Onkyo Makes A Return To Two-Channel Brilliance: For
the last decade or so, audio manufacturers have been concentrating on
the multi-channel community, leaving the rest of the audio world to
fend for themselves. Last week, Onkyo decided enough was enough and
introduced two new two-channel pieces, one of which we are looking at
today, the high-performance A-9555 integrated amplifier.
The Company: Onkyo, which
takes its name from the Japanese "On" meaning 'sound' and "Kyo" meaning
'harmony,' has been in the business of producing precision audio
components for over a half-century. The company's reputation is one of
having products that are very well-designed and built to a very high
standard of excellence.
takes its name from the Japanese "On" meaning 'sound' and "Kyo" meaning
'harmony,' has been in the business of producing precision audio
components for over a half-century. The company's reputation is one of
having products that are very well-designed and built to a very high
standard of excellence.
The Product: By
itself, one would think that this was a regular introduction of a
common audio component, but in truth, this signals a noticeable shift,
and what I hope is a wholesale return to the beauty of two-channel
mainstream audio. This integrated also amplifier showcases Onkyo's
fourth-generation VL Digital power amplifier technology, and marks a
transition to digital amplifiers across the company's entire product
line.
itself, one would think that this was a regular introduction of a
common audio component, but in truth, this signals a noticeable shift,
and what I hope is a wholesale return to the beauty of two-channel
mainstream audio. This integrated also amplifier showcases Onkyo's
fourth-generation VL Digital power amplifier technology, and marks a
transition to digital amplifiers across the company's entire product
line.
Inside The Technology: The
A-9555 is a stereo integrated amplifier that features Onkyo's 4th
generation VL Technologically, the A-9555 is very cool. Digital
amplifier technology is implemented, using a unique implementation of
hybrid class 'D' amplification. With a strong 100 Watts per channel
into 8 ohms and 200 Watts per channel into 4 ohms available, it will
more than adequately power almost any home stereo speakers to very
realistic sound levels.
A-9555 is a stereo integrated amplifier that features Onkyo's 4th
generation VL Technologically, the A-9555 is very cool. Digital
amplifier technology is implemented, using a unique implementation of
hybrid class 'D' amplification. With a strong 100 Watts per channel
into 8 ohms and 200 Watts per channel into 4 ohms available, it will
more than adequately power almost any home stereo speakers to very
realistic sound levels.
Because of the extremely
high efficiency of this design, the amplifier produces remarkably
little heat production or distortion. Further, the A-9555 features
inputs for up to seven stereo source components, including two tape/MD
record loops and a high quality phono preamplifier circuit. The
inclusion of the phono section alone makes this a worthy contender in
the home stereo marketplace.
high efficiency of this design, the amplifier produces remarkably
little heat production or distortion. Further, the A-9555 features
inputs for up to seven stereo source components, including two tape/MD
record loops and a high quality phono preamplifier circuit. The
inclusion of the phono section alone makes this a worthy contender in
the home stereo marketplace.
MSRP on the A-9555
is $699, and street prices should be expected to be about 10 lower. For
the dollar, this is destined to be a great seller, because it is
equipped nicely and offers the rarity of a built-in phono section,
along with high output, classy look, and excellent build-quality.
is $699, and street prices should be expected to be about 10 lower. For
the dollar, this is destined to be a great seller, because it is
equipped nicely and offers the rarity of a built-in phono section,
along with high output, classy look, and excellent build-quality.
