ONKYO’S NEW ENTRY-LEVEL A-9150 INTEGRATED STEREO AMPLIFIER DELIVERS DYNAMIC SOUND AND TREMENDOUS VALUE

July 11, 2017

The new A-9150 Integrated Stereo Amplifier announced today by Onkyo USA underscores the company’s commitment to delivering great sound across all price-points.  Backed by 70 years’ experience in hi-fi component design, the A-9150 amp features a customized high-current transformer; two large, custom-made filter capacitors; and discrete output-stage transistors that deliver fast, full-spectrum dynamics, lively transient response, and excellent speaker control at 60 W + 60 W (4 Ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 Channels Driven, FTC).  The unit is available for an MSRP of $599 USD / $ 899.99 CAD.

Instead of commonly used IC chips, Onkyo’s groundbreaking Discrete SpectraModule™ generates a class-leading 500 volts per microsecond slew rate for flat linearity up to megahertz bandwidth.  Full-bandwidth signals are served to the power amp to express musical nuance with freshness, while the high slew rate significantly improves instrument definition and placement across the soundstage.

Analog enthusiasts will appreciate the gold-plated MM/MC phono input which is backed by an independent phono circuit board featuring dedicated MM and MC equalizers and custom head amp, which operates in discrete configuration for MC signals.

Music on CD as well as other high-quality digital sources is reproduced with uncommonly high fidelity.  AKM’s premium 768 kHz/32-bit AK4452 digital-to-analog converter offers outstanding S/N performance, and is further enhanced with Onkyo’s original DIDRC Filter technology.  Developed for the company’s flagship stereo components, Onkyo’s DIDRC Filter outperforms conventional output filters by completely removing ultra-high-frequency noise from the signal. Despite being beyond the range of hearing, this noise can alter the character of audible sound. However, the DIDRC technology preserves the original recording’s true personality without creating an unnatural “synthesized” feeling that’s sometimes associated with lesser processing systems.

The A-9150 is equipped with quality audio terminals, including four gold-plated RCA line inputs; two gold-plated coaxial digital inputs; two optical digital inputs, and gold-plated speaker posts with A/B selector for simple switching between pairs of connected speakers.

A thick anodized aluminum faceplate is screwed firmly onto a robust full-flat chassis, and the aluminum volume control and overall sense of solidity reflect the quality and attention to detail of the unit.  These design elements, together with separate digital and analog circuitry and hand-selected parts position the A-9150 as a premium product at an attractive price.