the brown version looks. No I got it through pricejapan. The brown one Audiocubes lists must be the slightly lower model X-B7 as the X-B8 only has black or white options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaylen Posted May 12, 2006 Report Share Posted May 12, 2006 Oh, they need to update their site then. It says the Onkyo X-B8 comes in silver, brown, and black. But, I guess this isn't the first time that Audiocubes lists something incorrectly. Thanks for the heads up. I found a pic of the "brown." I guess I was expecting something darker (like a chocolate brown) and not wood-like.Onkyo X-B7 (Y) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiesto Posted May 13, 2006 Report Share Posted May 13, 2006 Super pics I guess you must feel unique having one of few HiMD booksheft on market. My DH10P will be my "bookshelf system" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Posted May 14, 2006 Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 This is really nice, I shall include this in a news link soon along with other pictorials and reviews that have been posted as of late. Tell me about the sound? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercury_in_flames Posted May 14, 2006 Report Share Posted May 14, 2006 Yeah, I aggree, that finish on the speakers is pretty sweet. I take it that optical out only works for cd's? Not for the actual PCM playback of HIMD's? i.e no optical recording from himd? So, when are you going to get a sub for that , if something has a subwoofer jack then YOU MUST get one, theres no other way about it!! Heck I wish MY micro system had a sub jack but hey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted May 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Yeah, I aggree, that finish on the speakers is pretty sweet. I take it that optical out only works for cd's? Not for the actual PCM playback of HIMD's? i.e no optical recording from himd? So, when are you going to get a sub for that , if something has a subwoofer jack then YOU MUST get one, theres no other way about it!! Heck I wish MY micro system had a sub jack but hey. The optical out is indeed just for the CD section. As for the subwoofer it's not on my list at the moment, but if at some point I upgrade to a proper home cinema setup (of which Onkyo has some very nice options even here in Europe) then maybe I'll use it. For the moment though the bass (and indeed the sound in general) is just great as it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumz Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 The optical out is indeed just for the CD section. As for the subwoofer it's not on my list at the moment, but if at some point I upgrade to a proper home cinema setup (of which Onkyo has some very nice options even here in Europe) then maybe I'll use it. For the moment though the bass (and indeed the sound in general) is just great as it is. 'Very nice, wish it wasn't so pricey. I like Onkyo's components, I have an amp/reciever for my home theater made by Onkyo. Honestly, I just want a Hi-MD deck with optical out to connect to my stereos-- is that so much to ask? Wish Onkyo had included that in their mini deck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted May 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 'Very nice, wish it wasn't so pricey. They have come down quite a bit in price now - you can now get these for around ¥40000 or less than $400 USD. Obviously you need to budget for shipping and import taxes if you are outside Japan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuge Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Obviously you need to budget for shipping and import taxes if you are outside Japan.Hey ,How Much Customs did you paid ..?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaylen Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Hey ,How Much Customs did you paid ..??http://www.audiotstation.com/forum/showpos...66&postcount=46 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuge Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 http://www.audiotstation.com/forum/showpos...66&postcount=46LOl ..It`s not a walkman ..It`s bigger than a Walkman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaylen Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 LOl ..It`s not a walkman ..It`s bigger than a Walkman You missed the point, which was that the taxes charged depend on your local customs. Price Japan (where Rich got his deck) doesn't charge any taxes themselves. Read carefully, Stuge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted May 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 You missed the point, which was that the taxes charged depend on your local customs. Price Japan (where Rich got his deck) doesn't charge any taxes themselves. Read carefully, Stuge. Yes, you will pay import tax / duty on something this size and value, but the rates will indeed depend on your local authority. (That post from T-board was I think responding to another question about importing Walkman's).What I just meant to say is that obviously when you think about importing a unit like this you need to budget for shipping and taxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuge Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 You missed the point, which was that the taxes charged depend on your local customs. Price Japan (where Rich got his deck) doesn't charge any taxes themselves. Read carefully, Stuge.Hey ,I wanted to know how much did he gave to Customs department (When the parcel reached his country ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaylen Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 Hey ,I wanted to know how much did he gave to Customs department (When the parcel reached his country ).And since you're in India and he's in the Netherlands, this information is useful to you how? Remember that curiosity killed the cat. If Rich hasn't mentioned how much he spent on taxes/etc by now, then perhaps he'd like to keep that information off of a public forum, no? Have to respect other people's hints and wishes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted May 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 And since you're in India and he's in the Netherlands, this information is useful to you how? Remember that curiosity killed the cat. If Rich hasn't mentioned how much he spent on taxes/etc by now, then perhaps he'd like to keep that information off of a public forum, no? Have to respect other people's hints and wishes. It's ok - I have PM'd Stuge the details though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaylen Posted May 15, 2006 Report Share Posted May 15, 2006 It's ok - I don't generally like to shout too much in public about what I spend on this or that. I have PM'd Stuge the details though. Hehe, Rich. I was hinting to Stuge to leave that info off of a public forum and PM you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hommeskimo Posted May 26, 2006 Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 hi i have this onkyo FR X-B8 hi-md unit ,TOOBUT I FOUND IT HAVE NO CD-TEXT SO YOU CAN'T COPY CD-TEXT NAME TO MD AND THIS UNIT HAVE NO AUTO-PRESENT IN FM 90-108 MHZ FREQUENCEY RANGE YOU CAN ONLY MANUAL IT'S FM IT'S MY EXPERIENCE http://tw.