Onkyo Returns to its Stereo Roots at HE 2006
By Chris Boylan
Over the last few years, Onkyo has established itself as a solid provider of high-quality surround sound receivers which offer remarkable bang for the buck. But at the Home Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles this year,
Onkyo surprised us all by introducing components that celebrate good old-fashioned two-channel stereo sound.
The centerpieces of their demos were Onkyo's new "VL Digital" line of Class D digital amplifiers, which attempt to take digital amplification to a higher level than most audiophiles have heard before. For a source, they used their new C-7555 CD player, which plays standard CDs and MP3 CDs converted to analog by its integrated 192 KHz/24 Bit DAC.
Onkyo's C-7555 CD player.
The CD player fed tunes to Onkyo's A-9755 integrated digital amplifier. The amp delivers 150 Watts/channel into 8 ohms, and 300 WPC into 4 ohms. It features a phono stage plus 6 line inputs, and, in a nod to modern technology, is fully compatible with Onkyo's iPod dock. At the final end of the reproduction chain were a pair of Canton Vento 809 DC floor-standing tower loudspeakers.
Onkyo's A-9755 integrated amplifier.
Although the room was packed beyond capacity with press and trade members, and too crowded for an effective 2-channel demo, the system sounded smooth with no hint of digital nasties like excessive sibilance or brittleness. Definitely worthy of more detailed investigation.
But then to make matters worse (from an "ideal listening conditions" perspective, that is), the presenters then asked all 75 of us to turn around and check out their *other* demo system at the back of the room. This back-o-the-room special featured the little brothers to the two afore-mentioned components, driving a fine-looking pair of Onkyo speakers.
Onkyo DX-7555 CD player and A-9555 integrated amp.
The electronics in system number 2 were Onkyo A-9555 integrated amp (100 WPC, $699.99, available August, 2006), and Onkyo DX-7555 CD player ($599.99, Available August, 2006).
Onkyo D-312E mini-monitor.
The fine-looking speakers (Model D-312E) were a result of Onkyo's collaboration with Takamine, known more for their workmanship on musical instruments (specifically for their acoustic guitars) than for audio equipment. The 2-way minimonitor features Onkyo's new A-OMF (Onkyo Micro Fiber) woofer diaphragm which extends down to 34 Hz, as well a 3 cm ring-drive tweeter that reportedly takes the high frequency response all the way out to 100 KHz.
Onkyo D-312E - top view.
Again, difficult to gauge ultimate sound quality under these conditions, but the little system offered good soundstage depth and a nice balance, if a hint of stridency in their reproduction of strings. Audiophiles in search of mini-monitors with looks to match their sound may want to check out these fine-looking specimens.
