Build Onkyo A-9010

On the surface this Onkyo looks pretty ordinary. It is neat in a wholly functional way, lacking anything in the way of overt design flourishes. It's clear that pretty much all the effort has gone on optimising the electronics.

Like most offerings from established manufacturers, the A-9010 is well made and specified sensibly. There are defeatable tone controls, a decent array of line level inputs, a moving magnet phono stage and headphone output - all good, but nothing unusual for this price.

For once we can say we like the supplied remote control. It's a simple plastic unit but is nicely arranged and easy to use - not something that can be said of all remotes.

It's becoming the norm for budget amplifiers to have digital-to-analogue conversion built in. On paper such an approach makes sense considering most sources are digital anyway.

But such an idea only has real value if the conversion modules fitted sound better than those used in the digital sources. In our experience that isn't usually the case, with these number-crunching inputs adding little to the overall sound quality.

The inclusion of such digital modules can also adversely affect the performance of the analogue circuits around them if enough care isn't taken in implementation. The result is an amplifier that never reaches its sonic potential even through the analogue line stages.

Onkyo has decided to bypass the whole issue by not going down the DAC route with the A-9010, instead preferring to improve other aspects of the electronic design.

Should I buy the Onkyo A-9010?

If you're looking for an affordably priced amp to kick-start your hi-fi separates system then we doubt you'll find many better than the A-9010 at this price.

It's a fabulous performer, offering a warm, refined sound that makes a mockery of the price tag, while its solid build and simple aesthetics should please fans of old-school hi-fi kit. Some might lament the lack of digital connectivity, network streaming and Bluetooth, but others - us included - will find it all part of the Onkyo's charm.