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/hommeskim...35d.jpg&.src=ph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted May 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 hi i have this onkyo FR X-B8 hi-md unit ,TOOBUT I FOUND IT HAVE NO CD-TEXT SO YOU CAN'T COPY CD-TEXT NAME TO MD AND THIS UNIT HAVE NO AUTO-PRESENT IN FM 90-108 MHZ FREQUENCEY RANGE YOU CAN ONLY MANUAL IT'S FM IT'S MY EXPERIENCE http://tw.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/hommeskim...35d.jpg&.src=ph The FM presets work fine for me across the full range - I have some set at 100.3 and 99.4. The auto-scan also seems ok in these ranges too.Edit: Yes you are right that the auto-preset scan only finds the 10 strongest as far as 89.9. Ok. Haven't really noticed that before as I don't use the radio that much and the presets I do have were all set manually.I actually record digital radio to MD via the optical in.The CD Text function doesn't exist indeed. This doesn't really bother me too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted May 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 One of the nicest features on this unit is the timer capabilities.There are 4 timers each of which can be set to play or rec from various sources either once off or on a recurring schedule. And if I understood it correct the schedules can overlap. Eg. Timer 1 Rec from FM every Mon, Wed, Fri from 8am to 10amTimer 2 Play CD every day 10-11amTimer 3 Rec from CD to MD once at tomrorrow 9pm etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky191 Posted May 26, 2006 Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 One of the nicest features on this unit is the timer capabilities.There are 4 timers each of which can be set to play or rec from various sources either once off or on a recurring schedule. And if I understood it correct the schedules can overlap. Eg. Timer 1 Rec from FM every Mon, Wed, Fri from 8am to 10amTimer 2 Play CD every day 10-11amTimer 3 Rec from CD to MD once at tomrorrow 9pm etc..There were a few people looking for this feature to replace their MD decks. I don't think many people know about it. I didn't realise it had it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted May 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2006 There were a few people looking for this feature to replace their MD decks. I don't think many people know about it. I didn't realise it had it. I will have to give it a try but if I also understood the manual correct you can program it to record from optical / line-in on a schedule too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoinette Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 (edited) Brilliant! That is one fabulous looking bookshelf. Thanks for taking the time to share this pictorial with us. Hi there !I'm new to forums so if i'm posting in the wrong place don't be too hard on me .What I want to know is ; what is what you all call a" bookshelf" and is it just another word for "deck" ? I happen to own two Micro Hi-Fi Component Systems(Sony-MNT and CMT-M100MD° which give me full satisfaction with md and mdlp recording( I get my classical music straight from the tuner recorded on the md player incorporated in the unit . Yes but now we have hi-md and I have to rely on my MZ NH 700 if I want to record in Hi-md and I don't have the quality of sound I used to enjoy . So... what I would very much like to know(as well as the meaning of 'bookshelf') is : is there a micro hi-fi component System(that's what Sony calls it on the operating manuals) for hi-md? If anyone can help,thanks.Live in France . Cheers. Edited July 25, 2006 by Olga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky191 Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 AFAIK,A bookshelf fits on a shelf whereas a deck doesn't. its too big. A micro hi-fi component System is IMO a bit smaller than a bookshelf. Don't you like the system in this thread the Onkyo X-B8? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercury_in_flames Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 yes, just go to www.audiocubes.com. AFAIK, bookshel means when the speakers are about 30 cm tall, and 30 cm deep, as well as the main unit not being more than around 30cm deep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparky191 Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 Didn't know there was a specific size... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercury_in_flames Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 there isnt lol, im just saying what i assumed it meant as ive got a 'bookshelf' micro system, and those are the apprx dimensions. The dimensions of my unit is pretty close to other units that are supposedly bookshelf units so lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viiv Posted July 27, 2006 Report Share Posted July 27, 2006 Hey richyhu, I'm thinking of getting this now instead of a deck. But I have some questions. Fisrts off, any idea what version of ATRAC this uses? And is it cabable of copying the CD text information to the Minidisc? Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted July 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 Hi there it uses Atrac3+ for Hi-MD and Atrac 3 Type-S DSP for legacy with Type-R for SP I believe. It doesn't read Cd text info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Antoinette Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 AFAIK,A bookshelf fits on a shelf whereas a deck doesn't. its too big. A micro hi-fi component System is IMO a bit smaller than a bookshelf. Don't you like the system in this thread the Onkyo X-B8?Yea ,I've just re-read this whole thread and realised that this Onkyo -B8 might just be exactly what I'm looking for. But what happens if the unit needs repairing any time ? Does it have to be sent all the way back to Japan ? The timer for recording seems like a great improvement. How does the hifi md Sony LAM-X1 compare with richyhu's Onkyo X-B8 unit ? Anyone looked into it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viiv Posted July 28, 2006 Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 (edited) Yea ,I've just re-read this whole thread and realised that this Onkyo -B8 might just be exactly what I'm looking for. But what happens if the unit needs repairing any time ? Does it have to be sent all the way back to Japan ? The timer for recording seems like a great improvement. How does the hifi md Sony LAM-X1 compare with richyhu's Onkyo X-B8 unit ? Anyone looked into it ?Pretty crappy compared to the Onyko. Sure the LAM-X1 is one hell of a looker HOWEVER it has no tuner period. Compare that with the world band tuner of the X-B8 and well the fact that the LAM-X1costs double even through Price Japan and well its your choice. In terms of quality though I'd assume bothj would be similar as they are both Made in Japan. Not sure though if the LAM-X1 can copy CD text though. And hey richyhu, what's your source of info that this unit does indeed use Atrac Type-S? I looked through the manual and could not find any info about it. Edited July 28, 2006 by finalcoolman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted July 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2006 The Lam-X1 also has absolutely no in/out connections apart from the USB. It does have Kanji titling, but no tuner and much lower output.The Atrac Type-S thing is in the manual somewhere (or on the box or something), but trust me it does use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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