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Onkyo A-9555: Review

Posted to Audio Components 2009-01-01

The Onkyo A-9555 represents an excellent value in a 2-channel digital audio amplifier for the audiophile on a budget. With specs and features rivaling amplifiers costing hundreds more, the sound quality of this amplifier is superb. The unit delivers 85 watts per channel into 8 ohms, with .08% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion). If features a phono input section and accepts inputs from a total of seven sources.

The A-9555 is available in black or an attractive brushed aluminum finish. The unit is quite hefty thanks to a large primary power transformer, and reminds one of the substantial amps from days gone by. The controls on the unit are simple and well laid-out. There's a large volume control, a large input selector, and separate bass and treble controls. There's also a speaker selector switch, a loudness button, and a Pure Direct button, which bypasses the bass, treble and loudness controls for "pure sound". The back panel features RCA input jacks, an IR remote jack, and two separate sets of speaker terminals designed to accept bare wire or banana jacks. Curiously the unit lacks a balance control, but stereo balance was found to be perfect.

Rating:

4.8 out of 5

Value

The A-9555 is an outstanding value for the price. It delivers true audiophile performance at the price of a mid-range amplifier. If you are trying to put together a complete home stereo or 2 channel home theater system for less than $2000, the A-9555 could be right for you. It delivers true, powerful bass and crisp, clean highs. The unit drives hefty speakers with more headroom than one would expect from 85 w ch (watts per channel). Onkyo has developed a new analog to digital conversion technique that makes sure you don't receive any "digital" effects whatsoever.

Ergonomics

The unit's design is clean and the controls are comfortable. There's a discrete blue light next to the volume control that indicates the volume level it is set at. And the remote is an example of how all remotes should be made - it has a lot of buttons but they are laid out logically and the volume controls are prominently in the middle. The back panel layout gets high marks for simplicity and placement as well.

Summary

It would be hard to beat this amplifier for the price. The remote works with other Onkyo components, such as the DX-7555 CD player, and the unit is compatible with the Onkyo Remote Interactive Dock, which allows docking of other devices such as the iPod. So if you're looking for champagne on a beer budget, the A-9555 fits the bill.

Pros

85 watts per channel into 8 ohm load
Separate phono input section
0.08% THD (Total Harmonic Distortion)
Highly ergonomic remote control

Cons

Lacks balance control