Onkyo A-9010From real comments

Verdict distilled from 18 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment53%
PROS 53%
CONS 47%

Rank based on 18 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want strong sound quality and a good DAC/phono stage on a tight budget
  • You're pairing it with a turntable, CD player or digital streamer without needing a subwoofer
  • You value a musical, dynamic sound over extra tone-shaping features

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need proper subwoofer integration
  • You want detailed tone/bass control or remote-adjustable tone settings
  • You're worried about the amp running hot during extended use

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Budget
Onkyo A-9010
Dynamic, musical sound qualityGreat value for moneyExcellent built-in DACRuns hotCheap-feeling volume knobNo proper subwoofer output
Onkyo A-9010
Dynamic, musical sound quality
Great value for money
Excellent built-in DAC
Runs hot
Cheap-feeling volume knob
No proper subwoofer output

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Sound quality and internal DAC consistently impress owners. Multiple users single out the A-9010's built-in Wolfson DAC and phono stage as standout features, with one owner selling a $2000 Denon amp after comparing it and buying a second Onkyo. Others describe the sound as dynamic, musical, detailed and punchy when paired with a range of speakers, from vintage Tannoys to Dali Zensors and Mission monitors, calling it a top choice at its price.

Build quality has a couple of rough edges despite strong performance. One user reported the volume knob feeling cheap and wished tone settings could be adjusted from the remote, though otherwise called it a solid amp with no other complaints. A separate reviewer complained the unit's bass and tone management were poor, saying the bass knob only increases around 100Hz, suggesting some inconsistency in perceived tone control quality.

Heat and subwoofer limitations are the clearest drawbacks. Several commenters, including owners of the related 9050 and tx-8050 models, note that Onkyo amps in this family run warm to hot, with one saying the 9050 can shut off after about an hour if underfed at high volume. Separately, a would-be buyer called the lack of a proper way to connect a subwoofer a dealbreaker that stopped them from purchasing the A-9010.

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